After an epic crash in 2008, the market for ski-homes is finally getting a lift.
Rising stocks, an improving economy and a rush of buying before the 2013 tax hikes have helped drive a surge in sales and prices for mountain homes in the West. While the snow this year has been relatively light in some resorts, vacation-home buyers are drifting back into the market after a four-year drought.
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In Sun Valley, Idaho, the number of units sold in December and January is up 51 percent over the previous year, according to data compiled by Coldwell Banker. In Colorado, unit sales in Vail are up 29 percent and median prices are up 36 percent in Steamboat. California's main ski region around Tahoe has seen units sold increase 18 percent, while sales volume in Park City, Utah is up 15 percent.