Sea to Ski celebrates 20 years: Here’s what they’ve learned about maintaining homes above 7,000 Feet

Sea to Ski Property Management celebrates 20 years in Park City. Photo: Sea to Ski Property Management

"Homes are kind of like cars. They need to be driven, they need to be lived in. A lot of people think that if no one has been in the home, everything should be fine. But that's far from the truth. Regular system checks and maintenance are crucial" - Charlie Robbins, Founder

PARK CITY, Utah — Celebrating two decades in business, Sea to Ski Property Management reflects on their experiences and shares insights into maintaining homes in Park City’s unique climate. Through wildlife encounters, weather-related challenges, and client emergencies, they have honed their expertise and preparedness.

The partners at Sea to Ski know when their homeowners are in Park City, they want to enjoy their time and not worry about all the pesky to-dos at their home. Twenty years of operating has allowed the team to see everything, so they’re prepared for everything.

Building Trust and Handling Crises

The journey of Sea to Ski has not been without its challenges. Charlie Robbins, the principal and founder, emphasizes the importance of building a reliable team. “In the beginning, we realized we need to have the utmost thorough approach to checking homes, as there are many things to inspect both inside and outside. We’ve learned that a strong team, efficient systems, and a commitment to thoroughness have been crucial to our success.”

Rufus Frost, head of HOA management, highlights the importance of being a liaison between homeowners and homeowners associations (HOAs). “Trustworthy staff and strong community connections are vital,” he explains. “In property management, there will always be emergencies or issues you can’t plan for or predict. It’s not what happens, but how you respond. Our proudest achievement is building a team that provides immediate, top-level service, 24/7,” said Frost.

Navigating the Unexpected: Wildlife and Weather

Living and working in Park City means being prepared for anything, including encounters with wildlife. Tierney Groy, a partner at Sea to Ski, recalls some memorable moments that emphasize the unique challenges of managing properties in this mountainous region.

“We once had a moose that repeatedly destroyed a hot tub cover,” she recounts. “It happened twice, and another time, the same moose wouldn’t move from outside a home and just stared through the glass at the homeowner. It was like it owned the place.” Sea to Ski explored various methods to keep the moose away, including trying to make different barriers, but ultimately they had to call on the Department of Natural Resources to relocate it.

Tierney also describes an incident involving thousands of honey bees nesting under a deck. “One of our clients was extremely allergic to bees. When we discovered the nest, it was a scare for him,” she says. But in Utah, honeybees are a protected species so, they couldn’t use traditional pest control. Instead, the Sea to Ski team found a beekeeper who safely relocated the bees and their hives.

Weather-related incidents are another test of will for property management in Park City. Tierney shares a story about a home that experienced major water damage in the basement. “It was a particularly heavy snowfall that season, and the meltwater caused significant flooding. We had to work around the clock to manage the damage and restore the property.” Sea to Ski took steps to prevent mold, drying out the area, repairing drywall, and installing a sump pump to prevent future issues.

The Proactive Approach to Home Management

The unexpected is definitely part of the job, but for Sea to Ski, consistency continues to remain key across the board, from staff, to the homes themselves. Robbins talks about the constant care homes need especially when they are empty.

“Homes are kind of like cars. They need to be driven, they need to be lived in. A lot of people think that if no one has been in the home, everything should be fine. But that’s far from the truth. Regular system checks and maintenance are crucial,” he explains.

Sea to Ski’s proactive and thorough approach gives homeowners peace of mind. These are just a few of their comprehensive seasonal maintenance checklists, which highlight the care needed to keep homes in top condition. 

Top 5 Spring/Summer Checklist Items

1. A/C checks
2. Roof/heat tape checks
3. Irrigation backflow/fire suppression testing
4. Deck staining/outdoor furniture
5. Window cleaning

Top 5 Fall/Winter Checklist Items

1. Gutter cleaning
2. Inspect and maintain fireplaces
3. Heating system checks
4. Water softener checks
5. Deep cleaning prior to the winter season

“Managing homes through two decades of summers and winters has enabled us to become hyper-proactive about preparing for each season,” Tierney says.”We want to give peace of mind that all systems in their home are maintained on a regular basis to ensure longevity of their systems and to try and eliminate issues.”

Going the Extra Mile: Concierge Services

Sea to Ski extends its services beyond property management with a comprehensive concierge approach for their owners, leaving no stone unturned.

Years ago, a special gift ordered for a client’s child had not been delivered by 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It was a special edition Lego set and the client called in a panic as it was the one gift the child wanted. On Christmas Eve, Sea to Ski called stores in both Salt Lake and Park City, eventually finding the Lego set in Salt Lake. They then hand-delivered it to the client’s home.

Another request involved finding the perfect Christmas tree for a client family. The client said, “We want the biggest tree you can find – big and fat like Santa!” Sea to Ski worked with their tree vendor and FaceTimed the family over several days, visiting tree farms and nurseries to find the perfect tree. It was so large that it took six people to get it into the house and set it up. When the tree was lit, the client and their family said it was magical and made their Christmas special.

Outside of holiday merry-making, Sea to Ski offers a variety of concierge services:
– Vehicle service and transportation
– Private aviation arrangements
– Grocery and beverage delivery
– Errand running and purchases
– Experience and recreation coordination
– Private catering and restaurant reservations

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

After 20 years, the team at Sea to Ski has learned to embrace the surprises and build resilience. “Be prepared for anything and expect the unexpected,” advises Robbins. This mantra has guided their successful journey, helping them earn the trust and respect of the Park City community.

Groy reflects on the unique nature of their work. “We’ve seen it all, from wildlife encounters to last-minute crises. Property management is never boring but finding solutions and getting results makes it so worth it and we have learned how to get results. Building relationships with our homeowners, vendors and the community as a whole is rewarding.”

Sea to Ski has been recognized as “Park City’s Best” four years in a row, reflecting their dedication and service quality.

For more information on property management for a primary or secondary home, community association, or even commercial property, visit Sea to Ski Property Management’s website.