Category Archives: Features

Tahoe’s Coachman Motel raising the bar for renovation

November 21, 2017 Sebastian Foltz Leave a comment

Investors give 60s era motel European inspired face-lift

Story appeared in the Tahoe Daily Tribune. http://bit.ly/2j9ZwqO

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The parking lot outside may still have some semblance of a construction site — a shipping container or two and a few carpenters milling about — but take a step into the lobby of the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Coachman Hotel and it is easy to see a piece of managing partner Justin Watzka, his father Peter and their investment group’s vision.
Inspired in part by the communal nature of the traditional European ski lodge with a uniquely modernized interior design, the place is at once welcoming and stylish.
Part lodge, part Starbucks, part microbrew tasting lounge, with a hint of nostalgia for the 1960s motel experience, the concept has the potential to become a model for redevelopment of the region’s aging motel infrastructure.
“It’s something I’ve been looking toward doing for a number of years,” the tall, thin, long-haired 34-yearold Watzka said sipping a Stumptown coffee in his hotel’s new communal space — which will also be open to non-guests. Watzka looks every bit the part of what you would picture from a young professional Bay Area business type, with a passion for the outdoors. Continue reading Tahoe’s Coachman Motel raising the bar for renovation →

Features, Uncategorized

Tahoe’s Cold Water Brewery celebrates one-year anniversary

November 19, 2017 Sebastian Foltz Leave a comment

Brewer and owner do it their own way

Story and photography first ran in November of 2015 in the Tahoe Tribune.

For brewmaster Ryan Parker, joining Cold Water Brewery was a chance to branch out and try something new; and it was a place to expand on his craft.
“Every beer is an art form,” he said, describing his approach. “Experimentally it’s nice to have that room to grow.”
For him, it’s all about the beer and the community that comes along with it. He leaves the business side of things up to longtime food and beverage industry director and brewery owner Debbie Brown.
“I don’t get out front very often,” Parker said of his focus on brewing. “I just like making beers.” Continue reading Tahoe’s Cold Water Brewery celebrates one-year anniversary →

Features, Sports

Explore Summit: Olympic snowboarders feature

Gallery November 1, 2017 Sebastian Foltz Leave a comment

Growing Up Golden : Olympic snowboarders Taylor and Arielle Gold

Explore Summit magazine feature on Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Olympic and X Games snowboarders Taylor and Arielle Gold. (Spring 2015 issue) Story also ran in the Summit Daily News and Explore Summit Weekender. Sample below; full story link here.

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Just a under a month after his first Dew Tour win, 21-year-old Taylor Gold is back at it in the halfpipe at Breckenridge Ski Resort. While his 18-year-old sister Arielle — an equally accomplished rider with podium finishes at both X Games and Dew Tour — runs laps with four-time Olympic snowboarder Kelly Clark, Taylor sits on top of one of the 22-foot halfpipe’s walls thinking about a trick.

After strapping in, he stands up, slides forward a little and eyes the spot he is about to hit on the opposing wall.
“Anything I do here is going to be thoroughly unimpressive,” he jokes.
It’s a few days before the U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding pro teams start their pre-X Games training camp. Taylor, Arielle, Clark and a handful of other skiers and snowboarders are already in the pipe at Breckenridge getting a jump on training and shaking off rust after a holiday break.
Standing near the edge Taylor waits for an opening between riders and skiers coming from the top of the pipe. He drops in, airs out of the pipe with a quick grab and then hikes back up. The small trick is just a portion of what will eventually build into something much larger, more complex.
“I told you it wasn’t going to be impressive.” [Continue full story here.]