Bella Vista Estate, Steamboat’s largest vacation rental on Rabbit Ears Pass, is hardly known for its celebrity guests (Why would it be? Privacy is a top priority).  Last month, however, the entire nation got a glimpse of our little town featured on The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi’s Ski Trip.  This three-episode special showcased Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker’s extended families take a weeklong vacation to the Rocky Mountains, with emphasis on winter activities, legalized marijuana, and of course, family drama.  It was a time of mending and blending, but after the editing took over, what we saw was quite an eye opener to the process of reality TV.

Despite the name “Ski Trip,” it took hours of convincing for the resort to allow cameras at its base area, so they were lucky they got to hit the slopes at all.  Watching red carpet gapers on the magic carpet was pretty fun for a lot of folks at the mountain, but the real success of the show that aired seemed to hinge on fighting (shocker), rather than family togetherness.  And that’s the weird part—while they were here, no heated disagreements went down in front of staff.  The owner of the estate, David Josfan, even questioned the producers how they were going to get a good show because the guests were being so nice to each other.  Yikes.  What has television come to these days?  Do we demand horrible behavior for entertainment, or is Bravo TV perpetuating this ugly Catch 22 of airing staged arguments because it makes viewers disgusted, and we’re disgusted that we’re watching staged arguments?  Would anyone care to watch the show if the Old Lady Gang sipped cocoa instead of bringing up issues with their niece?

We all know our preferences, and don’t watch what we’re not into, so I completely understand if the reader has no idea what I’m talking about and just thinks trashy shows are doomed to plague America.  Heck, I never once tuned in to a Real Housewives anything before I met Kandi.  But I was hopeful.  I’m obsessed with the magic of Bella Vista and know this land sparks a creative and loving energy in visitors.  How could it not?  All we do is celebrate here: weddings, birthdays, corporations, fraternities, graduations, and more have charged this property.  You can’t help but be humbled by the views and grateful for the serenity, even if (or especially if?) you’re from Atlanta and hate the cold.  That’s why I was convinced they would have a good time.  And they did!  The last show aired a glimpse of the actual mending and blending, and comments on social media were positive.  People were excited to see a real family reunion, because they reunited with each other!  Maybe Bravo needs to recalculate its formula for ratings…maybe we don’t need the trashy fights.  Or maybe that’s what made the final episode that much more meaningful?  Hey, that’s why I don’t work for Bravo, I suppose.

During a time when Steamboat Springs is gaining more attention (NY Times ranked its Hot Springs #19 in its 52 places to visit globally), this miniseries may not have been exactly what locals were hoping for, but sure showcased the town well.  The family enjoyed handmade beauty products from Rising Sun Ranch Creations, craft beer from Butcherknife Brewery, and traditional Western gear while shopping at FM Light.  Their visit to Rocky Mountain Remedies was a total hit, and their time at Saddleback Ranch proved that good old American traditions still exist.  I thought it was a total home run that not a single complaint was made about the town, and I’m so proud of everyone that participated.

“It takes a village,” says Josfan.  “We are extremely grateful to all of the local businesses who helped us bring in a national television network and give the cast and crew an authentic experience.”  He and his wife, Alicia, have made efforts in the past year to attract more clients from Hollywood, but never imagined a spotlight on such a popular show.  Luckily, they lived in LA before relocating to Steamboat, and were able to take everything in stride.  “We’re reinventing how people want to vacation.  Our home offers such respite, and that’s a constant for anyone who comes, so we trusted the Tuckers would have a blast.  We’ve already booked a few more household names for the upcoming months, and are excited to have familiar faces enjoy the atmosphere of Bella Vista.  We can’t promise anything right now, but we’re hopeful for nothing but positivity to come from this show.  Who knows, maybe Steamboat will be an annual destination for Kandi!”