President Ford's Ski House Hitting the Slopes

TEXT SIZE:

A A A

The real estate slopes, that is. Ford's former estate has been reduced by almost $2 million for quick sale. The LOADED, 11,629 square foot home at 65 Elk Track Court in Beaver Creek, Colorado is ski in/ski out and fresh from a presidential make-over, but current market conditions have forced the owner, Californian Kevin Hayes, to reduce the price of this spread to $12,995,000 from $14,999,000 and toss in some Presidential goodies to sweeten the pot.

Who says a president, any president, isn't good for property values? Hayes, who knew Ford personally, bought the home from the Fords in 2007 for $6,650,000.

Yes Hayes stands to double his money, even at the mark-down price, but, oh what you get for this now-discounted price: The only heated, indoor lap pool in Beaver Creek; direct ski access; seven bedrooms plus a children's sleeping loft; nine baths; decked-out master and master bath of course; two kitchens (one for the Chef); separate pool and fitness house holding the same massage table used by the former president; 600 bottle wine cellar; 1,100-square- foot, heated, outdoor patio to enjoy the view in the middle of winter without a coat, without freezing (and no snow to shovel!); 12-seat theater; secret service quarters now a game room; office; study; heated garage; and laundry room with multiple, front-loading washers and dryers. (Hey, skiing creates a ton of laundry.) Although not expanded, the home's year-long remodel and update was done with great sensitivity to preserving Gerald Ford's legacy, says the Realtor, Dee Dee Lantzy.

Also included in this price: More than $200,000 worth of artwork (not the former president's), and numerous presidential keepsakes such as the president's kitchen table, his cowboy hat, a putter, books and a few other personal items. You can also ski like a president because, don't tell the Smithsonian, but Gerald Ford's skis and ski jacket are included with the house. Snowplow on down to the lift named for the 38th president: President Ford's Lift.