Our Story
Experience 'The Mountain Standard' Today! From a love of Lake Tahoe to a company built on trust, proactive care, and a commitment to doing things right.
How It All Started
In 1997, Dave Williams was living in Los Angeles, working in tech, and traveling constantly. A first visit to Lake Tahoe that year changed everything. By 1999, he'd relocated to Sacramento just to be closer to the mountains. Within months he met his future wife, Cindy, and their first conversation circled back to the same dream — owning a home on the West Shore. They married in 2002 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with their reception at the old West Shore Cafe, and by 2004 they'd purchased a second home in the Lake Tahoe Park Association near Sunnyside. In 2013, the family made Tahoe their full-time home. Their kids — Ryan, Lola, and Josh — have grown up hiking, skiing, and swimming in the place their parents fell in love with decades earlier.
In 1997, Dave Williams was living in Los Angeles, working in tech, and traveling constantly. A first visit to Lake Tahoe that year changed everything. By 1999, he'd relocated to Sacramento just to be closer to the mountains. Within months he met his future wife, Cindy, and their first conversation circled back to the same dream — owning a home on the West Shore. They married in 2002 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with their reception at the old West Shore Cafe, and by 2004 they'd purchased a second home in the Lake Tahoe Park Association near Sunnyside. In 2013, the family made Tahoe their full-time home. Their kids — Ryan, Lola, and Josh — have grown up hiking, skiing, and swimming in the place their parents fell in love with decades earlier.
From Homeowner to Founder
As a second homeowner, Dave experienced firsthand the frustration of managing a property from afar — juggling vendors, dealing with maintenance surprises, and watching traditional property managers fall short as platforms like VRBO and Airbnb reshaped the industry. Two observations became clear: non-present homeowners need a management approach far more proactive than what existed, and the old property management model was being disrupted by online booking channels. After years of waiting for a better solution to emerge, Dave founded Criterion Properties in 2016. In 2024, the company rebranded as Mountain Getaways — a name that better reflects the properties we manage and the communities we serve. The word 'Criterion' means 'a standard by which something may be judged.' That principle lives on in everything we do as The Mountain Standard.
As a second homeowner, Dave experienced firsthand the frustration of managing a property from afar — juggling vendors, dealing with maintenance surprises, and watching traditional property managers fall short as platforms like VRBO and Airbnb reshaped the industry. Two observations became clear: non-present homeowners need a management approach far more proactive than what existed, and the old property management model was being disrupted by online booking channels. After years of waiting for a better solution to emerge, Dave founded Criterion Properties in 2016. In 2024, the company rebranded as Mountain Getaways — a name that better reflects the properties we manage and the communities we serve. The word 'Criterion' means 'a standard by which something may be judged.' That principle lives on in everything we do as The Mountain Standard.
The Mountain Standard
Our promise to every homeowner we serve.
Our Commitments
We treat your property as if it were our own. We return calls quickly and work with urgency. We communicate openly and stay several steps ahead of your expectations.
Our Values
We seek out details that make a big difference. We own our mistakes and work until issues are resolved. We are always polite, respectful, and fair in our dealings.
Our Guarantee
We will never take for granted the opportunity you've afforded us. Nearly 100% of our business comes from referrals — a track record we work hard to maintain every single day.
Our Commitments
We treat your property as if it were our own. We return calls quickly and work with urgency. We communicate openly and stay several steps ahead of your expectations.
Our Values
We seek out details that make a big difference. We own our mistakes and work until issues are resolved. We are always polite, respectful, and fair in our dealings.
Our Guarantee
We will never take for granted the opportunity you've afforded us. Nearly 100% of our business comes from referrals — a track record we work hard to maintain every single day.
Common Questions
