COLORADO EXPLORER
Winter fun at guest ranches

By Linda DuVal

Guest Ranches
Activities
Dining
Lodging
Shopping

© C Lazy U Ranch

The little sorrel mare plunges joyfully through the powdery drifts, like a carousel horse freed from its pole. Her shaggy winter coat is frosted with snow and when she pauses at the hilltop, she snorts steam and her sides heave with the effort. Yet, she pulls at the reins, eager to push on.

But not yet. The view from here needs to be savored—silvery snow and dark evergreens are cast against the blue-jay sky over the Rocky Mountains.

It’s one of many memorable treats experienced while visiting Colorado guest ranches in winter. Dude ranches have long been a mainstay of summer tourism in Colorado, but a handful of ranches stay open at least part of each winter, finding ways to entertain visitors who love snow. Here are some to consider:

C Lazy U, Granby: There’s outdoor horseback riding most of the winter. There’s also sledding, tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and sleigh rides. Wanna ski? You can do snowcat, telemark, cross-country and downhill skiing. If you prefer, snuggle up to a cozy fire and read, play billiards or ping pong, try your hand at archery or use their spa services. Winter Park and Sol Vista ski areas are not far away.

Home Ranch, Clark: Because they have an indoor arena, there’s a horse program year round regardless of weather. Guests also can go tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or on a sleigh ride. Off-property, they’ll arrange dog-sledding, snow-mobiling and downhill skiing. You can even do a little winter fly fishing on the Elk River.

Vista Verde Ranch, Steamboat Springs: Vista Verde offers outdoor and indoor horseback riding in winter, cross-country/back-country skiing and snowshoeing, sledding and sleigh rides, photo-ski sessions with a photographer/guide, wine tasting, cooking classes and yoga. Ice climbing, dog-sledding, power cat skiing and hot air balloon rides can be arranged, too. Read a feature article about a winter stay at Vista Verde.

Latigo Ranch, Kremmling: Strap on some cross-country skis or snowshoes and head for the pristine trails here. Grab a tube or sled for an afternoon of winter fun, or just hang out in a cozy cabin with a fireplace, then soak in the hot tub.

North Fork Ranch, Shawnee: This Orvis-endorsed fishing lodge operates as a bed-and-breakfast in the winter. Its big draw is open water, which means fishermen can indulge themselves a good part of the winter. There’s great snowshoeing on the ranch or cross-country skiing nearby on the Colorado Trail, along the continental divide, or at the Fairplay Nordic Center about 30 minutes away.

Colorado has one AAA Four Diamond rated guest ranch, Lost Valley Ranch near Deckers, which is not open in winter but offers horseback riding, fine dining and other activities in spring, summer and fall. Read an article about a late fall visit to Lost Valley Ranch. For general information on Colorado dude/guest ranches, visit www.coloradoranch.com.

Activities

The Brown Palace’s two-story champagne pyramid.
© The Brown Palace.

Kick off the holidays with the annual Champagne Cascade Ceremony at the Brown Palace hotel in Denver. At noon on Nov. 7, a swordsman will sever the necks of champagne bottles, filling a two-story pyramid of 6,000 champagne glasses. It happens during Sunday brunch, but the ceremony is open to the public free.

Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration began a new tradition last year: the Creative Snowman Contest. Because they don’t get much snow in Palisade, the snowmen are made of other things. The most creative win prizes. See this year’s entries on display in downtown Palisade, Dec. 11 through January.

Work off some pumpkin pie calories and beef up your Nordic skills at the same time when you sign up for the Thanksgiving Nordic Training Camp in Crested Butte, Nov. 26-28. Professional instructors will help skiers of all ability levels improve their techniques.

For a truly small-town holiday celebration, consider A Victorian Christmas in the Park, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Nov. 13 at Cimino Park in Trinidad. Elves will hand out candy to the kids, who also get to visit Santa and have their picture taken with him. Dozens of vendors will help you start your holiday shopping and there will be a drop-off box for donations to the Fire Department Toy Drive. 719-680-9878.

Crazy for ice fishing? Near Rifle, you can pursue your chilly passion at Harvey Gap State Park (day use only), or Rifle Gap State Park (campsites and RV sites available). You also can do some cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, if the snow is deep enough and you don’t mind breaking your own trail. Check on ice conditions before you go.

You’ve finally decided to learn to ski! Well, true beginners might want to start at Arapahoe Basin, near Keystone. The Guaranteed to Succeed ski program includes a season pass, three 2.5-hour group lessons and free rentals during lessons. You will be skiing more than the learner’s hill when you’re done or they’ll provide more lessons till you do!

Dining

Wild about boar? Eager for an elk steak? Or maybe just a bit of bison will do? Try the Red Lion Restaurant in Boulder. Can’t make up your mind? Get the wild game sampler! They have regular beef steaks and seafood, too, but it’s always fun to try something different.

If you happen to be near Gunnison and craving Italian food, take a short drive north of town to Garlic Mike’s. The place is exactly what it sounds like: garlic heaven! It’s some of the best Italian food in the state. It’s so good, they opened a second location in Montrose. Try the ravioli!

Lodging

Winter camping can be, well, uncomfortable. But you can have the best of both worlds by renting one of Snow Mountain Ranch’s new yurts near Winter Park. The yurts sleep up to six people and are available year round, with a nearby bathhouse for all amenities. Yurts are not heated, but have electricity.

If you love to ski Vail and Beaver Creek, but can’t afford the pricey lodging, consider the Hitching Post Bed-and-Breakfast in nearby Eagle. The 1908 Sears Roebuck catalog home has been lovingly restored and features cozy, affordable rooms. And yes, the original hitching post still stands in front of the house!

Shopping

Authentic Native American goods can be found at the Notah Dineh Trading Company & Museum in Cortez. Locally made Navajo rugs, Ute pottery, silver and turquoise jewelry and much more grace the shelves of this spacious store. Downstairs, don’t miss the world’s largest museum-quality “Two Grey Hills” rug on display. It’s a beauty.

If you’ve got a cowboy on your Christmas list, check out the genuine goods at The Cowhand in Woodland Park. Owned by the same family for 45 years, the store stocks Western boots, hats, belts, clothing, blankets and rugs—not to mention some great Southwestern jewelry. And don’t miss the really cute stick horses for little buckaroos!

Linda DuVal is a former travel editor and freelance writer in Colorado Springs.

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COLORADO EXPLORER Winter fun at guest ranches

Activities

COLORADO EXPLORER
Winter fun at guest ranches