During this pandemic, not a few people have asked themselves where to get away from it all. With a virus running rampant, many are looking to go on safe holidays away from crowds and cities. Well, the AAA Four Diamond Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado is probably the best place to get away from it all.
NOTHING ELSE AROUND BUT A LUXURY RANCH
This family run ranch with a million acres is about 25 miles from the nearest traffic light. It has a herd of 100 horses so you might say that it’s a traditional ranch. However, it’s also a luxury resort. There is a staff guest ratio of over 1 to 1, and distinct adult or family times during the year. Vista Verde Ranch is also a great favorite forsolo travelers searching for a wide-open space and an escape to nature.
WHAT TO DO IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
The ranch has many outstanding riding experiences. Beginners can take a trek through the incredible Rocky Mountains. Meanwhile, the more experienced can participate in the full cattle round up every September. Vista Verde Ranch invites guests to head out and help round up the cattle before the snow arrives. There’s a lot of ground to cover, too. 16,000 acres of forested land in total. This high adrenalin activity is definitely a bucket list activity with a difference. However, it’s not for the faint hearted.
WHAT IS SNOGA
The ranch is also introducing SNOGA this winter. This is really a trek and a yoga session combined. Guests snowshoe out to a rustic cabin for a yoga class by a cozy fire. All levels are welcome and the teacher adjusts the session to the level of the guests. After yoga, the guests snowshoe back to their own private cabins.
Vista Verde is quite unlike the usual trekking ranches. They take great pride in helping guests with all levels of riding abilities to improve their skills and enjoy the experience. In fact, Vista Verde’s “horse program” kicks off with an orientation that works from the ground up.
HOW TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH A HORSE
The staff first teach guests how to communicate with their assigned horse and understand the language of equines. The ranch wranglers take time and care to pair each guest with the horse most appropriate for them, and this will be their “own horse” for the week. This allows riders to develop a unique and special relationship with their horse during their stay. And it makes all the difference in the ranch experience.
HORSEBACK RIDING A LA CARTE
After that, each guest can create what they want. They can go on leisurely and scenic trail rides through the Aspens or attend specific clinics in the arena. The ranch also offers small group lessons or instructional trail rides for guests who want to learn specific riding techniques for real time situations. Each rider can choose how much they want to put into or get out of the time they are on horseback.
For the chillier months there is an indoor heated arena for winter riding. Furthermore, lessons and clinics are available for all riding levels. For those who simply wish to enjoy the mountains, there is something magical about trekking with a blanket of fresh snow under hoof. Then there’s also the opportunity to head out on one of the ranches very own horse sleighs. The latter is a great favorite among guests.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AT VISTA VERDE RANCH
Although the Vista Verde Ranch is famous for all things equine, they also provide diverse activities. Guests can enjoy everything from cross country skiing and sleigh rides to photography and wine tasting courses. The ranch is well known for its wine collection, having received the coveted Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator.
The ranch has 15 private log cabins with hot tubs on each deck and three lodge rooms. Each of the cabins is named after the local mountains. They are rustic on the outside but cozy and luxurious inside. Most are spacious, with a sitting area for relaxing with a favorite book while keeping warm around the wood-burning stove under the star lit sky.
Read more about the best travel experiences in the world in Travelife Magazine.
