Vista Verde Ranch offers the best of old-fashioned Western hospitality in a luxurious Colorado mountain resort – serving up gourmet meals and nearly endless activity options in an incomparable winter wonderland. Perfect for a romantic getaway, Vista Verde’s 600 secluded acres and small guest count provide plenty of privacy, pampering and fun.
Vista Verde was named one of America’s Best All-Inclusive Resorts by Travel + Leisure and selected as one of the Five Most Romantic Ski Lodges in the West.
Old West Meets Luxury
Vista Verde’s private cabins and deluxe lodge rooms combine luxury with rustic Western décor.
The master bedroom features a handmade king-size log bed with Italian linens and down comforters. The beautifully tiled bathroom includes marble countertops and a shower big enough for two. In the living room, a cozy sofa and a wood-burning stove are perfect for relaxing afternoons and romantic evenings.
Guests love the antique furniture, western art, refrigerator stocked with drinks and over-flowing snack basket.
But the most popular spot in a Vista Verde cabin is the private hot tub tucked onto the porch. Delightful any time of day, the hot tub becomes magical in the late afternoon when technicolor sunsets give way to star-filled skies.
Blue Skies and Champagne Snow
With an average of 242 sunny days each year, visitors who are used to gray, rainy UK winters will be charmed by Vista Verde’s bright blue skies and fluffy “champagne snow.” They’ll also be delighted with nearly endless ways to enjoy this winter wonderland.
The day’s program is tailored to each guest and can include horseback riding clinics and trail rides, exploring hidden ski and snowshoe trails, taking a photography tour with a professional photographer, racing the peaks on snowmobiles and stretching in a yoga class.
Vista Verde’s riding program is designed for riders of all experience levels. The heated indoor arena is a perfect place for novices to learn how to “read” a horse and respond appropriately, and for experts to refine their skills.
Those who prefer less energetic pursuits can burrow under blankets on a private sleigh ride (jingle bells and hot chocolate included!), learn to cook with a gourmet chef or taste fine wines and craft beer.
Reading in front of a roaring fire is a favorite activity, as is spending an afternoon exploring Steamboat’s unique boutiques and authentic Western-gear stores, enjoying a relaxing massage and soaking in the hot tub.
Vista Verde’s activities are led by experienced guides who tailor each outing to guests’ interests, abilities and fitness levels. All equipment is provided.
Ranch staff will also happily arrange for special off-ranch adventures such as downhill skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, powder cat skiing, ice-climbing and hot-air ballooning.
Food, Glorious Food
All that fun in the sun and snow builds an appetite, and Vista Verde more than delivers. Meals are delicious and ample. They are also prepared to order, so special dietary needs are easily accommodated.
Breakfast includes a buffet with homemade granola, fresh fruit and home-baked treats, plus made-to-order eggs and dishes such as corned beef hash with shitake mushrooms, sweet Colorado corn, pickled ramps and fried eggs; blueberry pancakes with lemon curd; or carrot cake waffles with walnut syrup and whipped cream cheese. Health-conscious guests can enjoy hot oatmeal with mixed dried fruit or fresh berries and yogurt.
Lunch always offers a salad bar and special salad of the day, as well as hot entrees such as a Cuban sandwich or homemade pasta with dried tomato cream sauce, ricotta and fresh spinach. Dessert might be freshly made pie, chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting or chewy oatmeal raisin cookies from the never-empty cookie jar.
Vista Verde’s formal dinners are memorable. Served by candlelight and accompanied by fine wine, the menu might feature lobster mac-n-cheese made with orzo and mascarpone breadcrumbs followed by red wine linguine with short rib ragout or Atlantic salmon with lemon vinaigrette, mashed potatoes and arugula.
The meal could end with flourless chocolate cake drizzled with Gran Marnier crème anglaise, lemon goat cheesecake topped with almond crumble and blackberry sauce or another delicious indulgence. Lighter options include a trio of fruit sorbets and fresh berries.
The weekly wine tasting dinner is a special treat. This meal offers five small courses, each paired with a distinctive wine.
Formal dinners alternate with casual buffets featuring cowboy barbeque and crab legs, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, or prime rib with roasted vegetables and fresh-baked rolls.
Evening entertainment includes a barn dance (following a country western dance class in the morning), a musical program, games night and strolling back to your cabin under twinkling stars before relaxing in front of the fire.
All-Inclusive Cowboy Luxury
Vista Verde is one of the few all-inclusive luxury ranch resorts in the United States that offers winter getaways.
The ranch’s daily rate covers nearly everything: Meals, snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, most on-ranch activities, equipment, instruction, guides, transportation to and from the Steamboat airport and staff tips.
Romantic getaways should be unforgettable vacations. Between a luxurious Old West vacation, new activities, spectacular scenery and gourmet meals, couples leave Vista Verde with lasting memories.
Address: 58000 Cowboy Way, Clark, CO 80428, United States / reservations@vistaverde.com / 00-1-970-879-3858
