Vista Verde Guest Ranch (CO)

Colorado

In Depth

Vista Verde is more than just a riding ranch. The diversity of activities is what makes it really unique. Having said that, we take great pride in our riding program and we have spent a long time refining it to have a balance of safety, adventure and learning opportunities. The flexibility of our program allows the guests to make of it what they want. If they really want to grow as a horseperson, there are many interesting clinics to take part in. The week starts off the Balanced Riding Clinic where riders get a chance to focus on their seat, communicating with the horse and getting more comfortable posting the trot and understanding how to maintain control at faster gaits. The next day they can try the Driving Clinic, learning to drive our Percheron team.

After that is the Groundwork clinic where they step off the horses and learn more about body language and the subtleties of working a horse in the roundpen without a halter. Following that we have an old timer cowboy come in and work with them to understand how to work cattle from the back of their horses. Once they’ve mastered that it’s time for the Team Penning and the next day the Team Penning competition. With all these clinics, there are so many opportunities for guests to expand their base of horsemanship. However, the clinics are just an option, and the guests can always just go out for a scenic trail ride. While on the trail, we make an effort to include elements of instruction if the guest is interested in learning more. Or we just go and have fun- bushwacking, playing games and just enjoying the beautiful mountains. The trails around the ranch are fairly rugged, but there are some open spots that allow for moving out faster. All of our riding takes place in the Routt National Forest in a mix of aspen, lodgepole pine, spruce and fir trees and then some open meadows.

We have about 75 horses in our herd, so each guest is assigned their own horse for the week. Having a large number of horses allows us to ride a little harder with the guests because we know we can give each horse a week off periodically. We have a range of horses so there are some that are great for total novices and some that are a little more responsive for the advanced rider.

In the summer most of our guests are families, but we do have adult only times when we get singles and couples. The families can choose to ride together, or split up by ability. The kids and teen programs offer special rides for the different age groups.

Activities

Cattle Drives, Dressage, Ecotourism, Fishing, Inn-to-Inn Riding, Pack Trips, Safari

Additional Activities

Carriage Driving, Cowgirl Camp, Cowboy Camp, English Riding, Golf, Ranch, Resort, Spa, Trail Riding, Wine Tours and Tastings.

What makes Vista Verde unique to other ranches is the variety of other activities in addition to an in-depth riding program. Many of our guests choose Vista Verde because one person wants to ride extensively, but the other doesn’t. And there is plenty for that other person to do so they are happy.

Accommodations

Our 9 cabins and 3 lodge rooms are surprisingly luxurious but you still feel like you are living in the mountains. All have private baths and range from one to three bedrooms and one to three bathrooms. The accommodations are very spacious by guest ranch standards. They are all very modern and furnished with a mix of antiques and handcrafted log furniture.

Food

The food walks the line between ranchy and fancy. Some meals are very casual cookouts served on the trail, others are formal, white tablecloth events. All meals are included, as is beer and wine.

Area Attractions

Steamboat Springs is a bustling resort town with an old Western charm. In the winter, skiing at the Steamboat Ski Resort is a great addition to a Vista Verde stay.