“The most memorable New Year ever!” a St. Paul guest enthuses. The ranch does a progressive dinner – on skis. Or snowshoes. Or in a horse drawn bobsled. In the true spirit of the West, you decide for yourself.
Late afternoon on New Year’s Eve, guests swoosh through the woods to Homestead Cabin. A blazing fire and flickering candles on the rafters create a romantic backdrop for drinks, caviar and oysters.
Then it’s off to the Munn’s home for soup and such delicacies as foie gras and house-cured salmon on homemade chive crackers. Colorful ski togs complement the sky’s twilight tones as skiers and snowshoers stop by one of the bonfires lighting the trail to the lodge.
People gasp as they enter. While they were away, it was transformed into party central. Hundreds of balloons with ribbon streamers drift overhead. Following the salad comes the delightful dilemma of selecting an entrée – beef tenderloin with foie gras and shave black truffles, tequila-cured salmon or roasted rack of caribou with pomegranate molasses glaze.
Around 9:30, the gathering moves to Sweetheart’s Parlor, where the ranch’s sole television set hides. This being the West – and guests are worn out from a vigorous workout – no one minds celebrating the turn of another year when New Yorkers say it’s midnight. Selecting from a decadent array of desserts, partygoers grab a glass of champagne to raise in a toast to the New Year.
But how many Times Square revelers can sink into their hot tubs and watch the Aurora Borealis while horses whinny nearby?
“Christmas in the Rockies,” by Lois Anne Naylor, American Cowboy Magazine, Nov/Dec, 2000.
