Welcome to our weekly update.  It may not be headline news, but we know how many of you like to know what's going on at the ranch when you're not here.  So, take a look and let us know if you have any requests!

We just got our issue of Sunset Magazine with a blurb about the ranch in an article on the Top 10 Smart Vacations.  We just thought we were providing a great experience here at the ranch, but apparently we are also adding to our guests' intelligence.  What a bonus!

The writer of the story is Jad Davenport who was actually here a couple years ago to put together a piece for Fodors Travel Guide.  Jad is a super guy and we really enjoyed having him here at the ranch.  He and his girlfriend spent a couple days with us and were so taken by the place that he included us in this piece he put together for Sunset.  We are honored and glad to be a part of such a quality publication.  Thanks  Jad!

Yes, this picture was indeed taken on May 1.  Unbelievable!  The snow had been melting away and we were starting to see some green grass poke through right before this storm hit.  After the winter we just had, no one was happy to see the snow around here.  We are just ready to be done with it!  Hopefully the sun will come out as expected this weekend and this top layer will just melt away.  Maggie did spend the morning singing, "Snow, snow, go away, come again another day."  Maybe the powers that be will listen to her!

It just goes to show, you never know what you'll get here in the Rocky Mountains! 

 

Another Construction Update-

As you can see, the new Kid's Hut is coming along quite well.  Kelli is counting the days until she can get in and start decorating and she has all sorts of plans for how to use this much expanded space for the kids and teens.  This past week brought sunny skies that the constuction crew enjoyed, rather than working in the snow. 

Right across the turnabout another group of workers has the siding going up on the new Sweetheart's Parlor.  We're still contemplating whether it will have the same name or if we'll come up with a new one for the new building.

And down in the Main Lodge, one more crew is busy tiling and painting in the Lodge rooms as they all get a major facelift.  It's not our typical, quiet off-season, but it's exciting to see all the changes coming along so quickly right now.  As we near May 1, the countdown to opening day one month later will begin! 

With summer rapidly approaching, we are taking time this spring to add a few new steeds to our herd. At the end of March, Ben, Lee, Rusty, Joanna, and Nicky hit the trail for Billings, MT and viewed over 700 horses. They came home with six. Believe it or not, none of them are brown and all of them are geldings. They bought a buckskin, a grey, a paint and three roans. If you donšt know what a roan is youšll have to come visit this summer to find out.

This guy pictured is a big boned, stout, good looking buckskin (the horse, not Rusty) Quarter horse.  He has a really quiet demeanor and should be able to go right into the guest string.  He is one that everyone is really excited to try out.

The best part is that guests should be riding all but one of the new guys as early as this summer! Wešre still working on picking names that everyone can agree on so it may be awhile. In the meantime, the wranglers are having fun riding them around the ranch this week and getting to know their personalities better. Ben and crew will be heading to several more sales later this month, so wešll be sure to keep you posted.

We started this blog with news of all the snow we had received so far this season, and as the Steamboat Ski Area prepares to close for the seaon this weekend, the news of monumental snow continues.  From the Steamboat.com website, we borrowed the below press release (posted late March) to share with you.  Since the story was written, we've received another 30 inches, believe it or not!

With more than 37 feet of Champagne PowderŽ snow this winter, the Steamboat Ski Resort will finish the 2007/2008 season in record fashion, breaking its previous season snow record of 447.75 inches set in 1996/1997.

Overnight, a storm blanketed the resort with 4 inches at mid-mountain and the summit resulting in a 74-inch base at mid-mountain and 97-inch base at the summit, moving the season snowfall total to 450 inches, 2.25 inches more than the previous record-breaking season. Currently, the top-three season snow totals for Steamboat include this year’s 450 (& counting); 447.75 in 1996/97; and 447.5 in 1983/84.

In addition to establishing a new all-time snowfall record and registering a “four-wire winter”, the resort hit three key milestones within just a month of each other: surpassing 300-inch mark on 2/1/08; six days later surpassing 350-inch mark on 2/7/08; and on March 2nd surpassing the 400-inch mark. Furthermore, Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A. received more than 100 inches of snow for three months (December, January & February) for the first time in resort history.

Since November 21st, snow has fallen 91 out of 122 days (74.5%) with 51 of those days recording four or more inches. This season at mid-mountain, the resort has seen 17 inches in October; 23 inches in November; 126 inches in December (3rd snowiest); 129 inches in January (2nd snowiest) and 104 inches in February (2nd snowiest); and 51 inches in March for a combined total of 450 inches (37.5 feet).

Now that we're closed for the season, it's turned into construction season at the ranch!  So many projects, and just enough time.  First off, Sweethearts Parlor is coming along at a quick rate as you can see in the picture.  The crane in the background is busy working on Kelli's new and improved (and much larger) kid's hut.  And then, down at the Main Lodge Bill and Charlie are busy ripping and tearing up the lodge rooms for a really nice remodel on all three rooms.  And just downstairs, another crew is hustling away at expanding the staff room.  We all got a little tired of having to eat standing up since we were running out of room in the staff room as our staff grows each season.  So, keep posted as we update you on how it's all going.  As we get close to opening day, it will be exciting to see all of these projects wrapped up.

On another note, this past week brought 3 birthdays at the ranch- Kelli and Ben both on the 10th and Dace just yesterday on the 18th.  We're not releasing ages (we don't do that after 30 here) but they all are still acting like 22 year olds, so I think the mountain air is doing the trick. 

Sorry about the delayed post this time, but.........IT'S A GIRL!

Ella Roe Wilson joined the ranch family on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:30pm.  Weighing in at 7 lbs, 11 oz she showed up without much trouble and has been a joy so far.  No horseback riding or skiing yet, but she's working hard on learning what it's like to be a Steamboat baby......lots of blankets and really cute hats.  But then, what girl doesn't like cute hats?  And big sister Maggie has found her calling "helping" me take care of little Ella.  We'll see how long that lasts!

In other ranch news, we did close down for the season on  Sunday, so it's really quiet around here now!

We enjoyed our extra day of February with bright sunny skies and spring-like weather. This winter seems to have been one of extremes. Nothing but snow for almost 2 1/2 months and now we've just had warm, sunny days for a week or so and no snow in sight....until next week they say.

This week I handed over the reins of the reservations to Kelli, who will be covering for me while I'm busy with the new baby. But then Wednesday rolled around, Thursday, Friday, and still no sign of baby. So, for those of you who have been checking in on me, I'll keep you posted. Until then, my singing assistant, Maggie will keep me running around the house while I catch up on some other work from home. And if you have any reservation questions, you'll be in great hands with Kelli!

In other ranch news, Holly and Bekah returned earlier this week from a big buying spree at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Holly has been doing a great job at keeping our little store stocked with fun, new merchandise and she came back excited about all the new items she found for this summer and next winter.

And, lastly, Lee and Dace just returned from a 10 day Wilderness EMT training course in Wyoming. They spent a lot of time in the classroom in addition to much time out in the field in this intensive refresher course. So, we're planning on no one getting hurt, but in case they do we've got it covered with these two.

We took advantage of not having many guests at the ranch today and invited a busload of kids from the North Routt Charter School up for a ski and snowplay. About 60 kids, teachers and a couple parents rolled in just before noon and quickly geared up and headed out to ski. That didn't prove to be enough to wear the little tykes out, so we then took them up on the tele hill for some fun tubing and snowball fights. With ranch kids Maddie King in 4th grade, Annie Martin in the 3rd grade and Jack Martin in 2nd grade, we had an extra bonus of having them be able to show off "their" ranch to their friends. It's fun to be a part of helping get these kids out to enjoy their beautiful surroundings! The bus has driven back down the driveway and the dust, er, snow, has settled. Our ranch guests spent the day at the Steamboat Ski Area, so they are now on their way home. As the alpenglow settles in on Wapiti Mountain, we're awaiting a couple new guests to check in for a long weekend. Just another great day at the ranch, and we'll all sleep well tonight!

How could love not be in the air at Vista Verde on Valentine's Day? To celebrate the day, Chef Rob and his crew put together a fabulous dinner, and he toasted the crowd with his now annual Valentine's Toast. For a single guy, he doesn't feel like he has a lot to contribute as far as prose about love. So, his toast was to all the lovers, asking them each what they think it takes to stay in love and make a relationship last. We're betting that with all the words of wisdom he's picking up, he won't be single much longer!

The kitchen staff had fun during the day putting together the big dinner and as you can see by the menu, it was a dinner worth showing up for!

Happy Valentines Day

February 14, 2008

Cheese tasting with chef Rob

Taste cheese from around the world

***Amuse***

Elk Carpaccio with Chipotle aioli and grilled rustic bread

&

Asparagus Mousse

***APPETIZER***

In house brandy cured smoked salmon with a sweet Potato blini and lemon-dill froth topped with creme fraiche and capers

***ENTREES***

Braised Colorado Lamb

Rosemary crusted braised Lamb shank served with manchego cheese risotto and sauteed spaghetti squash

CHEF'S WINE RECOMMENDATION

Desert Wind Merlot

VISTA VERDE LIGHTER SIDE

Strawberry Grouper

Pan seared grouper with a pumpkin goat cheese ravioli steamed sunburst squash finished with a cranberry orange compote

CHEF'S WINE RECOMMENDATION

Alamos Chardonnay

***DESSERT***

Chocolate kahlua cake with chocolate ganache, raspberry sauce and creme anglaise

This week brought two fun pieces of news from VVR staff alumni.

First off, Sarah and Mark Sortum welcomed Henry Bruce Sortum into their lives on Sunday, February 3. They are now living in Taylor, Nebraska with the other son Emmett and now Henry. Mark is teaching at a nearby school and Sarah is trying to balance motherhood with a horse training and breeding business as well as helping out her family with their ranch operations. You can see more about this ranch at www.calamusoutfitters.com.

Just days before the news about Henry, we had a visit from Ryan (aka Woody) and Ashlie to meet and plan their WEDDING at the ranch this summer. They wanted to have their wedding at the ranch since that was where they first met and fell in love. We're so excited that they chose to celebrate their special event with us and are looking forward to a fun weekend with all their friends and family at the end of May.

We'd love to hear news from any other VVR alumni and will do our best to pass along any fun updates that we receive! Just email Stephanie at reservations@vistaverde.com if you have some news about what you're doing these days.

Yesterday the ranch hands and housekeepers decided they had had enough of shoveling and cleaning and needed a break. So they strapped on their snowshoes and headed out to pack down the snowshoe trail that follows the ridge line above the ranch. It was a beautiful, sunny day, as you can see, and the views were phenomenal! The best part of this adventure was that they convinced Charlie to come out with them. This is the guy who we most often see a) driving the Bombardier with his slippers on, b) driving a snowmobile or c) driving the John Deere tractor. Johanna, Hallie, Jess, Isaiah and Courtney must have been pretty persuasive! We're glad they can sneak away for a little fun every now and then. And wouldn't you know it, this morning we woke up to 15 inches of new snow. So, back to shoveling, and it looks like they may have to pack that trail down again soon!

At the beginning of the season, the ski guides said they wanted to build a quinzee (a snow shelter that is kind of a cross between a snow cave and an igloo) that they could use as a destination for night skis and just a fun spot to stop off and check out while out skiing on the groomed trails. But they were too busy early in the season with so many guests enjoying skiing in the backcountry. So last week they finally decided that it's now or never and set aside an afternoon and went out and built it.

A couple of nights ago, a group enjoyed a trip out to the quinzee under the bright light of the almost-full moon. Although it still requires some bundling up, it's pretty amazing how warm you can stay by the light of a fire in the middle of winter! I'm guessing that we'll hear about one of them spending the night in the quinzee before the end of the winter. As if the guides don't get enough time outside guiding trips all day long!

So, to start our weekly updates off with a bang, here is the latest, greatest and juiciest news from the ranch this week. Maybe you'll be intrigued, but maybe you'll realize that life at the ranch isn't always as dreamy as you envisioned. I'll leave that up to you.

As you may have read in our recent e-newsletter, this winter has blessed us with an abundance of snow. The downside of all that snow is that at some point, it has to go away in certain areas. Bill has been keeping up with plowing the driveway non-stop, the ranch hands have been shoveling and snow blowing the walkways morning, noon and night, and Charlie hasn't had a day off from grooming the trails in a long time. But there was one area that we didn't have covered, and that's the roofs. These sturdy log cabins can only support a certain amount of snow weight and then it's time for it to go. So, we brought in our local friend Matthew Gantick and his crew to take care of that for us. You can see from the picture why we would rather have someone else do this job than do it ourselves­. It's a little precarious. These guys run an excavating company in the summer and come winter they turn into master snow excavators!

As always, we send a warm hello from all of us to you and yours. We're enjoying a wonderful group of guests right now and look forward to having you come home to the Ranch soon if it's in your plans!