Staff and Stuff

We’re in the heart of orientation week and the level of energy at the ranch is at a high. Dace has given his talk about the mission statement. Ben has given his talk about the realities of living, working, eating and playing with the same people all summer long and how to foster a positive…

The Best Dude Ranches

I was at a Colorado Dude Ranch Association meeting yesterday and we were discussing how some ranches use the term Best Dude Ranch to describe themselves.  It was a hot topic, as many dude ranchers are quite offended by others using that term.  It got me thinking though.  What makes a dude ranch the best…

Mud Season

When it’s not quite still winter, and not quite yet summer here at Vsta Verde Ranch, we don’t refer to it as Spring but call it by another name.  Mud Season.  During this time most of the Steamboat Springs resorts close down because of Mud Season.  Most years, it’s just an affectionate term that we…

The Big Move, Part II

Today is the day! The design crew got started around 8am and are cranking away getting all the furniture moved into the Great Room. The rugs are down and much of the furniture is in the building. Right now they are placing the different pieces in their spots. The elk head is looking down from…

Honeymoon at a Dude Ranch?

Yes!  These days, we are seeing more and more folks coming to Vista Verde Ranch for their honeymoon.  The cliche beach vacation is just so…..well, cliche.  Coming to a guest ranch is a different and fun way to have a romantic honeymoon getaway with shared experiences that will last long past the pina colada getting…

Wild Yoga!

We all have our “thing” that we’re into. At Vista Verde, many of us find our “thing” to be related to outdoor recreation. Rob loves fishing. Steve loves mountain biking. Dace and Ben love anything related to horses. The list goes on and on. But every once in a while one of us will find…

Romantic Winter Vacations

Looking for a new romantic vacation idea? Get over lace, chintz and potpourri. A great romantic resort getaway features lots of shared activity outdoors that sparks lots of shared activity indoors. That’s the experience of couples who visit Vista Verde Ranch, near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. After a day spent skiing, riding, sledding, snowshoeing or dog…

Ranch vs. Resort

There are a broad range of dude ranches in Colorado as well as a broad range of Colorado resorts. The meaning of dude ranch, guest ranch or resort depends on who you ask. Some think a dude ranch is more rustic and a guest ranch is more upscale. Some thing a dude ranch is more…