Your trip to Vista Verde is coming up soon!
In preparation for your arrival we are providing you some information to help you make the most of your time at the ranch. This information is intended to help you better anticipate and appreciate the events of your stay as they unfold. For those of you who are visiting Vista Verde for the first time, you may feel a bit lost with all that is going on at the ranch if you haven’t read through this information. For those of you who are VVR veterans, keep in mind that we are always tweaking things to improve the experience, so please take a few minutes to refresh your memory on all that is going on at VVR.
Even if it’s on the plane on the way out here, having looked through this information will “help us help you” to take advantage of all there is to do at Vista Verde.
Among other things in the below information, you will meet our talented staff. They have been carefully selected through an intensive interview process that verifies their work ethic, love of the outdoors and care for people.
We are confident that the team will serve you promptly, pleasantly, and professionally. We are often asked about the etiquette of tipping at the ranch. Our staff is compensated so they do not rely on tips for their pay, and there is no expectation of tips.
However, if you would like to leave a special thank you, we ask that you not tip individuals but recognize the overall contribution of the team by simply including it in your final payment. We will add your contribution to a tip pool to be distributed among the entire team. We look forward to sharing our home with you and providing you with an unforgettable vacation experience.
Schedule of Activities
There are so many choices for fun adventures at Vista Verde! Each evening we will come around and check in with you to plan the next day’s activities. To give you a feel for the flow of the week, and what is offered while you’re at the ranch click on the date range you will be joining us for your winter vacation, for a detailed schedule of activities.
Please note that early season and late season the schedules are adjusted as needed based on snow conditions. Activities such as sleigh rides, tubing, and ice fishing might not be offered due to low snow and activities such as skiing and snowshoeing will be adjusted to accommodate snow conditions. When conditions don’t allow for snow-based activities we will add in some unique options such as Spring shed and crust biking.
- Kids Program Schedule
- December 15-20 Schedule of Weekly Activities
- Kids Program Schedule December 15-20
- Christmas Schedule of Weekly Activities (December 21-28)
- Kids Program Christmas Schedule
- New Year’s Schedule of Activities (December 28-January 4)
- Kids Program New Years Schedule
- No kids program January 4-February 15, 2025
- Main Winter Schedule of Weekly Activities (January 6-March 23)
Safety
In order to enjoy your stay at Vista Verde more fully, we would urge you to observe the following safety precautions:
FIRE SAFETY
Although there’s nothing like sitting by a nice warm and cozy fire on a cool night or crisp morning, out of control fires can occur. We ask that you please read all the instructions located by your wood-burning stove before operating it. If you are unsure or have problems with any part of your stove, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Fire is our greatest concern!!
NO SMOKING
All the ranch buildings and cabins are smoke-free, and the use of marijuana or illegal substances is strictly prohibited. A cleaning charge will be added to your final bill if the smoking policy is not respected.
HORSES
Please stay outside of the corral and pastures unless otherwise directed by the wranglers. In a herd setting, horses can get possessive and even aggressive.
TUBING
Tubing is a lot of fun, but there are hazards. Please respect the rules, pay attention to any obstacles that may be in the area where you are tubing, and maintain a safe speed.
HELMETS
Helmets are not required for riding, but we do strongly recommend wearing one. We have a supply of riding helmets for your use.
SUN
Even when the air is cold, the sun at this altitude is intense and can be very harmful to bare, untreated skin. Please wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Sunscreen and sunglasses are available in the shop at the Nordic Center.
WATER
In the cold, dry climate we’re in, it is easy to get dehydrated quickly. Therefore, you should always bring water with you on any ski or snowshoe tour. You’ll find water bottles at the barn and the Nordic center and backpacks are available in the Nordic Center for you to borrow.
KEYS
It’s a pretty safe place here, and we don’t typically use the locks on our cabin doors, but if you would feel more comfortable having a key please just ask at the Front Desk upon arrival.
BOOSTER SEATS
Colorado Department of Transportation requires children under 4’9″ to be in a booster seat. If you are interested in a booster seat for your child, please indicate so on your Advanced Guest Information Form or let us know at least 24 hours before arrival.
FOOTWEAR
Although we clear any new snow from the walkways and decks, they can still be very slippery. Please wear footwear that gives you traction on the snow, and walk carefully. For extra grip, we recommend Yaktrax or other ice grippers that attach to your footwear. There is also a supply of riding boots in the indoor arena you may borrow when riding indoors. For a daily rental fee we do have over boots available if you can’t find snow boots to bring with you.
SPEED LIMIT
Please keep your speed below 15 mph when driving on the Ranch Road. It can be quite slippery, and there is always the possibility of injuring a child, animal, or skier. Please pay close attention to the skier and horse crossing areas. The ranch road is one lane in the winter, so if you see an approaching car, please pull over into the nearest pullout instead of trying to squeeze by each other.
GETTING LOST
Please let somebody know if you are going to go off skiing or snowshoeing by yourself. If you lose sense of direction, turn around immediately and follow your tracks back to the ranch. It is very easy to get disoriented in this snow-covered landscape, particularly at dusk.
WINTER GEAR
You received a link to our packing list with your confirmation. Please note that having the right winter gear is actually a safety concern, and we reserve the right to refuse to take guests on activities if you are not properly outfitted. Warm snow boots, non-cotton layers, snow pants, jacket, hat and mittens are all imperative for most of our outdoor activities.
DOGS & CATS
While the ranch dogs love to be petted, they don’t have the same liking for being teased or “ridden” by kids. Cats are important workers around the ranch and provide our first line of defense against critters. Please do not invite them into your cabin for a nap or snack. Despite what they may tell you, they are indeed fed well and often and have their own homes.
CRITTERS & PESTS
Although we pride ourselves in offering upscale accommodations, we also face the reality of living right in the middle of wilderness and wildlife. We do our best to avoid unwanted critters and pests in your ranch home, but they are a bit inevitable. Please let us know if you do have unwanted house guests and we will do all we can to remove them. You can also help us help you by keeping doors shut and not leaving out opened food.
LEAVE NO TRACE
As members of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association and in partnership with Leave No Trace, here is a fun info sheet about visiting Colorado and learning more about the Leave No Trace principles, which we promote as we explore and enjoy the natural world surrounding the ranch.
Guest Services
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT
Check-in time is 4pm and check-out time is 9:30am. Guided activities are not included on the day of check-in or check-out. If your flight gets in early we typically will plan on picking you up and taking you to Steamboat to grab lunch and check out the cute downtown area until it’s time for check-in, and we’ll do the same on your check-out day if you have a later flight. However, with advance notice you are more than welcome to join us for lunch and then relax in the Great Room or grab a pair of skis or snowshoes and head out on the trails on your own. Likewise, on departure day if your flight is in the afternoon you are welcome to stay for lunch. We do need to get into your accommodation to get it ready for the next check-in, but you are welcome to hang out in the Great Room or ski or snowshoe on your own. If you have an early departure, please check-out the evening before you leave. Otherwise, we can settle up with you the morning of your departure. Also, if you would like to ship your luggage home, we are happy to take care of that if you provide a credit card number.
FRONT DESK
Our front desk is staffed from 7am-9pm each day. Please stop by if you need anything or have any questions. For emergencies after hours please use the phone at the front desk and contact the emergency manager on duty. Or, if your cell phone does work in your cabin, you may call 970-879-3858 and select 9. That number rings by Roxy’s bedside at night. Please only call if it is a true emergency.
BEVERAGES
A nice selection of complimentary wine and beer is offered in the dining room during mealtimes. There is also a beverage order form in your cabin if you would like us to restock your refrigerator with drinks. For the wine connoisseurs, Jonathon’s Private Cellar List offers some of his favorite wines for an additional charge.
SPRING WATER
Do you miss your bottled water? Well, our very own private spring is the source for all the water on the ranch. That means the water right out of the tap is certified and regularly tested to be as good, if not better, than what you buy in the stores.
ENTERTAINMENT
We have a small book and DVD library upstairs in the Great Room for you to borrow. Please note the due to our remote location there is limited bandwidth so streaming services doesn’t work. If you would like to have movies or shows to watch while at the ranch, you should download them at home before you leave to come to the ranch.
FITNESS
A treadmill, elliptical and free-weights are in the Fitness Center.
GRATUITY
Although we do not add any gratuity and our staff doesn’t work for tips, we often have guests ask us if and how they can leave a gratuity because they really want to give something extra for them as a thank you. In the event that you would like to leave a special thank you for the staff, please just include it in your final payment and we will divide it up among the crew evenly. Our staff works as a team, and we encourage that team effort by asking staff to not accept individual tips. Please keep in mind, there is absolutely no expectation of a tip.
HOT TUBS
We check your hot tub daily and keep it clean and working properly. Please do replace the cover after each use to maintain temperature and cleanliness. If you have any problems, please let us know so we can address it as quickly as possible. Please do not add any products to the water.
HOUSEKEEPING
You will find a full set of amenities, robes, hair dryer, humidifier and fan in your home. If you need anything else, please let us know. Our fantastic housekeeping fairies offer three options for housekeeping service during your stay. You will have the opportunity to choose what option you feel most comfortable with as you fill out your Advance Guest Information form.
LAUNDRY
24-hour turn-around laundry service is available for our guests with a service charge of $2.00/lb. For laundry that you would like washed please use the cloth laundry bag, located in the master bathroom cabinet/closet in your cabin or room, and leave it by the front door before you head down for breakfast. Please remember that we are a ranch and not a Laundromat, and while we will do our best, we cannot guarantee results. Finally, if you need to weigh your luggage before you depart the ranch, there are scales available at the front desk. To be sure we get your laundry back to you before you pack up, service can be completed up until the day before your departure.
LOST & FOUND
If an item is left lying around the ranch we typically leave it for a few days for the owner to come back and get it, and after that move it to the Lost & Found bin in the Main Lodge. Items left in accommodations after check out will be brought to a Lost & Found bin. If we know who it belongs to, we will contact you to find out if you want us to mail it back to you and will charge the card on file for the shipping charges. The Lost & found bin is emptied at the end of each season.
OUTSIDE GUESTS
Occasionally our guests have friends in the area and want to have them out to the ranch for a meal. We welcome this, given at least a 24 hour notice. The price of their meals ($45/lunch and $95/dinner) will be added to your bill unless you tell us otherwise.
SHUTTLES
Transportation into town for shopping or downhill skiing is available with our shuttle schedule. We ask your cooperation in helping us minimize driving trips by combining with other trips already scheduled. We typically have a shuttle option available for skiers and shoppers that leaves at 7:30am and/or 1:30pm, and then picks up guests in town at the mountain at 4:00pm and downtown at 4:30pm. We will also organize our airport shuttle to accommodate the various flights in and out that day. There is a $95 charge for a privately scheduled shuttle trip. If you need a special item from town, we can add it to our list and get it on our next town run. We do not provide transport after dark, unless it is to pick up a late arrival at the airport.
TELEPHONE
Cell phone reception is hit or miss up here in the mountains, but we do have reception boosters in each cabin to help you be reached in case of emergency. We do encourage you to turn off your phones and take this time to disconnect. If you must be in touch, please refrain from using your phone for talking in common areas and on guided activities. Please, no phones or tablets in the dining room. The guest phone is located in the east entry of the Lodge by the Dining room. There is no charge for domestic calls. If you receive a message we will do our best to get the message to you as quickly as possible.
INTERNET
The Main Lodge has wireless internet if you have your own computer, or you can use our laptop in the Great Room. We absolutely insist that you have the most recent and updated virus protection program before you use the internet service so that you do not infect other computers on the network.
NEWSPAPERS
If you must keep up with the outside world, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal are available in the Great Room each weekday.
SOFT GOODS AND SUPPLIES
Cowboy gear and other apparel, gifts, jewelry and postcards can be purchased at Fancy’s Mercantile. Many of the things you might forget (toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.) are available at the Front Desk. For special items not normally stocked, we can usually pick them up in town for you. There is also a selection of ski socks, ski clothing and other outdoor gear available for purchase in the Nordic Center.
SPECIAL REQUESTS:
Do you have an item that you forgot to pack, or realized you need now at the ranch? We would be happy to purchase these items and add them to your bill. We have town runs several days a week and can get them on those days for you.
Nordic Skiing and Backcountry Adventures
GEAR:
At Vista Verde, we use three types of skis for our various activities.
Backcountry skis are generally wider and flatter (single camber) than other cross-country skis for added “float” and stability in deeper snow. At VVR we use waxless skis with a “fish scale” pattern under the foot for their touring ability. The boots are heavy-duty like hiking boots and provide plenty of support and insulation. You should have a pair of gaiters (we have some available for purchase in the Nordic Center store) for this type of skiing as you could easily be knee deep in our famous champagne powder.
Classic skis have a double camber (curve in the base), which creates a kick zone under the foot. Our classic skis are also waxless like the backcountry skis. When gliding, the kick zone is off the snow; when kicking, the pocket is compressed, and the fish scales provide grip. The boots are lightweight and flexible.
Skate skis are shorter and narrower than classic track skis. They usually have a flatter tip and single camber. Skate skis are always glide waxed from tip to tail. At VVR, we use the same boots for classic and skate skiing.
STARTING OUT:
If this is your first time cross-country skiing or you need to freshen up your skills, we would love to get you out and comfortable on the skis. We will start out on the machine groomed trails in our stable, wide backcountry skis in a controlled and safe environment. The lesson will teach you everything you need to know to have a great time on skis. Our guides demonstrate and teach you basic touring, uphill, and downhill techniques along with how to get back up if you happen to take a spill.
BREAKING AWAY – OUT INTO THE BACK COUNTRY:
Once you’ve experienced skiing on the groomed trail, it’s time to take your skis where no grooming machines go. Many of our guests enjoy back country skiing because of the solitude and natural beauty. And they seem to like making our guides earn their lunch while breaking trail!
Vista Verde is brimming with back country skiing opportunities. Our skilled guides are ready to take you on either a full-day or half-day adventure. We can stay near the ranch and ski on trails such as South Fork Figure 8, Elk River, Miller’s Maze, Hinman Lake, or Indian Hill. Or we can take you up to the Hahn’s Peak Basin and ski Pearl Lake, Trilby Flats, or Hahn’s Peak. Our guides love exploring new terrain, so even if you have skied with us before, don’t be surprised if you find yourself in new terrain!
GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN THE BACK COUNTRY – TELEMARK:
So, you’ve skied on the rolling hills long enough and keep eyeing those steeper pitches. It’s time to learn the art of telemarking. The tele mark position with knees bent and feet separated front and back make it possible to turn on our backcountry skis. Although many people use heavier boots and skis for tele mark skiing, the boots that we use for our backcountry touring are good for learning, as they are more comfortable and lighter in weight. We will teach you the basics of tele mark turns out on your backcountry tour, so you may start experiencing the “tele turn” for yourself.
TRACK SKIING – CLASSIC:
We will start you out with a lesson on our groomed tracks, focusing on basic movements. Classic skiing is the most common type of cross-country skiing, a flowing technique based around the diagonal stride. The diagonal stride is preferably performed on machine groomed trails like those at Vista Verde but can be used on almost any moderate snowy terrain, groomed or not. Once you are comfortable with the “kick and glide” we will move on to basic climbing and speed control.
PICKING UP THE PACE ON THE GROOMED TRAILS – SKATING:
If you are looking for a challenging workout on skis, try a skate ski lesson with one of our guides! The graceful, gliding motion requires technical expertise and we love to take you out on the groomed trails and teach you the techniques involved. Once you get the hang of it, off we go for a cruise around the property. Skate skiing is definitely a great workout, but once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll never want to go to a gym again.
TRY SNOWSHOEING:
So, if all this technique and style has gotten to you, take a break and try snowshoeing. We’ll show you some simple pointers about going up and down hills and then off we go! Snowshoes allow you to access some places that you can’t get to on skis. Snowshoeing is a great way to get out and clear your mind without having to focus on how to move around.
Horses and Riding
Horseback riding is one of the key ingredients in our activities program here at Vista Verde, and we want to make it as enjoyable as possible. Our mission with our equine program is to provide our guests with a high quality program that caters to all abilities. We want to generate a sense of accomplishment for all of our guests by creating a positive experience and providing opportunities to learn new skills and techniques pertaining to horsemanship and animal husbandry.
TRAIL RIDES: The amazing amount of snow we receive in the winter months makes for a beautiful setting to take a tour on horseback around the ranch on a snow packed trail. Trail rides last about 1 hour to ensure riders don’t get too cold while sitting on horseback out in the snow. The winter trail rides are walk-only, as the horses can slip and fall at faster gaits on the snow.
HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS: Another exciting opportunity through our equine program is to further your understanding of these amazing creatures. One of the main themes of our clinics is to think about the horses’ perspective on life. Why do they act the way they do? Just how perceptive are they? Join us in one of our clinics and find out!
Our Horsemanship Clinics are a great way to learn more about communicating with your horse, proper riding techniques and new skills on horseback. There are a variety of options with the clinics, from a basic orientation to more advance riding theory and techniques.
The Horsemanship Duo offers an opportunity for variety in your time with the horses. For beginners and first-time guests, the Duo starts with a 1 hour Intro to Horsemanship in the Indoor arena followed by a trail ride around the ranch. After you have completed the initial Horsemanship clinic then the next day you ride you will dive deeper with the alternate Horsemanship Duo option that begins with a trail ride followed by a 1 hour horsemanship clinic focusing on next-level horse handling skills.
SLEIGH RIDES: Each day we feed the herd with the big sleigh pulled by our team. The wranglers load the sleigh full with hay bales, and then you are welcome to jump on and help us toss the hay out to the horses, or just enjoy the ride!
If you would like a sleigh ride with a little less effort, join us for a tour around the ranch in the one horse open sleigh. Cuddle up under a blanket, and enjoy a toasty beverage while you listen to jingle of the bells.
Just as you have expectations for us to provide you with a wonderful riding experience on your vacation, we have expectations for you that must be met in order for us to do that.
- Please be realistic about previous equine experiences.
- Respect and obey the wrangler’s suggestions and rules during any horse activity.
- Please note that our wranglers reserve the right to deem any rider unsafe to ride for various reasons. We want you to have a blast riding and learn a lot, but most importantly we want to keep you and your horse safe.
- Never approach a horse that is tied up without permission or assistance.
- Backpacks are discouraged while riding. However, if a rider has any kind of pack on they must dismount before removing or adjusting the pack in any way.
- Never use a camera around, or on horses without the wrangler’s knowledge and permission. While riding, cameras must be secure (not dangling from your neck). Also, if you must take your phone on the ride to use for a camera, please turn it on airplane mode so you don’t disrupt the experience receiving phone calls or texts.
- Always have the reins in hand while riding.
- Never change or adjust clothing while mounted without checking with your wrangler first.
- Regardless of experience, you must attend the Orientation and follow the safety rules.
- If there are any questions and/or concerns, please communicate them to us in a timely fashion in order for us to make any necessary changes as soon as possible.
- You need to acknowledge the inherent danger of equine activities and adhere to all safety rules and regulations while at the ranch.
- Please recognize your responsibility to fellow riders. What one rider does affects all other riders. Usually the “rule breaker” isn’t the one that gets hurt. Rather it is an innocent accompanying rider that pays for the momentary lapse of judgment or arrogance of someone overlooking simple safety precautions.
- You should realize that riding is a sport. You are a participant, not a passenger. You need to be aware of your horse and what you need to be doing at all times. Horses do have a mind, and they will use it. It is your responsibility to guide your horse.
- While there are many fitness levels and body types, if you have someone in your party over 250 lb, please contact us so we may assess rider safety and set realistic expectations for you.
- If you have any physical limitations that might impact your ability to ride during your stay, please contact us ahead of time so we are able to come up with a plan together.
- Lastly, in order to ride you must be able to mount and dismount independently. We do provide mounting blocks to help our guests and the horses for a more graceful and pleasant mounting experience!
UNDERSTANDING HORSES: For some of you, this trip may be one of your first experiences around these wonderful creatures. It may help you to understand a little more about why they act the way they do.
- Horses are highly social animals and want to remain with the herd. A horse that is separated or falls behind others on a ride may become nervous or anxious. A horse may express his anxiety by whinnying, tossing its head, prancing or running to catch up.
- Within the herd, horses have a distinct pecking order. Certain horses are dominant while others are submissive. The submissive ones may be nipped or kicked if they get too close to a more dominant horse. Be alert when the ears flatten back and the tail starts to switch, as that is a sign that the horse is unhappy and may be about to kick another!
- The instinctive response of a horse in danger is to flee. If something startles the horses in the corral or on the trail, a horse may “spook” or “shy” and try to run to safety.
- Lastly, horses are creatures of habit. Riders depend on this trait and train horses to respond to leg, hand, and voice signals. It can confuse them when they receive different signals from different riders, so please use the signals that we ask you to use.
Optional Adventures
Here are some more options for adventures during your winter vacation at Vista Verde that are available for an additional charge.
DOWNHILL SKIING
The Steamboat Ski Area is world famous for its champagne powder snow, long downhill runs, short lift lines and friendly atmosphere. Daily lift tickets may be purchased online at Steamboat Resort. For rentals, we recommend Christy Sports or Black Tie Skis at Gondola Square. Need a shuttle to the ski resort? Just give the Front Desk staff 24-hours notice.
DOG SLEDDING
Spend an afternoon in the beautiful back country wilderness. It’s truly an exciting and scenic experience as you drive an amazing team of dogs through the snowy landscape. If you are interested we recommend booking early, before you arrive on ranch, and directly with Grizzle-T Dog and Sledworks at https://steamboatdogsledding.com/ or call 970-870-1782. Then just let us know your scheduled day/time and we’ll arrange a shuttle for you!
SNOWMOBILING
Leave the ski trails behind on one of our high-performance snowmobiles at our sister property, Steamboat Lake Outpost. Head out into the Routt National Forest to explore the mountains and forest near Farwell Mountain. Contact SLO directly to book via the above link, or call them at 970-879-4404, then let the front desk know so we can arrange your shuttle to/from. We do suggest that these tours are not ideal for younger children, as they get a bit bored and cold sitting on the sled behind you.
CAT SKIING
Experience floating turns through virgin powder accessed by Snow cats. Guides and meals are provided, however guests need to have their own ski or snowboard gear. The charge for this incredible all day trip is around $1,000 per person.
MASSAGE
Soothe your sore muscles and free up your stress related tension with a mixture of deep tissue and Swedish massage, pressure points, and stretching. Massages are available to be scheduled most days with a minimum of 24 hours notice. The fee is $160/60 min and $215/90 min and our talented therapist will meet you for your appointment in the massage room.
WINTER DRIVING SCHOOL
Whether you are interested in learning the fundamentals of winter driving or are looking for an introduction to World Rally Racing techniques, the Bridgestone Winter Driving School offers a training program to suit your needs.
PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
If you would like one-on-one instruction on how to use your camera, Carla Jones is available Wednesday mornings for a private photography workshop. The cost is $180.
Note: Guests visiting during the Christmas and New Year’s weeks should call ahead to book any of these activities as they book up faster during the holiday season.
These trips are additional cost and you’ll book and pay directly. The ranch provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the off ranch adventures. See one of us at the front desk to make arrangements or if you have any questions.
These outfitters require at least 48-hour notice for cancellations, longer for some. Otherwise, fees will apply unless they can rebook the spot.
Staff Bios
Who is going to be taking care of you, serving you, and heading out on adventures with you? Click here to learn more about the great people who make Vista Verde such a special place to visit.