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 vacation. 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 make tweaks each season, so please take a few minutes to refresh your memory on the ranch experience. Even if it’s on the plane on the way out here, having looked through this information will “help us help you” 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
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.
HATS
A brimmed hat with no strap or stampede string can blow off your head, possibly spooking the horse behind you and causing an accident. Stampede strings are required and available for free at Fancy’s Mercantile and the Barn. We will be happy to help secure them to your hat.
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.
HELMETS
If you prefer, we have a supply of riding helmets for your use. Helmets are also required on any mountain bike trips with our guides, and we recommend wearing a helmet when biking on your own as well.
KEYS
It’s a very safe place here, and we don’t typically use locks on our cabin doors. But, if you would feel more comfortable having a key please just ask at the front desk upon arrival.
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. Likewise we train our dogs to stay away from the eating areas during mealtimes. Please don’t entice them to come visit you. They all know better, but it’s hard to resist bacon!
EYEWEAR
Protective eyewear must be worn on any fishing trips, and it is recommended for mountain bike trips as well. In fact, it’s a good idea to wear sunglasses whenever outside because at this altitude, the sun is very intense.
FOOTWEAR
Shoes with a sharp-angled heel (preferably cowboy boots) are a must for riding! Hiking shoes or shoes with lugged soles can stick in the stirrups and are prohibited. We do have an eclectic supply of boots you can borrow for the week. They are located on the front porch of the barn.
SPEED LIMIT
Please keep your speed below 15 mph when driving on the Ranch Road. It can be quite dusty, and there is always the possibility of injuring a child, animal, or hiker.
GETTING LOST
Please let somebody know if you are going to go on a trail by yourself. Let them know where you are going and when you expect to come back. Then, stick to your plan so if you don’t show back up, we know where to look for you.
CRITTER & 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.
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.
LEAVE NO TRACE
As members of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association and in partnership with Leave No Trace, we are committed to observing the LNT principles, which we promote as we explore and enjoy the natural world surrounding the ranch. Our guides will be happy to share more details on LNT if you would like more information.
EMERGENCIES: IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS, PLEASE USE THE PHONE AT THE FRONT DESK AND CONTACT THE EMERGENCY MANAGER ON DUTY.
Guest Services
In order to enjoy your stay at Vista Verde more fully, we would urge you to observe the following safety precautions:
FRONT DESK
Our front desk is staffed from 8am-6pm 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 then extension 9. That number rings by Steph’s bedside at night. Please only call if it is a true emergency.
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.
SPRING WATER
Do you miss 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.
FITNESS
A treadmill, elliptical and free-weights are in the Fitness Center.
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.
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 Monday and Friday and can get them on those days for you.
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. There are also plastic laundry bags available in the master bath in case you need to take home dirty laundry. And finally, if you need to weigh your luggage before you depart for the week, 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.
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.
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. There is also a selection of hiking socks, biking shorts, and other outdoor gear available for purchase at the Adventure Center.
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.
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: Get ready to have the “ride of your life” as you and your horse explore the untamed wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. Whether ambling through the peaceful forest or cantering by the wild flowers in the meadows, our well-mannered horses are ready to accompany you on special adventures throughout the week.
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!
Getting Started: Based on your Advanced Guest Information (you filled yours in, right?), you will be assigned your very own horse for your stay!
The riding program begins in earnest with the Orientation. This is a very important time, as we will go over how we do things on the trail and how our horses are trained. If you want to ride at all, you must attend the Orientation, and please pay attention because there are many important specifics that will be covered just this once. Safety is our main concern, so our first ride allows riders and horses to get to know each other through fun games on the trail and lots of personalized instruction.
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.
- Please note that we have a 250 lb maximum for riding in order to protect the health and well-being of our horses. 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.
- 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.
Throughout the week, learn and enjoy. In doing so, you will have some great rides, good laughs and fun adventures on horseback with all of the wranglers at VVR!
Hiking, Biking and Fishing
At VVR we pride ourselves on providing a fantastic horse program. Our talented guides have that same pride in our hiking and fishing programs. They are hoping to entice you to join them for an adventure during your time at the ranch.
HIKING: Vista Verde sits at the doorstep of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area, one of the most spectacular and abundant watersheds in Colorado. Our hikes may follow spring fed creeks, climb up to panoramic views or just meander through a field of wildflowers.
Your guides will tailor each hike to your fitness level and desired scenic experience. We’ll take you on a short, casual wildflower stroll, an epic all-day summit attempt of one of the biggies, or an afternoon exploring and relaxing by the Gilpin Waterfalls. Let us know what your desires are for the day and then enjoy our amazing backyard on your own two feet.
FLY FISHING: There’s a reason fly fishing is so addicting—it’s peaceful and scenic, challenging and exciting all at the same time. Our guides look forward to helping you enjoy this experience, whether on one of our stocked ponds on the ranch, out on a small stream or bigger river, or up at a high alpine lake.
We provide top of the line rods, reels, waders and boots for those who want to try fly fishing for the first time, are avid anglers, or somewhere in between the two. And for those of you who just want to drop a line in the water somewhere on the ranch, spinning equipment is available from the Kids’ Wranglers.
The State of Colorado requires a license if you are to fish off ranch property. Please bring your driver’s license and social security number so we may get you a fishing license.
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.