Luxury Dude Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

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What’s Happening on the Ranch?

There’s always something happening at Vista Verde Ranch. Foals are born, new recipes are created, or the wranglers are playing tricks on each other. Come here to read the latest news!

15 March 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

The Forecast – March 2019

When Ariana Dickson reached out to us to ask if we would mind being included in her article for The Forecast titled 10 Unbelievable All-inclusive Resorts You’ll Never Want to Leave of course I said “Sure!”  But when I saw the final piece I realized quickly this is not your normal all-inclusive resort round-up.  In fact, I just added a number of new destinations to my bucket list!  If you’re looking for a really unique vacation destination, then check out this article!  We would recommend #7 as the best option!  Read the article….

08 March 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In This week at the Ranch

Dude Ranch Life: The Vendors Behind the Scenes

While we not shy to give our staff props for being such wonderful folks, we don’t typically point out all the people behind the behind the scenes who are an integral part of making the wheels on the bus go round and round here at Vista Verde.  This past week it struck me that there are a lot of great people out there working and rooting for the ranch who don’t get to spend time with our guests and reap the rewards of seeing folks having a great time on their vacations.

What really got me thinking about this is an email I got from Andrew Bisbee of Bisbee Creative, who does our graphic design work and just finished helping us create our new brochure.  He is so committed to making sure our message is being delivered well that he drove all the way to Denver in winter conditions to monitor the printing of the brochures, despite me telling him not to go through all that effort for us.  Nonetheless he did it.  It’s inspiring to work with professionals who are committed to quality in what they do, and who take care of us in such an excellent way so we can focus on doing what we do as well as possible.

I also met some of our vendors while down in Colorado Springs at the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association Spring convention.  Yes, dude ranchers have conventions.  From the couple at Mountain Arts Pottery who make that gorgeous pottery we have in the dining room (you have to love those blue mugs, right!?) to the cowboy who makes the chaps that our wranglers appreciate so much when they are riding through trees, brush, and chasing cows, these folks all contribute to the ranch’s success.

There isn’t enough time left today for me to go through the longer list of deserving vendors, but here’s a general shout out to all the people who help us do our jobs and who care about the product we’re delivering to our guests here at the ranch.   We couldn’t do it without you!!

03 March 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Rocky Mountain Bride – March 2019

Laura from Rocky Mountain Bride says it best when she writes, “While many newlyweds will opt for a getaway in the Caribbean during the winter months, let us fill you on a hidden gem located just north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Vista Verde Ranch, a luxurious ranch resort, offers the perfect balance of romance and excitement. It’s the perfect honeymoon destination for those adventurous at heart.”

We couldn’t agree more, and have enjoyed having so many honeymoon couples come to the ranch this winter to celebrate their recent marriage.  It is so much fun to offer a different way to honeymoon for these couples!  Read the article…

20 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Mic – February 2019

Over at Mic they had this to say: “March is famously known for being Spring Break month — but students are hardly the only people who deserve a vacation. After all, particularly if you live in a winter climate, March is about that time when you probably feel the need to get away from home and treat yourself to something other than commuting to and from work in every warm layer you own.”  We are definitely getting a lot of calls from folks who would agree with this and are interested in having fun in the snow rather than having to deal with it on their commute!  Read the article….

14 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Miami Student Magazine- February 2019

We spend a lot of time here sharing how fun it is to be at the ranch, the beauty of the place, and the fun personalities who make VVR so special. But, we don’t often pull back the curtain to reveal the WHY behind it all.. It’s very personal for all of us, and it’s what gets us excited about what we’re doing here. Deep down at the core of why we all work so hard to make VVR successful is the fact that it gives us a platform to help people grow and change. Life change comes in so many different forms, and we see it happening to people here all the time in different ways.

One of our staff from this past summer wrote this article that has moved us all tremendously. Thank you Julia for taking that leap of faith to come to VVR last summer, for pouring yourself into your work at the ranch, and for being open to learning how to live. Your story has given us all a charge to keep doing what we’re doing and we thank you.

Read the article….

11 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Ranch Info

Insider Tips: Winter Boots

Going on a wintery guest ranch vacation full of unknowns brings lots of questions to mind. What dessert will they serve Saturday at lunch? What temperature do they keep the hot tubs? And what the heck kind of boots should I bring? All are thoughts that drift by as you stare off from your desk at work, dreaming of your upcoming escape to paradise. Okay, maybe you’re not too worried about the first two, but I bet the third question has been on your mind. Deciding which boots to bring is complicated. Because of the wide array of activities we offer here, an entire suitcase of different boots and shoes could be brought, and all effectively worn during a week stay. However, before you pay for that extra checked bag, let us help you whittle that number down to something more reasonable. Here are the 3 best types of boots to bring to the ranch for your vacation.

1. Snow boots:

These will work wonders when walking between the lodge, cabin, and activities center during your stay no matter how much snow we get. They are the perfect boot for tubing, ice fishing, and even snowshoeing. You should look for something with good insulation and an aggressive tread, and they definitely need to be waterproof. Some good brands are: Sorel, Muck/Bogs, and Columbia.

2. Cowboy boots:

Cowboy boots will help you fit right in around the ranch and at barn dance and music night. They are also great for any horse riding you do; they can also be a great piece of footwear for dinners here. Be aware, cowboy boots tend to have little to no traction and can be slick on our snowy walkways. Many people will wear their other shoes down to the lodge while carrying their boots, then put them on inside. Some good brands are: Ariat, Lucchese, and Justins. Keep in mind that we do have a selection of boots down at the indoor arena to borrow for the horsemanship clinics, if that is preferable to you.

3. Hiking boots:

A good pair of hiking boots is never a bad option. These are a good all-around pair of shoes for winter on a ranch. They can be worn hiking, ice fishing, tubing, snowshoeing, walking around the ranch, and even while dancing or to meals. Though they won’t be as warm as full-on snow boots, or as stylish/ easy to dance in as cowboy boots, they are a good all-around option. Look for pairs with aggressive tread that are waterproof. Some good brands are: Merrell, Salomon, Lowa, and La Sportiva.

If you don’t have some sort of snow-friendly boot and can’t imagine yourself purchasing a pair, you can always rent our overboots at the ranch. We don’t have a full stock for every guest, but we do have a simple size run of these hefty overboots that can fit over your normal shoes to keep your feet warm and dry while out playing in the snow. These overboots are available for $10/day or $50 for the week.

Now back to dreaming about your upcoming winter vacation…. snow falling, horses neighing, the hot tub bubbling, and the bacon sizzling.

11 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Uncategorized

Dude Ranch Life: The Spreadsheet

I admit it. I’m a spreadsheet person. Besides the obvious uses, such as budgeting and task management, I use them for everything from horse shopping to Christmas lists to event planning. So, it has come to no surprise to me over the years that a lot of people create spreadsheets as they research vacation options. There is so much to take into consideration, and it can be like comparing apples to oranges as you attempt to sort through all the options. So, of course you’d use a spreadsheet, right? Some of you likely think I’m nuts, and others are nodding your heads in agreement. I thought it would be fun to collect spreadsheets from those who have created them as they plan for their ranch vacations and have them available for others to utilize. Because, although it’s fun to create a spreadsheet if you’re a geek like me, most of us are not searching hard to find things to fill up our time! If you have one of those ranch vacation planning spreadsheets that you’d be willing to share, send it along to me by replying to the e-newsletter that linked you to this post, and I’ll get them all up online to share with other travelers.

 

11 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Recipes

Chef’s Corner: Naan

This winter Chef Jason has been getting a little out of the box (not that he ever really spends much time in there) with the cooking class. One of the dishes they’ve been making is naan.  Then at dinner, the guests enjoy the naan served with an assortment of accompaniments that are also made in the class.

Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour or 2 cups all-purpose plus 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup hot water (but not boiling, just hot tap water)
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk
1 cup Greek yogurt
melted butter for brushing (may use olive oil)
fresh cilantro or other herbs for topping

Instructions

In a medium-size bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, dissolve the sugar in the warm water (about 105 degree F). Add the dry yeast to the warm water and stir until the yeast is dissolved. Let it sit for 10 minutes or until the mixture begins to froth and rise.

Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder to a large mixing bowl.

When the yeast is foamy and smells like bread, add the warm milk and yogurt. Pour the wet ingredients right into the middle of the dry and begin mixing the wet with dry using a wooden spatula. When the dough is about to come together, use your hands to finish mixing. As soon as it comes together, stop kneading. It should be sticky but should form a ball and be soft. Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place for 1 hour (or, if not using right away overnight in the fridge).

When ready to cook, divide the dough into 8 equal balls and, using a rolling pin, roll each piece of dough into an oval shape. It should be about 6-8 inches long and about ¼ inch thick, but no thinner. Repeat this method with the rest of the dough.

Warm a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat (you want a hot pan). Brush both sides of the naan with melted butter and if desired sprinkle on any spices you like, such as cumin and garlic. Place the naan on the hot skillet, cover with a lid and bake for 1 minute until you see bubbles starting to form. Flip and cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side, until large toasted spots appear on the underside. Brush with a bit more butter if desired, then sprinkle with a little kosher salt, fresh cilantro (I used cilantro) or other herbs. Place the naan in a tea towel-lined dish. Repeat with the rest of the naans and serve.

These are best eaten fresh but will keep in a ziplock bag for a few days or in the freezer.

 

07 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Colorado Meetings + Events – February 2019

People typically think of dude ranch vacations as something for families, and now we seem to be on the radar for romantic getaways as well, and often times single travelers.  But, there’s another spin on the concept that is pointed out in this article from Colorado Meetings + Events –business retreats.  We’ve hosted some great ones over the years, and love providing a setting for businesses to get their people out of their busy lives, focused on their work and their relationships, and sharing new experiences together.  Read the article….

01 February 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Trips To Discover – February 2019

This is the time of year when we are booking 3 seasons at the same time.  People are still planning their winter getaways for this winter, families are mapping out their summer family vacation options, and a few out there are thinking about the holidays in December and trying to get those decisions made sooner than later.  This is what leads to so many articles about vacation planning!  Here is the most recent one with the 10 Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States.  Read the article…..

29 January 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Trips 100 – January 2019

There are a lot of people with Valentine’s Day on their mind these days….it can be a bit daunting if you’re not a lover of Cupid’s special day.  We are big fans of romantic getaways at Vista Verde, because we think it’s a really special place to share time with the one you love.  But, that doesn’t have to be limited to Valentine’s day getaways.  Having said that, a group of travel bloggers put together a list of 14 Romantic Cities for Valentine’s Day and little ‘ol Steamboat Springs made the list!  Read the article…..

28 January 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Women’s Health Magazine – January 2019

Valentine’s Day is creeping up on us quickly, but there is still time to plan a romantic getaway with your sweetheart.  And, keep in mind that you don’t have to limit your romantic getaways to only Valentine’s Day.  From Women’s Health Magazine here are the 13 Best Couples Retreats to Rekindle the Romance in your Relationship.  Beautiful snow, crackling fire, cozy sleigh ride, yep, we’ll deliver!  Read the article….

23 January 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Colorado Parent Magazine – January 2019

Spring Break time is coming soon, and the folks over at Colorado Parent Magazine have been gathering ideas for Spring Break staycations for families living in Colorado.  But these are just great ideas for even those who don’t live in Colorado!  We’re excited that writer Heather Mundt included Vista Verde in her list of suggested destinations for families to visit for Spring Break.  We’re open until the end of March, so come play with us!  Read the article….

17 January 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

Wedding Guide Magazine – January 2019

It’s truly an honor to us when couples choose Vista Verde Ranch for their honeymoon getaway.  Think about it, that’s a big deal!  And we just love being able to be a part of helping them celebrate and recharge after their big day.  So, we were so excited to see this beautiful spread in Wedding Guide Magazine this month.  And remember, you don’t have to honeymoon just once.  What about an annual honeymoon?  Couldn’t every couple benefit from some time disconnected from the real world, trying out new adventures with each other, and reconnecting in a cozy cabin with a private hot tub and a view of snow falling outside?  Sign me up!  Read more……

11 January 2019 By Stephanie Wilson In Vista Verde in the News

MSN.com – January 2019

It’s snowing as I write this, so it only seems right to see an article about 10 Dude Ranches that make for magical winter vacations on MSN.  It’s not too late to book your winter vacation at Vista Verde, so we hope even after you read about all these great ranches that you’ll still pick VVR!  Read the article…