I’m still buzzing from last week. This year was truly one of the most exciting Christmases at Vista Verde for me. It’s always great here for the holidays, but this year may go down as the best ever in my book. Why?
I’ve been trying to figure out what it was that created this above and beyond magic for me this year. It’s partly a fact that I have been working REALLY hard since mid-summer to find ways to put Vista Verde’s winter guest ranch season in front of more people. With all that work has created a lot more calls, emails and inquiries. It’s been fun to talk with so many people about the ranch, but it’s also kept me busier than ever before. I wasn’t sure it was going to be a gang-buster holiday season back in August. But, by the time we got to opening day, the calendar had filled up with reservations from folks all over the country. So, feeling pleased to see all these families was just the start of the excitement. When they walked in the doors of the Lodge the first time, I knew it was going to be great. Each time we checked in a new family, Christi, Hannah and I would look at each other and say, “They are just soooo nice!”. And these really nice people were also just really excited to be here. I mean bouncing off the walls, giggling in the dining room, smiling so much your cheeks hurt kind of excited. It’s hard for that kind of energy not to be contagious. So I caught that bug.
In addition to all this wonderful energy and fun times, we have had the most amazing staff. Again, those of you who have been here before may say the last staff you met was the most amazing. But this crew, they really take the cake on that award. They are fun, enthusiastic, hard working and they have that factor of “getting it”. I have seen more ownership, logical decision making, and thoughtful initiation of ideas with this group than I’ve ever seen with a crew before. With people like Sallie running the dining room, Steve and Kelli in the Nordic Center and Jo, Terry and Nicky in the barn, we also have a lot of continuity to make this just run like they should.
My memories of this past Christmas will keep me smiling for a long time. Most of the families have since headed home and we now have another fabulous group of energetic and excited guests here to ring in the New Year. My hat goes off to all of you who took a leap to try us out for such a special and personal holiday. I hope your memories are keeping you smiling throughout your days too.
There’s still time to book your Colorado winter vacation at Vista Verde! Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. We turn over to adults only in about a week, so get the girlfriends together for some snow play or grab your sweetie for a romantic getaway. In mid-February, the families start coming again and we’re open until March 20 for those of you with early spring breaks. Give it a try this year- it’s healthy, it will fuel your energy, it will make 2011 a better year! Wow, now that’s a guarantee.
Happy Holidays to all of you from all of us at Vista Verde Ranch. We wish you the best in 2011!
Stephanie and the VVR Crew