What does winter in the West look like?

Every year the seasons change; spring, summer, fall, winter. Not only do they change; they fly by! While that long day at work may seem like it took days instead of hours, at the end of the week (or month…or year) we wonder where all of the time went. For many of us who have grown up in the city, this fact is especially true. This is one of the reasons that I love spending winter at a Colorado guest ranch located in a secluded area. You really get to witness firsthand the changing of the seasons. Fall starts to dwindle, and you can see the beginnings of winter; a few flurries here or there, and before you know it, the snow starts dumping everywhere. When winter begins in earnest, and even when it is on its way out, you can connect memories and experiences with the snow that blankets the ground. You remember what it was like to see the first few inches of accumulation; you relive the anticipation of snow and all of the joy and fun that it brings. You remember when the first foot or so covered the ground; that first cross-country ski sure was fun (even if you tripped over exposed branches and roots a few times)! You recall how wonderful it feels to be utterly exhausted after a hard days work snowshoeing through four feet of champagne powder and relish the chance to soak in the hot tub on your cabin’s porch and reflect on the great day you had. For all of us that work and live here, and those of you who come and visit us, this is winter in its most ideal state. Winter in the West connects the active, energetic, and fun nature of life on a ranch with the relaxing, restful, and memorable experience of being able to unplug from the world as we know it, and truly dig in to life as it should be; tranquil, simple, and profoundly beautiful. That, to me, is why a winter at Vista Verde is so special.