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Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation
Vista Verde Ranch

Spectacular Vistas
Click on a thumbnail photo above to enlarge.

The Throgmartin Family
Vista Verde Ranch
P.O. Box 770465
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(800) 526-7433
(970) 879-3858
Fax (970) 879-6814


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 At a Glance
Highlights
Famous For
Capacity
Open
Altitude
Location
Reservations
Rates
Minimum Stay
Deposit
Payment
Closest Airports
Transportation
Travel Agents
Guest Reviews
Featured Amenities
Lodging
Recreation
For Children
Food/Liquor
Business/Meetings
Memberships
Region/Customs
Itinerary
Home

HIGHLIGHTS
Famous For: Luxurious accommodations, gourmet food, and more than just a riding ranch
Capacity: 40 with families, 24 with adults only
Open: June to October; December to March
Altitude: 7,800 feet
Location: 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs Colorado.
Reservations: (800) 526-7433; (970) 879-3858
Rates: Adults: Summer: $2,700-$3,100/week, Winter: $270-$400/night
Children: Summer: $2,400-$2,600/week, Winter: $170-$300/night
Minimum Stay: Summer - 7 days (shorter stays in early June and most of September); Winter - 3 days (5 days during the Holidays)
Deposit: 25 percent to confirm reservations.
Payment: Personal or Travelers Checks or cash. No credit cards.
Closest Airports: Steamboat Springs, CO (SBS) or Hayden, CO (HDN).
Transportation: Ranch Suburbans or rental cars.
Travel Agents: YES
Guest Reviews: Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch.

FEATURED AMENITIES
Adults Oriented
      Adult Weeks
Ballooning
Big/Heavy Riders
      200-250 lbs.
Cattle Drives
      1 or Part Day
Cattle Ranches
      1 - 100 Head
Children's Programs
      Children's Dining (kids eat together)
      Extensive Counselor Program - All Day or Camplike Program
Children's Trail Riding
      6 yrs old
Computer/Email Services
Corporate Groups, Meetings
      Small (under 50)
Cross-Country Skiing
Cuisine
      Gourmet
Culinary Trained Chefs
Dog Sledding
Dude/Guest Ranches
Email Access
Fishing
      Fly Fishing
            Equipment Available
            Fish on Your Own
            Lake Fishing on Property
            Professional Guides & Instruction
            Stream Fishing on Property
            Type of Fish
                  Trout
      Spin Fishing
            Equipment Available
            Lake Fishing on Property
            River Fishing on Property
Golf
      Near (within 30 miles)
Hiking
      Guided
Holiday Programs
      Christmas
      New Years
      Valentine's Day
Honeymoon Packages
Horseback Riding
Horsemanship
Horses
      Appaloosa
      Arabian
      Draft
      Paint
      Quarter
      Thoroughbred
Hot Springs
      Nearby (within 30 miles)
Hunting Ranches
      Big Game
            Deer
            Elk
Kayaking
Laundry Service
Liquor
      Available
Luxury Ranches
Massage
Mountain Biking
Naturalist Guides
Rafting
Resort Ranches
Rock Climbing
Short Stays (1-4 days)
      Off Season Only
Snomobiling
      Nearby (within 30 miles)
Sporting Clays
Team Building
White-Water Rafting
Winter Snow Activities
      Cross-Country Skiing
      Downhill Skiing
      Fly Fishing
      Sleigh Rides
      Snow Shoeing
      Snowmobiling
Yoga

LODGING
The beautiful log cabins and lodge rooms are a comfortable sanctuary to relax in at the end of an active day. Elegantly appointed with antiques, handmade log furniture and western art, the accommodations provide a touch of luxury to your western stay. Each cabin has a hot tub outside on the deck and a wood burning stove inside in the living room. Daily maid service provided.

RECREATION
In addition to the wonderful horse program offering scenic trail riding and innovative clinics, Vista Verde guests have a wide variety of guided activities to choose from. Some never get on a horse all week! Activities include Hiking, Mountain Biking, Fly Fishing, Rock Climbing, Rafting, Kayaking, Naturalist Walks, Hot Air Ballooning, Cooking Class, Wine Tasting, Photography Walk and of course, Nightly Entertainment.

FOR CHILDREN
A full Kids (6-11) and Teen (12-17) program is offered with different activities for the different age groups. The kids ride the haywagon, make wooden boats to race, hike to the teepee, take a trip to Steamboat Lake and more. The teens prepare a video of the week, go on an overnight campout one night and sneak off into town for pizza and a movie another night. Kids and teen programs offered mid-June through August in the summer and December, President's Week and Spring Break in the winter. We've also just added a 3-5 year old program!

FOOD/LIQUOR
Our Culinary Institute-trained Chefs wil tantalize your taste buds with cuisine that walks the line between ranchy and fancy. Most meals are served family style but there are some wonderful nights when the adults can enjoy a gourmet, candlelit dinner with a nice glass of wine while the children have their own "kid friendly" dinner elsewhere.

BUSINESS/MEETINGS
Capacity 40. Our secluded yet accessible mountain setting is perfect for late winter, fall conferences and retreats.

MEMBERSHIPS
Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association, Dude Ranch Association, Mobil Four Star, Johansens Recommended

REGION/CUSTOMS
Although July and August are the most popular time of year for families, our favorite is September. The aspens are changing, the weather is crisp and cool, and the whole area quiets down. For couples and singles this is the time for you! Our already flexible and personalized program becomes even more so when our guest count is cut in half because the kids are back in school. We also offer shorter stays during this time for those who just can't get away for a full week. For those who seek adult only times in the winter months, call us at the ranch for those dates.

ITINERARY
Trail riding with fast, medium and adventure rides is offered daily to spots like Pearl Lake and Farwell Meadows. Guided mountain biking, hiking and fly fishing trips are also offered daily. You just let us know how long you'd like to go, what kind of scenery you'd like to see, and what level of challenge you're looking for and our guides will take it from there.

Below is an example of some of the specialty activities that we offer to help you get the sense of a week at VVR. The kids and teens are welcome to take part in most any of these activities with you, or they can enjoy special activities geared toward their age group.

Sunday- Arrive at the ranch around 4pm, Fly casting instruction on Lake Suzanne, Barn Tour, Orientation and Owner's reception, Casual Family Dinner on the deck as the sun sets on the Valley floor

Monday-
Pre-breakfast Power Walk for the early risers, Fly casting instruction on Lake Suzanne, Riding Orientation to learn the how's and why's of our riding program, Easy Ranch Ride to work out the kinks and make sure we've given you the right horse for the week. After lunch we offer the Balanced riding clinic for those who want to ride better, faster, or with more confidence. After dinner, get to know the other guests and the staff around the campfire.


Tuesday-
Dew Drop ride to Indian Hill ending up at the Homestead cabin for breakfast, Rock climbing with our fabulous guides after breakfast. After lunch we offer the Team Driving clinic (you'll probably never have a chance to do this again!), Wine tasting with Chef Robert and then kick your heels up at the Barn dance after dinner.

Wednesday-
Float above the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area on an early morning Hot air balloon ride, or strech those sore muscle in a yoga session. After breakfast on the sundeck, depart for all day activities with lunch on the trail- Hike to Mt. Zirkel, Ride to Pearl Lake, Bike the Scott's Run trail, or Fly fish on private waters near the Wyoming border, or you tell us where you want to go! Maybe you'd like a massage this afternoon? Legal Tender provides musical entertainment with oldies and goodies after dinner in the Sunroom. If you're not up for going all day, you might enjoy our photography workshop in the morning and the naturalist walk in the afternoon. And the Groundwork clinic is a must for those wanting to take their horsemanship skills to the next level.

Thursday-
Rafting on the Colorado or Eagle river or Kayaking on the Yampa River. Orval's horsemanship clinic (bring out the steers baby!) takes place after lunch. Watch the sunset as the Chefs wow you with Delightful Dessert on the Deck after dinner.

Friday-
Advanced Rock climbing for the adventurous ones in the morning, Team Penning with the Wranglers after lunch, and a BBQ dinner with the family on the Sundeck. Then spend the evening at the Pro Rodeo in Steamboat Springs.

Saturday-
This is the last chance for a full morning of riding, hiking, fishing or mountain biking. Relax for a bit after lunch before heading out mid-afternoon for the grand finale- Take your last ride to the big Steak Fry cookout with great views of the Continental Divide. Awards and rewards followed by a little 'gitar are at the campfire after dinner.

Sunday- Head home after breakfast, tired from doing it all, but refreshed from new experiences, new friends, and some time hiding out away from the real world!
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