Perfect would be a modest way to describe VVR. EXCITING, RELAXING AND EXHILARATING!! We not only enjoyed the ranch but also went to Steamboat Ski Resort for a day. There's no need to have second thoughts about VVR. JUST GO!!
This was the most relaxing, enjoyable and refreshing vacation we have had in years. The staff was incredible. I wish we could give a shout-out to them all, but I would run out of space. We found VVR by accident because Covid kept us from going to an island, and we are so glad we did! The cabin was warm and cozy with a great fireplace. Our cabin was next to the corral and our bedroom looked out on the horses and the combination of the mountains and the horses close to our window was a picture postcard. The food was incredible and rivaled some of the finest restaurants in which we have eaten. Anything you could want was waiting for you in the room, and a few surprises as well. When we arrived, there was champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to celebrate our anniversary. One of the best things, besides the activities, was the lack of internet. No cell, no texts, no emails. Complete escape from the world. It was fantastic. We are definitely coming back...and staying longer!…
Our family has visited Vista Verde in the summer a few times but we have never visited in the winter. The season does not matter as it is the same fantastic people, service, food and fun just different activities. My family tried many new things for the first time this winter trip.... Dogsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, cross country skiing, archery and my kids favorite - riding their horses in the snow. As usual the guides and wranglers make the inexperienced feel like veterans no matter what activity you are doing. We were at the Ranch the week before Christmas and over the Christmas Holiday. Obviously there were many extra guidelines and rules in place due to what our country is going through right now. However, the warmth and hospitality showed by everyone who works at the ranch overcame any minor inconveniences to once again make this the best trip of the year. This place feels like home to us and the people that work there truly feel like family. Thank you to everyone at Vista Verde for giving us such fantastic Christmas memories.…
Let me start by summarizing, in short, what it says below. This place is amazing. It is what you would hope every vacation spot tries to be. If you go, you will, like me, find your only problem is trying to find a way to go again. Our vacation here started out because of a near disaster. My husband booked a ranch (Sundance Trail Guest Ranch) for a week for my 50th birthday. Unfortunately, due to the fires in Colorado, Sundance was evacuated. Terrible for the ranch and bad for us. We found this out the day before we were supposed to fly to Colorado. We couldn’t reschedule with Sundance due to work conflicts. We tried to find another place, but most were booked already. Many of the other places were also considerably more expensive than the great rate we had at Sundance. We called around and expanded the search to neighboring states with no luck. Meanwhile, the original ranch, even though they were dealing with their own devastating circumstances, had put out a call to the Colorado Dude Ranch Association, of which they were a member, to try to help find another ranch. Vista Verde called us. They had an open spot; would we like to come and stay with them? We would, but unfortunately, we were not able to pay much more than we had already committed to. Then, in the most generous and kind offer, not just to us but also to Sundance, Vista Verde told us to pay the original ranch their costs and we would stay with Vista Verde as their guests. We were floored! Arriving at the ranch we were accommodated in a beautiful log cabin. It was comfortable and well furnished. It overlooked the pasture full of horses and there was a hot-tub on the deck. There was a kitchenette with coffee, tea and hot chocolate makings. A bottle of nice red wine. The fridge was stocked with waters, sodas and sports drinks. Before we arrived, they had asked what we preferred to drink and my husband had said he would love to try some local beers. He thought these would then be available to purchase at the bar – they were stocked in our fridge. There were also plenty of snacks on the counter (we were to find out these were completely unnecessary). We were assigned our horses that evening based on how we said our riding experience was. I came for the riding, the husband came to humor me, but there were plenty of activities that he could do. Each night we were asked what we wanted to do the next day: riding, fishing, hiking, bow shooting, cooking, photography, biking and a few others. I was only interested in the riding. The riding was split depending on what you wanted and what you were capable of. They were small groups usually, a few larger group activities. I was able to get some good experience bringing in cows and bulls, along with some beautiful scenic rides. I even got the husband to come along a few times. The horses were all fantastic. You keep your horse for the whole week. They’re carefully chosen for not just their ability to pack all sorts of riders about but also for good personalities. All the horses were personable and wanted to be with people. None had negative faults. They were all really solid mounts. Happy to go along easy and happy to pick up the pace. They were all very well taken care of and you could tell that the person who put together this herd had really worked hard to get just the right horses. The husband went on hikes, fished, took a cooking lesson and photography lesson. He enjoyed them all. Other patrons also did long guided hikes and even private fishing. The staff were wonderful. You could tell that they really enjoyed their jobs, some of the younger wranglers were young adult children of patrons and had been to the ranch on vacation themselves. Many of the staff had been at the ranch for years. They might have come to work for one summer but they stayed and settled in the area. Every day we were fed like kings. It was a good thing there were so many activities because I was eating a lot more than usual. From homemade cookies every day that were put in tins for you to take with you to gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please see below for a menu example from while we were there. All the food is carefully locally sourced and each menu is created by their chefs according to food that is available and in season. It was amazing. I would say at least 80% of the other patrons were returning vacationers. Many came every year; some came twice a year. There was a general consensus that while they may have tried other ranches there were none that could compete with Vista Verde. There was a gentleman there, who like us, it was his first time. He had tried many ranches over the years and he quickly decided that Vista Verde had the absolute best of everything and he would be returning with his family. We were visiting in early fall and our visit happened to be the week reserved for adults only. I understand from the other patrons that the ranch has great programs for children and that they have plenty of activities during the winter and summer. Altogether, I just cannot recommend Vista Verde enough. I will be trying to find a way back as soon as I can.…
I have never written a review before and have always been skeptical of them. After visiting Vista Verde I can not say enough about what a fantastic vacation we had. The photos of the ranch and the cabin do not do it justice. We stayed in Dome and it was adorable. It had everything we could have wanted and the private hot tub overlooking a gorgeous pasture was so amazing! We ate more food that we needed, but it was too good to not try everything! You will not have a better meal at a 5 star restaurant! The staff we generally happy and willing to help with whatever you needed. We enjoyed our trail rides and taking our morning walks to see the retired horses. The kitchen staff even gave us apples to feed the horses whenever we wanted! We were able to do happy hour with the horses and it was magical! And, I suppose it should be mentioned that it was the perfect setting for my now fiancé to ask me to marry him! Thank you Vista Verde for the best vacation, we can’t wait to see you again! -Dustin and Kaci…
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