Property
A warm and welcoming luxury dude ranch with comfortable cabins, an unbeatable riding program, cattle drives, mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, an amazing (and totally optional) children’s program.  Also some of the best food you’ll have anywhere in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

People come to this all-inclusive guest ranch for one week in the summer (from Sunday to Sunday) though flexible stays are available outside of the high season.  Everything is included from meals and drinks to professional guides and riding lessons, which is bliss.

Every day, be prepared to answer the question: “What do you feel like doing tomorrow?”  It’s all about you.  Choices include trail riding, arena clinics, fishing, hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, wine tasting, cooking classes, rodeo, and photography classes.  Kids pan for gold, ride horses to a zip line, cook, splash off in a nearby lake, and ride a fire engine into town for ice cream.  This is an active vacation.

Location
40 minutes from Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  You can choose to either fly into the Hayden/Yampa Valley Regional Airport and be picked up by the ranch (a complimentary service) or drive from Denver if you’d rather skip the small plane and have your own wheels for the week.

Sleeps
2-8 in authentic, yet luxurious cabins of various sizes that have wood burning stoves, Jacuzzis, decks with gorgeous views, and kitchenettes stocked with snacks and beverages of your choice daily.

Highlights
The exceptional horses and staff.  The all-day cattle drive (adults only).  Catching huge rainbow trout in the pond next to the lodge.  Watching thunderstorms from the comfort of your cabin.  Cheering your kids on as they “compete” in the end-of-week kids’ rodeo.  Eating yourself silly and not gaining a pound.  Seeing a five-hour-old foal for the first time.

Good to know
Vista Verde doesn’t have a swimming pool, but they’re building one before next summer season. Although the ranch is just 40 minutes from lively Steamboat Springs, you probably won’t want to leave the ranch once you get there.

Contact
http://www.vistaverde.com/index.cfm

August 4th, 2010 | by Jamie Pearson