An Authentic Cowboy Retreat in Colorado

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed about going to a Ranch in the United States. I wanted to learn about the cowboy way of life and always admired this aspect of the American culture. It wasn’t until I was 12 years old and my parents and I moved to the US that I was able to visit one for the first time. Years have passed since then, and as the memories started to fade, I longed for an authentic western ranch getaway. This time, I was prepared to go with a better understanding of the culture, and more experience under my belt. When I was given the opportunity to visit Ranch Vista Verde in Colorado, I knew this was going to be an experience of a lifetime, and I was so excited to share it with my husband.  

Horses and Riding at VVR:

In a perfect combination of luxury and rustic charm, Vista Verde Ranch (VVR) is an all-inclusive resort located about 3 hours west of Denver, the capital city of Colorado, USA.

The Ranch owns approximately 100 horses living as a heard out in the fields all year long. The breeds consist mostly of quarter horses and mustangs, with the exception of a few Belgian draft horses and anglo-arabians. They are fed hay and alfalfa every day, and their natural fluffy coats keeps them warm all winter. Every morning, the horses are called out from their pasture into corrals, where the wranglers pick and match  them according to guests’ level of experience. After the matching takes place, the horses are released again into their pasture to enjoy grazing for the rest of the day.

On our first day, I was matched with Mr.Cool, a cute chestnut anglo-arabian gelding with a big, sensitive heart. He was going to be my horse for the next 3 days, for both trail rides and lessons. I fell in love immediately as we were given our first natural horsemanship clinic. We bonded as we learned to communicate through various ‘games’ stemming from natural horsemanship techniques. Soon, Mr. Cool would follow me everywhere. I like to think he recognized me as he would walk towards me whenever he saw me out in the field, or before a lesson. There was something in his eyes that convinced me he knew who I was, and that we were going to be partners. This is something I have never felt with any other horse before, and surely was one of the most heartwarming experiences.

Perhaps the most memorable moment riding happened during one of the horsemanship lesson, which was taught by their head cowboy and wrangler. During the session, we were encouraged to ride our horses around the arena with long reins, while moving at a regular, continuous pace, and keeping the same energy level. Coming from an English- riding background, this did not feel natural to me. How can I possibly control the speed and do transitions with long reins? I felt somewhat comfortable at a walk and trot, but each time I would ask for canter, I felt that the speed was uncontrolled, and I would eventually have to resort to shortening my reins so that my horse wouldn’t go on a full gallop around the arena. At least that’s what it felt like. Our trainer advised me to relax and trust the horse: my balance and poise should do the trick. It took a few tries, and while repeatedly pushing myself out of my comfort zone, Mr.Cool and I managed to cruise on the same energy level. Soon, we were cantering around the arena with long reins, and transitioning from a trot to a canter and back to a walk as if it was the most natural, effortless task. Needless to say, I fell in love with this discipline and I was so eager to learn more.

Complementary Winter Activities:

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Each morning, while enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast, one of Vista Verde staff members would take the time to discuss with us the activities we wanted to sign up to that same day. While horses and riding are an important part of the experience at Vista Verde Ranch, there is a plethora of activities available onsite, both during winter and summer season. During our stay, we had the opportunity to try snow tubing, ice fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling! Other activities were also available, including photography workshops, cooking classes and wine tasting.

After a long day filled with exciting activities, we were able to relax in our charming, secluded cabin. The accommodation at VVR consists of individual and private wooden cabins, each equipped with its own Jacuzzi, kitchen, lounge and cozy fireplace. Being able to relax in a jacuzzi overlooking the fields with all the horses after a physically exhausting day was one of the most peaceful and enjoyable moments we experienced.

A Culinary Experience:

The culinary experience at Vista Verde Ranch was definitely one of the highlights of our stay. I consider myself a foodie and always enjoy fresh, high quality, organic food. I was pleasantly surprised to see the emphasis that was put on sourcing fresh, local products. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served with a buffet, and guests also have the option to order from a couple of delicious dishes from the menu.

Perhaps the only downside that I can think of was the limited WiFi access. While WiFi is indeed accessible everywhere around the ranch, the speed is relatively slow. However, it sure is a great way to ensure guests disengage from their work or other distractions, and really connect with Nature.

 Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, VVR caters to individuals to ensure a personalized experience for this all-inclusive retreat. Their 5-star rating on TripAdvisor is a testament to how well this place is managed, and the individual attention each guest receives. I certainly would love to go back and enjoy this wonderful experience again!

Useful Tips:

• Winter can be really cold in Colorado, make sure to bring proper waterproof clothes and footwear for outdoors activities.

• There is a convenient, small shop open during the day next to the reception, where you can buy gloves, sweaters, hats and other accessories should you need anything.

• Disconnect, relax and enjoy. While there are plenty of activities to choose from every day, the beauty of this place and its concept is that you can choose to do as many activities as you wish, while also having the option of just relaxing, either by reading a book by the fireplace, or enjoying a glass of wine in the jacuzzi.

• VVR offers free pick up and drop off to and from the closest airport, Skyote airport, in Steamboat Springs. If you are traveling from abroad, the easiest option will be to travel to Denver International Airport, then renting a car and driving to the ranch. This 3-hour drive offers incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, and is well worth it if you are not pressed with time. Alternatively, you could also wait for a connecting flight to Skyote airport.

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