Ever dream of visiting a dude ranch?
Allison has dreamed of visiting a dude ranch, ever since she was a little girl. You see, her mom used to work on a dude ranch in Colorado and it’s fueled Allison’s dream of going with her mom to visit a dude ranch. When we had a little girl of our own, Allison’s dream just got even bigger. Visit a dude ranch with her mom and her daughter. Three generations on a dude ranch vacation!
Vista Verde Luxury Dude Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado helped make that dream come true with a hosted trip for Allison, her mom, and Hunter. Even better, it was a winter vacation. Allison LOVES the snow and winter sports (probably because she doesn’t have to deal with it on a daily basis in Florida).
Did Allison’s dream live up to reality?
Vista Verde Dude Ranch
The Vista Verde Dude Ranch provides luxury accommodations in the heart of the Routt National Forest, just 25 miles from Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Allison stayed in a 3 bedroom log cabin that featured hand-hewn wood furniture and a hot tub on the private deck.
The ranch offers a full buffet of activities that included horseback riding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and tubing.
Allison and the family flew into Steamboat Springs (Hayden Airport) to begin their adventure.
Since this was a winter dude ranch vacation, Allison decided to come in a day early, just in case there were any delays. After arriving safely and on time, she had a full day to explore Steamboat Springs before checking in to Vista Verde Dude Ranch.
Vista Verde Dude Ranch has a shuttle that will bring guests from Steamboat Springs to the ranch. It’s a beautiful ride through the Colorado wilderness and arriving at the dude ranch will take your breath away.
Dude Ranch Activities
Once you’re all checked in and comfortable, Vista Verde offers a wide variety of activities for guests. Of course, riding horses was first on Hunter’s list.
You may want to go on a hike, during the summer months, but in the winter, you must try snowshoeing. Vista Verde provided us with our first opportunity to go snowshoeing. We’ve tried a few times in Minnesota, but never made it happen.
Of course, we love sledding and snow tubing, so that definitely made the list of must-do activities for the ladies. At Vista Verde, though, this isn’t your normal snow tubing. No. You get a ride back up the hill on a snowmobile! Talk about luxury!
Vista Verde also features a fun family night dinner with line dancing and live music.
Allison’s favorite activity, though, was the winter sleigh ride.
Vista Verde Dude Ranch Review
The Vista Verde Dude Ranch definitely made Allison’s dude ranch vacation dreams come true. Not only full of adventure in the outdoors, but also a luxury home away from home.
Vista Verde does have a cattle drive experience, too, but that one books up a year in advance. It’s so good, that they say they’ve had the same people on the drive for over 10 years! That should tell you about the quality experiences at Vista Verde.
We can’t recommend Vista Verde, enough. We will definitely be back. Maybe next time we’ll try a summer dude ranch vacation.
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