You undoubtedly looked us up because
   you are interested in a vacation with a flavor of the Old West...
winter
Winter is a perfect time of year to visit a ranch. What a wonderland for playing in the snow! Wildlife comes out of the high country and is more accessible for viewing. And Colorado's powder snow is legendary for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Whether you like skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or just viewing nature while curled up in front of a fireplace, a ranch get-away is for you. Again, each ranch is unique. Some also offer sleigh rides, hay rides, ice-climbing or backcountry skiing. You can start by checking the chart below. Then contact any of the ranches for more detailed information.

Latigo Ranch
  • You will experience the warm hospitality and fun winter activities at Latigo Ranch that keep our guests coming back year after year, and for some, several times each winter.

    The outdoor activities are as invigorating as the inside comforts are cozy. Experienced Colorado skiers know this is where you find some of Colorado's best snow conditions - for us, about 18 feet of it falls every year!

    You will discover why Latigo Ranch guests who have skied all over the state, proclaim that Latigo Ranch offers some of the finest cross-country skiing available in Colorado. We machine groom 60 km of trail, covering varied terrain from flat beginning track to challenging advanced. All of our cross country ski track is groomed for both classic and skate skiing.

    For backcountry or telemark aficionados, we are surrounded by over 200 square miles of deep powder in the National Forest. Click HERE to see our XC Trail map!

    You will enjoy the quiet and seclusion of a place that is on a peninsula of private land nestled into the National Forest. Some Nordic centers are right off of the highway or in town where traffic noise is a distraction. We think it is worth the extra miles to enjoy a place where our nearest neighbor is over 5 miles away.

    You will savor the quality and variety of food about which our guests rave. Nouveau Ranch Cuisine: healthy, hearty, tasty, fresh, and wholesome.

    You will meet new folks who, like you, enjoy the adventure of life. Swap lots of good talk, stories, and laughter.

    WINTER ACTIVITIES, AMENITIES & SERVICES
    - Groomed trails for Cross country skiing: Classic and Skating
    - Sledding
    - Hot tub
    - Snowshoeing
    - Complete food service
    - Tubing
    - Pool table & Library


    Yes, we rent classic skis, boots and poles as well as snowshoes, or a pulk to pull that youngster behind you as you ski.

    Yes, you can come for day skiing without staying overnight. Please call first to verify trail conditions.

    Snowshoeing has become increasingly popular over the last few years and many of our guests enjoy it as much or more than the cross country skiing. Snowshoeing gives you the opportunity to get outside during the height of the snow season to see some spectacular new sites without the longer learning period associated with skiing. The trails are great for beginner and advanced snowshoeing enthusiasts.

    To enhance your guest experience, skiing and other recreational activities are often conducted on part of thousands of acres under special use permit to Latigo in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.

    We are proud members of the Colorado Cross Country Ski Association and the Cross Country Ski Areas of America.
  • Season: Mid-December through Late March
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
Sylvan Dale Ranch
  • We are open year-round for "bunk and breakfast" stays along with many of the same activities listed for our summer program, handled on an "a la-carte" basis and weather-dependent. Many folks enjoy horseback riding, fishing, hiking and more in our typically mild winter-time environment. Our holiday traditions are the perfect time for family reunions -- consider Thanksgiving and Christmas! And how about joining us for Spring Break?
  • Season: November through March
  • Cross-Country Skiing: No
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: No
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
Sundance Trail Ranch
  • Country Lodge with family style meals and daily horse back riding.

    Call or email us at www.sundancetrail.com about our Murder Mystery week-ends.

  • Season: Year Round
  • Cross-Country Skiing: No
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: No
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
Vista Verde Guest Ranch
  • In the winter months, our cross-country ski program includes customized tours through the untouched backcountry and skiing on our 30 km trail system that's carefully machine groomed each day. In addition, instruction is always available for skate, classic and telemark skiing. In addition to the skiing there are options such as snowshoeing, horseback riding, sleigh rides, cooking classes and more. Off ranch activities such as snowmobiling, dogsledding and downhill skiing at the Steamboat Ski Resort can be arranged as well.
  • Season: Mid-December-late March
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: Yes
Home Ranch
  • Cross country skiing ,back country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, sleigh rides and downhill skiing nearby
  • Season: December 17 - March 30, 2008
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: Yes
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: Yes
Rawah Ranch
  • Endless cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures, Lodge accomodations
  • Season: mid-January thru mid-Febuary 2009
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
Smith Fork
  • SFR welcomes families and couples to our family's ranch for fun and holiday cheer -- from carolling, to sledding, x-country skiing, snowshoeing and last but not least relaxing in front of the fire with family and friends.
  • Season: December 20th, 2008 through Holidays until January 5th, 2009 - Bed and Breakfast rates after holidays until Mid-May, 2009.
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
North Fork Ranch & Fishing Lodge
  • Bed and Breakfast / fishing lodge
  • Season: October - May
  • Cross-Country Skiing: No
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: No
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
Aspen Canyon Ranch
  • Lodging in the Cliffhouse 3 bed/ 3 bath and the Riverside 3 bed/ 2 bath. Each cabin has a gas fireplace and has a porch on the Williams Fork River. Sledding and snowshoes available. $230 a night or $360 a night for holiday weeks. Min. 2 night stay. Snowmobiling Adventures: Your adventure begins at the ranch when we provide you with the suits, boots and helmets for your tour. Then our experienced snowmobile guides will take you through alpine meadows and winding wooded trails to our 3 mile play area for free time riding. You will have the opportunity to see seven different mountain ranges with spectacular views. When you return to the ranch you will enjoy homemade cookies, sweet breads, trail mix, fruit, hot chocolate and coffee by a roaring fire.
  • Season: December 1st - April 15th
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: Yes
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: Yes
  • Sleigh Rides: No
C Lazy U
  • Featuring the powder-like snow that Colorado is famous for, C Lazy U winter activities range from back country excursions to down time in front of a fire. Guests have the opportunity to participate in a multitude of activities including cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow tubing, sledding, sleigh rides and indoor and outdoor horseback riding. The holiday season offers special tree trimming and decorating parties, caroling, a visit from Santa and a traditional Christmas dinner. Guest rooms are furnished with a Christmas tree for guests to decorate. To ring in the new year, celebrations include traditional swing dancing and torch lit ice skating.
  • Season: December 19, 2008 - January 4, 2009
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: No
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: Yes
Peaceful Valley
  • Lodging/meal/activity packages for: Fall colors, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Valentines Day, Easter, and Mothers Day. Snowshoe, Cross country ski, and snowmobile rentals available during snow season
  • Season: December 20 to March 31
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: Yes
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: Yes
  • Sleigh Rides: Yes
Waunita Hot Springs
  • Lodge available for B&B and winter retreats, downhill skiing at Monarch or Crested Butte ski areas.
  • Season: Mid Dec-April 1.
  • Cross-Country Skiing: Yes
  • Downhill Skiing: Yes
  • Snowshoeing: Yes
  • Snowmobiling: No
  • Sleigh Rides: No
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