SPOTlight: The Osprey at Beaver Creek

Looking for your next luxurious mountain getaway?  Look no further.  The Osprey at Beaver Creek is the ultimate in Beaver Creek lodging.  “The Osprey creates unforgettable vacation experiences by coupling luxurious, stylish accommodations and a superior level of comfort with exemplary service from a friendly, welcoming staff.” The Osprey was recently awarded the #1 Top Resort in the Continental United States by the 2012 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers survey.”

In the winter months, it’s obvious why people travel to Beaver Creek.  This world class ski resort is a winter wonderland that’s perfect for riders of all skill levels.  People come from all over the world to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and snow shoeing.   In the summer months, “this area is a mecca for hiking, mountain and road biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, and golf.”  The surrounding area is stocked with mountain biking and hiking trails for all skill levels.  With a list of activities this long, there’s no doubt Beaver Creek has something for everyone!

Of course people come to Beaver Creek for the outdoors activities, but just because you’re no the outdoors type doesn’t mean we don’t have something for you too!  The Osprey is the premier luxury hotel in Beaver Creek.  For those who just want to relax, this luxury hotel offers a heated deck and hot tub, fitness center, a steam room and sauna and often functions as an incredible wedding destination.  When traveling to Beaver Creek for the relaxing atmosphere, you’ll also want to explore the endless dining and shopping opportunities that are offered.  This area (the Vail Valley) is home to some of the most exclusive restaurants and shopping in the country.

Some of the unique features of The Osprey at Beaver Creek include ski-in/out access to Beaver Creek Resort, exclusive access to Beaver Creek Golf Club and Red Sky Golf Club, and The Osprey lounge which features an exceptional hand-picked wine list.  “Experience the supremely stylish side of Beaver Creek ski resorts with The Osprey. Elegant amenities, exceptional service, and ski in/ski out convenience will have you coming back to The Osprey again and again for years to come.”

http://ospreyatbeavercreek.rockresorts.com/

5 Reasons to Book a Trip to North Fork Ranch

The North Fork Ranch, located in Shawnee, Colorado provides an all-inclusive Dude Ranch experience that you’ll never forget!  While this is a Dude Ranch, you can still enjoy deluxe accommodations, amazing food and tons of activities to keep you entertained during your stay!  Shawnee is located just about an hour outside of Denver making it easily accessible from all the major travel hubs of Colorado.  This location is perfect for a family getaway or a romantic getaway or simply just to escape from the fast pace of city life!  Here are the top 5 reasons you will LOVE your stay at North Fork Ranch:

1. ALL of your activities and meals are included so you save money!  Once you’ve paid for your accommodations, sit back and let North Fork take care of the rest!  Activities are available every single day and you don’t have to pay an extra cent to participate.  Some of the activities include horseback riding, (world class) fly fishing, white water rafting, mountain biking, guided hikes and even zip lining!  There’s something to do for everyone!  On top of all these incredibly fun activities, you wake up each morning to a hearty breakfast which is necessary to an adventure filled day.  Enjoy lunch on the riverside and a 5-star dinner with decadent snacks in between meals.  More simply put, everything you need is included!
2. You get a TRUE Dude Ranch Experience!  North Fork Ranch has been operated by the May family for over 25 years.  “It’s our passion and it’s our lifestyle.  We’re not owned by a big corporation with red tape and “false” ranch heritage.”  The May family is a ranch family.  Ranching is not just their passion, but rather a lifestyle.
3. Enjoy the quick drive right into the mountains!  North Fork is the closest Dude Ranch to Denver International Airport in the state of Colorado!  This means upon your arrival, it’s just over an hour to get there from the airport.
4. Access to “The Best and Most Beautiful Fish in the South Platte.”  Located right on the South Platte River, North Fork is one of only a few “Orvis Endorsed” lodges in Colorado.  This location provides world class fishing and fly fishing for the experienced fisherman or the first-timer!
5. You’ll never get bored and neither will your kids.  With daily activities and adventures planned, there’s something to do each and every day.  The adventures last for hours and venture deep into the Rocky Mountains to create a spectacular and memorable experience.  You can enjoy a relaxing horseback ride venturing into the mountains or you can enjoy it from the seat of a mountain bike!

Certainly these 5 reasons are enough to visit the North Fork Ranch next time you’re in Colorado; but just so you know, they also have a riverside pool and hot tub, game room, playground and tons of free space.  This makes for an ideal location to bring your family.  If your kids don’t prefer a long hike or bike ride, leave them behind for a day to enjoy the activities on the Ranch while you and your spouse venture out comfortably knowing your kids are safe and having fun!  You can even take the kids on a camp out for a night in the teepee…or the kids can camp out with a counselor and you can have a night alone!

Everything you need to have the vacation of your life is provided by North Fork.  This is a Dude Ranch that prides themselves on their hospitality and they do so for good reason.  A Dude Ranch is a lifestyle, not just a business.  The May family makes sure of this through their passion for their property!

Below are a few guest testimonials taken from the North Fork Ranch website:

“Dean and Karen (May), you have established an ambiance with your personality that is translated into all of your help that makes each visitor feel important, wanted, and at ease.”

“I’ve just returned home from the best vacation I’ve had in years. I wasn’t sure what to expect finding North Fork on the internet but I must say it was more than I could have imagined. Dean, Karen, and Kids have built the most beautiful home for their guests. What a beautiful location and what a wonderful staff. I’ll be back next year and many years to come.”

“The best two weeks we’ve ever spent…our kids are begging to return! See you soon!”

“My wife and I just concluded a week of fantastic riding, eating, relaxing, dancing, trap shooting, and meeting fabulous friends. For anyone thinking about this type of vacation, forget it, just go ahead and do it. Dean and Karen and staff will make you feel a part of their family. P.S. forget about diets for one week. This is my second year in a row visiting and we will be returning in soon.”

“We didn’t know what to expect because we have never been on this sort of vacation before. We got more than we could have ever expected. The May family and their staff went above and beyond to make sure our week stay was the best.”

http://www.northforkranch.com/

Peaceful Valley Ranch: Colorado’s Family Summertime Escape!

Colorado isn’t all about the winter time; in fact the folks at the Peaceful Valley Ranch just outside Lyons, CO. offer a summertime vacation experience you will never forget.  For about 15 weeks of the summer months, Peaceful Valley Ranch offers multiple activities along with the incredible scenery provided by the Rocky Mountains.

The Peaceful Valley Ranch, “is one of the world’s most beautiful resort destinations, and one of Colorado’s oldest and largest guest ranches.”  This location is just over an hour from downtown Denver.  While its close in proximity to the major travel centers of Colorado, this Ranch is nestled well into the Rocky Mountains into an area that portrays some of the best of Rocky Mountain scenery the state has to offer.  The title of the Ranch says it all, this Peaceful Valley is the perfect escape from city life but it also offers endless options for family fun—children of all ages will be thoroughly entertained from start to finish—there’s always something fun to do here!

Given that this is a dude ranch, you can enjoy the many horseback riding options that venture well into the Rocky Mountains to help you truly experience the majesty of these peaks.  The location of the ranch is surrounded by mostly 13,000+ foot peaks making for some rather large mountains to see!  These same horseback riding trails can be done by foot.  Hikers of all skill levels can enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails that venture deep into the Rocky Mountains!  There are certainly some more difficult hikes but this area is ideal for families—many of the hiking trails are suitable for all ages and can be finished in a short amount of time.   The hikes are often along riversides making for a peaceful walk through the wilderness!

The ranch is located “in a land of rushing rivers” which provide a place for wildlife to re-hydrate.  Guests often find themselves enjoying wildlife sightings throughout the area!  The rivers also offer endless fishing and fly-fishing.  Tons of guests come to Peaceful Valley Ranch just to enjoy the endless rivers to be explored.  There are also opportunities in the area for white water rafting!  The Peaceful Valley Ranch is just about a half hour from Estes Park and offers a shuttle service to and from various surrounding activities including the town of Estes Park itself.

Too often vacations become stressful as we try to work out the many details that end up not working out.  At The Peaceful Valley Ranch they make sure you enjoy your stay while doing as little as possible, “When you stay with us, we take care of all the details so you can simply enjoy yourself.”  This means activities are already lined up, transportation is waiting for your call and guest service is readily available 24/7.

During the day time you can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, games and much more.  During the night the Ranch hosts activities for families and couples.  They also offer several modern amenities including TV lounge, WiFi, coin-operated laundry and an indoor, heated pool and hot tub.

Come to this ranch with your significant other or your entire family; there are activities to satisfy people of all types and ages.  The Ranch is also just under and hour from Boulder, CO. which is home to the University of Colorado at Boulder and the renowned Pearl Street Mall which has endless shopping to satisfy all kinds of tastes.

Sources: http://www.peacefulvalley.com

Paradise High on a Mountain; The McGregor Mountain Lodge

It’s so difficult to find an escape from civilized living and the hustle and bustle associated with urban life.  The McGregor Mountain Lodge is a little gem just outside Estes Park, CO that makes it easy to get away and forget about your troubles; but it’s not impossible to get to.

Sitting on the slopes of the McGregor Mountain, the lodge property is bordered by Rocky Mountain National Park, a spectacular place to visit.  When visiting the McGregor Lodge, you’ll notice the incredible wildlife that surrounds this area.  Rocky Mountain National Park is notorious for sightings of Colorado wildlife including bears, elk, big horn sheep, foxes and so much more!  This is also a perfect spot for bird watchers.  Here is a video taken from the lodge blog that was filmed just a few weeks ago of a local fox who has gotten a bit too friendly!

One thing particularly special about the McGregor Lodge is the spectacular views you are privileged with.  Because it sits at a high elevation and right in Rocky Mountain National Park, the lodge has a breath-taking view of the Continental Divide as well as several renowned mountains.

The lodge is located near the Fall River Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and has access to hundreds of miles of hiking trails.  This lodge is a perfect location for anyone who enjoys summer outdoors activities.  Rocky Mountain National Park provides world class wildlife sightings, fishing and endless hiking trails that will always leave you satisfied and vary for all skill levels.  Some other activities offered are rafting, climbing and snowshoeing in the winter!

The McGregor Lodge provides a paradise for wildlife watchers, outdoorsmen, hikers and anyone who just wants to escape the noise of city life and enjoy the majestic Rocky Mountains at their absolute finest location.  While this tranquil and isolated location is the perfect escape from city life, the town of Estes Park is just down the road.  Estes Park is a Colorado mountain town just outside Rocky Mountain National Park that offers wonderful shops, restaurants and other attractions including movie theaters, grocery stores and more!

Aside from the perfection of this lodge location, the lodge itself is touted by the owners, staff and guests alike.  “The current Lodge owners are Michael Hodges and Chris Wood. They purchased the Lodge on June 20, 2003. Both Michael and Chris worked as property managers of McGregor Mountain Lodge before making their purchase.”  The lodge includes a hot tub, playground and several different cabins to choose from when staying here.  This lodge and location can’t be matched, you must come to see them!

Guest Reviews

Rich & Terri 2008 “We enjoyed our stay at McGregor Lodge. We came at this time of year for our 15th anniversary and hoping to see a variety of wildlife. From the 1st afternoon to the morning we left we were not dissapointed. Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, variety of birds, squirrels, including an aberts squirrel, and a red fox with a bonus of a rare black fox. All this without leaving the lodge.”

Trina & Russ 2010 “As always, staying at McGregor has been a fantastic experience. Michael and Chris were pleasant and friendly and knowledgeable of the area and provided us with great info. Our cabin was lovely – loved the wildlife that visited us! Thanks for a great vacation!!”

Brenna & Chris 2011 “I was impressed at how clean it was. Give your housekeepers a pat on the back. McGregor Mountain Lodge is a fantastic place to stay. The cabin was immaculate & the customer service was excellent. We will definitely be back. ps: The grounds were beautiful as well.”

Sources: http://www.mcgregormountainlodge.com/

The Latigo Dude Ranch, a Slower Pace in a Hectic World

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of urban living?  Latigo Dude Ranch provides the perfect escape from the sounds of traffic, city living and urban life.  Voted the Best Dude Ranch by Colorado’s Best: Essential Guide to Favorite Places.  Owned by two families, Jim and Kathy Yost and Randy and Lisa George, the sincere care and attention to detail is what makes your stay here so memorable.

“You’ll enjoy the quiet and seclusion of a place that is also readily accessible.  Find a slower pace in a hectic world.”

View from the front porch of the Latigo Ranch

The ranch is located just west of the Rocky Mountain National Park and is 6 miles from any paved road; though only a short two and a half hours from the heart of downtown Denver.  From the front porch of the Latigo Dude Ranch you’re faced with over 100 miles of the Continental Divide in a panoramic view; an absolutely stunning scene.  There’s nothing in the world quite like the scenery and crisp air of the Latigo Dude Ranch in its isolation from urban life.

What’s there to do at the Latigo Dude Ranch?  A trip to the ranch is perfect for families and children of all ages (HEY, September also features an “all adults week!!”).  Guests can enjoy horseback riding for all skill levels, rifle and shotgun shooting, river rafting, fly-fishing or camping!  There are also various hiking trails closely accessible from the ranch including the “Latigo Ranch nature hike: (a lecture) which will give you new insights into the ecology of the Rocky Mountains at 9,000 ft. above sea level.”

Latigo Dude Ranch’s horseback riding program is highly acclaimed by guests and receives spectacular reviews due to the friendly nature of the program and the bond you’ll form with your horse; it’s an experience unlike anything else.  Upon your arrival to the Dude Ranch, you meet your horse and begin to form a bond.  You continue to ride the same horse for the duration of your stay, creating a lasting relationship with your horse.  There’s also an overnight horse trip in which you enjoy camping and a ride into the high country.

With the Ranch being so far from civilization, you’ll enjoy the “Nouveau Ranch Cuisine: Healthy, Hearty, Tasty, Fresh and Wholesome.”  This is a far cry from your average isolated living/camping cuisine.  Latigo has helped guests with a variety of dietary needs including gluten intolerance, lactose issues, low sodium, vegetarian and more.  Just because you aren’t near civilization, doesn’t mean we have to be less civilized!  Latigo offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the finer things in life while not being bound by urbanized living and large tourist crowds.

After all these great things the Ranch offers, it truly comforts me to know the owners are as dedicated to this Ranch and their guests as they are to their own children.  “It sounds trite when a business says they care about their clients, but for us as owners it is truly our motivation.”  Randy and Lisa not only oversee all activities and functions—they actually prepare your meals for you!  That doesn’t mean Jim and Kathy are sitting back relaxing, they interact with you throughout your trip whether it concerns horses, facilities or the office; the owners are always there and available to make sure your stay is as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.  “In doing so, we all get constant feedback on the quality of our staff, horses, meals, program and accommodations. “

 

Source: http://www.latigotrails.com