We went to visit Vista Verde and have to share that is was the best vacation hands down. This experience is one that upon arrival puts you in a head space of traquality and peace.
You unplug and take in the Mountain air. We had time over the stay to enjoy time to enjoy Mom and Dad time. Even got to have solo time for mom. The Staff here is 5 starts all around.
The staff makes this experience a terrific one. If you are looking for an Experience where you and your family will enjoy a lifetime memory well, this is it! The food prepared by Michelin Chef is outstanding. It is as you have arrived to this wonderful and delicious oasis of FOOD.
Happy Hour is daily in the Main Cottage. Can it get any better?
The kids have the opportunity to eat with other kids during Dinner time. This is a great way to recoonect with your Spouse and have date nights.
Each night when we would return back the Cottage we would find a note for the kids to find a treat. This was a blast because it is a Scavenger Hunt manner.
This is by far a trip of a lifetime and am so grateful to have this experience and now be able to share and recommend this with you.
Here are some basics:
Begin your vacation by arriving at the Hayden airport, named the Steamboat Springs Airport. The Steamboat Springs Airport only has one restaurant, the 3 Wire Bar & Grill. Located just outside of the secured area, they serve breakfast and lunch, featuring their “FOOD ON THE FLY” and daily specials. If you’re arriving with an appetite, be sure to grab food at 3 Wire, as the drive down to Steamboat Springs can feel like forever on an empty stomach. Especially if you’ve traveled a distance and haven’t had a bite to eat all day.
Steamboat Springs is the destination town known for its world class skiing and famed Champagne Powder, snow so dry, light, and fluffy it tickles the nose like champagne. In addition, it has a jaw dropping view of their beautiful mountains, in both winter and spring. A beautiful location to visit any time of the year!
There are plenty of eateries and shops on the main street such as Carl’s, E3, Salt and Lime and Table 79 for dining. Shop around local stores such as Wild Blue Jewelry, Linden Co. Floristry, Wanderlust and Solar Flare Glass Work & Design.
You can also walk down to the river off 11th known as the Yampa River. The Yampa River boasts one of the West’s most famous scenic floats at Yampa Canyon. The Yampa River provides approximately one third of Colorado’s contribution to the Colorado River.
Upon arrival, Vista Verde will have a driver pick you and your guests up and drive you and your party down to the ranch. Denver roads tend to get snowy during the winter, so being driven to your location is the safest option and ensures you make it to your destination safely. There are also a lot more flight options into the city during the winter season. Drivers will be near baggage claim to meet and greet you!
Vista Verde’s location is an estimated 40 minutes away from Steamboat Springs, with the closest town to Vista Verde being Clark. Vista Verde ranch is secluded and nestled in roughly 600 acres, ensuring privacy for each guest and their party.
History of Vista Verde
The term “Vista Verde”, meaning green view, was first used by Salome Tufly’s sister. Tufly purchased the then homestead from Loren Blair and John Hay in 1993. The Tufly family later sold the ranch to their son Hollis, who capitalized on the increasing tourism by starting a hunting, fishing and pack trips business. But it wasn’t until 1991 that Vista Verde entered the luxury dude ranch market when John and Susanne Munn purchased the ranch and updated the cabins and replaced the common buildings. The most current owners are Laura and Chris Jones, who purchased the property in 2016.
Upon arrival at Vista Verde, you find yourself being immediately asked if you’d like to have a group photo taken of you and your party to have as a keepsake memory for years to come and reminisce on your visit to Colorado.
After check-in, you are personally directed to the cabin you’ll be in for the duration of your stay. The staff ranges from seasoned employees who have worked there for 5 years to relatively new staff who started this past summer during the pandemic.
Guests are free to choose from a variety of cabins such as the Wapiti, Hinman, Little-Agnes, Big-Agnes or Dome Cabins. The Hinman-Cabin, for example, quickly became a guest favorite after it’s remodel in 2018. The master bedroom features a double exposure for light and airy ambiance. The Hinman-Cabin is a kids-choice as this cabin is closest to the Kid’s Hut and barn. It sleeps a total of 5 people.
The Dome-Cabin is a large one-bedroom cabin which overlooks their Winter pasture comes with a King bed in the master bedroom, a wood burning stove and two outdoor decks, one of which has a large hot tub. The living room has a daybed tucked into a cozy nook. The Dome-Cabin sleeps a maximum of 4 people.
Looking for the rates on your vacation at Vista Verde? Click here for the winter rates, or here for the summer rates. Your dream vacation awaits!
When to go winter break and why
Whether you’re introducing your kids to snow for the first time, or looking for a change from the same mountain you visit every year. Vista Verde offers a visit unlike any other most people can only dream of seeing. Make your winter wonderland dreams come true this year with a vacation to Vista Verde. An experience matched by no other dude ranch with a large variety of ways to play in the snow, go sledding, on sleigh rides, walk on snowshoes, or stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate and take a dip in the bubbling hot tubs.
Why go on spring break
Looking to switch up your location on your next spring break? Give Vista Verde a try this new year instead of hitting the beach! Catch the end of the winter fun in Colorado and spend your break snow tubing, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, doing yoga or even practicing your photography skills. Stand out from the rest and go back to school with stories that are sure to stand out from the rest!
Why go here for a honeymoon
Vista Verde offers their very own Romance Package Add-Ons to make a honeymoon vacation extra special! What better way to celebrate your marriage than a romantic visit to the dude ranch? Their Romance Package includes a sweet surprise for you as soon as you enter your room. Step into your room to find a box of chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of champagne. For an additional $100, you can purchase the Deluxe Romantic Package, they’ll decorate your room so you step into a romantic oasis as soon as you arrive. Their biggest package, the Premium Romance Package, includes everything mentioned, plus a bouquet of in-season flowers and finally, an upgraded premium bottle of champagne directly from their Chef’s Cellar. All for the $350!
Why go here as a family or for a family reunion
Create new memories with your extended family and make your next family reunion location Vista Verde. There are so many things to do and see at Vista that nearly every family member is sure to enjoy! Take advantage of the kids programs and let the adults dedicate a portion of their time to each other, or to just hangout with the other parents in your family! Many families also find themselves creating memories and enjoying a lot of laughs trying new adventures together.
Why go here for a couple’s getaway
One of the best advantages of vacationing at Vista Verde is the simplicity of it all. Couples get to disconnect from outside distractions and have very few decisions to make, other than when to come back or where to go on their next vacation. Take a couple’s getaway at Vista Verde and enjoy your much deserved time off. Kick back at Vista Verde, make friends with other guests or simply take the privacy all vacation with your significant other and you’ll end up never wanting to leave!
What to wear for summer season and winter season
- Coats
- Low range
- Mid range
- REDUCED PRICE REI Parka 98.83 199.00
- Boulder Creek Fleece Parka 118.99 169.99
- Men Ultra Warm Down Coat 99.90 179.90
- The North Face Women’s Jacket 99.97 199.00
- Women’s Winter Warmer Coat 129.00
- High range
- Columbia Men’s Grand Trek 199.00
- Men’s Aconcagua 2 Hoodie 189.00
- The North Face Insulated Reversible 149.00
- Gotham 550 Power Down Hooded Parka 249.00
- Hiking boots
- Low range
- HI-TEC Yosemite Mid Men’s Waterproof 47.99
- Bearpaw Men’s Brock Apparel Hiking Shoes 69.99
- Skechers Women’s Hiking Boots 69.99 select sizes
- Bearpaw Women’s Hiking Shoes 44.99
- Mid range
- Columbia Newton Ridge HI 89.99
- Columbia Newton Ridge Plus 89.99
- Foxelli Men’s Hiking Boots 89.97 129.99
- Timberland Men’s Ankle Boot 89.95
- High range
- Men’s Rocky Outback Plain Toe 111.00
- Men’s Rocky Ranger Insulated Outdoor 119.99
- Cairn Mid Womens 135.00 180.00
- The North Face Womens Hiking Boots 144.99
- Low range
- Snow Boots
- Low range
- Mid range
- Columbia SH/FT Outdry Boot 89.90
- Men’s All Weather Leather Snow Boots 90.96 129.95
- Squall Insulated Snow Boots 90.96 129.95
- Columbia Ice Maiden II Women’s 90.00
- High range
- Women’s SOREL Tivoli IV 129.95
- Sorel Whitney II Short Lace Boots 120.00
- The North Face Thermoball Lace-Up 118.95
- SOREL 1964 Pac Nylon 149.95
- Men’s Expedition Suede Insulated Winter Boots 111.96 159.95
- Snow Jacket
- Low range
- Stoic Ski/Snow Puffer Jacket 33.99
- Ride Hawthorne Jacket 59.95 159.00
- Men’s Mountain Waterproof Ski Jacket 69.97
- Stoic Women’s Ski/Snow 37.49
- 686 Athena Insulated Jacket 64.99
- Mid range
- High range
- Powderbound Insulated Jacket 199.00
- Columbia Whirlibird IV 199.00
- The North Face Insulated Jacket 148.83
- Firefall Jacket 186.73 250.00
- Low range
Medical and emergency kits when out in the wild
- Emergency kits to purchase and keep handy
Packing tips
- Folding tips
What it means to fly now in covid times
The CDC’s official website has many tips and recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons looking to travel domestically. When travelling, ensure your mask is on and over your nose and mouth as it is required on planes, buses, trains, and other form of public transportation. However, travelers are not required to wear masks in outdoor areas of conveyance. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Before traveling by air, check if your airline requires any health information, testing, or other documentaries.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website has an extensive list of packing specifications on what you are and aren’t allowed to bring with you on your flight. Find the full list here, or, if you have an item that isn’t listed, you can now snap a picture of the item in question and send it to AskTSA on Facebook Messenger or Twitter!
Airline specials to Steamboat springs, Colorado. Have 6-7 airlines and search engines that head that way from LAX, Santa Ana, Long Beach
Travel Southwest: link
Travel American Airlines: link
TripAdvisor: link
Websites to help you save money on your flight
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