COLORADO, ROCKY MOUNTAIN RANCH - USA
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Colorado is famous for the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains and great hospitality on their ranches. The Rocky Mountain Ranch has the best of both of these providing a great location for your horse riding holdiay. Situated right on the continental divide, about 100 miles west of Denver, every ride on this ranch has a view to write home about. The ranch is surrounded on three sides by forest or protected land giving an area the size of Britain to ride in with not a fence in sight. Excellent riding and lots of fun team penning the cattle each week. This ranch has a particularly good range of non riding activities and fully supervised children's program. The last 2 weeks from the end of August are always adult only weeks.
NOTES - COLORADO, ROCKY MOUNTAIN RANCH
RIDING ABILITY
No previous riding experience is necessary to ride on this horse riding holiday. Riders weighing more than 97kg/215lb/15 stone may be limited to walking only rides. When you see the terrain you will understand why.
HORSES
The horses are mainly Quarter Horse with some paints, appaloosa and draft crosses. They range in size from 15hh to 16hh. There are about 100 horses on the ranch at any one time. Some are real schoolmasters while others are more sensitive and respond to the slightest leg or weight shift. Everyone gets to do some cattle work on this ranch. Once a week there is a team penning session. Here everyone splits into teams and tries to separate a few cattle from the herd and take them across the coral and into a pen. This is usually fast and fun!
ACCOMMODATION
Authentic log cabins, some dating back 100 years, and a lodge house form the accommodation on the ranch. The lodge and cabins are scattered along a creek, some reached across a small bridge. The cabins have from 1 to 4 bedrooms for singles to families. The larger cabins with more rooms also have a private sitting room. The cabins are decorated in western style with carpeted floors and twin or double beds. Every booking group has their own shower and toilet en suite. All have coffee making facilities and many have fridges. Each has its own verandah where you can watch the sunset or just watch life pass by.
FOOD
Sometimes the food is gourmet and sometimes western but always delicious. There is an informal atmosphere and guests are always welcome to drop into the kitchen for a snack, a drink or just a chat. Vegetarians can be catered for as can other special diets with advance request. There is no alcohol served at the ranch due to the family atmosphere. Guests are welcome to bring their own, or the ranch staff will buy some for you from the local store. This can be enjoyed in your own cabin, sitting room or verandah. In the autumn adult only weeks you are welcome to enjoy alcohol on all parts of the ranch at any time.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
There is a huge variety of activities on offer and a program is done for each individual week. Non riders will not feel left out even if they do not intend to sit on a horse at all! Fly fishing instruction and fishing for trout are available both in stoked ponds and on the Colorado River. One day an all day river rafting program is available on the Colorado River. Mountain biking, guided hiking, Four Wheel drive trips into the mountain, a hot tub, swimming in the heated pool, 4 nearby golf courses to choose from (only golf involves a fee), not to mention evening entertainment such as campfire sing-a-longs, country and line dancing, old fashioned play acting and carnival nights.
CHILDREN
There are counselor led programs for children from infants to teenagers. Activities include riding instruction, brushing the horses, nature hikes, story telling, fishing, crafts, heated swimming pool, cycling, hay rides and wagon rides to mention a few. The counselors and program supervisors are college students selected for their experience, attentiveness and interests in child development and recreation. They treat the children with understanding, patience love and respect. The children very quickly feel at home and often make life long friends under these circumstances.
SHOP
There is a gift shop available on site which stocks western hats, souvenirs and crafts as well as more mundane items like postcards
2008 prices per person:
| |
June 1-June 7 |
June 8–June 21,
Aug 24-Sep 13 |
Aug 17-23 |
June 22-Aug 16 |
| Adult single |
£975 |
£1,035 |
£1,095 |
£1,215 |
| Adult double pp |
£945 |
£999 |
£1,059 |
£1,175 |
| Adult (3 or more in accomm)pp |
£935 |
£995 |
£1,049 |
£1,165 |
| Child 14-17 years |
£829 |
£879 |
£935 |
£1,035 |
| Child 6-13 years |
£729 |
£775 |
£819 |
£909 |
| Child 5 years and under |
£409 |
£435 |
£459 |
£509 |
It is possible to stay the Saturday night after the week long program, to make up a stay of 7 nights. The cost is £35 per person for a D,B&B service. Non riders can be accommodated at a discount of £219 per week. There is also a daily rate (minimum of 3 nights) for stays less than 6 nights and for add-ons to the week, please enquire for these rates. As a guide the daily rate for double room is £259pp.
GETTING TO Denver Airport
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 18 st/255 lb/116 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
This includes all activities mentioned, full board and lodging, a 15% gratuity, a 3.9% state tax and a local lodging tax.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Denver International airport, car rental or transfer from Denver to and from the ranch and any alcoholic drinks.
There is a gift shop available on site which stocks western hats, chaps, souvenirs and crafts as well as more mundane items like postcards.
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