Ranching Holidays in Colorado

Through the aspen trees surrounding your cabin come glimpses of Hahn's Peak which beckoned prospectors a century ago. To the North and East lies the Mount Zirkel Wilderness area. A hundred thousand acres of road- less territory. Sprawled at the northern end of Colorado's Elk River Valley, the ranch offers its guests a step back in time and a true taste of life on a real ranch.

The tradition of taking guests on a ranch was founded of a desire for company and help by early ranchers, and was welcomed by their city cousins who yearned for respite and space. Thus was born "western hospitality." Within this framework lies a mutual respect for each other's needs and lifestyles. The Elk River Valley Home Ranch is the place to carry on this compliment of values. One is essentially a guest in the home of a big western family.

The ranch has an outstanding horsemanship program for adults and children alike. They are located in a picture perfect setting in Colorado's Elk River Valley. Quality is their trademark. The ranch is rated 4 stars by Mobil and is a twelve yard member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux organization. Whether you choose a cabin or lodge room, you'll feel special in the individually decorated rooms. The children's program is comprehensive and casual. Nightly activities are family oriented and fun for all ages.

It is advisable to make reservations as soon as possible - the summer months are usually sold out 6 months in advance.

+1 604-323-1141

Itinerary / Highlights

Horseback riding is the main activity at the Home Ranch. A variety of rides are offered each day including loping rides, lunch rides, all-day rides and lessons. Our extensive horse program is geared toward understanding your horse and trying to develop a partnership with him. We offer daily "horse sense" classes using natural horsemanship techniques on the ground and in the saddle. We also feature stockmanship and cattle working classes as well as private lessons. Our remuda of over 80 of the finest well-cared-for riding horses ensure a good mount for every ability.

Riding at The Home Ranch is a fully interactive experience. This is not a nose-to-tail place! We delight in our well-broken, quality horses and enjoy sharing our love of horses with you.

The Home Ranch is about horses and people. We are dedicated to seeing that you have a wonderful time with - and on - your horse. We've spent 25 years assembling a superb herd. We raise our own as well as buying a select few to meet specific needs in our program.

Our riding is suitable for everyone, and we encourage kids to ride. We're eager to share our love of horses with our guests at every riding level from beginner to advanced. First-time riders, world champion cowboys, Olympic medalists and everyone in between have ridden The Home Ranch trails. Our wranglers and instructors specialize in helping beginners to gain confidence and have fun in a non-intimidating setting. Advanced riders appreciate the quality of our horses and enjoy our challenging classes and cattle-working activities.

At The Home Ranch you can ride with whomever you want. We generally divide our rides into groups of 6 or fewer, unless guests request larger group rides. Some of our lessons have only two to three riders. Keep in mind that rides are grouped by ability and desire, and that we adjust each ride to accommodate the least-confident rider.

A few words about safety: we do everything in our power to provide a safe and fun riding experience. Many have asked our position on wearing helmets. We think wearing a helmet is a personal choice and if you have any concerns we encourage you to get your own before your ranch vacation. Be sure to get a precise, professional fit from a qualified dealer. We recommend Stateline Tack or Dover Saddlery - you can locate stores online.

Beginning the summer of 2009 we will begin requiring cowboy boots to be warn while riding. This is not only for your saftey, but also for your comfort. We encourage you to bring your own, but will have boots that you may rent. We suggest boots that have a smooth sole and a stacked heel.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Lodge Rooms:
Home Ranch accommodations include six rooms in the main lodge and private cabins. Lodge rooms, are well appointed with antiques, Native American rugs, cozy down comforters, coffee pots, hair dryers and snuggly robes. The coziness of the lodge with its proximity to the pool, hot tub, laundry facilities and dining room is ideal for romantic getaways or family vacations. You will feel right at home at our Steamboat Springs lodging property.

Bonanza
North-facing lodge room features a vaulted ceiling, a hand carved king bed, a love seat and a writing desk.

Quickdraw
A south-facing room with lovely views of the meadow, the pond, and Round Mountain. Features an adobe-style ceiling, hand-painted log king bed, an antique iron twin bed, a loveseat and a writing desk.

Lonesome Cow
A south-facing room with beautiful views of the meadow, vaulted ceiling, a four-poster king bed, a generous leather chair, an iron bed and a writing desk.

Seegate
A north-facing room with adobe-style log beams, a lodgepole pine king bed, a sleigh bed that converts into a sofa, and a writing desk.

Baby Doe
A romantic, high-ceilinged room with a wrought-iron king bed, an over stuffed chair, a stunning Eastlake armoire, and a private loft with a twin bed and room for a cot for a younger child.

Hahn's Peek
A handsome, high-ceilinged room with a wrought-iron king bed, Eastlake armoire, over stuffed chair and a private loft with a twin bed and room for a cot for a younger child.

Cabins:
This Steamboat Springs, Colorado guest ranch offers eight private cabins, varying in size, from a one-bedroom studio to a three-bedroom, three-bath "Home on the Ranch." Each cabin is appointed with antiques, Native American rugs, cozy down comforters, wood-burning stoves, coffee pots, and some with lofts perfect for the kids. Each cabin has its own front porch and a hot tub to work out the kinks from a long day on the trail. To make you feel even more at home, you will find a small refrigerator stocked with coffee, crackers and cheese for an afternoon snack (if you haven't already filled up on the chocolate chip cookies in the bottomless cookie jar).

Roo
Cozy, studio loft and one bath cabin. Has a queen bed with small seating area with writing desk. It has a twin bed in the alcove and in the loft area. Ideal for a couple or a small family of three.

Kanga
A one-bedroom cabin with a living room and loft, nestled in the trees by the pasture. The bedroom has a king bed and a woodstove. The loft has two twin beds. The living room has two loveseats, an antique dry sink and armoire and a writing desk.

Birdhouse
A studio cabin surrounded by aspens, with a view of the horse pasture. There is a queen bed, small sitting area and an alcove and loft, each with a twin bed.

Whistler
A living room and one-bedroom cabin in the aspens, looking out over the horse pasture. There are twin day beds in the living room and a queen and twin bed in the bedroom.

Sundown
A one-bedroom cabin with a living room and a loft, and spectacular views across the valley. The bedroom has a queen and a twin bed; the loft has two twin beds.

Compromise
One bedroom with living room and loft cabin nestled in an aspen grove. The bedroom features a queen bed and twin bed. The loft has two twin beds.

Bunkhouse (min of 4)
A big high Western cabin with two bedrooms each with a bath separated by a spacious living room. The south bedroom has two queen beds; the north bedroom has a queen bed and a bunkbed.

Columbine (min of 6)
The largest and most luxurious cabin features a spacious living room with a stone fireplace and three bedrooms, each with its own bath. The master bedroom downstairs has a king bed and the bathroom has a steam shower. The front bedroom upstairs also has a king bed. The "kid's room" has two twin beds. The twin beds may be converted into one king bed if needed.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.