RanchSeeker Blog

If you want to slip away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into the rolling ridges of the countryside, Bar W Guest Ranch is where you should be. Stretched over 3,000 acres on Spencer Lake in Whitefish, Montana, the ranch is open all year round to extend true western hospitality to all its guests, be it through its accommodation options or variety of activities. And speaking of activities The Bar W Guest Ranch has an exciting opportunity coming up so read on to find out more.

Last Minute Special Vacancy

Cowgirl Up:

Ladies grab your best friends, sisters, daughters, and partners and saddle up for the vacation of a lifetime! The Bar W Guest Ranch is offering a 20% discount on our best room, the “Aspen Suite,” during our ever-popular Cowgirl Up week scheduled for October 1-7, 2017.  

Retreat to the beautiful Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish, MT for our 6 night all-inclusive get-away.  This special package combines the best of both worlds, an iconic Western experience paired with some favorite indulgences including a 2 hour spa package and Vintner’s presentation.  

Explore thousands of acres of trails, improve your horsemanship skills, work cattle, or simply kick back relax and let Montana surround you. In addition to the trails, novice and experienced riders will enjoy working cattle, barrel racing, and roping. Cowgirls will can also try their hand at skeet shooting, archery, fly casting, and hiking! After a full day of adventure ladies can soothe their muscles in our hot tub or head into town for a vibrant night of two-stepping at our local saloon.  

The Aspen Suite is located in our main lodge and offers a king size bed, luxurious bathroom complete with a jetted tub, shower, and large vanity area, a separate but attached room with a set of bunk beds, and a private balcony.  The Aspen Suite can accommodate up to 4 adults.  Call today and grab the last room while it lasts-866-828-2900.

Please be sure to mention that you heard about this special through RanchSeeker!

Happy Trails!

So you’ve booked your guest ranch vacation but never ridden a horse before now. Not to worry since most guest ranches offer lessons to 1st time riders before sending them out on a group ride. Horseback riding is a lot of fun but it is important to learn a few basics before saddling up for the first time

A Few Basic Horseback riding tips for Beginners:

1)      Before booking a guest ranch vacation find out whether the guest ranch that you want to go to offers lessons for first time riders. If it is your first time let them know in advance that you would like some lessons.

2)      Make sure to take sensible riding clothes with you and a cowboy boots if you have them. If you don’t have riding boots you don’t need to buy them unless you want to. Most guest ranches have boots on -hand that you can use in various sizes. Take a couple pairs of jeans with you as your legs can chafe against the saddle if you don’t wear long pants.

3)      If it is your first time riding a horse, wear a helmet when possible to protect your head in case you fall.

4)      Horses have blind spots so avoid approaching a horse from behind or from the front to avoid getting kicked from a startled horse. It is better to approach them from the side where they can see you.

5)      In the beginning use a mounting block to get onto your horse and always mount from the left-side.

                                                         Photo compliments of Echo Valley Ranch & Spa 

6)      When you are riding a horse on your guest ranch vacation try to remain calm and relaxed. Horses are very sensitive creatures and they can feel if you are uncomfortable and not in control. Be patient and take deep breaths until you feel at ease.

7)      When riding a horse keep your heels tilted down while in the stirrups as this will prevent you from flying over the horse’s head if your horse has to come to a sudden stop.

8)      When riding a horse, keep your head upright and sit firmly in your saddle and maintain a good posture. Don’t wave your arms around in the air.

9)      To stop, pull your reins back and sit deep in your saddle. Don’t pull too hard as a horse’s mouth is very soft and sensitive.

10)   Most importantly try to have fun and enjoy your surroundings and your horse.

These are just some of the basics that you will learn about horseback riding while at the guest ranch of your choice. Once you feel comfortable with the basics you will find that horseback riding is a fun way to spend time on vacation. There are many other activities at a guest ranch aside from riding but spending time with horses is definitely one of the most enjoyable.

Find your next guest ranch vacation today using our Dude Ranch Finder.

After the excitement of saying “yes” and picking the date, comes the often daunting task of choosing a wedding venue.  Every bride-to-be dreams of “the perfect wedding,” that will be as special and unique as the bridal pair themselves, on this never-to-be- forgotten day. With so many romantic wedding destinations to choose from, it can often be a difficult process to find just that perfect spot to tie the knot. Yes, tropical destinations are always popular, but why not think outside the box and consider choosing a guest ranch wedding where every wish and promise of a really wonderful wedding day can be fulfilled.

Picture yourself and your loved ones in a rustic or luxurious western-style setting encompassed by breathtaking views of majestic mountains, lush woodlands, green meadows, or the hypnotic allure of a desert backdrop. Imagine saying your vows in front of family and friends surrounded by acres upon acres of pristine wilderness and natural beauty.  Instead of opting for a typical wedding venue at a big hotel or large event center, what could be better than a guest ranch wedding framed by awe- inspiring scenery to embark on married life? A day to look back on and fondly remember for always!

Your wedding can be as formal or as casual as you like and depending on the guest ranch it can either be a small intimate affair or a larger one. Either way you are guaranteed to create memorable moments that will last a lifetime. Since accommodations are on-site you will have plenty of opportunities to spend time with your loved ones after getting hitched especially if you choose to prolong your stay to take advantage of all of the activities and amenities available at the guest ranch of your choice. Nowadays, many couples choose guest ranches not only as their wedding venue but also as their honeymoon destination as well.

If you decide that a guest ranch wedding would be the ideal choice for you, the following guest ranches will help you discover the many advantages of staging your big day at a guest ranch.

Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, British Columbia, Canada 

Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is recognized as a premiere guest ranch wedding destination in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, with twenty-two years of experience of hosting guests and special events from all parts of the world. Choose from a variety of ceremony settings including the Baan Thai pavilion, the outdoor covered barbeque area, outdoor decks, the hay barn, or in a forest or meadow setting.

With two world class spas at your disposable (Western and Thai) you and your partner as well as your guests can pamper themselves before and after the ceremony. The ranch team will assist you with all of the planning that goes along with a wedding like decoration, flowers, a photographer and a wedding commissioner. Their goal is to make your wedding as stress-free as possible. After the ceremony feast upon a tailor-made farm fresh gourmet meal accompanied by a wedding cake made especially for you by their executive chef.

A wedding at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is truly a magical experience for more details download their wedding brochure. 

Sundance Trails Guest Ranch, Colorado, USA 

If you are looking for a small, intimate venue that offers almost unlimited flexibility with a mountain, country inspired wedding theme then this Colorado guest ranch is the place for you. With a breathtaking backdrop of the surrounding Rocky Mountains and five distinct spaces to choose from (three of which can meet the needs of larger groups) Aspen Grove at Sundance Trail boasts outstanding views from every vantage point.

Couples looking for a simple, rustic wedding venue will be delighted with the “Carriage House” option which combines a modern take on rustic barn style architecture and features two large barn doors that when opened look upon sublime vistas. Your wedding coordinator will help you choose the perfect location on the ranch for your romantic mountain ceremony and help you create a special, memorable event. Afterwards invite your friends and family to share an extended vacation with you at the ranch.

For more information and prices check out  Sundance Trail Guest Ranch’s wedding link 

Red Reflet Ranch, Wyoming, USA 

A wedding at Red Reflet will awaken your senses. Awe-inspiring scenery combined with luxurious accommodations provide you and your partner with all of the grandeur that you’ve ever dreamt about for your special occasion. The ranch’s chalets, which are equipped with a fully stocked kitchen and private hot tub, are ideal for creating a romantic setting for after the wedding ceremony.

Red Reflet Ranch’s staff will help you manage every last detail and enable you and your guests to be fully present during your event.  A wedding at this Wyoming guest ranch is intimate, exquisite and spectacular! 

For more information check out Red Reflet Ranch’s wedding link

Heart-stirring scenery coupled with western hospitality will guarantee that your guest ranch wedding will become a cherished memory for you and your guests.

Let RanchSeeker  help you find your ideal guest ranch wedding location or guest ranch vacation!

Happy Trails!

Are you looking for a Montana Wilderness Adventure for your next vacation? Well, look no further then since Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch has it all! Situated in the middle of thousands of acres of untouched, pristine wilderness, just north of the Yellowstone Park, this Montana guest ranch is where you can enjoy a vacation away from the distractions of everyday life.

Come explore and discover exhilarating mountain wilderness experiences, spectacular scenery, wildlife and western cowboy culture. All meals, lodging, and activities (including fly-fishing and riding instruction) are included in their all-inclusive low rates. With a variety of activities available you just might learn a new skill while on your vacation this year.

Crossing the Boulder River

Choose from fun-filled activities like:

• Horseback Riding: Ride with experienced wranglers and experience Montana as it should be from atop a horse
• Mountain Hiking: Go guided and unguided to explore unspoiled natural environments. Your travels will take you through mountains, lakes, caves and much more.
• Fly Fishing: Catch some trout on the one mile private river frontage of the ranch. Enjoy a high wild trout population, private access and unguided fly-fishing
• Explore Ghost Towns: Take a jeep trip to Independence, famous for its gold mines and ghost town.
• Campfires and cookouts: Enjoy some hearty western meals while sharing the campfire and some spooky stories with other guests.
• Explore an Archeological site: This one date’s way back 11,500 years. See our history, well-preserved!
• See some Wildlife: Elk, moose, coyotes and even bears walk free through these parts. Can you spot some?
• River Float: When you need a change of scenery why not choose to float down the scenic waters of the Yellowstone River west of Big Timber? This activity is fun for the entire family.

At the end of the day a comfortable bed and warm shower await you in either one of the ranch’s cabins or lodge rooms. In the Eagle Nest Lodge, which is perched high atop a 300 foot cliff, you will find a roaring fireplace, and big deck outside where you can take in the breathtaking beauty of the mountainous river valley.

Eagle Nest Lodge

Mealtimes at the ranch always include hearty, western meals served buffet-style as well as homemade bread and desserts, served three times a day! And if the weather cooperates you will be treated to two cookouts during your stay. Sometimes lunches are out of a saddle bag on a day trips but no matter where your meal is served the food is always great. For those feeling peckish in between mealtimes there are always cookies, fresh fruit, and drinks available in the lodge.

So what are you waiting for? Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch is the ideal vacation choice for you if you are looking for a place with quiet solitude and breathtaking scenery. Leave your everyday worries behind and experience true warm western hospitality and unique outdoor adventures balanced with a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today.

There is a science to this unique cooking method,

and after this workshop, you will be cooking in Cast Iron, just like Lewis and Clark.

Join the White Stallion Ranch for another cooking workshop from Sunday, March 12, – Thursday, March 16, 2017,

 or Tuesday, January 2 – Sunday, January  6  2018

 For Cooking and Outdoor Enthusiasts

If you’re a hiker, camper, fisherman, hunter or backyard enthusiast this is the perfect workshop for you. Have you ever wished you could cook your outdoor meals in a Dutch Oven, but had no idea where to begin?  Dave Lookingbill provides your education from start to finish. You will be taught everything you need to know: from building and controlling your fire, seasoning the Dutch Oven, recipes and techniques for cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.  There will be first-hand cooking experience for all, including demonstrations of techniques and tools.

Dave was born and raised in rural Idaho, where his mother instilled a love of good food and slow cooking in all of her children.  He had covered most of the American West as a wrangler and a farrier when he took a job at a Dude Ranch in Arizona over 40 years ago.  It was there he found a Dutch Oven and began experimenting with traditional recipes.  It wasn’t long before Dave was catering Western Events as a featured cook, and today his friends will tell you “There’s nothing he can’t make in a Dutch Oven…”

The Art of Dutch Oven Cooking

White Stallion Ranch’s Dutch Oven Cooking workshop leaves plenty of time to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ranch. Horseback riding, though not included in this workshop, may be purchased a la carte.  The ranch offers a heated pool, Redwood hot tub, fitness center, movie theater, recreation room, evening entertainment and guided hikes.

Your tuition includes;  a Margarita welcome party, 4 nights lodging, all meals, ranch activities, airport transfers from Tucson International Airport, four nights lodging and 3 days of cooking classes.

Double occupancy $1,100* per person  ~  Single occupancy $1,325*  

 including tax and service charge

Please call or send us an inquiry  for reservations

520.297.0252  or White Stallion Ranch

Don’t miss out this workshop fills up fast! Book today!

Workshop is Limited to 12 guests

to provide each student plenty of time with the Chef

Happy Trails!

 Be sure to let White Stallion Ranch know that you heard about the workshop through RanchSeeker.

Located in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado you will find Sundance Trail Guest Ranch a family owned and operated ranch 100 miles NW of Denver. Open all year round this ranch is ideal for your next family vacation and offers dude ranching at its best.

Fall, winter and spring are Bed & Breakfast Mountain Lodge seasons at the ranch where you will find lodging, meals and morning horseback rides. These times of year are a bit quieter than the more activity packed summer months.

Guests are welcome to come for one or two nights, or for a week and during these months the ranch is also pet friendly. Be sure to ask for the ranch’s list of “common-sense rules” and “Special Notes” regarding your four-legged family members.

During this time period guests enjoy a quiet retreat away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life. Some couples find this to be the perfect romantic guest ranch get-away for elopement weddings and the ideal destination for a honeymoon. Fill your days horseback riding the trails of the Roosevelt National Forest, indulging in an array of spa treatments, stargazing from the Jacuzzi, swapping stories in front of a Colorado Mountain Lodge fireplace or simply enjoying a great book on a sunny porch. If you ae traveling as a group of between 8-12 people the ranch can arrange Country Inn Murder Mystery Weekends. What fun!

Summer months at Sundance Trail provide a ranch vacation lifestyle that can be compared to summer camp. Remember how much fun summer camp used to be? You will find a plethora of activities and outdoor adventures to choose from that can be enjoyed by the whole family on your 7 day/6 night or 4 day/3 night vacation. With structured activities and unstructured time to explore or relax you can be as busy as you want or simply enjoy doing nothing for a couple of hours. With a “Colorado Horseback Riding” theme guests can ride every day if they want to or choose from lots of other fun activities as well like:

• hiking
• white water rafting
• professional rock climbing lessons
• fun family fishing in nearby lakes (cutthroat trout)
• serious fly fishing on the nearby “Wild and Scenic” Cache La Poudre River (rainbow & brown trout)
• horse shoes
• target and trap shooting (with instruction and careful supervision!)
• evening campfires (s’mores!)
• cowboy singing and poetry
• professional massage and Jacuzzi
• and for little ones children’s programs.

Accommodations include cozy mountain lodge and cabin suites for up to seven families or twenty-four guests. Mealtimes at the ranch are always special whether it’s cookouts, steak barbecues, lunch on the trail or picnicking under the pines. The ranch serves up excellent fare. Meals are Colorado hearty western, served family style, with home- made breads and desserts… always delicious. If you have any dietary restrictions the ranch kitchen is always very flexible and happy to accommodate with advance notice.

So as you can see no matter what time of year you choose to getaway Sundance Trail Guest Ranch can meet your vacation needs.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today!

Winter is upon us and although the temperature has dropped considerably in many destinations it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider adding a dude ranch vacation to your holiday plans. In fact, wintertime means that there are lots of new adventures to be experienced and enjoyed with friends and loved ones. Guest ranches are an excellent option to consider when booking your winter wonderland escape. Though several guest ranches do close down during this period there are many that stay open all year round and they offer a diverse range of activities to choose from. Also, keep in mind that some of the more southerly located ranches experience very mild winters and may be more suited to those who would rather avoid cooler temperatures and snow. Here are a few  guest ranches that offer winter snow vacation packages:

Crystal Waters Guest Ranch, Bridge Lake, British Columbia, Canada 

When winter hits the region in late November the ranch is covered by a snowy blanket and it becomes a playground for winter enthusiasts. Guests who stay at Crystal Waters Guest Ranch during this time can choose from a list of fun outdoor activities or they can simply curl up with a good book in their private log cabin that resides on the shores of Crystal Lake. For those seeking to enjoy the outdoors there are snowshoes available which provides a wonderful opportunity to follow the tracks of the region’s bountiful wildlife. Fishermen will love the peace and quiet found sitting by a hole in the ice with their fishing pole and horse lovers will be thrilled riding through snow-powdered plains. Then, after a fun-filled day of exploring join other guests by a roaring fire and share the day’s experiences while sipping on a hot drink or perhaps take in a sauna.

Crystal Waters Guest Ranch

If you feel the need for speed you can bring your own snowmobile or let the ranch help you organize a rental to use during your stay. There are lots of exciting places to explore. Plus during the winter Crystal Lake provides a great surface for ice-skating or playing ice hockey. If you are looking for a more peaceful activity cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are an excellent way to explore this Winter Wonderland. Downhill ski enthusiasts and snow-boarders will love the close proximity of the ranch to Sun Peaks Mountain known throughout the world for its light, dry, “Champagne Powder.” Here you can also find Heli Skiing/Snow-boarding at its best! Plan on getting up early to make a day of it so that you can be back in the evening to enjoy sitting by the fire.

Crystal Waters Guest Ranch

The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, Montana  

New Year’s Eve in Montana

Start the New Year with an exciting snow-filled adventure. Delight in the gourmet meals, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, ice skating, snowmobiling and midnight fireworks. Enjoy artisan cocktails, live music, dancing and karaoke in the Silver Dollar Saloon while you greet 2017 with the best Western Montana has to offer.

The Ranch at Rock Creek

Frost & Fire Winter Celebration

Make the most of your mid-winter break by flying to alpine Montana, where you can traverse the snowy landscape by snowshoe, skate, ski or snowmobile. This Valentine’s Day celebration includes a Big Sky Love Tasting Menu and a champagne and oyster bar. The week’s frosty activities, like downhill skiing, snowga and sleigh rides, are coupled with fire-grilled meats, a barn dance and a brewfest.

Click for more detailed information about these packages

Please let the folks at The Ranch at Rock Creek know that you heard about it 1st on RanchSeeker!

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, Sandpoint, Idaho: 

Located on 1100 acres, you will be treated to true western hospitality while surrounded by the scenic beauty of North Idaho while staying at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. During the winter months you can choose from 5 different packages as the guest ranch is transformed by a blanket of white snow.

Log Cabin or Lodge Room Getaway Schweitzer Ski Packages:

This all-inclusive ski package includes two nights lodging for two in one of their cozy, log cabins or lodge rooms, one day of skiing at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, a romantic horse drawn sleigh ride for two, and a hearty ranch breakfast served in the main lodge for two mornings.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

Snowmobile Package:

If you are looking for adventure then this package is for you! Come enjoy the grandeur of the back country wilderness by snowmobile. You will experience two evenings of comfort in either a cozy lodge room or one of our private log cabins. Your stay at Western Pleasure will also include a hearty ranch breakfast.

Spa Package:

For those of you who are looking for a relaxing winter get-a-way, try this spa package. Your stay will begin with a sleigh ride and accommodations that include two nights in a modern rustic log cabin or choose one of their spacious guest rooms. Both mornings include a hearty ranch breakfast. Indulge yourself in a day of absolute pampering while you enjoy the services and beautiful facility at the Spa at Seasons in Sandpoint. Your “Time Together” package will include (2) 50-Minute Massages and (2) Spa Pedicures.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

Cross-Country Ski Package:

If you want to get out and enjoy the snow, but are looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of the ski mountain this is the package for you. Two nights lodging for two, your own private horse drawn sleigh ride and a hearty ranch breakfast served in the lodge is only part of what this package has to offer.

Fat Bike Package

Are you looking for a new winter adventure? Have you tried fat bikes? A fatbike (also called fat bike or fat-tire bike) is an off-road bicycle with oversized tires designed for low ground pressure to allow riding on soft unstable terrain, such as snow. This package includes two nights lodging for two, your own private horse drawn sleigh ride and a hearty ranch breakfast served in the lodge each morning.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

***Be sure to check which dates these packages are available when booking***

Click for more detailed information about these packages

Please let the folks at Western Pleasure Ranch  know that you heard about it 1st on RanchSeeker!

As you can see there is lots to do at a guest ranch during the winter months. From sleigh-rides, skiing and snowmobiling to spa treatments, yoga classes and wine tastings you are sure to find the ideal guest ranch for you and your family and friends!

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation!

The following article 1st appeared in Ranch & Reserve Magazine’s 12th issue

What better way to rediscover the joys of Christmas and experience a truly unique Christmas vacation than at a dude ranch.   A Christmas ranch vacation is an ideal opportunity for family, friends or couples to relax, recharge and reconnect with loved ones by spending active days and leisurely evenings together.

Western Ranches are well-known for their always warm welcome, generous hospitality and outstanding natural surroundings, especially during the Yuletide season when many ranches offer a special Christmas program replete with time honoured traditions and bygone Christmas customs.

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!”

Imagine…. the luxury of feasting on a gourmet Christmas dinner prepared by a trained chef, in a beautifully decorated ranch lodge by a crackling log fire.

Imagine…. an old-fashioned, jingle bells ringing, Christmas sleigh ride, sipping hot mulled wine or schussing along glistening powdered snow in the pristine winter wilderness of a Colorado ranch resort.

Imagine…. soaking in a hot tub under crystal clear starry skies of old, at a ranch in the Arizona desert after an exhilarating day spent riding the range.

Imagine…….all this and so much more to be enjoyed during a Christmas ranch vacation at one of two stunning western locales.

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch

First stop is the Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch, laid out like a small western town, located in the remote Mohave Desert, a two hour’s drive from Las Vegas in picture-perfect Wild West country of cacti, scrubland and barren foothills.

Christmas in the desert is an especially lovely time of year with moderate sunny days and cool nights.  The entire ranch gets decorated with Christmas lights and literally oozes an old-fashioned, down-home Christmas; horses have Santa hats and bells and miniature Christmas trees adorn every guestroom. There’s a guitar playing entertainer, White Elephant exchange gifts under the tree, delicious hearty Christmas fare and lots of good cheer for guests, whether mingling in the spacious timbered lodge or around a blazing campfire in the communal courtyard.  Moonlit wagon rides and unobstructed star-gazing evoke memories of a far simpler time when Christmas was something joyous to behold and shouts of Merry Christmas rang out to greet friends and strangers.

Ranch activities at Stagecoach Trails are designed to appeal to all ages and tastes, such as scenic horseback rides, rental ATV’s and fat tire mountain bikes to explore the sandy desert terrain, a popular petting zoo, archery and wild-life viewing.  Back at the ranch, a hot tub and heated pool soothe tired muscles while billiards and horseshoes are perennial ranch past-times.

Accommodations include comfortable one & two bedroom suites with private bathrooms for small or larger groups. Ranch hosts and owners, JP and Tricia McCormick, take great pride in offering guests an old-time fun-filled Christmas vacation with an authentic taste of the Old Wild West…. the stuff of magical Christmas memories to take back home.

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch

Next stop is the upscale, all-inclusive Vista Verde Ranch in Northern Colorado, 25km north of Steamboat Springs.  If your Christmas wish is to be indulged and pampered in a Norman Rockwell  type scenery, then Vista Verde fits the bill.  The pure-white winter beauty and bracing mountain air, create an enchanting Christmas wonderland evoking childish memories of frolicking in freshly fallen snow on long ago Christmas mornings.

Vista Verde Ranch

Christmas at Vista Verde is a rare delight and will surely be a cherished memory for years to come owing to its ultra-luxe ranch amenities, in-house spa massage and plushy comfort of well-equipped cabins with private hot tubs, as well as the many seasonal and exciting activities to keep everyone happy and healthy outdoors whether it’s horse rides along snowy trails, skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing or Fat tire biking.  A kid’s program for younger guests is an extra bonus for parents, while other Christmas treats might be a dog-sledding expedition or a trip to the nearby famous Steamboat Springs ski resort. Adding to all the festive fun and Christmas cheer, log fires burn brightly, Christmas lights twinkle, mistletoe and holly hang from the beams, as guests help to decorate the many individual Christmas trees or enhance their cooking skills with a culinary class.  And no Colorado ranch Christmas would be complete without the thrill of “dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh!”

Vista Verde Ranch

However, the pièce de résistance at Vista Verde is surely the totally decadent, haute cuisine sumptuous Dicken’s style Christmas banquet. Guaranteed to satisfy even the most exacting gourmand, this celebratory meal ensures that by evening’s end, ranch guests and staff alike are filled with the merriest of Christmas cheer and in true Christmas spirit, table guests have become friends.

The Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch and the Vista Verde Ranch, each with its own unique setting, contrasting winter activities and Christmas traditions, are just a sample of the many western dude ranches who offer a select Christmas program of winter-themed activities for the benefit and enjoyment of their guests.

Whatever one’s belief, Christmas continues to be celebrated around the world and thus remains a very special occasion to share with family and friends, with its age-old customs of hearth and home, loved ones gathered around the fire and familiar well-loved traditions.  No matter how one chooses to celebrate Christmas, be it a religious event or not, simple or extravagant or creating new memories at a western ranch, this heartfelt Christmas message never fails to resonate with the best in all of us, ”On earth peace, goodwill toward men”

And lastly in keeping with the Holiday Season,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation!

It’s here!

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch is proud to introduce their newly redesigned website: www.geronimoranch.com.

The new design allows for streamlined menus, clear navigation, and a responsive layout for all platforms. Explore the site to learn more about their ranch!

In addition to the changed design and layout of the pages, new functions have been implemented in this version:

• Contact Us Form: Now at the bottom of every page!
• Photo Gallery: New and updated pictures with the ability to enlarge photos.
• Horse Profiles: Meet some of our herd!
• Blog: A new resource for news and updates from the ranch.
• Links to our social media profiles: Follow along for all the best pictures, videos, and status updates!
• FAQs: Even more FAQs added to address all your questions.
• Area Attractions: Updated with an interactive map for planning other stops during your trip to New Mexico.

Geronimo Trails Guest Ranch located in Winston New Mexico is open March through mid-November. Here you will find a real western adventure! Horseback riding or hiking takes guests through beautiful forests of tall Ponderosa pine, through astounding deep canyons with sheer towering walls and crystal clear streams. From the “Top of the World” guests view more than 3 million acres of the Gila National Forest, the Aldo Leopold and Gila Wildernesses.The ranch features comfortable, attractive accommodations, warm hospitality, a relaxed atmosphere, great food, and lots of adventure.

Happy Trails!

 Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today!

Join the White Stallion Ranch for this unique cooking workshop from Monday, January 2nd-Friday, January 6th 2017.

There is a science to this ancient cooking method and with a little help you will be cooking like Lewis and Clark.

Whether you are a hiker, camper, fisherman, hunter or backyard enthusiast this is the perfect workshop for you. Have you ever wished you could put together your outdoor meals in a Dutch Oven, but had no idea where to begin? As part of this class, the White Stallion Ranch provides each guest with a Dutch Oven to keep.

Dave Lookingbill provides your education from start to finish. You will be guided through seasoning your Dutch Oven, cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner and a dessert during your four night stay.  A special wine tasting evening will help you pair the best ‘vino’ with your meal.  There will be some class work and lots of hands-on experience.

Dave Lookingbill

Dave was born and raised on rural Idaho farmland, where his mother instilled a love of good food and slow cooking in all of her children.  Dave’s life as a wrangler and farrier covered most of the American West when he found himself at Saguaro Lake Ranch, in Mesa, Arizona 40 years ago.  It was there he found a big, old Dutch Oven and began experimenting with traditional recipes.  Dave was soon catering Western events as a featured cook, and today his friends will tell you there’s nothing he can’t make in a Dutch Oven.

White Stallion Ranch’s cooking workshop leaves plenty of time to enjoy the many amenities of the ranch including some amazing trail rides.  The ranch offers a heated pool, fitness center, recreation room and guided hikes.  Your tuition includes a margarita welcome party to meet the chef, lodging, all meals, ranch activities, horseback riding, airport transfers from Tucson, the Dutch Oven classes, tax and service charge.

Cost:  $1,025/person based on double occupancy, Single $1,275.00 inclusive.  Prices include tax and service charge.

Dutch Oven Provençal Chicken Stew

At White Stallion Ranch, the personal touch and hospitality of a traditional dude ranch is carefully blended with the service and amenities of a fine resort. Reconnect with nature, family, friends and serenity while riding through the unspoiled desert, rugged mountains and cactus that have brought Hollywood film-makers to the ranch for over 70 years.

White Stallion Ranch

White Stallion Ranch is a proud member of the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame as the #1 property in Tucson for 5 consecutive years. The ranch is situated between Phoenix and Tucson, making it easy accessible from Arizona’s two major airports.

Don’t miss out on this unique cooking workshop and be sure to tell the ranch that you heard about it here on RanchSeeker’s blog.

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation!

Happy Trails!