What makes Vista Verde Ranch so magical is everything – the winter wonderland setting, the design of the ranch, all the staff that make you instantly feel like family, the lovely guests that quickly become friends that you feel like you’ve known a lot longer than a few days, the fun and exciting activities, the food and the horses!!! Vista Verde is an all inclusive luxury ranch and it does everything so well.

I had so much fun from the minute I got there. It was the first day of the first week of the winter season, so the staff were very excited to have guests. On the way out there I shared a ride with Sarah and Bobby from Adelaide – the three of us were the only Aussies staying at the ranch. Everyone thought we were travelling together and were surprised when they found we had only just met.

Happy half hour starts at 6pm each night for the guests and staff to mingle. It was here I met Jen, Dan and their son Cameron. Such a lovely family that soon became good friends. The first night dinner was a sit down with guests and an intro to the chef  – delicious food.

Day 2 – Thursday

My first activity at the ranch was the horsemanship clinic – which was amazing. The
Wranglers ask about your riding experience and then pair you with a horse for the rest of your stay. I was lucky enough to get paired with Gunner – what a gem and gentle horse. We started off with some ground work, leading the horse around and giving him some direction which builds trust between me and the horse. Really interesting. We rode for a while as well. Later that afternoon I enjoyed a trail ride through the snow – gorgeous.

That evening we had a delicious buffet style dinner with all the guests and staff followed by music night. It was great. I got dragged onto the dance floor by Troy (one of the wranglers) and shown how to two step. It was great fun.

Day 3 Friday

My morning activity was the horsemanship clinic again, learnt a little more about horses again and some riding techniques. And then that afternoon, I jumped on a snowmobile – wow, so much fun wizzing through the snow trails. Only fell off twice – in about 5 foot snow so it felt like falling back onto a pillow. The guides are brilliant that take you out on the trails.

Day 4 Saturday

The morning activity was snow shoeing with Jen, Dan and our guides Isaac and John. We went off the ranch, into the forest and then made our back to the ranch again.
The scenery was amazing. In the afternoon Jen, Dan and I went back country skiing. So armed with our guides, Kelly and John, we were off. I was a little slower, fell over a couple of times – it’s quite hard when you’re not used to that or skiing. But it was a lot of fun and again, the scenery spectacular.

Day 5 Sunday

No activities unfortunately as it was time to say goodbye to the ranch and everyone I had met. I did however, make enquiries for a week next October . . . Can’t wait to get back there.