When we asked our teenagers for their favorite holiday destination ever, without a second of hesitation, they yelled out: the ranch in the mountains in the USA! Both avid horse riders this not really came as a surprise and we totally agree with them. Latigo Ranch definitely belongs to our all-time top destinations.
We therefore feel excited when we turn up the unpaved country road past the village of Kremmling in the north of the state of Colorado on our last mile or so to the ranch. After a while we spot a young woman on a horse on the side of the road. It is one of the wranglers who will accompany us on our horseback riding during the coming week. She tips her cowboy hat and welcomes us: “Drive a bit further and one of the other wranglers will show you your cabin”.
We’re home:-)
When we arrive at our cabin, we find ourselves at a height of more than 9,000 ft (2,750 metres) and our jaws drop. Everywhere around us is the cooling mountain air gently blows through the bright green leaves. While all stress magically fades away, we settle into our temporary accommodation. And what an accommodation it is! The cabin is a romantic wooden mini house with three bedrooms, a bathroom and a small living room. No luxury or over-the-top design; it’s an outdoor location. We can hardly say that we are short of anything: a comfortable sofa, a fridge, woodburning stove, coffee maker and a hand-written welcoming note and the week’s programme on the table. Outside, an enormous supply of wood and two kid’s fishing rods. Quality with an eye for detail. To our great surprise, one of the wranglers comes over to help us with our luggage. This kind of thoughtfulness is typical for the rest of our stay: nothing is too much trouble.
The lake in front of the lodge
We settle into the warmth of the August sun with a mug of freshly brewed coffee on the porch and conclude that life is exceptionally good up here. At the end of the day, we meet up with the other guests on the lawn in front of the lodge. A lovely old building from the 1930’s built by the first owner who came here with his family on horse and wagon all the way from Denver. For the rest of the week, this is the place where we gather for exquisite meals. Owner Randy does his round during diner to get to know everyone and to hear our wishes and expectations for the week. He wants to know in detail what experience we have with horseback riding, what we want to learn in that field and which other activities we would like to participate in. Nothing beats this kind of distinctive touch and individualised approach.
Together with his wife Lisa, he took over the ranch some 35 years ago. Now they run the business together with their two children Hannah and Spencer and their daughter-in-law Amanda. If you join the historic walk you will hear all about it. Different from most of the more ‘normal’ hotels and resorts, genuine interest and interaction are key here. So, it is no wonder Latigo has been voted one of the top 50 Ranches in the world.
The Latigo team (nearly a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio) visibly take a lot of pleasure from their – no doubt often hard – work, make us feel extremely welcome and is very hospitable. The atmosphere is casual and easy-going, no fawning servants, but above all honest and enthusiastic people. It is no place for prima donnas, yet for people who like to experience the authentic ranch feel for a week in one of the most beautiful places in the United States. The first contact with the other guests at Latigo is just as informal as with the owners. During the week, we get to meet a variety of families and couples; what we all have in common is our choice for this unique experience.
One of the wranglers learning us some cowboy skills
Before we go on, a few more words of praise about the meals. These are simply delicious, and this is no exaggeration. Spencer and his team sure know how to surprise you repeatedly. No fancy kickshaws, oh no: they serve wholesome and very well-prepared dishes. It could be that our appetite gets an enormous boost from being outdoors all the time, but we seldom enjoyed such quality food. Breakfast is a feast, and the choice is without bounds. A variety of fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurt, rolls and much more. On top of that, you can order all sorts of warm dishes: bacon and eggs and some amazing, homemade sausages, various kinds of omelettes, pancakes, Belgian waffles, burritos, French toast and so on. Lunch is just as extensive with a lavish salad bar, tacos, pizzas, soup, meat, fish, and chicken fingers. Keep some space for the culinary highlight of the day: dinner with the most beautiful pieces of bison(!) meat, poultry, or fish in combination with vegetables, salads, and the best desserts of all times.
Morning view of the lake and horses
You would almost forget you came here for the outdoor activities and especially the horse riding. In most other places you are, especially as a beginner, limited to rides in a stable or an outdoor arena whereas the Latigo rides takes you through the truly overwhelming nature. On an average ride, we cross fields full of beautiful wildflowers, ride past bizarre rock formations and pause at places where we enjoy vistas extending for miles.
Rides are organised twice a day: one in the morning and the other after lunch. Throughout the week, they also offer various additional rides and are very flexible. Are you an experienced rider and want to get out for the entire day? Prefer to ride together with your family? It can all be arranged. You want an extra lesson to master a certain riding technique? Sure, let us do that this afternoon. Both the total beginner and the experienced rider can find a good challenge here. After the first day of getting to know your horse, the riders are divided into small groups depending on the wishes of the guests.
We start easy-going, but as the week progresses, we really stretch our riding skills. This is reinforced since you can ride your “own” horse all week, which even creates a kind of emotional bond with these beautiful animals. As experienced riders we wave through streams, trot uphill without any clear trail in sight and we lope in full speed for considerable distances. Of all this, we need to mention the cattle roundup. Riding out to find the herd of cows, work together with the other guests and wranglers and bring it back to the ranch is something completely new and a thrilling and extremely cool activity. As is the crazily fun team penning in the afternoon where we as a team work with the cattle in the corral.
Apart from riding, there is so much more to do at Latigo Ranch. The same laid-back rule applies to all the non-riding activities: “Whether you choose to fill your day with horseback riding or want to relax with an enjoyable book by the heated pool, it is all fine with us. Feel free to do whatever you want.” So, owner Randy tells us.
Although we like to laze around from time to time, we opt for an active week. We have a great experience while rock climbing. A professional guide ensures a safe setting where everybody can explore his own boundaries. We have to miss out on the white-water rafting this time, as we choose to participate in the mentioned cattle team penning. Furthermore, we shoot with shotguns (for the real Wild West feel), caught, cleaned and savoured our own fish, learn to throw an axe and cracked some whips. We even learn one or two true western dances!
These are the summer activities. During winter, the horses are somewhere warmer, but guests are welcome for cross-country skiing on thirty-five kilometres of groomed trails and snowshoeing on backcountry trails.
And what was the absolute highlight of our stay? A question that is hard to answer. In pictures we were lucky to have a photoshootride with wrangler Macey and she helped us with some amazing shots.
In activities as for the girls it was the team penning to sort the cattle. We also loved the breakfast ride when we assemble early in the morning for a ride to a plateau from where have a magnificent view over the mountains and aspen forests. The eggs, bacon and coffee never tasted so good before. Or riding up to the edge of cliffs overlooking the scenic valley floor and layers of mountains beyond, loping through wild-flower strewn fields? Or was it the sunset ride that takes you past an enormously high waterfall; it is a good thing we can fully rely on our horses.
WOW
# This is the pinnacle for the riders among us; depending on your abilities and ‘targets’, you get your own horse for the duration of the week. The wranglers know how to pick the right horse for each guest – mind you, there are about eighty horses.
# It is all laid-back and from beginning to end, there are so many wonderful activities that you want to experience it all. A good balance between an authentic ranch feeling and top notch vacation comfort.
# As most guests stay for a week, you really have the chance to get into the Western life. Also, you get to know the other guests. We immensely enjoyed the company of families from various states in the US and this time Belgium.
# The owners and all the wranglers hold their guests dear, and it clearly shows. If you let them, they will make sure your stay at Latigo Ranch is a whole sequence of unique experiences. Revealing more about this would be a shame, so be prepared to be dazzled by an unforgettable week.
