THE HOME RANCH STORYIn the summer of 1977, the Stranahan and Jones families met in Steamboat Springs, Co. and bonded over their love of the Yampa Valley. The very next year, Steve Stranahan, a businessman from Ohio, and Ken Jones, a third-generation cattle and dude rancher from Montana, decided to join forces and start their own ranch to offer families the unique experience of a traditional western ranch vacation.

The families found an old homestead on 580 acres in the breathtaking Elk River Valley, one of the last Alpine ranching valleys in the American West. In this wonderful location, they built The Home Ranch, modeling the lodge and cabins after the old homesteads still found in the valley. More cabins and lodge rooms have been added over the years, and the original 580 acres has grown to 4000 acres available to The Home Ranch guests.

Since 1987, membership in the famed Relais & Chateaux small hotel association has extended its reach and reputation, and The Home Ranch is now one of the most beloved guest ranches in the world.

VACATION PACKAGESAn all-inclusive vacation at The Home Ranch means everything from picking guests up at the Hayden Airport, taking them horseback riding in the shadow of the Continental Divide, or catering to their gluten free diet. An all-inclusive vacation consists of:

The highly-praised gourmet cuisine of executive chef Clyde Nelson at every mealLodging in one of eight private cabins or six lodge roomsExperienced wranglers, hiking guides, fly fishing guides, ski guides, gear, and equipmentExceptional horseback riding vacations, equestrian lessons, and natural horsemanship clinicsColorado fly fishing at our Orvis-endorsed fly fishing lodgeColorado cross country ski vacations: skate skiing, classic, backcountry skiing, and snowshoeingDownhill ski shuttle to Steamboat Ski ResortExcellent children's program with outdoor adventures and activities that kids and teens loveGreat live music, roaring campfires, health, and happiness for your whole familyShuttle service to and from Hayden Airport (HDN) or Steamboat Springs Colorado

PRIVATE CABINS & LODGE ROOMSAs the only Relais & Chateaux dude ranch in Colorado, The Home Ranch is renowned for its singular charm, refined comfort, exquisite cuisine and genuine hospitality.

The elegant Western accommodations are comprised of the main lodge with its six unique lodge rooms, and eight distinctive cabins, nestled in the aspens, surrounding the lodge. At full occupancy, the Ranch is capable of lodging 50 people.

Each of the accommodations is a winsome original, lovingly furnished and decorated with great care by owner and founder, Ann Stranahan. Each cabin and lodge room offers a rich sense of place, with magnificent views of mountains, meadows, horses and aspens. It is an exceptional setting for large groups, family reunions, and smaller weddings. Check out floor plans, rates, availability and book a reservation on The Home Ranch website.

NO RESERVATIONS. NO TIPPING REQUIRED.The chef is exceptional, the food is exquisite, and the spirited communal dining room provokes great conversation, true camaraderie and a sense of adventure.

The food at The Home Ranch has been called "haute mountain cuisine" and designated as "cooking of the highest standard." Executive Chef Clyde Nelson and his kitchen staff have been duly praised by Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine and other publications who know a thing or two about excellent fare.

The Home Ranch believes an all-inclusive vacation at their Colorado dude ranch is more than just a vacation, it is a culinary getaway of the highest order. In fact, the only way to eat here is to stay here, which is why some guests come just to indulge in the food. Breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinners are always made from scratch with the freshest ingredients.

In spite of all the wonderful activities and adventures, the meals and conversation served in Clyde's communal dining room are the heart and soul of the Home Ranch experience. Dining is a warm and inviting event where guests come together as a kind of large extended family to share stories of the day, to make lasting friendships, and to dine like royalty.

CLYDE’S FARM & FARM KITCHENFor many years, Executive Chef Clyde Nelson has been imagining and planning an organic farm at The Home Ranch that would produce local, sustainable, high-quality livestock and vegetables. After three years of hard work and dedication, his dream is now a reality.

The farm has several objectives: Give our guests the experience of eating and dining with the freshest ingredients they’ve ever hadShow guests how a high-country organic farm in Colorado can thrive with hands-on care and attention to detail shown by our master gardener Adele Carlson, her crew and the chefs

The recently completed Farm Kitchen is an open-air terrace adjacent to the main lodge, encompassing 2,000 square feet at the edge of Clyde’s Farm. The central focus of the kitchen is a wood-burning hearth oven, connected to two wood-fired Argentine grills, a plancha and Dutch oven cookery. Chef Nelson plans to use the Kitchen for several meals each week as well as special events, including a weekly cocktail party with a live Celtic trio.

A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONSA beloved Colorado dude ranch in the summer and fall, and a warm and welcoming cross-country ski resort and Steamboat ski lodging option in winter and spring, The Home Ranch is an idyllic Rocky Mountain hideaway set amid the timeless beauty of the Elk River Valley.

In essence, The Home Ranch is a luxury Colorado dude ranch known for all-inclusive family vacations in the summer, a spectacular getaway destination for adults-only in the late summer and fall months, and one of Colorado’s best cross country ski resorts and snow vacation destinations in the Winter and Spring.

The Ranch offers a wide variety of seasonal Colorado vacation packages and special unique weeks that appeal to families, couples and solitary travelers alike. Each season provides distinct vacation experiences that appeal to diverse groups and highlight the changing hues and moods of the spectacular Elk River Valley.

SUMMER VACATIONS

Summer is Western family vacation time in the Elk River Valley and The Home Ranch is renowned for offering families all the adventure and fun of a Classic Western dude ranch vacation - but with a luxurious, pampered, gourmet twist.

June is the perfect time to see lush meadows, wildflowers of every color and young wildlife. Enjoy an unforgettable week of Horseback Riding, Kids Activities, Hiking, Fly Fishing, Whitewater Rafting, Cycling, and Gourmet Dining in the lush, green, wildflower-strewn Elk River Valley.

June 1 – August 24, 2014

ADULT-ONLY AUTUMN GETAWAYSAugust 24 – October 18, 2014 It is a slower-paced time of year, when kids have all returned to school, and the atmosphere at the ranch beckons to adult travelers who have time to savor the season, sans kiddos.

It is a prime time for deep relaxation, serious leisure, long gourmet dinners and crackling fires. Travelers from around the world come to savor the sights of the Elk River Valley in Autumn.

HARVEST WEEKSAug. 24-31; Aug. 31-Sept. 7Celebrate Clyde’s Farm & Farm Kitchen’s inaugural harvest, showcasing select Colorado craft brewers, distillers, wineries and artisans.

WEANLING WEEKS & CANADIAN SPORT HORSE SALESept. 7-14; Sept. 14-21Guests can interact with 30 foals from Canada, teaching them how to lead and trust people. On September 13th and 20th, these babies are sold at an auction to horse enthusiasts.

EXPERIENCE YOGA & HORSESOct. 5-11; Oct. 12-18The best of horseback riding and yoga retreats.

WINTER VACATION PARADISE

When the Elk River Valley is covered in powder, The Home Ranch transforms into a sparkling white wonderland and becomes one of the most beautiful cross-country ski resorts in Colorado. This is a snow lovers Colorado mountain paradise, with some of the best Nordic skiing in the world, dreamlike accommodations, and one of the best chefs in the West preparing your every meal.

The Ranch offers world-class skiing options right from your front door. They convert the horseback riding trails into 20 miles of expertly groomed cross-country skiing trails, welcoming Nordic skiers, skate skiers, snowshoers, backcountry skiers, and “powder hounds” to one of the most unique and satisfying ski vacations and trail systems in the West.

For those who prefer downhill and telemark skiing, the Ranch runs a private daily shuttle to the champagne power at Steamboat Ski Resort. They’ll pack your lunch, drop you off, and pick you up when your ski day is through.

SPRING BREAKMarch 1st -31st

Come springtime in Clark, Colorado, The Home Ranch still has snow on the ground, champagne powder at Steamboat, bluebird skies and all the Colorado sunshine vacationers could want.

If guests would like to get in some spring skiing at Steamboat, the Ranch has daily shuttles to Steamboat Ski Resort, in addition to fully-guided skiing options at the Ranch. The Ranch also offers horseback riding in the snow, sleigh rides, cooking classes with Chef Clyde, and the option of just relaxing and reading by the fire.

YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES& ADVENTURES

SUMMER/FALL

Horseback riding Fly fishing Swimming

Hiking Yoga

Cycling Rock climbing

White water rafting

WINTER/SPRING

Cross-country skiing Skate skiing

Back-country skiing Snowshoeing

Tubing Sleigh Rides

Winter horseback riding Live entertainment

Downhill skiing

GROUPSAs a distinguished member of the world-renowned Relais & Chateaux organization, The Home Ranch is known for its beautiful setting, legendary hospitality, exceptional dining experience and unforgettable outdoor and wilderness adventures.

An intimate Rocky Mountain hideaway just north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the Ranch can occupy up to 50 guests and is an ideal venue for once-in-a-lifetime corporate retreats, team-building exercises, reunions, and other special group events and meetings from October through May.

The layout provides both a sense of privacy and community with the communal dining room and great room in the lodge offering the perfect place for groups to come together after the day's adventures. There is also a separate meeting room adjacent to the lodge that can be tailored to meet a groups’ individual needs.

If a group of 26 or more participants would like to exclusively “own the ranch”, a special buyout rate can be negotiated.

KIDS & TEENSA family-friendly vacation at The Home Ranch requires no advance planning, no childcare arrangements, no dinner planning and no stress. The Ranch offers an all-inclusive children’s program and dedicated kids counselors who have created a menu of daily activities and adventure for kids and teens ages 6 and up.

Creating family vacation experiences and lifelong memories is the main focus of the summer season. The Ranch strives to keep kids and teens happy, entertained and fully-engaged with summer fun.

The recreation room is well stocked with arts and crafts materials, foosball, ping pong, and tons of games for indoor and outdoor entertainment. Horseback riding, rock climbing, cook-outs, pool parties and the junior wranglers program are just a few activities the Ranch offers for hours of entertainment.

The Ranch also developed a teens program tailored to their interests. In addition to the regular riding, hiking, and fishing options available to everyone, teens can head to the hills for an overnight campout or head out on the trails en masse.

Nancy HarrisonAdventure Media970.568.7423nharrison@adventuremedianews.comwww.adventuremedianews.com

THR ContactThe Home Ranch970.879.1780 info@homeranch.comwww.homeranch.com

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