Devil’s Thumb Ranch Full Moon Cross Country Ski

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Chris

Moonlit Cross Country Skiing Winter Park, CO

Looking to get out of the house and see how beautiful the evenings can be here in Winter Park and Grand County? There is not a more fun event than the Full Moon Cross Country ski at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. There are two left this year, Feb 18 and March 19.

Head out to the Thumb and arrive a little before six and you are in for a fun, beautiful workout. Join them for skiing, bonfires, marshmallows and hot chocolate under the full moon! Get your cross country ski on and warm up with the bonfire and hot chocolate.

The event starts at 6PM and goes until 9PM. No need to rush though as you can start pretty much anytime you like but need to be finished around 9PM.

If you haven’t been out to Devil’s Thumb you are missing one of Grand Counties treats! With more than 100km of groomed trails nestled in the pristine and private Ranch Creek valley at the base of the Continental Divide, DTR is the premiere Nordic center for Colorado cross country skiing. Whether you enjoy skate, classic or snowshoeing; there’s something there for everyone.

Novices can start the day with a private or group lesson from one of their friendly instructors. More seasoned Nordic enthusiasts will find their advanced technique clinics helpful. And, of course, a wide variety of quality cross country ski equipment is available for purchase or rental - including infant sleds and skijoring rigs (cross country skiing with dog assistance). They are open seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Don’t let the snow season get by without a moonlit night of skiing, head out and enjoy Devil’s Thumb Ranch one of the next full moon evenings.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch Sleigh Rides

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Chris

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides Winter Park, CO

Looking for some fun for the kids and the whole family? Devil’s Thumb Ranch is offering guests of Winter Park Lodging Company a screaming deal for carriage rides through their Cabin Creek Stables. The stables have agreed to a special offer just for WPLCo guests…

Mondays through Thursdays, get four sleigh riders for the price of two (a $70 savings) on our feed sleigh rides offered at 10:30 and 3 pm daily. Reservations required, space limited.

The feed sleigh rides are when they take a small amount of guests out to help feed the cattle…they get to see the cows very close up and help give them hay…kids and people from the big cities love it.

You can check out Devil’s Thumb other sleigh ride offerings or do a special event out on their beautiful property.

Ski Magazine rated Devil’s Thumb Ranch in their top 5 Favorite Sleigh Rides and this what they had to say about DTR:

After a sleigh ride around the ranch’s 5,000 snowy acres, return to the stable to dinner around the campfire. Tabernash, Colo., near Winter Park; (800) 933-4339; devilsthumbranch.com .

Dinner at either The Ranch House Restaurant or Heck’s Tavern is some of the best eatin’ you will find here in Winter Park or the whole Fraser Valley. If you have never been out to Devil’s Thumb you are missing one of the top destinations in Grand County and Colorado for that matter.

So if your heading up to Winter Park let us here at the Winter Park Lodging Company set you up with the best deals and most fun activities that be had on your Winter PArk winter vacation. Check out all the special deals WPLCo has to offer guests of the Grand County and the Fraser Valley.

Come on up and get to horsin’ around and have a grand time in Grand County, Colorado.

Thanksgiving Dinner Winter Park, CO

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Chris

Thanksgiving Dinner at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Thanksgiving is coming upon us fast and it is time to decide what you are going to do for the turkey day celebration of thanks. Most of the restaurants will be offering Thanksgiving dinner up here in Winter Park but if you are wanting the best of the best head out to Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

Two Devil’s Thumb Ranch restaurants will be serving up turkey, stuffing, mashed ‘tatters, cranberry sauce and more. Both Heck’s Tavern and the Ranch House Restaurant will be offering up some traditional and Rocky Mountain themed Thanksgiving dinners in the finest setting in this part of Colorado. If you have not visited Devil’s Thumb Ranch you are missing out on a treat. So if you are looking for food options in Winter Park, CO on Thanksgiving you can not go wrong at either Heck’s or the Ranch House. Both of these Thanksgiving meals are daytime meals so if you re looking for a Thanksgiving dinner head to Winter Park Resort’s Thanksgiving dinner at The Lodge at Sunspot.

Here are the Devil’s Thumb Ranch Restaurant Thanksgiving meal menus:

The Ranch House Restaurant will be serving a delicious Colorado Rocky Mountain interpretation of a Thanksgiving feast

Seatings at 2PM and 5PM.

$45 per person, wine pairings an additional $30. Reservations are required.

Candied Shallot Crusted Diver Sea Scallop with Sweet Potato Puree & Fennel Leek Cream, or Roasted Butternut Squash & Ancho Chili Soup with Crispy Pork Belly & Smoked Gouda Crouton

Giblet Stuffed Turkey leg with Peppery Greens & Cranberry Vinaigrette

“Schmaltz” Rubbed Free Ranch Turkey with Carmelized Onion & Potato Gratin, Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole, Balsalmic Glazed Cippolinni Onions, Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Apple & Onion Gravy.

A Selection of Stuffings – Traditional Bread, Sausage Cornbread & Roastic Garlic Grit Spoonbread

Trio of Thanksgiving Desserts – Pumpkin Cheesecake, Port Wine Poached Pear drizzled with Chocolate, Pecan Pie with Bourbon Ice Cream

Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet at Heck’s

Choose the traditional buffet style dinner at Heck’s for $30 per person (kids 5-12 just $15, kids 4 and under are free.)

Offered from Noon – 6 pm.

Menu includes:

Roasted Free Range Turkey

Rosemary & Garlic Rubbed Prime Rib

Traditional Bread, Cornbread and Pear Stuffing

Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions

Creamed Corn

Root Roasted Vegetables – Parsnips, Turnips, Carrots

Sweet & Sour Collard Greens

Roasted Sweet Potato Casserole

Scallion Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Field Green Salad with Sweet Onion Vinaigrette

And desserts! Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Cream, Cornmeal Pound Cake, White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Get out of the house on Thanksgiving and head out to Devil’s Thumb and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal that you will remember for a lifetime.

Devils Thumb Ranch Birthday Party

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Chris

Devils Thumb Ranch Pony Ride Birthday Party

Having twin 2 1/2 year olds we are starting to get our fair share of birthday party invitations. Nicholas and Willem have now been to two birthday parties. The first at Grand Park Rec Center in the gymnastics room was fantastic. The second was a birthday party out at Devils Thumb Ranch and it was one cool party. They definitely didn’t do birthdays like this when I was three.

The party started out at the stables at Devils Thumb Ranch and driving up the stables are just so impressive. We walked up and there were two of the biggest horse that I have ever seen teamed up and ready to go in their bridles. We were offered hot chocolate and cowboy hats for the kids. Next thing you know we are heading out on sleds pulled by the massive horses. We took a little trip to the grazing pastures and were able to let the kids get up and close with the horses. After some petting and playing with the horses we made our way back for a lunch around a few campfires that ended with the kids roasting smores on skewers provided by Devils Thumb. It was then time for the little ones to take a pony ride (Willem is above on the pony enjoying himself). The party then ended with birthday cake in the stables.

What a great idea for a little ones birthday. The kids were able to get up and close to some impressive animals and be outside and enjoy the morning. It was also interesting for the parents and we were able to see another side of Devils Thumb Ranch.

Have a birthday coming up for a youngster? Check out Devils Thumb Ranch for your party.

Tommelfest at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Nordic Skiing

Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash is hosting Tommelfest 2009 on December 12th. There will classes, competition, food, music and booze. Sounds like a grand time and they are giving away a free T-Shirt to attendees.

What is a Tommelfest? beats me but it sounds fun. Here is what the WP Chamber of Commerce says about it: “Come celebrate all things Nordic – meatballs, music by Brethren Fast, fun dancing, demos, Grog Garden, BBQ $12, relay races, keg toss, waxing clinic, free lessons from the DU Nordic team, and very probably, meatballs at Tommelfest ’09!”

Devil’s Thumb Ranch Facebook page is where I found the offer for free T-Shirts: “Facebook fans get a FREE t-shirt at Tommelfest! Tell your friends, neighbors, parents, strangers… Let’s Tommelfest Colorado! (and yes, I just turned Tommelfest into a verb…)”

Schedule of events for the day:

10:00am- 11:30am: Classes
11:30am-1:00pm: BBQ and Grog Garden (Heck’s Patio)
12:00pm: Norwegian Keg Toss sponsored by O’Doul’s
12:30pm- 1:30pm: Team Sprints (bib pick up in Broad Axe Barn)
12:30pm- 1:30pm: Wax clinic presented by Swix
1:30pm- 3:00pm: Classes
2:00pm- 3:30pm: Team Sprints, Freestyle, 2x2x.5km
3:45pm: Award Ceremony
4:00pm- 6:00pm: Cocktail Hour for Season Pass Holders (Heck’s Tavern)

Music by BRETHREN FAST 12PM TO 4PM

Call Devil’s Thumb Ranch at 970-726-8231 for more information.

Get up here to Winter Park and get some early skiing in.

Facebook fans get a FREE t-shirt at Tommelfest! Tell your friends, neighbors, parents, strangers… Let’s Tommelfest Colorado! (and yes, I just turned Tommelfest into a verb…)