Devil’s Thumb for the Winter Holidays
Honoring 15 years of eco-friendly transformation and a 75-year ranch history, Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa is sharing time-honored holiday traditions and frivolity with guests and locals this holiday season, including 15th Anniversary Nordic specials, November 16-December 19, 2016. Down the road but close-knit family, Volario’s will also be spreading the holiday spirit with special menus for guests.
Located 65 miles west of Denver and 15 minutes west of Winter Park, Devil’s Thumb Ranch’s history and reputation as one of the leading Nordic Centers in the country has also evolved into one of the world’s leading eco-friendly ranch resorts and spas since owners Bob and Suzanne Fanch purchased the Ranch and surrounding 4,000 acres in 2001. Now comprised of 6,000 acres, the Ranch has numerous environmental honors, including the Fanches being recognized for their efforts in historic preservation, which includes showcasing the Ranch’s rich Native American and Western history and commitment to considering the land first when developing the less than two percent of the total acreage into facilities for overnight and day guests.
Committed to elevating the guest experience, travelers and locals will be treated to and entertained through a variety of special holiday events, specials and dining traditions. Upcoming events and festivities include:
November 16-December 19
15th Anniversary Nordic Specials — $15 day trail passes, $15 ski rentals, $15 Hot Box ski tune, $15 basic wax, $15 base prep and 15 percent off annual season trail passes at the special rate of $220 for an individual adult pass (13-65 years) and $455 for a family pass (2 adults and one child; additional children 13 an under for $50 each). Call 970-726-8231 for more info.
Late November
Ski trails open
Offer 85 km of expertly groomed trails and scenic vistas: classic track (85 km), skate (85 km), snowshoe trails (18 km), dog trails/skijoring (15 km), snow bike (15 km) and lighted loop (1.5 km).
Trail passes: $20/day; kids 6-12 years $10/day; Kids 5 and under free. Season passes and punch cards also available. Visit www.devilshthumbranch.com for more info.
November 24
Thanksgiving Dining
Enjoy Thanksgiving at Heck’s or Ranch House Restaurant at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa or in the town of Winter Park at Volario’s Family Ristorante. Heck’s Grand Thanksgiving Buffet offers more than 25 items including cold seafood displays, carving stations, traditional favorite starters, side-dishes and sweet indulgences with signature Ranch twists. Ranch House Restaurant and Volario’s offer specially prepared four-course menus. Children 12 and under dine for half price; children 3 and under free (Heck’s and Volario’s only); taxes, gratuity and alcohol additional.
Heck’s Tavern: Breakfast (7:30-11:30 a.m.); Thanksgiving Grand Buffet (11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) $54/person;
Ranch House Restaurant: Four-course plated dinner, $65/person; 3-9 p.m
Volario’s Family Ristorante: Four-course plated dinner with vegetarian options, $45/person; 5-9 p.m.
Menus & Reservations: Preview menus at www.devilsthumbranch.com or www.volarioswinterpark.com. Advanced reservations highly recommended, which can be made on www.OpenTable.com or by calling 970-726-5632.
December 10, 2016
Tommelfest and Holiday Gift Market
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Season Pass Holder Appreciation Party, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free with season pass or $20 for trail pass if taking lessons or participating in Biathlon; other events free; A la Carte pricing for BBQ and beer. More info: 970-726-1054
Fun for all ages, this winter season kick-off celebration includes free skate & classic cross-country ski lessons from Devil’s Thumb Ranch ski instructors and University of Colorado Ski Team Coaches. Festivities include sleigh rides and S’Mores at the Stables, BBQ and Grog Garden, Norwegian Keg Toss, Short Track Biathlon Relay and a Best Viking Hat Competition. Revelers can also kick off their holiday shopping season at the Holiday Gift Market featuring gifts from local and regional artisans & crafts people including Zents, Topo, Love Tokens, Cabbage and Hugs, Lindsay Bloom, Karen Vance, VitaJewels, Alpine Wine Design, James Saylor Photography and Kathie Vidmar Designs in a festive atmosphere. Devil’s Thumb Ranch holiday gift cards will also be available for purchase.
December 17
Gingerbread House Building 101
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kids of all ages are welcome to join in this holiday tradition to help build a Ranch Gingerbread House, while enjoying complimentary cookies and refreshments in the Timberhouse building. The finished house will be on display in the lobby of the main lodge through the holidays. More info: 970-726-1054
Christmas and New Year’s Eve at the Ranch
Advanced reservations strongly recommended, which can be made on-line at www.opentable.com or by calling 970-726-5632. Preview menus at www.devilsthumbranch.com.
December 24
Christmas Eve at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa
Hallowed Grounds Coffee Shop, Heck’s and Ranch House Restaurant will offer regular menu selections with holiday specials during their normal hours of operation. Hallowed Grounds: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; Heck’s: Breakfast 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Dinner: 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Ranch House Restaurant: 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
December 25
Christmas Day at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa
Hang up the apron and let the Ranch’s professional culinary team do the cooking. Besides a spectacular meal, you’ll get to relax and enjoy the festivities. Now that’s a Happy Holiday!
Christmas Grand Buffet, Broad Axe Barn: Carving and specialty food stations; $49/person, children 12 and under half price; children 3 and under free; alcohol, tax and gratuity additional. Service from 4-8 p.m.
Heck’s Tavern: A la Carte menu with holiday themed specials available for Breakfast (7:30-10:00 a.m.), Lunch (11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) and Dinner (5:00-10:00 p.m.)
Ranch House Restaurant: $72/person for four-course plated dinner with options plus A la carte selections.
Service runs from 4-9:00 p.m.; Children 12 and under dine for half price. A la Carte options also available.
December 31
Dining & New Year’s Eve Party
New Year’s Eve Grand Buffet, High Lonesome Barn: 7-10 p.m.; $100/person, includes open bar, champagne, live music & dancing
Heck’s Tavern: A la carte menu with holiday specials, 5-10 p.m.
Ranch House Restaurant: Chef’s four-course plated dinner with options, 5-10 p.m., $72/person
Reservations for the above: www.opentable.com or call 97-726-5632.
Grand County’s Best New Year’s Eve Party featuring Wyatt Lowe & the Mayhem Kings; Broad Axe Barn, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.; complimentary entry, cash bar
About Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa
Easy to reach from Denver (65 miles west) and seemingly a million miles away nestled among 6,000 acres of Colorado wilderness is Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, ranked among the top eco-friendly hotels in the world. Here, modern-day, low tech indulgences are met with a kind and thoughtful heart for the environment and the area’s history, which pays tribute to the Arapahoe and Ute Native American Tribes, as well as western cowboy heritage and Nordic sports.
Lodging includes two lodges, 15 eco-luxe ridge-top log cabins, the community based Bunkhouse as well as sister-properties in nearby Winter Park, including Vasquez Creek Inn and Trailhead Inn. On-site winter recreation options include 85km of cross country ski and snowshoe trails, Ranch Creek Spa, horseback riding, sleigh/feed rides, winter biathlon, fat tire biking, tubing and ice skating. Dining at two restaurants, Heck’s and Ranch House Restaurant, each with Wine Spectator Best of Awards wine lists, is sustainably focused and local whenever possible with private dining and in-town dining at Volario’s and Caffé Giocondo. For more information, visit www.devilsthumbranch.com.
