For 10 years, Devil’s Thumb Ranch owners Bob and Suzanne Fanch have been doing a barn dance of sorts to carefully retain the spirit of a well-loved family dude ranch, while giving the place a 21st century gloss. Devil’s Thumb Ranch, just north of Winter Park, is now a complete resort for a family vacation, romantic getaway, spa retreat, adventure holiday, grand wedding or inspiring corporate event.
Sustainability Rules Here
On the ridge overlooking the resort, one can see the property’s expansive 6,000 acres in the idyllic rural Ranch Creek Valley, but the resort’s footprint is a compact 90 acres. Their foremost priority is to preserve the natural beauty of the historic site. From the geothermal heating system to reclaimed wood beams and beetle-kill pine paneling, nothing is cast off or taken for granted.
Perhaps the best representation of their commitment to land stewardship is the 52-room Main Lodge, reminiscent of the grandeur of historical national park lodges. At the center of the building a column of stone rises up three stories and calls guests from the comfortable lobby to the casual Heck’s restaurant. The room’s centerpiece is a massive stone fireplace collected from a Berthoud pass rockslide.
Culinary Kudos
Now that all the large pieces are in place like the Main Lodge, the Broad Axe Barn for events and the luxurious spa, Devil’s Thumb Ranch is focusing on the finer points that make a big difference when staying at a Colorado resort. In the past year, the new General Manager Sean Damery hired two key staff members, Food and Beverage Manager Dale Mingo and Executive Chef Evan Treadwell to concentrate on high-quality services.
Dale Mingo is a Colorado hospitality alumnus, having worked at Vail’s Sonnenalp, as well as resorts in Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco and Seattle. He has added in-room dining and is elevating the wine choices from his relationships with vintners around the world. “Devil’s Thumb guests are wine savvy,” says Mingo, “so I am adding notable wines from Old World and New World locations in all price points.” Look for names like Quintessa and Duckhorn, by the glass and bottle. Mingo will tap into his vast wine knowledge to plan private tastings and intimate wine dinners in the John L’s wine cellar.
Damery and Treadwell worked together in the past in California and their history is proving to be a good fit for Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Chef Treadwell came to Devil’s Thumb Ranch from the AAA Four Diamond Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa on California’s Central Coast. Within his first few months at the Ranch, Treadwell turned his attention to sourcing ingredients from local and sustainably-run farms as well as establishing a series of cooking classes in the recently completed Yager House culinary center.
Treadwell’s creative talent shines in the Ranch House Restaurant. The chef’s tasting menu reflects Treadwell’s comfort level with seafood and Colorado’s emphasis on game. The first two courses included butter poached Morro Bay oysters and pistachio-crusted baby red abalone. If I hadn’t been looking out over the snow-dusted landscape, I would have sworn I was a thousand miles west. The oysters were luminescent and the abalone was like a soft breath from the sea. The next two courses, smoked pheasant with potato gnocchi and elk tenderloin, were a tribute to Colorado’s cozy après ski fare.
Dessert was a thumb of dark chocolate with a cherry-port sabayon and macerated dark cherries, prepared by Pastry Chef Amanda Tutone. Tutone’s food finesse and adventurous spirit are a good fit for Devil’s Thumb Ranch. She is a New York Culinary Institute of America trained pastry chef and an award-winning snowmobiler, who loves to explore the deep crevices of the Continental Divide on her pink and black snowmobile.
The Ranch has ample options for large and small corporate events and weddings with the Broad Axe Barn and glass-sided Timber House. But, there is more to come. In 2012, Damery will begin implementing plans for another large event space and more guest rooms to accommodate larger groups.
Nordic & Activities Center
Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a well-known cross-country ski destination with 80 miles of trails with warming huts. The Ranch specializes in activities commonly seen in Europe like moonlight skiing with wine and dessert (cocoa for the kids) and Skijouring, trail skiing for dogs and owners. Activities Manager Igor Guziur manages an overabundance of family-friendly activities like snowshoeing, skating, sleigh rides and ski lessons. Guziur says Devil’s Thumb Ranch trails are unique because of the options that radiate from the center of the resort—the green trails around the pond are close enough for children and newbies, the blue trails are challenging for intermediates and the outer periphery black runs appeal to expert skiers. The resort is also adding a zip line!
Ranch Creek Spa
The 10,000-square-foot base area, Ranch Creek Spa, offers nature-based treatments tailored to the altitude, re-hydrating, restoring and rejuvenation. Services include customized massage, microdermabrasion, essential oil treatments, body scrubs/wraps, and tub soaks. The spa offers a spa suite, men and women’s locker rooms with dry sauna, steam room and oxygen therapy room, as well as a retail store and relaxation areas. The second story yoga studio with panoramic mountain views has a very popular morning class.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch
3530 County Road 83
Post Office Box 750
Tabernash, CO 80478
800.933.4339
devilsthumbranch.com
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Winter Wonderland of Activities
While skiing and boarding are only minutes away at Winter Park and Mary Jane, there is so much more to do at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Get away from the downhill crowds and venture out into the miles and miles of Nordic and snowshoe trails. Or, lace on a pair of skates and glide across the frozen lake. Grab a sled or hop on a horse-drawn sleigh for some old fashioned Colorado fun. Or just relax in the spa and heated pool. Some activities require a reservation so call ahead at 970.726.8231. Link to the full schedule of activities. http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/index.cfm/page/Recreation/pid/10201
Here are a few options to get you thinking about fun in the sun and snow:
Nordic Skiing – A new adventure waits around every groomed corner of the 100km of groomed trails nestled in Ranch Creek valley at the base of the Continental Divide. Lessons are available for all skill sets, as well as clinics for advanced technique. The staff has infant sleds and skijoring rigs for dogs, yes the trails are dog friendly. Open seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sleigh Rides - The Cabin Creek Stable offers sleigh rides and horseback riding for individuals and groups, from a sunrise sleigh ride to an evening star-studded trip, the stables can accommodate your wishes. They will even let you try your hand at driving one of the draft teams – cowboy driver’s ed. they call it. Campfire chili dinners, smores and hot chocolate are just a few of the other goodies that wait at the end of the trail.
