Concierge Alpine Skiing

What a concept!  No-hassle downhill skiing at Mt. Werner in Steamboat Springs. 

We’ve secured a beautiful, private condo in the newly opened Highmark Hotel which sits at the base of the mountain, just steps away from the gondola.  (See the hotel online at www.highmarkhotel.com)

Guests will be shuttled from the lodge to the condo via our complimentary ground shuttle.

Once inside the condo you’ll be met by your own ski guide. You’ll be outfitted with the gear of your choice (skis or boards), and the lift ticket is put right in your hand. 

Then it’s off to the mountain, accompanied by your personal guide.  Here’s another bonus, because you’re in the company of a guide, there are no lift lines.  You go directly to the front of the line.  Your guide will take you to the runs that are perfectly suited to your abilities, and if you need instruction, your guide is there to provide that as well.

Lunch can be catered into the condo, eliminating the long restaurant lines on the mountain.  At the end of an exhilarating day of skiing, sit back and relax with your favorite libation, while we shuttle you back to The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch.

This is just part of our brilliant winter package which is suited for a family or group who want to be together for every activity, or may have diverse interests.  If someone chooses not to ski every day, (or at all)  they can relax at the Lodge or participate in the long menu of activities at the ranch, which include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides and even tubing on ‘Thrill Hill’.  Fill your days however you want, with whatever activities sound best to you.

Although a family or group may spend their days enjoying numerous activities, we’ll have everyone back together in time for dinner at the lodge.

 

 

SCI Reno

The greatest hunting expo on earth is set for Reno Nevada, January 20-24., 2009.

 We’ll be there and once again partnering with Gander Mountain. You can’t miss us in our beautiful booth, showing those in the hunting world that don’t already know, what Three Forks has to offer. 

This year we have donated two exciting Hunt/Spa packages to the SCI auctions on Friday and Saturday nights.

Justin, Kim, Jay and Chrissy will be at the convention, greeting all of our SCI friends and encouraging this great group of outdoor enthusiasts to visit our Colorado wildlife wonderland.  

      

                                                                                            

 

Our Inaugural

Season in the Lodge  

It’s done, the first season of what was, just a few short years ago, a dream in the making.  Now it’s a reality and more. We’re sad to see it over and glad it all went so well.  Jubilation, along with a sigh of relief, probably best describes the feeling as we closed our first season in this architectural monument.

What a busy summer!  What a busy spring! Moving offices and staff and operations!  The opening date of June 1, certainly didn’t mean everything was completed.  Some of you were with us those first few days and experienced the operational curve with the procedures and mechanics of a brand new building.  Considering the volume of change that occurred, it went remarkably well as our staff rose to the challenge, providing the signature service that kept our guests comfortable and happy.

Those of you that visited this past season watched as we feverishly worked on landscaping.  12 acres of sod, over two hundred trees, waterfalls, asphalt, front gate, outdoor artwork, and much more kept the activity level at a fast pace all summer.  But we ‘gotter done’.

The new ‘Fishing Hole’ was the final construction project and is simply stunning and ready for use our upcoming season.  Fred Honnald, the original pioneering homesteader on this site, would be proud of his old horse barn.

On the outside it still looks just like the old horse barn we all love, but inside,  the rich cherry paneling is a striking contrast.  Congratulations to Terry Trumble on a job well done on both the Lodge as well as the Fishing Hole.

Then, near the end of the season came the long awaited arrival of the life-size bronze.  This magnificent tribute to the Ute Indians who inhabited this valley long before the white settler, sets proudly above the waterfall and fire pit.

And so closes the 2008 season.  The dream is past and the reality is upon us. As we prepare for our first winter recreation guests, we’re feeling well prepared and well armed having these past 6 months under our belts.  The future is looking very bright.

 

 

Five Things

We thought it might be fun to give you a little insight into our real personalities.  Below is a list of things we as individuals find cool or love.  There are 5 things from Allison, Teri, Amber, Levi, Kim and Jay.  See if you can figure out which 5 things go to which person.  It’s not a test, but it plays one on TV. *who’s who on pg. 4*

Person 1:

1. ipods, especially when there’s no radio signal

2. Chef Marc’s homemade pasta….yummy

3. Starbuck’s Venti Strawberry Mocha…delish!

4. I love I’m going to learn to x-country ski this winter                                                                                                                                         

5. My daughter is becoming bi-lingual

 

Person 2:

1. A day off

2. Seeing family

3. Snowmobiling the Snowy Range      

4. Eating Sushi  

5. Mt Everest

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Person 3:

1. Sunny winter days    

2. A hot cup of coffee while watching the sun come up

3. Snowmobiling 

4. Sushi rocks

5. Sitting on the beach thinking about those poor cold people back in the snow

  

Person 4:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

1. Smokey old pool rooms

2. Clear mountain mornings

3. Little warm puppies

4. Children

5. Girls of the night

 

Person 5:

1. Mojitos

2. Toby Keith

3. Photo hikes

4. Quotes from the movie ’Juno’

5. Person 6 stole my ‘last 5 minutes of Billy Elliott’

 

Person 6:

1. High heeled black leather boots (get your mind out of the gutter – not those kind!)

2. The last 5 minutes of the movie “Billy Elliot”

3. Lloyd Mabrey’s version of Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying too Close to the Ground”

4. Dinner at sunset on the terrace of Auberge du Soleil in Napa

5. Chef Marc’s swordfish entree

 

 

 

Thank Goodness for Snow

 I can’t believe I said that.  In March those words would not have crossed my lips, nor any other Three Forks resident.  500 inches of snow last winter, pushed us to the limit, but we survived and now the benefits are still coming.

This quirk of nature, this too much of a good thing, provided us with the most amazing fishing season of our tenure on the ranch.  Spring run-off was high, but the fishing stayed good.  Our fly fishing guides found the key to success every day.  The fish were there and hungry.

Summer brought exceptional flows in this world-class fishery, and stayed with us through the fall.  Dry fly fishing, nymphing and streamers all worked well in their respective season.

Not only did our river and fishing benefit from this abundance of snow, the flora and fauna did as well.

An incredible crop of grass, nurtured by the plentiful supply of water, offered much needed nutrition to the wildlife on the ranch.   The elk, deer, and antelope who were pounded so brutally last winter, recovered well in this sea of green. Eating, sleeping and recuperating was how they spent their summer.

The cattle on the ranch came in with great weight gains, and our momma cows are in spectacular shape going into the fall and winter.

We’re all affected by nature and I know there’s a balance to everything, but honestly, I sure would like to see how life balances with 300 inches of snow rather than 500”.  We’ll see what Mother Nature brings us this winter.

 

 

 

                                                   

Back by Popular Demand

They’re baaaaack……..

Godfather for hunting in the fall, and Hidden Valley for fishing in the summer.   After much discussion amongst management, we have come to the conclusion that both Godfather and Hidden Valley are far too special to close. 

There are many of you who felt strongly about this issue and had strong connections to either or both houses.  You voiced your opinions and we listened.

So once again, the fishing guests who look forward to the views, quiet seclusion  and joy of having somewhere all to yourselves, will have the option of booking Hidden Valley,  June 1^st, through the end of August.  If you’ve never experienced Hidden Valley, it’s great for small groups and family trips.  Many of our return guests wouldn’t stay anywhere else.

For our hunting guests, Godfather will once again be available in the fall of 2009.  You can literally walk out the front door and find yourself amid bugling elk and fantastic lake fishing at Godfather Lake…. truly an opportunity to enjoy Mother Nature at her finest.

We love to help our guests have the best stories to tell about their visit once they’re back home.  As you’ve told us, some of the very best stories about Three Forks come from those who’s visit has been at Hidden Valley or Godfather.

 

 

 The Cowboy in Manhattan

What?  Jay in Manhattan? Yessiree, for two whole weeks in October, New Yorkers were subjected to a cowboy hat at 50^th and Park. And let me tell you, the hat was a HUGE hit (at the conference and on the street).

Joining him on his first trip to the Big Apple were good friends from Preferred Hotels, Richard and Janet White.  Janet is the marketing director for the beautiful Montage Hotel and Resort in Laguna Beach, while Richard is the Director of Global Sales for Preferred Hotels.

Jay met one-on-one with over 500 travel agents at more than 50 travel agencies.   The agents were enthusiastic about our offerings here at Three Forks including, the summer and winter recreation packages not to mention our spa packages. 

He concentrated his attentions on Virtuoso and Signature agencies, both of whom market to the luxury leisure traveler.

When you’re here next, be SURE to ask Jay about his carriage driving experience in Central Park.  The city will never be the same.

 

 

 

 

“5 Feet High and Risin’…”

This past season many of you heard the comments made about how long last winter was and the amount of snow we got. (500 inches in case you missed us talking about it.  That’s right…500.) This year we’ll update the “Total Inches Accumulated” so you’re informed where we are as far as snowfall.  Below is our little snow report. As the snow falls, we’ll change the inches accumulated and you can see it get deeper and deeper…and deeper…

 

 

  

              

 **Who was who on page 2; Person 1: Allison, Person 2: Levi, Person 3: Amber, Person 4: Jay, Person 5: Kim, Person 6: Teri**