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Long ago Stoney and Sarcee Indian lodges were the only
dwellings in the western foothills. This area was called Paradise by the
Indians and remained undisturbed until the mid 1800's. Then, wagons
crossed the prairies bringing families to this untamed land. Around
1890, large cattle ranches were created, a few of which survived and
flourished. Because Alberta was promoted as the "Last Best West," people
continued to migrate across the country. And as homesteads were built
around 1905, settlers learned to respect and live with the land.
This ranch in Southern Alberta is a year round working and guest ranch
in Alberta’s high cattle country. The main ranch is about 50 km (31
miles) southwest of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is at an elevation of
1500m (4900 ft) in the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to
the ranch property, we also ride on the surrounding several thousand
acres of public land, most of which is leased for cattle ranching.
Bears, deer, coyotes, elk and other wildlife are frequently seen.
The ranch was homesteaded in 1912. Photographs and artifacts of the
original owners are still displayed and many log buildings from that
period are currently in use. The ranchers have been in the guide,
outfitting and horseback vacation business for over 30 years. They enjoy
helping guests understand a way of life for which Southern Alberta is
known. Every week, a limited number of people can share the traditions,
heritage, recreation and natural beauty that constitute our unique
lifestyle.
Riding varies from mountain valleys to high foothills, crossing numerous
streams, mountain meadows and old Indian trails. This type terrain
allows you the chance to periodically trot or canter if desired. We have
over 45 head of horses to satisfy the expert to novice rider. A horse is
assigned to you when you arrive. Our wranglers will spend time showing
you how to become comfortable and work with your mount. If you wish you
can come out in the morning to help feed and groom.
 GRAB01
2008 Rates include lodging, all meals and snacks, 5 riding
days, all activities
Single room: + 20%
kids under 12 -20%
Regular Ranch weeks
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,395
... based on Can$ 1,395
Dates 2008:
07/26-08/01
08/02-08/08 08/09-08/15
08/16-08/22 08/23-08/29 09/13-09/19
09/20-09/26 09/27-10/03 10/04-10/10
10/18-10/24
Weeks with Spruce Meadows
- with one entry ticket and
transport:
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,425
... based on Can$ 1,425
Dates 2008:
05/10-05/16
05/31-06/06 06/07-06/13
06/14-06/20 06/21-06/27 07/19-07/25
08/30-09/05 09/06-09/12 10/11-10/17
Calgary Stampede Weeks
- with rodeo entry ticket and
transport
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,525
... based on Can$ 1,525
Dates 2008:
06/28-07/04
07/05-07/11 07/12-07/18
Off Season weeks with riding
instructions:
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,125
... based on Can$ 1,125
Dates 2008:
04/05-04/11
04/12-04/18 04/19-04/25
04/26-05/02 05/03-05/09 05/17-05/23
05/24-05/30
Gratuities: 6%
Tax: 5%
accomm. tax
2.5% GST (5% for Can.residents)
Meeting: Priddis
Airport: Calgary
Transfer: $ 150 (Can$ 150) return pp
- to pay locally
Tack:
Western
Horses:
Quarter Mix
Pace: Moderate, trots and canters
Level:
All levels
Max Riders: 14
Spruce Meadows Horse Show
Specials (Saturday
to Friday)
Spruce Meadows is a World-Class show-jumping facility, located just south
of Calgary and about 20 km east of the ranch.
Event Weeks
Spring run-off May 12 to 18
National June 2 to 8or 9 to 15
Continental June 16 to 22
Canada One June 23-29or June 30-06
North American July 7 to 13
Masters Sept 1 to 7 or 8 to 14
Harvest Classic Oct 14 to 20
see the worlds top jumping horses, ride
the ranches finest stock & polo horses; all meals, accom. riding, 2 days
tickets to spruce meadows & local transportation included
Lodging
At the main ranch you will stay in our lodge, which accommodates 12-14
guests in comfortable private rooms with their own bathroom and shower.
At the south ranch we have 3-person frame cabins with built in bunks and
stoves, and a central area for dining and clean up. At both locations,
all meals are served family style with guests and staff eating together,
so you get to know everyone. Coffee is always available. The day starts
with a hearty breakfast, then we saddle up for your choice of a half or
full days ride. A stop along the trail for "Cowboy Cappuccino", boiled
in a can over a wood fire, and lunch, may be a new experience for you.
Dinner/supper is back at the ranch, with a steak barbecue at least once
a week.
Sample Ranch Itinerary
... Though you may choose to spend more time at the ranch itself, a
typical week might go like this:
Day 1 - Arrive at the ranch (we'll pick you up at the
International Airport or other Calgary locations). If you arrive by 9:30
a.m. you can join in on the ride for the day. Take part in such
activities as fencing, checking cows or horses, feeding and grooming,
relaxing or grab your fishing rod for a walk along the creek. Enjoy
supper topped off with home-baked bread and pastry. (If you have special
dietary preferences, please advise us in advance.)
Day 2 - Have a hearty ranch breakfast of biscuits, bacon, eggs, pancakes
and coffee. We don't have a tight schedule so learn to saddle up your
own horse or tie the Diamond Hitch. Head toward the high country a
12 mile ride over easy terrain including a trail lunch. When you return
relax in a Jacuzzi and a game of horseshoes before an outdoor steak BBQ.
Day 3 - If you're staying the week you might want to spend time at camp.
This can be prearranged or you can take circle rides each day from the
Ranch. Trips by car, to Banff, Calgary, Spruce Meadows or Head Smashed
in Buffalo Jump can be easily done, using the Ranch as your home base.
Day 4 - You might like to ride for the A.M. and take in an afternoon polo
game or shopping in Calgary, or enjoy the whole day riding with lunch on
the trail around the campfire with cowboy coffee.
Day 5 - 7 - Continue with more trail riding from the lodge or camp, or
depending on the season, enjoy the following:
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Care and grooming of horses plus daily ranch work
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Riding Lessons
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Rodeo and Polo games to attend
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A dip in our outdoor Jacuzzi
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Sleep overnight in our teepee site at the Ranch or camp.
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Visits to Calgary, Banff and other local areas
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Community dances, dinners and parties
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Golf at nearby Winter Green Country Club (7 miles)
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Cross-country and downhill skiing in area
Depart on Friday afternoon after the riding around 4 PM/
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A TYPICAL DAY
A horse is assigned to you when you arrive. Our wranglers will spend
time showing you how to become comfortable and work with your mount. If
you wish you can come out in the morning to help feed and groom.
The day starts off with a hearty ranch breakfast of biscuits, bacon,
eggs, pancakes hash browns and coffee, then we saddle up for your choice
of a half day or a full day ride. Both our rides leave at 9:30 a.m., the
half day has you back at the lodge in time for a delicious homemade
lunch. The full day ride includes a stop along the trail for “Cowboy
Cappuccino” boiled in a can over a campfire and lunch, you’ll be back at
the lodge around 3:30 p.m..
After a day in the saddle, relax in our outdoor hot tub or dangle your
feet in the creek during a hike. If you feel so inclined, you can even
help the wranglers with the ranch chores. (cleaning corrals, fencing,
moving hay bales)
OUR HORSES AND THE RIDE
We raise 1/3 of our horses and that’s important to us and our guests. We
also bring in younger horses and train them ourselves. That makes up
about another 1/3 and only the remainder do we purchase and those are
always from people we know and trust. Our horses are American Quarter
Horses, Thoroughbreds or mixed breeds. We like to know your riding
experience so that we may match you with a suitable mount. (i.e. balance
of excitement and safety)
Our foothills and mountain area was and remains cattle and horse
country. Stock was wintered at the home ranch and herded to high country
pastures for the summer. You’ll have a chance to ride these areas and
cross an Indian trail that was once used by the Stoney Band.
Riding varies from mountain valleys to high foothills, crossing numerous
streams, mountain meadows and old Indian trails. This type of terrain
allows you the chance to periodically trot or canter if desired. We have
over 40 head of horses to satisfy the expert to novice rider.
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