Winter Dude Ranches

Snow ranches: what a winter ranch stay is like

Winter at a mountain ranch is quieter and more relaxed than summer. Riding is at a walk through the snow, and the days fill with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and evenings by the fire. Some ranches are known for their Nordic trails: Devil’s Thumb grooms trails for cross-country skiing that usually open in late November or early December, and Latigo Ranch runs its own Nordic center at 9,000 feet. Stays are usually shorter than summer weeks, often three or four nights.

Desert ranches: winter is high season

In southern Arizona the riding season runs the other way. Circle Z near Patagonia is open from late October to early May, White Stallion rides straight into Saguaro National Park, and Tanque Verde runs a children’s program, which makes it one of the few winter options for families with kids’ activities. Expect warm days, cool nights and saguaro instead of snow. See our Arizona guide for more.

Planning a winter ranch trip

• Check the exact winter dates; many mountain ranches open from mid-December to March, with holiday weeks booking first.
• Ask whether riding, skis and snowshoes are included, and whether the ranch is reachable by car in snow.
• For Christmas, New Year and spring break, book well ahead at both snow and desert ranches.