Calgary Ranch, Canada
Reviews
“A good experience that helped restore my riding confidence and reinvigorate my keenness for horse riding. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff who went that extra mile to make my stay as fulfilling as possible. (When asked about favourite memories) - The views of the Rockies from some of the viewpoints were fantastic. The entertainment in the evenings led to some great laughs and the chocolate cake, cream and peanut butter cookies!”
Horses
Type of horses:
American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbreds or Mixed
Nature of horses:
Calm and surefooted
Height of horses:
14.2-16 hh
Weight limit:
220 lbs (15.5 stone)
Tack type:
Western
Weather
Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 20 C
Forecast:
Thu - Partly Cloudy. High: 27 Low: 12
Fri - Sunny. High: 27 Low: 12
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
2010 rates: Packages start Saturday to Friday, Shorter stays run from Saturday to Tuesday and Tuesday to Friday.
prices per person:
4 Days (3 nights) £633
7 Days (6 nights) £1088
Calgary Stampede: Between 9 - 18 July.
4 days (3 nights) - £668
7 days (6 nights) - £1174
Includes accommodation at the ranch, all meals, riding, one days gate admission to exhibition grounds and transportation to Calgary.
Taxes and gratuities are included in all prices.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Years ago Indian lodges were the only dwellings in the the area they called "Paradise". This western foothill area remained undisturbed until the mid 1800's when wagons bringing families crossed the prairies to this untamed land. Around 1890 large cattle ranches were created, a few of which survived and flourished. People continued to migrate across the country to Alberta which was promoted as the "Last Best West". Homesteads were built and settlers learned to respect and live with the land.
This wonderful destination is a year round working and guest ranch in Alberta's high cattle country. It is situated about 30 miles south west of Calgary at 4900 feet in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is bordered by ranches and the Kananaskis Forest Reserve. It became a homestead in 1912 and many log buildings from that time are still in use. Your host has been in the business for over 30 years and enjoys helping guests to understand a way of life for which Southern Alberts is known. Every week a small number of people can share the traditions, heritage, recreation and natural beauty that constitutes their unique lifestyle.
In addition to the ranch property you will also ride on the surrounding several thousand acres of Crown land, most of which is leased for cattle ranching. Bears, coyotes, elk, deer and other wildlife are frequently seen as well as beaver, grouse and other wild birds. Native flowers and trees are in abundance so you will need to bring your camera. Please note that this ranch is slow-paced on the riding front and the riding is at walking pace, with the occasional brief canter. Ideal for enjoying the views and the company but not for those who wish to canter on every ride.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The lodge can accommodation fourteen guests in comfortable private rooms with their own bathroom and shower. Guests share a western style living and dining area. Recently the "Coach House" was added which can accommodate 6-7 guests. Both lodges are available from October to April on a self catering basis.
Meals are served family style with guests and staff eating together so you get to know everyone. The day starts off with hearty ranch breakfast of biscuits, bacon, eggs pancakes, hash browns and coffee. Lunch may be taken out on the trail or back at the lodge. BBQ steak complete with trail beans and special ranch potatoes are a popular choice here.. Coffee and snacks and always available so you can feel free to go into the kitchen for fresh cinnamon buns or cookies. You will not go hungry here!
Activities
The ranch is well placed to visit Banff National Park, Calgary, Spruce Meadows or Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. Banff National Park is Canada's first national park the world's third. It spans 2564 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers and is one of the world's premier destination spots. Just 20 minutes from the ranch is Spruce Meadows, a picturesque complex which has captivated a worldwide audience for show jumping.
Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump bears witness to a custom practised by native people of the North American plains for nearly 600 years. It is known around the world as a remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. In 1981 UNESCO designated the jump as a World Heritage Site placing it among other world attractions such as the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge and the Galapagos Islands.
Locally there is the best rainbow and trout fishing in Canada. You can fish the Bow River and equipment can be provided on site. Here you can enjoy the best rainbow and brown trout fishing in Canada with qualified guides to help and instruct. Included are rods, waders, flies, lunch and full instruction. The fishing is paid locally.
There is white water rafting and two exceptional golf courses within a 20 minute drive of the ranch
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: No special health requirements
Age limit: 7 and above
Tuition: No
Included: Price Includes riding, all meals, snacks, accommodations & activities; arrival anytime after 1pm on your 1st day and departure after riding (4pm) on your last day.
Not included: Transfers from airport.
Travel Information
You should arrive at Calgary International Airport (code YYC). There are regular and frequent flights from most areas of the world. If you wish we can arrange your transfer from the airport the price is $75 single plus $57 each additional person.
By Road: Many of our guests choose to rent a car for their stay, particularly if they intend on taking some trips to other local attractions. Budget Car Rental offers our guests a special rate.
Calgary is on the Trans-Canada Highway, which reaches for about 7,000 kms across Canada from coast to coast. There are also excellent roads from Idaho and Montana in the U.S.
Airport: Calgary International Airport
Programme
Ranch stay
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They raise one third of the horses on this ranch and they consider that to be very important for everyone. They also buy in younger horses and train them themselves and the remaining third are purchased from people they know and trust. The horses are American Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and mixed breeds but all are safe and footsure. The 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 will have a chance to ride in these areas and cross an Indian trail that was once used by the Stoney Band. A horse is assigned to you when you arrive. the wranglers will spend time showing you how to become comfortable and work with your mount. If you wish you can go out in the morning to help feed and groom and get totally involved with looking after your friend for the week. Every day may be different but a typical day starts off with a hearty ranch breakfast of biscuits, bacon, eggs, pancakes, hash browns and coffee. You will then saddle up for you choice of a half day or full day ride. Both rides leave at 9.30 am. If you wish to ride for just half a day, then you will head back to the ranch 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 enjoyed out on the range. After a day in the saddle relax in the outdoor tub or dangle your feel in the creek after a hike. If you feel so inclined you can even help the wranglers with the ranch chores (cleaning corrals, fencing, moving hay bales). Evenings are often spent casually around an outdoor fire. On those cold nights a wood burning stove and fireplace in the living room offer warm contentment. You can enjoy our privacy or join ranch members. There is a special programme for the Calgary Stampede week and included will be one day's gate admission to the the exhibition grounds and transport to Calgary. Other special programmes include Spruce Meadow Horse Show weeks and Working Holidays. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 14 |
| Ability description: | Novice to experienced - please note that this is slow paced riding with just the occasional brief canter. Nearly all of the riding is at a walking pace, often one behind the other, which is ideal for enjoying the scenery and the company but not for those riders looking to go at different paces. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Half Day and Full Days |
| Departure dates: | All year around. Riding April-October. Calgary Stampede: Between 9 - 18 July. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |