Rainbow Ranch

As our restaurant closes and ski season comes to an end I have been looking back on this past winter. We had an amazing ski season with new snow still coming in.

One of my favorite memories of the season was last week when I was blessed to have my father come visit my brother and I, and to go skiing of course! Day one involved warm up cruises down the groomers over at Moonlight Basin. Day two was a bit colder, but the snow that was coming down was great! We decided to go over to Big Sky Resort and ski the bowl. As we got off the Triple Chair Lift and took the traverse across the top, it was hard to see what your next turn was going to be as it was snowing so hard! No problem!! We skied down and went over to Andesite Mountain. One of the many things that are so great about Big Sky Resort is that you can be in some horrendous weather on one part of the mountain and have blue skies and sunshine on another. The last day we saved for the Tram at Big Sky Resort. As we made our way through the line, we couldn’t help but look around and see all of the amazing skiing right at our finger tips, especially if you don’t mind hiking a bit. We finally crammed into the cab and glided up to the top where perfect weather and snow conditions were waiting for us. We stopped and took a few family pictures for our mom and then it was time to make some great turns down Liberty (the best sled hill)!

So as I look back on this and many other great memories this season I am sad to see it end, but very much looking forward to the fishing, hiking, horseback riding, floating, camping and testing for Rainbow Ranch’s new Outpost that is coming in June.

Meghan (our hotel Manager) and I had a wonderful invite to go snowshoeing with Ken and Susi Sinay, the owners of Yellowstone Safari Company, the other day. First, we went just north of the Rainbow Ranch Lodge and checked out the Porcupine Refuge area where we saw a mother moose and her year old calf, a herd of elk, and a couple of coyotes. For as long as I have lived here, I have never tired from watching the local wildlife. You know you have come to a special place when you can see all of these amazing big game animals right in your backyard.

The next stop was a rare sighting of our national bird, the great bald eagle. Perched up in a tree, watching for fish in the river below, we slowly pulled over to the side of the road. You could tell that he was watching us out of the corner of his eye, but didn’t find us enough of a threat to stop his hunt.

Then it was on to the snowshoeing!! We went to a beautiful area called Fawn Pass, located just inside the Yellowstone National Park boundaries and about a 20-minute drive south from the -RR.

As we hiked up the hill you could imagine what it must have been like a hundred years ago with thousands of buffalo and elk roaming around. Sadly, we did not get to see the amazing view of the valley below that most see on this adventure due to the ever welcomed snow storm that was rolling in. Our fearless guide, Ken, decided that Meghan and I were in “good shape,” so he broke off his normal, well packed trail and blazed up through the woods in the soft, often swallowing, powder. I quickly found the air pockets that surround the base of the large trees, as I had the pleasure of falling into them, while Meghan had the pleasure of laughing at my expense. At the top of the hill, we munched on granola bars and tea that Ken had packed for us while listening to Ken talk about the area’s history, as well as the animals and nature in it.

As is always the case, we had to go back down to reality. I thought that the fun was in going up the hill. Was I wrong!!! We were able to step glide the whole way down. For those of you who aren’t familiar with snowshoeing, Ken likened it to tele skiing. I would like to say I was very graceful but, sadly, that was not the case. I do have some wonderful evidence of Meghan’s ballerina moves (see photos)! Once back at the suburban, we were greeted with more wonderful food and drink to enjoy through the short trip home.

Thanks Ken and Susi for a great trip!

So many people join us at the Rainbow Ranch because of the beauty & history surrounding our lodge. Our proprietor, Patrick Hurd, has strived to instill this beauty in every detail of our rooms and dining room. Case in point is our wine cellar, also known as the “Bacchus Room,” (translation “the Roman god of wine”). Built in 2001, the Bacchus room entails many features the Rainbow Ranch is known for: Gallatin River Rock archways and weeping walls; old wood from our 1910 Barn, sanded down and intricately placed in the ceiling; and an old –RR sign from the 1950’s now assigned the task as the wine cellar’s long dining room table.

With the capacity to hold up to 10,000 bottles of wine, we also have 600 varietals to choose from. Patrick has built a list with representations from America, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Australia and Spain. He works diligently to provide a wide array of wine choices that pair with the multitude of flavors our chef, Thomas Donohoe, offers on his menu.

I highly recommend anyone coming this way to take advantage of a personal tour. Better yet, experience an unforgettable –RR dinner in the beauty and history of the Rainbow Ranch Lodge’s wine cellar.

All of us at the Rainbow Ranch have our own winter rituals and superstitions. Since I was knee high, I have been a bit cautious talking or even writing about a large snow fall in fear that it will stop falling. In my experience, if you show any sign of excitement when there is talk of a big storm, the dark, looming clouds seem to become wispy and light, splitting in half and snowing everywhere but where you want it to.

But, for the sake of my fellow readers, I will cross my fingers and chance this superstition of mine by letting you know winter is here and it is making a big statement this year with weekly snow storms. It has encouraged even the most fair-weathered skiers, such as our Hotel Manager Meghan, to gather her gear and head to the mountain for some deep powder turns. So far this season I have made it out almost every day that I wasn’t working, and even on some early mornings when I was. The snow has been holding very well and the turns have been great. Any day that you can make fresh turns in powder is going to be a good one!

But skiing isn’t my only topic of discussion. The –RR property has joined in the winter wonderland of Big Sky and is more breathtaking now than ever! In the morning you can go down to the pond and take a glimpse at the Rainbow Trout swimming around in the crystal clear pond. You might even catch our Proprietor Patrick Hurd or our “Do it All” maintenance man Dennis feeding them.

Our lodge mascot minx, Poindexter, looks right at home prancing in the snow. Stop by the outdoor hot tub on any given night and you will find her fast asleep on the largest heated water bed in the history of cats (our mechanical hot tub cover, which is as warm as the water under it).
Then there is the continual early morning presence of elk, deer and moose that come visit the –RR. It doesn’t matter how often you see these creatures, your jaw will drop in awe of their beauty every time.

In short, it is a magnificent time to come and visit us here at the Rainbow Ranch!

Hello everyone my name is Chelsey and I am the Front Desk Manager here at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge. We are starting this blog in order for you to get to know us a bit better. I will be posting weekly about the area as well as what is going on here at the Ranch. So here we go.

I am excited to tell you that the Outpost Retreat, our new private massage room overlooking the Gallatin River, may be ready for debut by Christmas!

The Outpost Retreat is located just north of the trout pond. It is one room with an open design and a rustic cabin feel. My favorite part is the weeping river rock wall that serves as a backdrop to the wood-burning stove. I also love the antique wood floors made from reclaimed lumber from an old cabin once located just across the street from -RR. The rich golden hue of the floor, combined with the exposed log beams of the ceiling, gives the room a warm, cozy feel.

During the warm summer months we look forward to offering morning yoga classes on the Outpost Retreat’s enclosed porch. The sliding-glass doors of the porch open to the garden and the Gallatin River — this is where I want to start my day!

I hope you will make a visit to the Outpost Retreat on your next visit to –RR!