Opens:November

Closes:April

(depends on snow)


Nestled in the private Ranch Creek Valley just below the Continental Divide, our world-class
Nordic Center is waiting for you.  That’s where any level of skier can get their blood pumping
on over 100 kilometers of trails rated #1 for scenery, #4 for grooming and #7 overall out of all
Nordic resorts in North America.  If you would like to try something other than skiing, the
Devil's Thumb Nordic Center also offers snowshoeing, ice skating and skijoring.  Lessons,
equipment rental and sales are available for all levels, so no one will feel left out in the cold
along this gorgeous terrain.

Terrain:

120km of rolling terrain. Groomed daily for skate and classic skiing.

Facilities & Amenities:

While there's uphill... and through the forest... There are also frozen lakes to ice-skate across and thrilling hills to sled down. And all of them are available at Devil's Thumb Ranch. Of course when you stay here - at our Lodge or in one of our cozy cabins - you're only minutes away from Winter Park, one of America's premiere downhill resorts. So carving turns through Rocky Mountain powder is still an option. Spend summer days laying by the pool and winter evenings in an outdoor hot tub with awesome views of the Continental Divide.

Essentially, the cold is your friend here. Snow and ice your ally. And the whole winter wonderland
your playground.

Our activities headquarters are located in Zach's Mercantile, in the lower level of the Broad Axe Barn. Zach's is also a great place to shop for quality outerwear, footwear, gear, bathing suits and healthy snacks while you're visiting the Ranch. We're open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM seven days a week.

Other Services

There's nothing like a little pampering after a hard day of cross-country skiing. Our beautiful 10,000 square foot spa is located in a quiet corner of the meadow in its own building overlooking the Ranch. It has eight treatment rooms, including a couples suite, a yoga lookout studio, and separate men's and women's locker rooms, each with steam rooms. Our spa gift shop features a variety of botanical and organic skin treatment products as well as a fun selection of designer jewelry, yoga clothing, bags, gifts, artwork and more. Whether it's a hot stone massage, an exfoliating body scrub, a high altitude facial or one of our couples relaxation treatments, the Ranch Creek Spa offers just the thing to revive and rejuvenate.

Our Spa features products made from all-natural ingredients. Tested in the harshest mountain climates, they're perfect for skin that's spent a day in the great Rocky Mountain outdoors. If you're at the Ranch, please do drop by and see us for a treatment, yoga class, or a tour.

Food Service:

After a long day of skiing, nothing is better than thawed, processed food full of preservatives - right? We don't think so either. That's why we use only the freshest ingredients possible, ensuring a flavorful and healthy dining experience. Produce is grown locally when possible. Seafood is flown in fresh. Beef and pork come from high-end suppliers of humanely raised organic meats. All desserts, sauces and salads are homemade from scratch.

It’s not the easiest way to do it. But it is the best way. Visit us at Heck's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or try the Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon for a special dinner. We think you'll agree that we're on to something.

Special Events:

Tommelfest Nordic Festival: Dec 11th, 2010
24th Annual Governor's Cup: Jan 22nd, 2011
DTR Ski, Spa and Soak: Jan 29th, 2011

Lessons & More

Group classic and skate lessons are offered daily for adults at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Group lessons for kids (ages 6-12) are offered each day at 9am, 12pm and 3pm.

Private:

Private lessons are available daily by reservation. Please call in advance to book a private classic or skate lesson. Or sign-up for an Advanced Coaching Session - including video analysis and a personalized workout plan.

Directions:
From Denver, head west on I-70. Take exit 232 onto Hwy 40. Follow Hwy 40 for approximately 30 miles through Empire, over Berthoud Pass, and past Winter Park and Fraser. About 2 miles past Fraser, take a right on County Road 83. Take the right hand fork, and follow it 3 miles to the Ranch.
  • Devil's Thumb Ranch Nordic Ski Center
  • Devil's Thumb Ranch Nordic Ski Center
  • Devil's Thumb Ranch Nordic Ski Center

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