From our own densely populated island, it is hard to imagine the vastness and grandeur of this huge country. Or to find superlatives to describe the picture-postcard views of snow-capped peaks, sapphire blue lakes, the towering Canadian Rockies and the sparkling Columbia Icefield where you can actually walk on the frozen waters of a glacier. Contrast with all of this the city of Edmonton with one of the world's largest shopping malls, quaint and compact Victoria and vibrant, free-and-easy Vancouver. From here you can take a cruise up to Alaska, or go whale watching. And then there's Calgary, home of the Spruce Meadow horse shows and the thrilling Calgary Stampede. This great land will reward you with many rich memories when you choose to make this your ranch holiday destination.
HOMEPLACE RANCH
PRIDDIS - ALBERTA
Guest/Working Ranch
This all-year-round working and guest ranch is located just 31 miles southwest of Calgary, at an elevation of 4900ft in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A small number of guests are welcome to appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounding countryside and the faithfulness of man's four-legged friend.
Riding is the main focus and in addition to the ranch property, there are several thousand acres of Crown land to explore on horseback, where bears, deer, coyotes, elk and other wildlife are frequently seen.
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. There are over 40 head of horses to satisfy the expert to novice rider. The choice is yours whether you just do a half-day or all-day ride but whatever you choose you will see spectacular scenery. There are special weeks available in April & May for in-depth lessons in Horsemanship. The ranch also packages that include either Calgary Stampede tickets, trips to Spruce Meadow Horse Shows or a chance to visit a Native Indian Powwow and Rodeo.
After a day in the saddle, you can relax in the 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). There is always the option to grab a fishing rod and try your hand at some creek-side fishing.
Evenings are quiet and relaxed. You can enjoy the appealing home cooked meals, served either family style at the ranch or on cookouts in the fine fresh air. Chilled beer, fresh coffee and snacks are always available but you may take in your own wines and spirits. You can even pop into the kitchen to help yourself to homemade cinnamon buns or cookies! The ranch does not have a licence for alcohol but you are welcome to take your own.
There are seven cosy rooms located in the lodge, all comfortably furnished with their own private facilities. Guests share a western style living and dining area within the lodge.
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
AL001 MAY - SEPT  STANDARD  809  809  809  649  Ages 7-12 
JUNE 28 - JULY 20 CALGARY STAMPEDE*  STANDARD  879  879  879  699  Ages 7-12 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£100 per person per week £90 round trip from Calgary £85- £95 per person per week Calgary stampede days. Includes a one day rodeo ticket & transportation. All riding packages are for 7 days ( 6 nights) . Shorter stays available on request
Spruce Meadow Horse Show Various dates. Please call. Price includes show ticket and transportation
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
WILLOW LANE RANCH
GRANUM - ALBERTA
 Working Ranch
In the heart of Alberta’s ranching country, where the rolling foothills meet The Rocky Mountains, lies Willow Lane Ranch. You are sure of a warm welcome from Keith and LeAnne Lane from the moment you arrive on their busy cattle and horse ranch.
Comfortable accommodation for a small number of guests, ensures personal attention in a friendly atmosphere. There are two spacious double bedrooms that share a bathroom; a third large bedroom has ensuite facilities and a cozy log cabin located with private bath for those preferring more privacy.
Meals are always a highlight at Willow Lane Ranch. The ranch raised beef, fresh produce and scrumptious homemade baking always keep guests anticipating their next meal. Don’t expect to diet here...seems the fresh air, ranch activities and relaxation take the appetite to a new high.
Willow Lane offers a variety of itineraries and real cowboy experiences, riding on round-ups, learning skills such as understanding and handling the cow horse, roping, branding, fence mending, holding the herd, sorting and other cattle ranch activities. Because the experience is genuine and the cattle work on-going visitors must be over 16 years of age.
Combine five or seven-day ranch stays (or longer) with a Porcupine Hills Western Cow Camp or Bighorn Rocky Mountain Camp, Cut-Off Creek Rocky Mountain Camp, or a stay at Bent Creek Ranch. Other combinations include the world famous Calgary Stampede with a ranch or camp adventure.
An evening at the ranch, where there is a piano, a wonderful collection of Rodeo Cowboy & Stock memorabilia, large hot-tub, TV & VCR to watch a rodeo, or maybe the real thing is happening near by, an outdoor fire-pit where Keith entertains on his guitar, or just swapping stories, ends your day in the saddle.
Combine Willow Lane Ranch with Bent Creek Ranch/Porcupine Hills Cow Camp or Bighorn Rocky Mountain Camp/Cut-Off Creek Rocky Mountain Camp into The Great Canadian Cowboy Adventure, click here for details
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
AL002 MAY 12 -OCT 16 (6 nights)  MAIN LODGE  839  839  839  N/A  Adults Only 
MAY 12 -OCT 16 (6 nights)  CABIN  899  899  899  N/A  Adults Only 
Great Canadian Cowboy OUTRIDER (12 nights)    1849  1849  1849  N/A   
Great Canadian Cowboy MAVERICK (13 Nights)    1865  1865  1865  N/A   
Great Canadian Cowboy VAQUERO (13 Nights)    1865  1865  1865  N/A   
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person per week $250 first person then $50 per extra person round trip from Calgary £90-£100 per person per week Shorter stays avaialble on request
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS
BENT CREEK RANCH
FORT MACLEOD - ALBERTA
Guest/Working Ranch
This family owned and operated horse and cattle ranch located in Southern Alberta in the peaceful Oldman River Valley, only a two-hour drive south from Calgary, offers a unique ranch adventure.
Gerry and Kathy Karchuk invite you to share a lifelong passion for horses, horsemanship and learning, this is a real hands-on experience for those that really want to learn more about western riding, natural horsemanship, low-stress cattle handling and ranch life. Part of your day will be spent on western riding theory and practice and gradually progressing to more advanced communication with your horse, you will also experience cattle handling from horseback and implementing low-stress techniques applicable to ‘open range’ management. The ranch philosophy is to strive together to better understand this subtle, yet well-expressed language of the horse! And in doing so you will have a heightened sensitivity to the many subtle cues your horse communicates. There will also be time to do some great scenic riding into the spectacular Porcupine Hills.
The guest ranch also offers a variety of itineraries that can be customised to the individual including specific clinics and pack trip options. For example, look at our ‘Outrider’ adventure, which consists of 6 nights at Bent Creek and 6 nights at Willow Lane Guest Ranch or at Willow Lane’s Porcupine Hills Cow Camp.
The ranch accommodates a small number of guests so that it can give a more personalised experience. Guests are accommodated in a spacious ranch style home with both private and shared facilities. Meals are a great time to swap stories of your days adventures over a home cooked hearty ranch style food.
For those that need a break from the riding there is always fly-fishing just outside the back door as well as a day hike option to the spectacular Waterton Lakes National Park or visit ‘Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump’. After dinner why not have a game of ping-pong or maybe a game of chess in the recreation room, or just relax and look forward to tomorrow’s adventures.
Feel the cowboy spirit emerge as you slip into a lifestyle surrounded by horses, cattle and Western Canadian hospitality at this great ranch
HOLIDAY NUMBER SEASON ACCOMODATION TYPES DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY ADDITIONAL PERSON CHILD AGES
AL003              
MAY 12 - OCT 16  MAIN LODGE  839  839  839  839  Ages 14+ 
Great Canadian Cowboy OUTRIDER (12 nights)  STANDARD/CAMP  1849  1849  1849  1849  Ages 14+ 
DEPOSIT REQUIRED AIRPORT TRANSFER GRATUITY CHARGE SUPPLEMENTS EXTRAS
£200 per person per week $290 first person then $25 per extra person round trip from Calgary £90-£100 per person per week Stays are 6 nights/7 days. Great Canadian Cowboy - Including all transfers. Shorter stays available
PRICES SHOWN IN £ STERLING - PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Call Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or fax on 01509 610585
Ranch Rider, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DF, England.

 

 

ALBERTA