This Colorado Ranch Could Be Your Winter Wonderland
Canvassing 11,600 acres of Rocky Mountain terrain, a boundless ranch of formidable legacy awaits.
Words: Hannah McWilliams
Images: Fran Parente and Brent Moss
In stark contrast to the precisely manicured greens of his professional environment, Greg Norman’s Colorado ranch epitomizes the rugged majesty found only in the Rocky Mountains. Occupying more than 18 square miles of untamed wilderness, the property is as much vibrant ecosystem as it is bucolic retreat.
Following Norman’s initial visit to the region in the mid-1990s, and finding it much akin to the Australian cattle stations of his youth, the golf legend was compelled to invest in the property in 2000. Gradually continuing to acquire land, he grew his empire to be a self-sustaining expanse in the subsequent years. And it takes but one visit to understand why. Ride horseback along the riverbanks, hunt game in the wooded groves, and fish the populated streams. Hike, mountain bike, and raft the many miles of territory, frequently glimpsing bears, deer, and wild turkeys as you constantly interface with the natural world.
After each expedition, return home to the gracious main lodge. Generous by any standard, it capably houses up to 16 friends and family members at a time within its eight suites. Beamed cathedral ceilings, native stonework, and untreated wood imbue the interiors with a rusticity that complements the landscape, while a screening room, saloon, and library all service more leisurely pursuits.
Down the road, additional quarters are available in the form of seven cabins sited throughout the grounds. “The very definition of a legacy property, Seven Lakes represents a unique opportunity to own and enjoy one of the last pieces of the American frontier,” says Compass agent Steven Shane. “It is astounding to think that this 11,600-acre playground exists within a few hours of Aspen and Vail.”
Summer afternoons bring ebullient dinners of freshly-caught trout and locally-picked new potatoes on the flagstone patio; crisp nights are spent around the formidable hearth, celebrating the hunting season’s bounty with a glass of inky zinfandel in hand. As dusk casts shadows across the ebbing hills, decamp for the traditional, 200-person dancehall — complete with vaulted rooftop, exposed beams, and an impressive, building-length bar — for revelry long into the night.
The next morning, enjoy steaming mugs of cocoa and panoramic views from the stately great room as you chart the day’s adventures. Shall you embark on a kayaking trip to any one of the seven lakes, or try your hand at Gold Medal fly-fishing along the two miles of White River frontage? Head for the sporting clays course for skeet shooting or venture into the forest in pursuit of a trophy elk?
Equestrians will delight in the stables, paddocks, and endless trails throughout the milder months, while winter invites cross-country skiers to traverse the snow-blanketed terrain. Whatever your sport, there exists ample room to accommodate it and endless inspiration to pursue any passion. From one season to another, ravine to riverside, there is no doubt that this is indeed the land of legends.
Explore more of this many-acred Colorado estate at compass.com.
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