Private Estate in Wildcat Ranch 5 Minutes from Snowmass Skiing

House manager made our trip a wonderful experience.

Our family spent a blissful week at Mackenzie Ranch and we cannot wait to go back. The ranch property itself is unparalleled. Miles and miles of gorgeous trails begin just steps from the home. You can take a short hike that will wind you through gorgeous aspen groves, or a longer trek that will take you to higher places of breathtaking beauty. If you prefer to enjoy the trails on horseback, there is a kind and extremely knowledgeable wrangler available for trail rides. Back at the house, a friendly fox may greet you on the driveway; you will wake up to elk grazing on the hill behind the guest house; and if you're lucky, a black bear will peek in your window. If you prefer the water, the house also sits on a lake with two pontoon boats ready for use. Inside the home, our children spent hour upon blissful hour exploring the secret passages that wind brilliantly throughout the house. They swam daily, jumping through the waterfall that flows between one of the passages and the swimming pool. When everyone was tired, the family sat in the library or played chess in the great room, or enjoyed the view from the inviting porch swing. Each member of our family, ranging in ages from 18 months to 73 years, had an incredible week. Robbin, the house manager, was integral to every experience we had. She is quite possibly super human and accomplished the largest and smallest tasks with incredible ease. She organized white water rafting and fly fishing with the most knowledgeable and experienced guides in the area and simultaneously made sure we woke up every morning to freshly baked croissants and fresh flowers in every room. With her help, we dined at incredible restaurants, enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by a local private chef, discovered hiking trails, and never went hungry for even a moment. To say Mackenzie Ranch is a special place is an understatement. It is quite possibly one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the world.

Our family of 17 people, ranging in age from 62 years old to three months old, spent a glorious week at this property. And what a week it was!! We cannot say enough good things about this property. We have run out of superlatives to describe our experience. The house is beautiful, of course! And there were several sitting areas so that if we wanted quiet time we could have it. But the porch with its porch swing was a favorite gathering point. The view!! The children were so busy all week with swimming, horseback riding, fishing, play-acting, running, discovering all the books and crannies (**wink**) in the house that they never once opened up an electronic device or turned a television on. The kitchen is filled with absolutely everything we needed to cook several meals there (another favorite). The housekeeping services were just perfect. And the house manager, Robbin, is second to none. She answered innumerable emails we sent leading up to our arrival, she received packages for us before we arrived, she did ALL our grocery shopping for us prior to arrival (it was a huge shopping list), and she arranged for special breakfast treats for us. All the while, Robbin arranged outings, answered a million questions, and often helped out when a baby neeeded to be held. Our entire family said it was the best family trip ever and we all want to go back!!!

This is truly a fabulous place to spend your vacation! From the wonderful hiking trails to the multiple mystery entrances into the passage ways between the walls of this unique property, there is really nothing left to ask for. Robbin, the ranch manager, is an outstanding chef. The lunches she prepared made the return from our morning activities (hiking; horseback riding; golfing; horseshoes, boating, etc.) an event of great anticipation. They are truly delicious! The view of the lake and the nearby meadows make the time spent amazingly relaxing and enjoyable. Often we would see elk, bears and other wildlife right from the kitchen windows. In the evenings we watched movies in the theatre, played pool or table tennis, or spent time reading in the two story library. Overall, I would highly recommend this property for an incredible luxury getaway!

This wonder filled home is so quiet and peaceful you'll think the world has gone away. I have put this at the top of my to do list annually. Oh ya, the company was pretty good too!

Briefly stated, the owners and staff of this magnificent home have left no stone unturned in terms of attractiveness, convenience, comfort and fun. It's unique features are indescribable, but a few specific examples might begin to provide a sense of the treats that abound; a warmly appointed, two-story library, stocked with countless titles, puzzles, and games; a gorgeous two level heated pool, with the option of jumping in from the top or through the middle of a giant waterfall; countless decks with gorgeous views; a log cabin guest house with 3 bedrooms and yet two more decks for enjoying the out of doors; two pontoon boats for cruising and fishing the waters of Wildcat Lake; boxes overflowing with costumes in a closet off the theater; daily shopping for groceries and whatever else guests might want by an extraordinary concierge who advises on restaurants, hiking trails, and anything else that might come to mind; breathtaking views from virtually every room, . . . . The owners' meticulous attention to detail throughout the house and across the property is exceeded only by their imagination, creative energy and talent. The result is a home as exciting and enjoyable for seniors as it is for children.

We've been coming here every summer (usually June/July) for years, and swear it's the most beautiful place in the world. It's big enough for our whole extended family to come together, and there's so much to do! There's the swimming pool (with waterfall) with a view that makes the pool continuous with the lake; there are trails all over the ranch; there's boating on the lake [and fishing]; and there're endless opportunities to see and experience wildlife. But the best thing about it is the combination of perfect privacy and tranquility -- you really are in the wilderness, with nobody but yourselves for company, but at the same time you've got all the amenities of Snowmass Village literally 5 minutes away (and Aspen 20 mins away up valley). The house is wonderfully comfortable and superbly looked after, and we need hardly mention that the views are out of this world. Come once (as we did), and you'll find yourself (like us) coming back every year.

Wildcat Ranch is the perfect getaway for families or a group of friends. The setting is expansive and majestic, and this large, elegant home is warm and welcoming. There are several delightful bedrooms to choose from, and the vast living space is well appointed and very comfortable. You can hike out of the front door, cozy up in the library with a book or find more than one perfect place to take an afternoon nap. If you want to go to a restaurant or museum, hop in your car, and you will be in downtown Aspen in no time. However, once you land at Wildcat, you may choose to spend all of your time there. If you are heading to the Aspen region, this is the place to stay!

I had to write a review about the Carlston’s incredible estate because I would love for other people to have the wonderful experience of vacationing there. The main lodge is beyond beautiful and it setting in the exclusive Wildcat Ranch simply spectacular. My favorite kind of vacation is one where I can share an exceptional home with family and dear friends. Our group of fifteen had an absolute ball in this magical home, which so perfectly lends itself to having fun. All the bedrooms are unique and beautifully appointed and the room I stayed in had a wonderful large deck that was perfect for star-gazing. The spaciousness and comfortable design of the home allowed each of us the privacy to relax on our own; as well as offering a variety of indoor and outdoor settings perfect for sharing each others company – all with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Robin, the house manager, was fantastic and took great care of us so that we could plan our days doing whatever we wanted. She made arrangements for two amazing chefs to cook for our group and every meal was a feast. I live in San Francisco but grew up in Colorado and the summer has always been my favorite time to visit the Aspen area. It’s wonderful that the estate is so close to Snowmass and Aspen but I must confess that I only left the property twice because we were having such a great time entertaining ourselves in the house and on the Ranch. We thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the pool, horseback riding, hiking in the surrounding hills and boating on the lake. My husband and I have had the pleasure of vacationing at many of the finest resorts around the world. This estate offers a private and yet luxurious resort kind of experience in one of the most beautiful settings anywhere. If you have the opportunity to go there, just say, “Yes!”

I've been coming to the Aspen/Snowmass area for many years. I've stayed in lovely homes close to downtown Aspen, and in lodges way off in the mountains. Both have their charms. The Wild Ranch property, however, strikes the perfect balance between these two very different experiences, and gives the visitor the best of both. If you want a hike, or utterly magical scenery, it's just outside your door. If you want music, or skiing, it's a short drive away. And yet, complete privacy for you and/or your family and friends is part of the package. The Carlstons' home is, in my opinion, the balance within the balance. How can a place that is so roomy and luxurious still be so intimate and tasteful? Somehow, this home makes it all work. My favorite parts of the house are, of course, the lovely swimming pool and waterfall, the breakfast/kitchen/lounge area (bring your binoculars and you might see all kinds of interesting creatures outside your window!), the upstairs portion of the library, where I like to gaze down on the lake from the comfort of a cushy armchair, and the home theater, where I can relax and watch old movies. Aside from all the architectural charms of the place, I especially like that you can choose to mingle with your entire family or group of friends, or you can disappear into some other part of the house and have your privacy. Whoever designed this magnificent home had a real skill for making people comfortable. I plan to come back in 2016. My review in one sentence? You may find cheaper, you may find more expensive, but you won't find any better.