Industry News
Elk Island Ranch, a 6,343-acre playground that features its own private ski area near the mountain town of Kremmling, Colorado has gone on sale for a cool $36-million.
Located right between Winter Park and Steamboat Springs, and an hour from the I-70 corridor resorts, the ranch is a true four-season compound with trails for mountain biking, rivers for fly fishing and a private ski slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding. The description boasts “available on-site downhill skiing and snowboarding, nordic skiing, and snowmobiling,” claiming a slope with 2,400-feet of vertical. Not too shabby…
Interested? Here’s the listing in full:
Highlighted by a stunning mountain landscape and truly exceptional improvements, Elk Island Ranch is one of Colorado’s finest sporting ranches. Encompassing 6,343± completely private and contiguous acres, the raw land has been meticulously improved and equipped into a four-season recreational playground of the highest order. A rarity on a mountain property of this size, fully-furnished luxurious accommodations complement the compelling landscape. An enviable location near several resort areas and less than 10 minutes from a real town with jet strip make the ranch easy to access and enjoy.
At the heart of this vast land mass is the “island,” a broad forest of aspen and conifer trees encircled by a sea of grass and rolling sage. A mosaic of timbered areas and the accompanying edge areas and transition zones result in prime wildlife habitat creating a veritable sanctuary for elk, mule deer and pronghorn. A year-round creek flows through the center of the ranch and a variety of large and small ponds provide water for wildlife and stock. Rising above the island are private ski slopes and below are a blue-ribbon tailwater trout stream and large reservoirs for boating and fishing.
Masterfully created to be a magnet for multi-generational usage, the ranch offers a wide variety of recreational amenities and attractions throughout the year. During the warmer months, outdoor activities include trout fishing, big game hunting, shooting sports and paintball. The extensive network of roads on the ranch is ideal for horseback riding, mountain biking, motorsports or just strolling through the wildflowers. Winter is one of the most active seasons at the ranch, with on-site downhill skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling and a breathtaking 2,400’ sledding hill.
Completing the best of all worlds theme of Elk Island Ranch is its full access to the renowned amenities of Grand River Ranch. The limited number of members of this exclusive club enjoy the equestrian center, sporting clays course, additional lodging and fine dining venues, fishing reservoir and 1.5 miles of excellent tailwater trout fishing with cabins overlooking the stream. This is the perfect complement to the 6,343± private deeded acres – available for use at any time, while keeping it simple and easy, without the need for any caretaking duties.
From its elevated position above the valley floor, the ranch features outstanding river valley and mountain range views in every direction. Scenic panoramas include the upper Colorado River and lower Blue River basins and the surrounding mountain ranges, including Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Range to the east, the Rabbit Ears Range to the north and the Gore Range to the south and west. The northeast slopes of the ranch overlook the 1,150± surface acre Wolford Mountain Reservoir. One of the most spectacular spots on the ranch, with jaw-dropping views of the signature Eagles Nest Wilderness views to the south, was reserved for the magnificent Lodge.
High caliber improvements add an element to Elk Island ranch that is often missing in the category of large-acreage Colorado mountain ranches. This extraordinary collection of custom buildings is impressive, distinctive and timeless. The Lodge is a 16,000± square foot masterpiece designed around family gatherings and offering the highest level of comfort. This custom 5 bed/12 bath home is a work of art, with impeccable attention to detail in everything from the soaring stone fireplaces to the massive 3-story log staircase. Designed for entertaining, the adjacent 7,900± square foot Nevada House Saloon features a custom bar, full kitchen, dance floor and gaming tables along with a showroom for historic ranch vehicles and a collection of trophy game mounts. Located at the crest of a scenic knoll, with ski runs out the back, the well-appointed Outpost Chalet serves as a base camp for year-round activities. A huge 11,200± square foot shop and storage building is used to store all the equipment and gear used on the ranch. Of significance is the fact that virtually all the furnishings, décor, equipment, vehicles and recreational gear is included with the sale of the ranch.
Elk Island Ranch is located in the heart of Colorado ski country – and approximately 55 miles to each of five major ski resorts – Steamboat, Winter Park, Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain. Kremmling, a ranching and recreation-oriented mountain town situated at the confluence of the Colorado and Blue Rivers, is less than 10 minutes away. Silverthorne is less than an hour and Denver is less than two. The 5,540’ runway at the general aviation airport in Kremmling accommodates private jets and commercial travelers utilize Denver International Airport. Although the ranch is close to town, airport, and resorts, its size and topography make it very secluded and secure.
In sum, Elk Island Ranch has exceptional improvements that rival the finest found at nearby ski resorts, however, it truly stands out for its “backyard” of over 6,300 acres of unparalleled beauty, diversity, and seclusion. The ranch is both a place to enjoy a multitude of year-round activities and to relax in luxury and savor the amazing scenery. Despite a very private and pristine setting, the ranch is not remote at all. It is actually surprisingly close to town and the jet strip utilized by other large landowners in the area. The fact that everything is complete and offered turnkey makes it easy to acquire and enjoy for decades.
