Just 20 minutes from beloved Bavarian-inspired ski town, Vail, Collective Vail offers the ultimate mountain getaway. Set on 1,000 acre-4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott, Colorado, the western refuge offers everything from guided fly fishing and horseback riding to restorative yoga atop a mountain plateau and complimentary happy hour each day.
“We hope our guests develop a connection to beautiful views, nature, and to each other, delivering a sense of outdoor rejuvenation they can’t get anywhere else,” says Chief Creative Officer Cassie Novick. But you might not even want to leave your tent. The 18 tents are appointed with home-away-from-home luxuries such as plush beds topped with 1,500-thread count sheets, WiFi, writing desks, wood-burning stoves, private viewing decks, and full electricity. Select tents even include en-suite bathrooms. Now in its eighth season, the glampground is open until September 25th.
Here, Novick gives us the rundown on Collective Vail’s highlights.
We love the setting. Tell us about this location.
CN: When Peter Mack founded Collective Retreats, he was looking for ranches in Colorado and this was the most beautiful one he found. It is conveniently located but feels worlds away in the Vail Valley but away from any road noise or light pollution.
What makes it different?
CN: It is set on a 1,000-acre horse ranch that feels completely different from the surrounding evergreen forests. The landscape is high desert, so fragrant sage brush spreads throughout the property and there are unobstructed vast panoramic views from every angle which create incredible sunrises and sunsets. Stunning views of the Sawatch mountain range that stay snowcapped until August. Every morning and evening the horses are let out to graze in the pasture our property overlooks. In juxtaposition, we offer incredible farm-to-table multi-course meals that change seasonally.
Favorite offerings?
CN: Horseback riding; Jeep and ATV tours; Bubbly and Branding; Cowboy coffee [coffee grounds prepared over a hot stove followed by cold water poured into a press]; and Collective BBQ Experience. They are authentic experiences that are truly tied to the place. I also love that they aren’t fussy, but rather help to slow you down and enjoy the moment.
Describe the aesthetic.
CN: We do much of the retreat design in-house. As Chief Creative Officer, I took the lead on Vail, which we wanted to nod to the heritage of the great American west. Besides the views and horses, the tents themselves are quite standout. Much of the decor is one-of-a-kind antiques that are an ode to Western Americana. Each Summit tent features a king-size bed and its own private bathroom.
Standout activities?
CN: Beer Poking. This is a new offering at Collective Vail, and an age-old tradition that dates back to more than 400 years ago, made popular during the colonial era. Also known as Bier Stacheln, Colonial Americans sitting by the campfire would use the fire poker to warm up their beers and add a caramelized flavor from the residual malt sugars post-fermentation (a marshmallow-like toasted character) best represented with malt-forward brews like Denver Beer Co.’s Graham Cracker Porter, and enjoyed alongside some campfire s’mores. Also, our wine flights and tastings alongside chef’s dinners. This is a beautiful way to juxtapose fine dining and wine set within the rugged wilderness.
