Quintessential Colorado
Sublime settings, rustic elegance, inspired adventure. All tell the story of The Broadmoor Wilderness Experience at a trio of Rocky Mountain retreats
Denver business magnate Philip Anschutz was only 10 years old when he told his father he wanted to buy The Broadmoor after visiting the iconic Colorado Springs resort. Decades later, his dream became a reality and he set out to build upon the legacy of the resort’s visionary founder, Spencer Penrose. Fittingly, many recent enhancements reflect the spirit of adventure set forth by Penrose a century earlier—including wilderness properties Cloud Camp, The Ranch at Emerald Valley and Fly Fishing Camp. Each idyllic retreat features an alpine lodge and well-appointed cabins; a stay includes exceptional cuisine and various activities, from guided hiking and fishing to Cooking Club with Broadmoor chefs.
Cloud Camp perches atop Cheyenne Mountain at 9,200 feet with sweeping views across Colorado Springs and the eastern plains. Guests arrive via chauffeured Cadillac Escalade up the switchbacked dirt road from The Broadmoor’s main campus, or they may choose a more adventurous trek by mule or on foot. The grand lodge features a wraparound porch and a great room with stone fireplaces and a stunning collection of Western art and Native American artifacts. In the shadow of Pike’s Peak, guests gather for sunset cocktail hour, followed by artfully prepared dinners and campfire with s’mores. Activities await, from morning yoga, hiking and mule rides to relaxing in a cedar hot tub enveloped in nature. Resort amenities, such as golf, tennis and spa, are just a shuttle ride away.
The Ranch at Emerald Valley nestles in high alpine terrain surrounded by rocky peaks. A favorite for families and children, the secluded property offers fishing and paddling on two small lakes, along with horseback riding, biking, archery and lawn games. Further afield, 75 minutes west of The Broadmoor, the Orvis-endorsed Fly Fishing Camp is for passionate anglers of all abilities. The lodge offers guided fishing along 5 miles of private water on the Tarryall River, lush with wild brown and brook trout.
Throughout The Broadmoor’s properties, the Anschutz family (who also owns Sea Island in Georgia) purposefully honors the history of the resort and the American West. Paintings and sculpture from the highly acclaimed Anschutz Collection, which holds original works and professional reproductions of Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and other renowned Western artists, are prominently displayed along with treasured memorabilia such as Kevin Costner’s beaded, fringed shirt worn in Dances with Wolves.
The all-inclusive Wilderness Experience is offered seasonally, April to November. There is Wi-Fi but no TV; you’ll watch hummingbirds and brilliant sunrises instead. With The Broadmoor’s high marks in hospitality, “camp” is hardly roughing it, and you could say that Cloud Camp, above all, feels heavenly indeed.