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It didn’t take us long to discover the home-baked cookies sitting in a corner of the main lodge, which were the first sign the food was going to be great at Turpin Meadow Ranch. This small and newly remodeled ranch just about an hour north of Jackson at the end of Buffalo Valley Road reopened this winter and welcomes day and overnight guests.
I had heard how nice it was, and we decided to make a weekend get-away trip to check it out with friends Tom and Kristen.
We arrived in time for lunch Saturday and settled into a table by the fire in the main lodge. I noticed a dutch oven in the fire, apparently cooking some onions for our dinner of beef bourguignon.
Lunch offered soup, salad and sandwich options, and our group raved about the game chili. I enjoyed a roasted garlic soup with crispy shallots.
We then went to work it all off and explore the 15 kilometers of nordic ski trails. The endless paths tour through rolling hills and willowy paths, and our two dogs were thrilled that they were welcome to join us.
After tiring ourselves out, we relaxed for a while in our cozy two-room cabins and regrouped to play some games by the fire. Cocktail hour was made better by the addition of preserved sour cherries that finished our Manhattans. The ranch’s chef, Eric Bartle, and his girlfriend and helper Sara Kundelins recently moved here from Oregon, from where they brought an impressive supply of canned and jarred goodies like the cherries and some homemade truffle oil.
A four course dinner followed with seasonal and regional items. The kitchen graciously accommodated a none-meat eater, and we were all satisfied after a soup, salad and entree. I had to take my dessert to go because the brownie looked so good.
Family-style breakfast was an impressive spread of warm muffins, fruit, eggs, bacon and home-style potatoes. We took off on the trails again after breakfast to enjoy another round of skiing. As we packed up, we vowed to make this at least an annual event. We, of course, hit up the cookie jar again on our way out.
Turpin Meadow Ranch is open for the winter season through March. They do allow day guests to use the trails and enjoy lunch. They will reopen this summer in June and offer fly fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking and more. The chefs plan to build a large garden and use it as much as they can to offer a fresh produce.
Owners Hans and Nancy Johnstone, who also own the Alpine House in town, are extremely locals friendly, allowing dogs (for a small fee) and no minimum so you can easily go for a night. After just 24 hours, we were so spoiled we didn’t want to go home, but it just got us excited to return again before the season is over.
Call 307-543-2000 to check availability and schedule. Currently they are open every night but don’t groom or serve lunch for day guests on Mondays and Tuesdays. One night and three meals costs $185 per person.
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The chili is a favorite lunch item.
Though the property has been around for 80 years, the cabins have been remodeled and are complete with cozy furnishings and upgraded bathrooms.
The chefs jar and can as much as they can forage, including these sour cherries and homemade truffle oil.
The impressive breakfast spread will get you ready to hit the freshly-groomed trails in the morning.
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