January

In honour of 40 years of the Bond/Shannon/Hayward family running the Ranch, we're inviting repeat guests to join us for New Year's 2010 (Dec. 2010 – Jan. 2011) with a 10% discount. New Year's Eve is a cozy time of games and visiting around the fireplace, with a delicious buffet meal and midnight champagne toasting.

We also still have openings for Christmas 2010. Call us for dates and rates.

January is a great time to plan your travel for the rest of the year – repeat guests who book a trip to the Black Cat with a deposit 2 or more months prior to their stay will receive a 5% discount on accommodation and meals.

February

Winter Hiking

Since 1986, we've been treating our guests to weekends of murder and mayhem. On Feb. 4 – 6, the terror continues with Homicide on the Range, our newest plot – a western heritage mystery, set in the 1950's and featuring the cast of a cowboy movie. The price is $217/person based on double occupancy, and the deadline for booking is Dec. 15. Mysteries can be booked for any available weekend, or at a facility of your choice. We have 17 nefarious plots for you to choose from.

March

In March why does it seem that winter will never end? You need to pamper yourself and a spa weekend at the Black Cat Guest Ranch is perfect to fill that need. We offer spa weekends throughout the year, with massage and pedicures, manicures, reflexology and yoga classes. Guided hiking is usually possible year-round, or x-c skiing during the colder months. May 15 is the start of our horseback riding season. The adventure spa in June gives you the chance to try out rock-climbing, challenging - but fun!. We're not a high-end, glitzy expensive spa location, but a comfortable, pampering, affordable wilderness spa.

April

The Black Cat is a home base for many of our guests who visit us for personal scrapbooking retreats whenever they have a free weekend. Twice a year, in April and November, we organize a scrapbooking weekend with an instructor and supplies for sale. The spring 2011 scrapping retreat is scheduled for April 15 – 17.

Ogre Canyon Trail

May

On the May 6 – 8 weekend, the Black Cat becomes your home away from home to take a step back and fill your life with everything healthy – yoga classes throughout the weekend bringing you deeper into relaxed flexibility, guided hiking, healthful meals and soothing massage. Our Stretch and Soothe weekends featuring yoga and massage are offered in January, May, August and November, 2011.

Happy Bride Lucy Hindle - Photo by Hilary Shannon

June

We've hosted many weddings here over the years and we're often told that our location offers an intimate and comfortable setting for a stress-free and memorable event. The Black Cat becomes your big family home with lots of space and time for visiting. We provide a ceremony geared to fulfill your dreams and a yummy banquet for up to 80 people.

July

2011 will mark the fourth year of the marvelous Wild Mountain Music Festival, held at Entrance Ranch, just a 10 minute drive away from the Black Cat. The 2010 festival headlined Colin James. Why not make the Black Cat your home base for attending this enjoyable event? Check out the 2011 performers at www.wildmountainmusicfest.ca.

Roche Boule Viewpoint - Photo by Elke Kennepohl

August

Summer months at the Black Cat Guest Ranch see our guests out on the trails on horseback or hiking. We have 70 km of riding trails – bring your own horse or book a guided ride with us. Many hiking trails start right here at our front door. More adventuresome trips, such as the spectacular Ogre Canyon or the demanding Binocular Ridge require some driving to the trail head. Watch our website for dates and rates for longer hikes offered in summer 2011.

The Black Cat Ranch will be working with Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in summer of 2011 to arrange pack trips in Rock Lake / Solomon Creek Wildland Park. For more details, check out www.Trail-Rides.ca. Guides and packers will be provided by our neighbour Tom Vinson of Horseback Adventures.

Fall Along Solomon Creek

September

Of the three watercolour workshops we arrange each year with instructor Robert Sinclair, the autumn workshop is the most popular – gorgeous yellow and orange foliage stands out beautifully against the dark spruce and sometimes glistening white early snow on the mountains. The painting students, many of them multi-repeat guests, make themselves at home, choosing workspaces near the big view windows. The January workshop is quieter, but no less creatively inspiring. In June, painters are treated to the lovely new green of the poplars.

October

October, often a warm and sunny month, features spa weekends and Thanksgiving gatherings. It's time to start planning for Christmas – Black Cat gift certificates can be purchased with a 10% discount. Check our website for our gift shop, with tshirts, hoodies, denim shirts and sweatshirts, attractive go-mugs and a wide selection of books. The third novel of Amber Hayward's Children of the Panther trilogy, Stolen Children, is coming out in 2011 and will be stocked in our gift shop as soon as it's available. You can find more information about Amber's novel and writing courses at www.AmberHayward.ca.

Winter in Ogre Canyon

November

Time is nearly up to enter our annual contest! Our 2010 contest was a writing challenge, and it may have been too challenging, as we had few entries. We'll make it a bit easier for 2011. Still a writing challenge, but a fun and easy little limerick featuring the Black Cat Guest Ranch. The winner will receive a gift certificate for a weekend for two. Sample limericks will be posted on the website to inspire you.

December

Few places are more homey for the holidays than the Black Cat. For your business Christmas party or a festive family gathering, you'll enjoy the rustic setting, large Christmas tree, delicious traditional turkey dinner, hay rides and evenings around the fire place. Year-round, we host many family reunions, letting you relax and socialize while we do all the work.

Black Cat Guest Ranch
Box 6267
Hinton, AB      T7V 1X6
Phone:  780-865-3084
Fax:  780-865-1924
Reservations:  800-859-6840
E-Mail
Website:  www.BlackCatGuestRanch.ca