Winter at Red Rock Ranch: A day in the life

by: Allison Martinat

As February's snow blankets Red Rock Ranch in pristine white, our daily rhythm beats
to a different drum than the bustling summer season. Here, where the nearest town of
Jackson feels worlds away, we have found a special kind of peace in our winter
routine—one that weaves together ranch work, family life, and community in ways that
might surprise you.

We start our mornings early and inevitably with temperatures well below zero. The
tractor is already loaded with hay and warming up getting ready to feed our hungry herd
before the sun hits the horizon.
Our winter herd of horses is currently 52 strong. They need to be fed first thing in the
morning and depending on temperatures, sometimes a bit more before dusk to keep
them healthy and warm. It is a two-person job that has become a cherished family ritual.
Bundled against the morning chill, our adventurous toddler now joins us for the morning
rounds. Navigating the pasture requires teamwork, but having our youngest ranch hand
along makes even the coldest mornings brighter and certainly livelier. Each horse has
an established role on our ranch. The morning feedings are not just about distributing
hay—they are a vital health check for each member of our extended family. We ensure
they have access to open water, we spread out their feed to prevent crowding and take
note of any changes in behavior or condition.

Life with a toddler at Red Rock adds another layer of adventure to our winter days.
While many parents worry about getting their little ones to daycare through city traffic,
we are teaching ours about the rhythms of ranch life from the seat of our tractor. Our
morning feeding has become an educational adventure—our son is already learning
and understanding the importance of our daily care routines. There is something special
about watching our little boy grow up with this deep connection to the land and animals,
even in the depths of a cold Wyoming winter.

Transportation in and out of the ranch changes greatly once the snowpack proves
heavy and deep enough. Although we do take our snowmachines on the occasional
joyride to see wildlife and visit our friends at the upper elk feeding ground, these
machines are incredibly crucial to our winter days on the ranch. They are our lifelines to
the outside world. The journey to reach our parked cars at the lake requires careful
maintenance of these machines and regular plowing of the ranch road. It is a reminder

that even simple errands require planning, preparation and many warm layers in our
remote setting.
But winter at Red Rock is not all work. The season brings a special kind of community
closer together. Our "neighbors," though spread far apart by city standards, become
closer companions during these months. Running into neighbors on the road and snow
machine rides between homes for shared meals and card games are social highlights.
These gatherings, warmed by decent food and better company, give us camaraderie in
an otherwise solitary setting.

The quiet season also brings its own kind of busy as we prepare for winter guests at the
Simpson House and Nez Perce cabins. Each arrival requires careful
preparation—ensuring paths are cleared, water is flowing, and cabins are warm and
welcoming. Winter maintenance is a multi-layered checklist especially when the
temperatures dip. We are always looking ahead to warmer months, booking weddings
and private events for the coming season. The winter's slower pace offers the perfect
opportunity to plan and organize these future celebrations.

Perhaps the most precious gift of winter at Red Rock is the opportunity to embrace the
profound quiet that settles over the land – an important time for us to reset from the
busy summer season. Whether it is sharing meals together as a family, winter walks
under a full moon, observing our horses against white-capped mountains, or simply
pausing to appreciate the stunning clarity of star-filled nights, these moments remind us
why we choose this extraordinary life.

Living at Red Rock Ranch during winter is not always easy. It demands resilience,
preparation, and a willingness to adapt to nature's schedule rather than our own. But in
exchange, it offers something increasingly rare in today's world—a genuine connection
to the land, our animals, and each other. As February's short days begin to lengthen, we
are reminded that while summer brings its own exciting energy to the ranch, these
winter months hold their own special magic.

Come spring, we will welcome back the busy season with open arms. But for now, we
will savor these winter days, where the challenges of remote living are more than
balanced by the rewards of this unique way of life at Red Rock Ranch.