4 Eagle Ranch

Homesteaded in 1885 by the Welsh Family, the property now known as 4 Eagle Ranch served as the center of a large cattle and sheep operation until early 1991. In February of 1991, the ranch was purchased by Tom Backhus and transformed to accommodate corporate groups, weddings and individual guests, providing a taste of both the true American West and Genuine Colorado.

The Carriage House, which was built in 1925 and used to house the Welsh family’s carriages, was turned into a venue for corporate groups and wedding receptions. The Nelson Cabin (Circa 1890), which served as a sheep barn on the Nelson Homestead, was relocated from Minturn and is now used for Sleigh Ride Dinners and private events.

In May of 2010, the 4 Eagle Foundation purchased the Ranch and they’ve been busy with upgrades ever since. The Welsh family’s farmhouse, built in 1925, underwent a major renovation in 2011 to become a 6 bedroom/6 bath guest house, now known as the Homestead House, and the original homesteader cabins where the Welsh family first lived are still on the property for guests to wander through. In 2011, the 9,600 square foot Event Center was built, which is one of the largest indoor venues in the Vail Valley, and is host to numerous corporate events, wedding receptions, Christmas services, fundraisers and countless other activities.

4 Eagle Ranch, through the 4 Eagle Foundation, offers a true Colorado experience to its guests. Some of the activities provided include horseback riding, cattle drives, rafting on the Colorado and Eagle Rivers, fly fishing, sleigh ride dinners, jeep tours, 4 wheeling and zip-lining. The profits from these activities, as well as the corporate, wedding and private gatherings, are used to fund the Foundation’s mission through partnering with associates. These associates include: Operation Restored Warrior; The Aloha House; Daughter’s of Destiny; Senior Cares; The Basement; and Vail Valley Pastors Network.