DESCRIPTION:   Ponderosa on Chalk Creek is a well-known vacation rental and a favorite of many who have had the pleasure of enjoying this creekside mountain retreat.    This amazing home sits in the valley between two 14,000 peaks, Mt. Princeton and Mt. Antero.  With 5 bedrooms, 3 kings and 2 queen, there is plenty of room for 10 guests to sleep comfortably.  Additional beds are provided for more guests. 

With four levels (main level, upper level, lower level, walk-out basement), this house provides ample space for guests to come together or to retreat to their own space.  The main level, which is the entry level, has an oversized foyer, bar area and kitchen, as well as a large dining area.  From this level, guests can go down a short flight of stairs to the Great Room, with fireplace, tv area, and the pool table.  Two bedrooms and a bathroom are also on this level, as is the laundry (in one bedroom).  The second bedroom on this level has a desk.    From the middle level, a short flight of stairs up takes you to the upper level where there are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. 

There is also a full walk-out basement with a queen bed and sofa sleeper, along with a foosball table and tv, a fun place to gather and play games.  It can become its own secluded area for privacy if needed.   There is a  sofa sleeper near the fireplace in the Great Room. We do have a pack-n-play, which can be set up wherever needed by guests.

The kitchen has Viking appliances with a large refrigerator, two ovens, one gas, and one electric, along with a warming bin, dishwasher, large pantry, and plenty of tableware.  Off the kitchen is a large gas griddle.    Because of the location and tree coverage, cell service can be spotty, however, we do have a landline with free calling via Starlink (which operates off of WiFi), WiFi is provided.  Guests can stream from the Smart TV in the great room, first bedroom, and walkout basement.

The inside of this property provides ample space for guests to come together, but the beauty of this property lies in the outdoor spaces.  Each of the two upper-level bedrooms has their own private balcony which faces Chalk Cliffs.  The lower-level bedroom has a great patio area for early morning coffee.  The walk-out basement also has a serene deck to relax creekside.  Just off of the kitchen is a small deck with a pub-height patio table.  Down a flight of stairs from there, you’ll find a large deck that offers ample outside dining options.  Decks literally surround three sides of this house.

The outdoor space continues to the greenbelt which has a fire pit area with string lights above as well as an oversized flagstone patio that looms creekside.  Listening to the flowing waters of Chalk Creek only pleases the senses.   A world-renowned hot springs is less than a couple of miles away.  Buena Vista is 15 minutes away, Salida only 20.  Within 45 minutes you can be at either Ski Cooper or Monarch Mountain. 

Make sure you plan early because this house tends to book out months in advance.  It is a one-of-a-kind authentic mountain home. 

SQ. FEET:  3900+/-

ACRES:  2

• 5 Bedroom/3 Bathroom
• Sleeps up to 10
• Base Rate for 8 guests:  $495
• Add’l Guest Fee: $30/Person/Night
• Security Deposit:  $500
• Housekeeping Fee:  $225
• Sales & Lodging Tax: 7.55% on Rental Rate

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: 3 king beds (two on upper level, one on lower level), 2 queen bed (lower level and  walkout basement level), 2 sofa sleepers (one on lower level, one in walkout basement),  pack-n-play.

REVIEWS:

This was an incr3edible home!  I have five children and finding a place for seven people is often a challenge.  Everyone had adequate sleeping space, there were ample bathrooms (hello!) and the kitchen was FULLY stocked with enough pots pans, and dishes so that we could easily feed our family.  The kids especially enjoyed the foosball and pool tables, board and card games, and DVD selection (although we had to teach them how to use a DVD player haha).  Every morning we woke up to turkeys and deer in our yard, and every evening we enjoyed the deck at the creek.  Don’t hesitate to snag this place.  We have told our friends and family about this location and plan to return again.  Thanks to our incredible hosts who ensured that we had every need met.  Sara, March 2025 Air BnB

We loved the central location with our favorite activities: Salida, Buena Vista, St.Elmo, Chalk Creek/Lake. Nice kitchen, sitting areas inside and outside with the fire pit and sitting area by the creek. Very roomy house for everyone to enjoy without feeling cramped at all. Patrick, June 2024 VRBO

 

We spent the weekend with extended family at the Ponderosa. The house and amenities were outstanding. We loved the creek and view. The house was wonderful, clean, and had plenty of room. We would definitely come back for our next trip.  Rick M., September 2021