President's Message

What I first thought would be a 1 or 2-year involvement here, the Flying U Ranch has turned into my life’s retirement project! (My Dad never retired and as a United Church Preacher he preached right up to the last year of his life. I guess it's in the genes). So, this is year 9 here at the ranch, and what a ride it’s been with two years of COVID, heavy fire seasons, and the challenges of both food and hay price hikes. But through all this, thanks to a great staff and fantastic guest support, we have not only survived but grown and prospered with over 60 new additions to the herd, kilometers of new fencing, restored trails, improvements to executive homes and waterfront, etc. I hope you can make it up this year for your vacation at the Flying U. And I almost forgot, I promise I won’t preach to you.

- John Lovelace CEO

More Horses Arriving In April From Alberta

This Spring will see plans to bring more horses from Alberta. As we announced 5 years ago the plan was to dramatically increase the number of beginner-friendly horses to accommodate all the new people who have discovered the joys of riding. So as the herd has aged and horses have retired they are being replaced by herd members that are good for our newer riders.

Adventure Rides Program Returns With A twist!

Our Adventure Ride Program was introduced last year with great success. But read this update for a great new feature for 2024. These are guided day rides for all levels of riders. This year guests can join our wranglers on one of our Special Destination Rides. Rides vary from 5 to 6 hours and the pace in which you ride will depend on if you are on a beginner or intermediate/experienced ride. All groups will stop for a lunch break for both horses and riders. Ride options are Moose Mountain (intermediate and experienced riders), Nagi Lakes (all levels of riders), and Gymkhana (all levels of riders) with a chance to try the barrels. These rides give the guests an opportunity to upgrade their riding skills with a wrangler or do a more advanced trail ride safely. But here is the good news. The 2024 Adventure rides are now part of the Platinum package so there is no premium pricing to join in.

Cattle Drives Return To The U! 

In addition to the Adventure Rides Program last fall we had our first guest participation in a cattle drive. This is likely the first time this has occurred in forty years, and it was a huge success. It’s another way we are taking the ranch back to its roots. Notices will be posted for future drives as they occur. 

Wrangler Week: A Popular Event at the Flying U 

We had a fantastic group of guest wranglers that returned to our fall wrangler week. Here is just a partial list of activities on the fall work: 

Lodge logs were cleaned, and the canoe was relocated.

2 acres at Prospectors Ridge East are fire-guarded and burn piles are prepared.

3 acres adjacent to the airport, west of the home pasture cleared and burn piles prepared.

Built 9 new herd feeders for square bales in the home pasture.

The piano was disassembled and cleaned.

Cabin decks repainted.

Trails cleared and marked.

New commemorative lookout bench for Moose Mountain (Thanks Dan!) 

Spring Wrangler Week has only 6 openings left so reserve now!! It's a great way to slash your riding costs and help out the ranch at the same time.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Fishing: Big News in 2023 

This summer a perplexing thing happened when guests began catching both Kokanee and rainbow. Not just one or two but 6 then even 12 in a single day. We have read about thousands of fry of both species going into the lake each year and also have seen social media posts about rainbow being caught. But until this summer catching fish has not been a regular occurrence at the ranch. That all changed last summer when two guests gave it a serious try. The rest, as they say, is history. These guests have shared their fishing secrets with us and now it’s a common occurrence to pull fish out of the lake. Now there are no guarantees especially when it comes to fishing and there are several variables like time of the year and water temperatures etc. But that being said, we did discover a method that works and we are happy to share it. We recommend catch and release and remember if you plan to fish you need to have a fishing license

Lots Of Great Job Opportunities Available For 2024!

While we are delighted to have so many returning staff, we are taking applications for new staff over the winter months. We are looking for wranglers, lodge, and hospitality workers, and activities personnel. If you are interested, please email us at victoria@flyingu.com. The jobs run from 4 to 6-month terms and if you are from out of Canada remember you must have a visa and a work permit.



Volunteers stay for Free. Just 12 Spots Available 

We have a great program for volunteers at the Flying U Ranch. People can come to work/learn/ride for periods of 2 to 4 weeks and stay for free. Ideal for both students and retired people on a budget. We offer free staff housing, free meals, and use of the ranch and riding facilities. In exchange, the volunteers help out for a few hours a day in the barn area, the kitchen, the front end, housekeeping, or hospitality. The minimum age has been increased to 16 this year. Preference is being given to applicants who have come to the ranch as guests and/or with school programs as these individuals know the trails and understand how the ranch works. We will be taking 12 new volunteers this season so get your applications in early this year for your free stays.