No Need To Zigzag: Telluride’s Z Ranch Will Take You To The Zenith

It’s safe to say that Marcin Ostromecki has a zest for the Z Ranch, perched high in one of the most desirable locales in the mountains of southwest Colorado: “Our area has some incredible properties, but what makes the ranch so unique is its proximity to Mountain Village and Telluride.

“It is very rare to find a property with acreage, this level of privacy and expansive views of Wilson Peak just a few minutes from Mountain Village,” says Ostromecki, a broker at Telluride Real Estate Corp. (TREC), which shares the listing for the compound at 8121 Preserve Drive, with TREC’s Alex Martin.  

In addition to the surrounding spectacular views, the Z Ranch takes advantage of its proximity to two unique towns: Telluride’s picture-perfect Victorian architecture is the charming backdrop for its ski resort and famed cultural festivals. It’s casual yet sophisticated―the friendly person next to you in the line for takeout coffee is just as likely to be a famous face as it is to be a neighboring rancher. On the other side of the ridge and connected by a free gondola ride, Mountain Village provides access to the majority of ski lifts, a golf course (the ball goes farther at high altitude) and resort hotels and their amenities. 

The location for this 28-acre compound with 19,000 square feet of living space is awesome. “As you wind through the ancient aspen forest,” says Martin, “you feel transported to another place and time. The main residence itself harkens back to the ski lodges of your childhood and, once inside, you feel like you’ve been there before.”

The Z Ranch boasts 13 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms among the five buildings on the property. All of the buildings feature unique, iconic touches from the Old West.

The main house, with such natural design elements as wide-plank Douglas fir flooring and a massive stone fireplace, is a study in rustic elegance. The entry’s grand staircase leads to a unique turret with stunning 360-degree views. The main floor features an upscale kitchen and dining room designed for entertaining. An adjacent great room has two distinct sitting areas divided by a double-sided fireplace. One level up, the expansive primary suite features perfectly framed views of Wilson Peak, a spa-inspired bath with heated travertine floors and oversized tub and steam shower. The suite includes a library with a gas fireplace, private office and reading room. 

Downstairs, a guest wing adjacent to the main floor living space features three elegant bedrooms with en-suite baths, a piano room and an additional sitting room. There’s a separate children’s wing comprising three bedrooms with en-suite baths and a separate entertainment room. There are two stand-alone guest cottages with kitchens, plus a caretaker’s quarters elsewhere on the property.

You’ll have a difficult time keeping the kids (and guests and yourself) indoors. The compound has more than three miles of private trails, a heated and illuminated paddle tennis court, a pair of corrals and two seasonal ponds. When everyone wants to hit the slopes, the property includes a deeded heated parking space and storage room 10 minutes away at the base of the Telluride Ski Resort. 

Telluride Regional Airport is nearby, and Montrose Regional Airport, which handles most of the flights into the area, is a scenic 65-mile drive away. Speaking of scenic drives, Telluride is an excellent base for exploring a slice of the West that ranges from the Rocky Mountains to the high deserts of the Southwest.

Simply put, taking ownership of the Z Ranch, which is listed for $18 million, will put some zing in your life.