Only partially isolated. Nearby are friendly neighbors and shopping.
Location: Woodland Park, South Central, Colorado, USA (In Ute Pass-12 mi to Colorado Springs, 2 mi to Woodland Park) View Map
Accommodations: House, 5 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 12-14)
Keywords: Eco friendly, solar heat, on-site recreation, large house, borders National Forest
Sun Mountain Retreat
This spacious residence has easy access, yet it is secluded in the mountains where you bask in clean air and brilliant winter sun.
The backyard forms your own private park. You can relax while your children are engrossed with the excitement of their own secluded space. The large log playground provides swings for tiny tots to adults. Logs form a balance bridge, slide pole, a sliding board, climbing tires. The concrete basketball court has two baskets. Equipment is available to set up tether ball, volleyball or badminton. The treehouse is a cozy hide-a-way. National Forests border the property and provide hundreds of acres of hiking. A treasure map leads the adventurous through the mountains to an old gold mine and "treasure." There are hammocks, a campfire pit, lawn chairs, a miniature waterfall, gas grill. For winter fun there are sleds and snow tubes. We are located in the beauty of Ute Pass.
Relaxation is enriched with our spacious spa / game room. There you can soak in our hot tub where you can listen to music as you cheer on your friends playing ping pong or working out on various exercise machines. There is a child's foosball and air hockey table plus an adult foosball table and 8-foot slate pool table.
Since your vacation is a time for rest, we splurged on the bedding. Memory-foam on the mattresses provides form-fitting support. The beds are covered with fluffy down comforters. Sleep in the unique, theme-decorated bedrooms - each is an imagination experience.
"King’s Crown" room has a king-sized bed. "Country Garden" has two queen size, canopy beds. "Grandma’s Attic" has two twins, one of which is an adjustable bed that can be positioned for special sleeping needs. "Wilderness Trail" has two twin beds. "Mountain Adventure" has two twin beds inside a large tent. Finally, one of the living rooms has a queen-size hide-a-bed.
The house is specially designed to be environmentally friendly. Sun rays flood the house with toasty warmth during the winter, and in the summer the house is naturally cooled. Laundered linens are dried on a line in the fresh mountain air. Woodland Park, our nearby "City Above the Clouds," boasts an average of 300 sunny days per year, more than San Diego, CA or Miami Beach, FL.
In the summer the 8500 foot elebation means pleasant days and cool nights. Another benefit of our high eleveation, recent studies show that obese people can quickly lose weight and keep it off for weeks afterwards by spending time at higher altitudes.
Our expansive solar windows take advantage of the sun and clean mountain air. Through them you look on to your private yard. There is no central heating system, so on those occasional winter days when the sun is hidden, you set individual heaters in the rooms or better yet, your family will gather around your glowing fire in the wood stove. 'Roughing it' never felt so good.
The home is well stocked with a big commercial stove, bread maker, large cooking pans, commercial steamer, crock pot, blender, toaster, microwave - equipment that surpasses most home kitchens. Plus we supply a good supply of your basic staple foods so you generally need to buy mostly just meat, produce and dairy. There is baby equipment: high chair, crib, backpack baby carrier, stair guards.
We, the owners/managers live nearby so are immediately available to provide for your every need.
I found a reading buddy at the top of the stairs
VRBO Bear stayed here - 10/02/2009
Sun Mountain Retreat is a delightful family getaway, especially when you have a passel of cubs to entertain. We had bearly parked before the entire brood was racing for the enormous play structure, tree house, game room and hot tub. The house is warm and inviting, and we immediately felt welcome and at home. The comfortable beds are perfect for hibernating. But you won’t want to spend all your time indoors, or you would miss out on the gorgeous vistas waiting just outside the door, including the deer that greeted us through our window one morning. Don’t pass up the kid-friendly comfort and adventure awaiting you at Sun Mountain Retreat.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Crib
- Entertainment
- Private Hot Tub
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Foosball
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Air Hockey
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Activities
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Spelunking
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
High Season: May 10- Sept 15...$1984/wk (Weekly rentals)
Low Season: Sept 16- May 9...$1195/wk or $270/nt (3 nt minimum)
Holidays:Spring Break,Thanksgiving,Christmas,New Years..$1984/wk $360/nt
Pet Charge: $20/nt/pet - Indoor pet area limited to main floor
Half of rental fee is due when reservation is made. Full payment is due 90 days
Prior to date on which reservation begins. No refund unless cancellation is 120
days prior to stay or house can be re-rented.
Rates increase for wk of Air Force Academy Graduation
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1985
Why the Owner Chose Woodland Park
When our family home, now Sun Mountain Retreat, was no longer needed by the family, we could not bear to sell it, despite multiple buyer requests. We love this area and we love our family home. Our seven children are grown and settling in the immediate area. Making Sun Mountain a vacation home has involved all our children. Running it has been a great joy to us as we see our guests enjoying our home as much as we did.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Our most unique offering is the wide range of fun family activities right at our home - from a private backyard park to a large indoor recreation room and spa. Our home is central to a wide range of activities. Guests can enjoy the city offerings of beautiful Colorado Springs and can also be challenged with the outdoor activities of the mountains that surround us. Our home was designed to conserve our limited natural resources - as a "green" home our guests can know they are part of needful conservation.
Owner's Map of Woodland Park
We, Bob and Karen Magistrelli, built Sun Mountain Retreat for our family home. God carried us through the unknowns of construction - working miracles all along the way. We designed the home for kids - where they could be safe and have fun. We raised our seven children and numerous foster children here Years later we moved nearby to a home where we now take in men coming out of prison. We help the men start life over after years of isolation from society. Our income from Sun Mountain helps to provide for the needs of these men.
Property Photos
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- Only partially isolated. Nearby are friendly neighbors and shopping. - Woodland Park, Colorado Mountain Home in the Pikes Peak Area
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- This large country kitchen is fully equipped for large family cooking. - Woodland Park, Colorado Mountain Home in the Pikes Peak Area
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- An environmentally friendly, cheery home. Check out the section "more photos." - Woodland Park, Colorado Mountain Home in the Pikes Peak Area
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- Spa/game room looks over the kids playing in the backyard park
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- Oh, the fun of Colorado snow settling over our spacious, but cozy home.
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- A short walk takes you here - This is why we love the mountains.
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- Did we mention big and sunny? Two queen size beds easily fit in this bedroom.
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- The masterful interior decorating makes for a cozy, restful feel as you put your
Traveler Reviews (19)
Relaxing recreation
Guest: bearseeker
(Fountain, CO)
Date of Stay: 05/09/09
Review Submitted: 05/21/09
This was the most relaxing vacation we've had in years. The house was great, the kids loved the jungle gym. The treasure hunt was a blast (you have to follow the map and not the trail for real excitement, very cool). It was an awesome vacation, one we will never forget.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Colorado Christmas Cabin 2011...Success!!!
Guest: Melissa F.
(Kerrville, Texas)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11
Review Submitted: 01/06/12
I grew up in Denver, and Colorado is truly home in my heart. My husband and I live in South central Texas now and really wanted the Christmas to be an easy going, fun and memorable one for our entire family. We decided on this wonderful home because of it's large size and kid friendliness, and invited all of our close relatives from all over the country to join us for a Colorado Christmas. Let me just say that this house did not disappoint at all. We absolutely loved our time there. When we arrived it was chili inside because the house is heated by the sun and the wood burning stove. We started a fire easily and the house got warm right away. It was very special and the kids loved the warm fire. They also have many space heaters all over the house to heat what ever area you like. I loved how quiet the house was and how accommodating. I hardly had to bring anything but clothing and food. The room we stayed in had a very comfortable bed and also had a pack n play for my one year old saving us much space in our vehicle. Everyone else informed me that their beds were also very comfy. We felt secluded tucked into the mountain side, but the house is very close to walmart and the town of Woodland Park. (five min drive) We had lots of fun getting food and cooking big feasts for the whole family. The pool table, ping pong, and foos ball kept all the men very entertained. We got about a foot of snow a couple of days into our trip which made it a little challenging to get up the street to the house, but by the next morning the snow was cleared very quickly and the sun melted the rest. We played in the snow a lot and got plenty of use out of the sleds in the mud room. We also enjoyed the fire pit outside a couple of nights. There is nothing like having s'mores around a fire pit with the glistening snow surrounding. They made Christmas so special for us by proving all the decorations, and Karen even dropped off her KitchenAid mixer so we could make some Christmas goodies! They kept us stocked up on fire wood, and any little thing we needed they were happy to come quickly. I have two small children, and we all felt the house to be very safe for them. They have taken many steps to baby proof the home.This was the most relaxing and peaceful Christmas my husband and I have had in a long time. Thank you so much Bob and Karen for a Christmas that we will cherish forever. If you want a peaceful, fun filled mountain adventure vacation this is the place for you.
Recommended for:
Memorable Vacation
Guest: Missouri Meanders
(Missouri)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11
Review Submitted: 08/21/11
Thanks Karen and Bob for sharing your “game house” (as our 3 year old grandson called it) with our family during our vacation. We loved having a home base to come home to every night after a day out enjoying the beautiful scenery and perfect weather. All the sights, sounds, and escapades will be forever imprinted in our memories, including the nightly vigilance for the ever-elusive bear who teased us with evidence of his existence to the car chase and gunfire we found ourselves in the middle of in Walsenburg on our trip to the sand dunes. Our 2011 Colorado Vacation will be one we will not soon forget. Thanks for being a big part of that.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.
Amazing Vacation!
Guest: Carol T.
Date of Stay: 07/30/11
Review Submitted: 08/09/11
Thank you so much for making your beautiful home available! We could not have chosen a more perfect place for our family vacation celebrating our 40th anniversary. We had 12 people and there was more than enough room. The setting of the house is beautiful and relaxing. There was so much for everyone to do without ever leaving the house. The kitchen was wonderfully equipped, the beds were cozy and comfortable, the kids loved the game room and playground, and the hot tub was so relaxing! We can't wait for our next trip to your amazing home! Thanks again - it was great!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
The Gardner Reunion
Guest: Zayani
(Marietta, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10
Review Submitted: 07/15/10
Our stay was outstanding. We had folks aged from 6 months to 65, and there was a comfortable space for everyone. The girls manned the playground, using it as a fashion model's castle. The boys couldn't be kept out of the forest looking for Joe Jo's cave of lost treasure and tracking deer. The young folks stayed in the game room, and the older folks just sat around watching the deer walk by. The people in Woodland Park were wonderful, very friendly. With lakes, national parks, and tourist sites so close, there was no need to venture very far. Many of us only left the house to eat at the Circle H Smokehouse (yummy beef ribs) and to shop in Manitou Springs. I highly recommend this home to anyone looking for someplace cozy and comfortable to stay for a large family or group. Avoid the tourist traps and enjoy the beauty that surrounds the house!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Excellent
Guest: The Dan
(Georgia)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10
Review Submitted: 05/10/10
Myself and 10 other guys returned to Colorado for another week long fishing adventure. The lodge had plenty of room for all of us. The lodge was clean and well supplied and in the center of everything. There were mule deer and or elk in the yard everymorning and evening. Karen was very helpful and a joy to talk with on the phone everytime we had a question prior to and during our stay. We would highly recommend the lodge to anyone seeking a comfortable place to house alot of people centrally located to good fishing and the sights that colorado springs and the surrounding area has to offer. In case anyone is wondering about the fishing we caught about 400 trout in the 6 days that we fished and all were returned to the water except a few for dinner each night.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Guest: Dorene Baier
(Audubon, IA)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09
Review Submitted: 07/25/09
What a wonderful vacation home! My husband and I took our family, 3 children plus spouses 6 grandkids and 2 dogs in July 2009. The house worked perfectly for our family, everyone had there own bedroom and big enough for us to sitdown together for meals. The grandkids enjoyed all the activities they could do at the house. The hiking was great and the scenery was breathtaking. Loved it all. Thanks Karen and Bob for sharing your vacation home with us. Hope to come back again! Dorene Baier
Recommended for:
Ring in the New Year!
Guest: Woody4UK
(California)
Date of Stay: 12/27/08
Review Submitted: 01/06/09
We have rented property all over the world (literally) and this property ranks in the very top of our experiences. The location is fantastic for staging to mountain adventures or city excursions. Our hosts, Karen and Bob, went above and beyond to ensure a fantastic time was had by our little group of 11 (ages 2 and up). The home and all facilities are top rate and we have a million memories to savor until next time!
Owner response:A thousand thank you's for your comment. We were praying that you would be willing to follow through, Andy, with the comment you made at the beginning of your week. And you did!!! Even with all the challenges of the water system, you gave us the highest compliment. We are so very grateful. Karen
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers.
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08
Review Submitted: 06/02/08
What a wonderful home for a family reunion! Nine of us spent the week for our son's graduation from the Air Force Academy. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. A great place to relax - the outdoor fire pit was a big hit, the site of nightly marshallow roasts and good times. Young and old enjoyed playing on the swing set. The families who came out to share a barbecue with us were envious of our foresight in renting such a wonderful home. All enjoyed sharing with each other around the big dining area table and huge picnic table. The wildlife was a great plus - the deer and birds feeding right outside the back door. Plenty of room for all! We're ready to do it all over again!
Recommended for:
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/08
Review Submitted: 05/15/08
OH What a place. We visited in the first week of May 2008. On our arrival we saw Elk just below the house. The background setting of the house is Romantic Setting. I was up most before 05:30 having my coffee everyday. The sun came up over the back hill around 08:00 and it was out all day. So much space in the house. Game's for the kids Galore! Mule Deer just about everyday coming through in the morning, afternoon and evening. Bear just across the street. I have Pictures of it all. The Hiking! Oh the Hiking.This house is located in just the right place. Close to everything! The Treasure Hunt was GREAT! Not going to spoil the fun for ya and tell ya anymore about it. View of Pike's Peak, WOW! Even though we had a few Snow (Sleet)times, we were in our shorts and short sleeves before 10:00 am. I just wanted to say around the house BUT, the beauty of Colorado is amazing. So much to see! Hope everyone who Stay's has a Great Visit like we did. Will visit AGAIN! Thank You Karen and Bob! What a vacation!
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #63821
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