Family Ranching in the American West

DAY 1 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Pack your bags and lace up your cowboy boots, because your holiday begins today. Head to the airport and enjoy breakfast in the lounge before boarding your ten-hour flight from the UK to Denver. With the help of our fun-filled Sharky and George packs, the little ones will be entertained until you touchdown in the States around lunchtime. Hop off this flight and straight onto your next, a one-hour-and-45-minute domestic flight to Bozeman, Montana.

Once you arrive in Bozeman, pick up your hire car and drive an hour to Big Sky, your home for the next week. This mountainous ski resort boasts the best ranching Montana has to offer, and you’ll be staying in a charming lodge nestled among the peaks. As the children are still on UK time, grab a quick dinner before collapsing into bed, ready for a day of exploration tomorrow.

Days 2 TO 7 COWBOY LIVIN' IN BIG SKY

Howdy, partner – your family ranching adventure truly begins today, so saddle up for a week of good ol’ fashioned cowboy activities. Having left the digital world at home, children can embrace the great outdoors, learning how to lasso a bison or make their own burgers on the grill.

Do your little ones reckon they’re the Sheriff Woody type? We can arrange for them to take part in a cowboy course to learn traditional Western survival skills, followed by an evening spent country dancing with the whole family. If horse riding is more up their street, you can enjoy an authentic wrangling experience, complete with campfire stories and sugary s’mores – does it get more American than that?

Big Sky is brimming with non-horsey activities too, from fly fishing and archery to canoeing to geocaching. Venture out into the park’s maze of walking trails and wander through the seas of wildflowers, before heading back for another night of fun around the campfire.

DAY 8 HOWDY, YELLOWSTONE

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to Big Sky and hello to Yellowstone National Park. Bundle the little ones into the car and embark on the two-hour-and-15-minute journey to Yellowstone National Park, America’s oldest national park (and, arguably, its most impressive).

Drive through the northwestern part of the park and take in its breathtaking landscapes, keeping your eyes peeled for bison and deer roaming the vast wilderness. The children will be tuckered out after their week of ranching, so spend the rest of the day settling into your new surroundings before hitting the hay.

DAYS 9 & 10 EXPLORING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Set on a dormant supervolcano, Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, wonderful wildlife and epic geysers. Spend the next few days following our handy map on a self-drive tour of the park, entertaining the little ones with some thrilling games of I-Spy. Along the way, hop out to stretch your legs and explore the park’s excellent walking trails.

Head to Old Faithful geyser, a world-famous geological wonder which erupts 180ft in the air every hour (yes, really), and Norris Geyser Basin, the park’s oldest and most colourful thermal spot. Make sure to visit the amber-tinted terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs – any wannabe geographers will be in heaven among the park’s hot springs, mud pools and waterfalls.

Travelling with a mini animal aficionado? Head out early to the Lamar Valley in the far north of the park. Have your binoculars at the ready to spot wolves, bears and elk wandering through the wilderness.

DAY 11 ONWARDS TO JACKSON HOLE

It’s time for the last leg of your adventure around the American West, so hop back into the hire car for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Jackson Hole, an activity-packed village known for its historic Western-style buildings and picturesque country life. Once you arrive, unload your bags and drop off your hire car before grabbing lunch at your hotel.

This afternoon, it’s time to get your cowboy on again with a visit to the Kid’s Ranch, one of Jackson Hole’s top family attractions. The little ones can stretch their legs with bungee trampolining, gondola rides and scenic tram rides, as well as taking part in exciting arts and science games. Once they’re all tired out, head back for some rest and relaxation before your last few fun-filled days.

DAYS 12 & 13 DISCOVER JACKSON HOLE

With the snow-capped peaks of Grand Teton to the west and the sprawling Gros Ventre Range to the east, Jackson Hole offers a number of family-oriented activities, making it the perfect place for your youngsters to let off some steam.

To get you started, we’ve arranged for you to explore Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge on a half-day guided driving safari. Your local guide will explain the history of these reserves and point out the region's extraordinary wildlife, including bison, bears and even the quintessentially American bald eagle.

Later, head back to the hotel and have a go at anything from mountain biking and horse riding to hiking and fly fishing. Little ones will love a trip to the Beaver Creek Hat Co. where you can pick up a souvenir cowboy hat for every family member. For a spot of truly western evening entertainment, head to the Jackson Hole Rodeo for a taste of an authentic cowboy pastime.

DAYS 14 & 15 HOME TIME

Sadly, all good things come to an end. Prise the children away from the ranch this morning and take a short half-hour transfer to Jackson Hole Airport, where you’ll catch your one-and-a-half-hour domestic flight to Denver. From here, hop aboard your overnight flight back to London, which will take around nine hours. You’ll arrive back in the UK tomorrow morning, ready to regale your friends and family with stories from the Wild West.