Welcome friends & family!

We hope this website will give you all the information you need in preparation for the big day! Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions. We'd love to help with any travel arrangements or questions about planning your trip to Winter Park.

We're really looking forward to seeing all of you in Colorado!

Hillary & Bevan

about us
For those of you who have not met the better half yet, here's a little bit about ourselves.

Bevan Thomson
Bevan grew up in the heart of New Zealand's dairy country in a beautiful region known as Taranaki. After attending school and working with his parents on the farm, he moved to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, where he started his career in IT.

Bevan loves exploring the outdoors, especially under water. Before leaving New Zealand, he gained his PADI dive master certification and makes every effort to scuba dive when he's within reach of the ocean. Bevan is currently working as a Linux Engineer at Barclays Capital, an investment bank in London, England.

Hillary Cryan
Hillary is originally from Golden, Colorado however she's called a few cities home over the past few years. She graduated from Boston University, worked the dot com boom in San Francisco, explored the beautiful scenery of New Zealand while living in Wellington and finally moved to London with Bevan in 2003.

Hillary loves to travel, run through London's parks wearing her iPod (when it's not raining), and write about the places she's visited. Hillary is currently working as a Project Manager for Sony on the PlayStation.com website.


how we met
There are two versions of how we met: one respectable version and one version that lacks a certain amount of romance.

The respectable version is that we met at a housewarming party for one of Bevan's colleagues in Wellington.

The rest of the story is that Hillary had just arrived in Wellington, not knowing a soul, when one of her work colleagues took pity on her and invited her to a housewarming party in hopes that she might meet a few friends. After arriving at the party, the colleague pointed Hillary towards the food and wine tables, told her to enjoy the party, then promptly walked away to find other friends.

Panicked at how to endure hours at a house party on her own and not knowing anyone, Hillary found Bevan in the queue for the bathroom -- a trapped and captive audience. By luck, the people ahead of them in the queue took long enough for Hillary to strike up a conversation and the rest is history.

Yes, we met in the queue for the bathroom.

the big day

the ceremony
3:30pm
Saturday, 27th February 2010

cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow

where
Devil's Thumb Ranch
Tabernash, Colorado
http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/

a winter wedding in the Colorado Rockies
Hillary & Bevan are getting married at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Colorado, a beautiful mountain resort located just a few hours west of Denver. The area is known for its skiing, wild life (watch out for moose and bears!), and an amazing view of the American continental divide that will serve as the backdrop for the wedding ceremony.

Angela Cryan, Hillary's sister, will be officiating the wedding ceremony, followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing in the Broad Axe barn. The barn itself is an amazing structure from the Civil War-era and made of reclaimed hand-hewn white oak and beech beams, giving it an authentic & rustic feel of Colorado's wild west past.

We will be arranging transportation to and from the ceremony from the hotels listed on the accommodations page except Snow Mountain Ranch, so if you choose not to stay at Devil's Thumb, we hope you'll enjoy indulging in a few celebratory drinks with us throughout the evening without worrying about how to get back to your hotel.

It does tend to be very cold in February, so please bring a warm winter coat. If you don't have warm winter gear, we're collecting a pile of coats, hats and gloves from Colorado friends and family, and will have them on hand to loan out so you don't freeze over the weekend! Once inside, the evening will be very warm and cozy thanks to a roaring fire in the stone fireplace.


An aerial view of the American Continental Divide in Winter Park, Colorado.

accommodation

February is high tourist season in Winter Park, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The wedding will take place at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado. Gorgeous rooms and private cabins are available at Devil's Thumb Ranch, however the rates may be a bit pricey since it's the height of Colorado's tourist season. Fortunately Winter Park is less than 15 minutes away from Tabernash, offering a number of accommodation options.

We would love for you to join us at Devil's Thumb Ranch, but we will also be offering transport to and from the wedding at all of the locations listed below except Snow Mountain Ranch. Therefore we hope you'll enjoy indulging in a few cocktails with us without worrying about how to get back to your room.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate children at the wedding and reception but Grand Concierge Home Services offers excellent babysitting services and can be reached at +1 (970) 531-6750. Or drop us an email and Hillary can help to determine the best option.

(wedding venue)
3530 County Road 83
Tabernash, CO, 80478
Devil's Thumb Ranch has luxury lodge rooms and cabins available just a short stroll away from the wedding reception. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for a quiet, luxurious and relaxing location with a spa, restaurant and a number of outdoor activities available on site. The property is a 10 minute drive from Winter Park's amenities but offers a private shuttle into town. We recommend booking as early as possible, since February is high tourist season for Colorado. As of July 2009, there are still plenty of lodge rooms and cabins available.

Lodge Room (sleeps 2) - $245 per night
Loft cabin (sleeps 2) - $315 per night
2 bedroom cabin (sleeps 4) - $475 per night
4 bedroom cabin (sleeps 9) - $895 per night

The Pinnacle Lodge
(7 miles from the wedding)
108 Zerex Street Fraser, CO
Tel: +1 (970) 722 - 7631
http://www.pinnaclelodge.com/

The Pinnacle Lodge is the newest hotel in the Fraser Valley with a gym, pool, light breakfast and hot tub available to all guests. Located in downtown Fraser, the lodge is 7 miles from the wedding and about a 10 minute drive from Winter Park, plus there are supermarkets, restaurants & bars within walking distance.

We have booked a limited block of King & Queen rooms at the discounted rates below. The rates are valid until November 26th, 2009, however, we recommend booking early to enable us to reserve more rooms if needed. The larger rooms are also available at the discounted rates below, however they are not blocked from other guests so please make your reservation early if you prefer a larger room.

King suite (sleeps 2) - $119.99 per night
Double queen beds (sleeps 4) - $129.99 per night
Family suite (King bed and twin bunk bed that sleeps 4) - $189.99 per night
Kitchenette (1 bedroom apartment with King bed & kitchen) - $189.99 per night
Spa Suite (King bed, fireplace and jacuzzi) - $189.99 per night
Tower Spa Suite (King bed, fireplace, jacuzzi and panoramic views) - $209.99


Wild Horse Inn
(1 mile from the wedding)
1536 County Road 83
Tabernash, Colorado 80442
Tel: +1 (970) 726-0456
http://www.wildhorseinncolorado.com/

The Wild Horse Inn offers unique and intimate lodge rooms as well as three private cabins, all with access to hot tub, on-site massage services, sauna and peaceful forest gardens. Gourmet breakfasts and treats from the cookie jar provide fuel for your mountain adventures.

Double rooms - $185 per night
Private cabin - $285 per night



Best Western Alpen-glo Lodge
(15 miles from the wedding)
78665 U.S. Hwy 40
Winter Park, CO, 80482
Tel: +1 (970) 726 - 8088
http://www.wplodging.com/

The Best Western is 15 miles from the wedding venue, but it is a good option if you prefer to be within walking distance of downtown Winter Park's restaurants, bars and shopping. It is also along the free shuttle route between the ski slopes, Winter Park and Fraser. Standard rooms have either 2 Queen beds or 1 King bed and include complimentary wireless Internet, coffee makers, and a microfridge. Deluxe rooms include a small dining and lounge area. The hotel is dog friendly (however they request that you do not leave dogs unattended in the rooms) and all rooms include a complimentary hot continental breakfast of eggs, sausage, make-your-own waffles, cereal and milk, bagels, toast, pastries, fresh fruit, juice, oatmeal, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.

If you are making a booking, let them know it is for the Cryan / Thomson wedding to receive the discount rates below. Rooms are available on a space available basis so it's best to book early.

2 queen beds or 1 king bed - $127.49 for the first night and $89.24 for the second night
Deluxe Room - $139.49 for the first night and $93.49 for the second night



Rocky Mountain Inn
(7 miles from the wedding)
15 CR 72, Fraser, CO, 80442
Tel: +1 (970) 726 - 8256
www.therockymountaininn.com/

This inn has the economy of a hostel and the accommodations of a fine B&B, plus it's a good option for families that is also closer to town than Snow Mountain Ranch. The property features a large kitchen for guest use, free continental breakfast (in private rooms), free DVD movies, and onsite internet access. Rocky Mountain Inn is located in Fraser, across the street from the Pinnacle Lodge and also along the free shuttle route.

Dorm rooms - $28
Private room with King bed (sleeps 2) - $139
Queen bed and 2 twins (sleeps 4) - $139
2 Queen beds and 1 twin (sleeps 5) - $139


Snow Mountain Ranch
(approximately 15 miles from the wedding and a 20 minute drive from Winter Park)
1101 County Road 53, Granby
Tel: 1 (800) 777-9622
www.ymcarockies.org

A good option for families is Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA resort that offers lodge rooms that sleep anywhere between 4 to 6 people at very reasonable rates. The facility is located about a 15 minute drive from the wedding venue and 20 minutes from downtown Winter Park. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate transport to and from the wedding from this location, so we recommend hiring a car if you choose this option. Since the ranch is designed to be a family holiday park (similar to Center Parcs in the UK), there are a number of activities on-site to keep you entertained, such as ice skating, roller skating, basketball, swimming pools, crafts, indoor wall climbing, a library, and a nordic centre with tubing, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Dining options include cafes, cafeterias and a grocery store, all on site.

1 Double bed & 1 bunk bed (sleeps 4) - $109 per night
1 Queen bed & 2 bunk beds (sleep 6) - $109 per night
2 Queen beds & 1 futon (sleeps 5) - $149 - $164 per night



other options
If you're intersted in a longer stay or decide to bunk up with a few friends, check out http://www.vacationsinc.com/ for other condominiums and cabins in the Winter Park area, as this can sometimes work out to be cheaper and more comfortable than staying in a hotel.
transportation

getting from Denver to Winter Park

car hire
For those of you travelling to Colorado from out of state or another country, we recommend flying into Denver International Airport (DIA) and hiring a car. Public transportation in Colorado is not very frequent, so hiring a car will give you the greatest flexibility and ease of getting around during your stay.
www.kayak.com/cars


amtrak train
If driving does not appeal, there is one daily train that runs from Denver to Fraser. The train is a fantastic and relaxing way to travel to the wedding while enjoying incredible scenery, but please ensure that the departure and arrival times will suit your itinerary.

Tickets cost around $20 one way and can be purchased at http://www.amtrak.com/. It's best to book ahead as the train is popular amongst Colorado locals and tickets could sell out. A taxi from the airport to Denver's Union Station will take around 30-45 mins.

Departs: 8:05am
Denver, CO (DEN)

Arrives: 10:07am
Fraser, CO (WIP)

After arriving in Fraser, you can catch a taxi or a free shuttle called "The Lift" to most of the hotels listed on the accommodation page.

There is one daily train that returns from Fraser to Denver at 4:30pm and arrives at 7:18pm. Alternatively, you can also take the airport shuttle listed below back to Denver or get in touch with Hillary as several other wedding guests will likely be travelling on the same day and we can easily arrange a ride.

winter park airport shuttle
If train times don't work with your flight, there is a van shuttle service between the airport and Winter Park that runs every hour between 5:30am and 7pm. Tickets are $60 one way and it's best to book at least 7 days in advance. There is an $8 discount for groups of 3 or more people so if you decide to take the shuttle, please let us know and we'll see if we can arrange other wedding guests to travel together.
http://www.homejamestransportation.com/

If none of these options will work with your travel plans, please do get in touch with us and we will make arrangements to pick you up at the airport and arrange a ride to the wedding.


transport to and from the wedding

We will be arranging transportation to and from the ceremony from the hotels listed on the accommodations page, so if you choose not to stay at Devil's Thumb Ranch, we hope you'll enjoy indulging in a few celebratory drinks with us throughout the evening without worrying about how to get back to your hotel. We'll publish details about drop-off and pick-up times closer to the wedding date and ensure the information is provided to you upon check-in at your hotel.


transport in Winter Park

The Lift - free shuttle bus
If you've opted to take public transportation to Winter Park, don't worry - there is transport available within the town as well.

Winter Park Resort runs a free shuttle from 7:30am to 11pm on several routes between Fraser and Winter Park. Most of the hotels listed on the accommodation page are on the shuttle route (except Devil's Thumb Ranch and Snow Mountain Ranch) making it easy for you to get around.
http://www.winterpark-info.com/

things to see and do

One of the main reasons why we chose Devil's Thumb Ranch for our wedding was to ensure our guests could enjoy some of our favourite winter activities.

If your schedule allows, we definitely recommend spending a few days in Winter Park to explore the area. To help you make the most of your trip, we've organised a few touristy things to do in the days just after the wedding, so check out the wedding week itinerary and drop Hillary or Bevan an email if you're interested. We'd love for you to join us! Otherwise we'll hope you can take some time to enjoy the many activities available in Winter Park during your stay!

skiing!

the best snow in the world
Okay, I might be a little bit biased but if you're a skier or a snowboarder, Winter Park's slopes really can not be missed. The snow is incredible, there are 145 trails spread across five mountain summits, and 26 lifts to whisk you to the highest peaks. Lift tickets include both Winter Park and Mary Jane - two Colorado ski resorts that are renowned for the most snowfall in Colorado and are located just minutes from your hotel.
more info

not a skier?

snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is one of our favourite things to do in winter and we've organised a 2-hour guided group tour on Monday March 1st that gives all wedding guests a 10% discount. If you're interested, drop either Bevan or Hillary an email and we'll send you details of how to book.
more info

snow tubing
Another winter favourite is snow tubing, and Winter Park is home to the best tubing hill in Colorado. As our farewell to Winter Park, we've planned an hour or two of tubing on Tuesday 2nd March, so drop us an email if you'd like to give it a try. High speed thrills are guaranteed!
more info

snow shoeing
Snow shoeing and cross country skiing are becoming very popular sports again and they're a great inexpensive way to explore Colorado's back country. Devil's Thumb Ranch has over 5000 acres of trails to explore and you can hire snow shoes from the resort or most shops in Winter Park.
more info

ice skating
Winter Park's ice skating rink is free of charge and you can hire ice skates at the Christy Sports next door.
more info

not a fan of the snow?

dine on the mountain
For a special treat, enjoy fine dining at 10,700 feet above sea-level. Take in the views on a gondola ride to the mountain summit, then be welcomed by a stone hearth fire and fine cuisine at Winter Park's award winning restaurant, The Lodge at Sunspot. During the day the Lodge has breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and the surrounding mountains, or for a truly unique experience ride the gondola into the stars for dinner service Thursday through Saturday.
more info

snowcat tour
Want to enjoy the ambience of the mountain terrain without the freezing cold? Try the comfort of riding over the mountains and through the woods in a heated 12-passenger Sports Utility Vehicle. Only in America!
more info

relax at the spa
Just want to relax? Book yourself a treatment at Devil's Thumb Ranch just outside of Winter Park, or drive 30 minutes to visit Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado's oldest and largest all natural hot springs. The springs were first used by the Ute Indians but recently underwent a $1 million rennovation and now boasts 7 hot spring pools and a 16-room spa.

apres ski without the ski
Just because you aren't skiing doesn't mean you can't enjoy the ski lodge. Grab your favourite book and head to one of the many cozy lodges, brewhouses or pubs at the base of the mountain. Order a mug of hot cocoa (kahlua or schnapps is optional) and snuggle up by a fire while you watch people tumble down the hills.

Denver
Denver is the capital and largest city in Colorado, and while most tourists drive right past on their route to the slopes, you'll find a city that loves its sports teams, offers good shopping and boasts some of the best beers in the world.

sports
February is the heart of basketball season so check out the Denver Nuggets schedule to see if you can catch your favourite NBA star in action. Or see the Colorado Avalanche, one of Hillary's favourite sports teams, battle it out in a game of ice hockey. Even if you're not a big sports fan, Americans certainly know how to put on a good show so you're guaranteed a great evening out. Book early as tickets sell out weeks in advance.

shopping
Denver is the capital of Colorado and also the best place to hit the shops. If you're into outdoor clothing and equipment or just need a warmer jacket for the colder climate, you can't miss REI's flagship store. REI has over 4 floors of every outdoor gadget and sports clothing you could imagine, complete with a 45-foot climbing wall.

If you're interests sway more towards fashion, check out the Denver Pavillions on 16th Street Mall.

nightlife
Denver is historically a mining town that was once filled with dreams of getting rich and saloons. It seems Denverites are keen to carry on the drinking tradition with the number of local microbrews on offer at nearly every bar and pub in town. If you enjoy a good beer, you'll love Colorado. LoDo is one of the more lively Denver neighbourhoods where you'll find a number of low-key, friendly restaurants and bars within easy walking distance of eachother.
directions

drive time
Total drive time from the aiport to Devil's Thumb Ranch is around 2.5 hours if the weather is clear. Winter driving conditions can vary, so check the weather forecast on Berthoud Pass before travelling into the mountains to ensure you allow enough time. If conditions are snowy, it's best to allow at least 3 hours, and possibly more if you are not used to driving on snow. If your budget and schedule allows, we recommend driving up on Friday to ensure you have enough time and your journey is stress free.
currrent colorado road conditions

directions
From Denver, head west on I-70. Take exit 232 onto Hwy 40. Follow Hwy 40 for approximately 20 miles through Empire, over Berthoud Pass, and past Winter Park and Fraser. About 2 miles past Fraser, take a right on County Road 83. Take the right hand fork, and follow it 3 miles to the Ranch.

Devil's Thumb Ranch
3530 County Road 83
Post Office Box 750
Tabernash, CO 80478
1-800-933-4339
http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/

Drive safely and enjoy the view - Berthoud Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado!


View Larger Map
rsvp

We're looking forward to celebrating with you!

Please RSVP at bevanandhillary@gmail.com, and remember to include your meal preference of beef, salmon or vegetarian.

questions

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email us.

We have a skype telephone with 3 phone numbers so it's cheap for our friends and family to call us. Any of the numbers below will dial our flat in London.

UK: 0203 286 2443
Colorado: (720) 897-6025
NZ: 04 889 2570
skypeID: hillary_and_bevan
bachelorette & stag-do

We'll be celebrating our final days of singledom in none other than the famous city of sin... Las Vegas, Nevada!

(Please note: We know several of you are travelling long distances to join us on our wedding day, so please do not feel obligated to make the trek to Vegas. But if you are keen, we would be ecstatic for you to join us!)

When: February 22 - 24, 2010
Our plan is to arrive in Vegas on Monday the 22nd, check into hotels, relax and maybe explore a bit, then meet for dinner and do introductions. (If you prefer to see a show or explore the town on your own, please feel free to do so! This is your holiday so please don't feel obligated to attend Monday night - especially if it's your first time in Vegas!)

The big night of celebrations will be on Tuesday, 23rd February. We're still working on the juicy details, so stay tuned!

We'll be checking out of our hotel on Wednesday, 24th February and heading back to Colorado to prepare for the wedding.

Where: Bally's Hotel, Las Vegas
Both Bevan & Hillary will be staying at Bally's, a 4-star hotel located on the strip across the street from the Bellagio and Caesar's Palace. The location is excellent and the price is right! We booked a standard room for £37/night using www.kayak.co.uk.

Las Vegas Hotel Map

More details to follow soon...
wedding week itinerary

We know most of you will be travelling several hours from within Colorado, from out of state and even from outside of the country, therefore we thought we'd share the information we know so far about the week of the wedding to help in planning your journey to Winter Park.

Below is a brief run-down of our schedule which we hope you will find useful. Please note that we certainly don't expect that you'll be able to attend all or any of the events listed below! We understand that people's schedules can be very busy and the current economic climate certainly doesn't help either. But if your schedule allows and you'd like to participate in any of the events below, we'd be delighted for you to join us!

Monday, Feb 22nd - Tuesday, Feb 23rd
Hillary & Bevan will be in Las Vegas, Nevada for bachelorette and stag-do festivities. Further details are available on the bachelorette & stag-do page which we'll be updating as we get closer to the date. The actual bachelorette & stag parties will be on the night of Tuesday, February 23rd.

Wednesday, Feb 24th
Hillary & Bevan return to Denver to recover from Vegas and finish getting ready for the big day!

Friday, Feb 26th
If you're travelling to Winter Park by car, we recommend planning your drive on Friday in case weather conditions are snowy. If you're planning to travel by train, you should have plenty of time to catch the train Saturday morning but please ensure you book train tickets in advance as they often sell out.

Saturday, Feb 27th
Wedding Day! We'll see all of you at 3:30pm at Devil's Thumb Ranch!

Sunday Feb, 28th
Rest & recovery. Sleep in, enjoy a half day of skiing, hire snow shoes and go exploring for wildlife, or take in the views over lunch at Sunspot Lodge located on Winter Park's mountain top.

Monday March, 1st
We are planning a half-day guided snowmobiling adventure up to the Continental Divide, following the Historic "Moffat" railroad route to Corona Pass (weather permitting). Tours top out at nearly 12,000 feet with views of the entire Winter Park Ski area and the Fraser Valley, plus there's time to play in a large open bowl above timberline. On the return descent to the base, we'll experience a blend of exciting "single track" trails through the forest, open meadows and groomed trails. If you can't stay until Monday, we still recommend booking a snowmobile tour with Grand Adventures on whatever day best suits your schedule.

Tuesday, March 2nd
As our final goodbye to Winter Park, we'll hit the tubing hill in Fraser for some high-speed thrills. Tubes can be rented by the hour so you're welcome to stay as long or as little as your body can endure the adrenaline. On Tuesday afternoon / evening, we'll make our way back to Denver.
gift registry

Your presence on our Wedding Day is far more important than any presents you could give and as such we don’t have a traditional wedding list. However as some of you have asked what we would like, we thought we’d pass on that we’re saving up for a home of our own in either Colorado or New Zealand. (Still undecided!) We will have a small wishing well on display at the reception if you would like to contribute towards our dream of someday living in a home of our own.

Living in a small London flat away from our native homes means we’ve already got everything we need, therefore we will just be happy to see you on the day and want you to enjoy our wedding so please do not feel obliged to give in any way.
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