Home › The Letter › November 2026
Stays, homes and the people behind them. A monthly letter from Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The same issue is a swipe-through on Instagram at @simply.home.inc.
From the editor
A note from Malicia
Welcome to the first issue of The Simply Home Letter. Every month we will share what is happening in Pagosa Springs, a home we love, tips for a smoother stay, and a look at the team behind the keys.
We care for homes the way we would want ours cared for. This letter is a small way to say thank you to the guests who return and the owners who trust us with their homes.
Malicia Thatcher
Owner, Simply Home
What’s happening
November in Pagosa
Wolf Creek opening day
The ski area sets its opening date once the snow arrives, so it is not fixed yet. Watch wolfcreekski.com, and we will post it on our page.
Hot springs weather
Cold air and warm water is the best part of a mountain fall. Soak first, then go find dinner.
The quiet season
Fewer crowds, slow mornings and open tables. A good month to book a long weekend.
More on the blog: Wolf Creek Ski Trip Checklist, A First-Timer’s Guide to the Hot Springs and Visiting With Your Dog.
Featured home
River Dream Retreat
A riverfront log home in San Juan River Village.
Big windows, a hot tub on the deck and room for the whole group. Four bedrooms sleep eight, with two king beds and two queen beds. The hot tub looks over the river, and the private river access is right outside your door. Evenings are made for the wood fireplace and radiant-floor heating, and summer stays cool with air conditioning in every bedroom.
About 10 minutes to the downtown hot springs and 30 minutes to Wolf Creek Ski Area in normal driving. Add time on winter roads.
Plan your trip
When to visit
Pagosa Springs has a good reason to visit in every season.
Spring: slow and quiet
Rivers run full with snowmelt and the trails wake up slowly. A peaceful time for a soak and a long weekend.
Summer: rivers, lakes and long days
Hike, fish and float by day, then take the hot springs after sunset. Popular, so plan ahead.
Fall: gold in the high country
The aspens turn, mornings turn crisp and the evenings belong to the hot tub.
Winter: snow and firelight
Wolf Creek is known for the most snow in Colorado. Ski by day, warm up by the fire at night.
Plan ahead
Winter stays
Book the holidays early
Holiday weeks are popular. Pick your dates early so you have your pick of the homes.
Stay a month or longer
Many of our homes welcome furnished stays of 30 days to several months. Work remotely, ski all season, or just stay.
Coming soon
Guest extras
Small comforts, ready when you arrive.
Travel Light Baby
Pack ’n Play, high chair, baby tub, sound machine, changing pad and baby dishes. Loaned for your stay.
Family Fun
Giant Jenga, UNO, cards, trivia, popcorn, hot cocoa and snacks.
Boot warmers
New for ski days. Warm boots, warm toes, a happier morning on the mountain.
Extras are on the way. See the preview, and ask us when you book.
Before you arrive
Five winter stay tips
- Check the roadsLook at COtrip.org before you drive. Mountain passes can change fast.
- Pack layersDays can be sunny and nights well below freezing.
- Give yourself extra drive timeWinter trips take longer than the map says.
- Close the hot tub coverPut it back when you are done to keep the water warm.
- Message us earlyQuestions get answered fast, and emergencies get answered right away, any hour.
Kind words
Fresh from our guests
“It’s a lovely place all the way around. Cozy and spacious at the same time. Very responsive hosting.”
Jason · Falcon’s Roost · October 2026
“The house was as pictured and the views were incredible. Just a few minutes from plenty of food options.”
Jamie · Skyview Point · October 2026
“What a beautiful home with a great view! Check-in was easy. The home was clean. I would absolutely stay here again!”
Christopher · Lake Pagosa Condo · October 2026
“We had a great time, the house was beautiful and definitely enjoyed watching the creek!”
Brandon · River Dream Retreat · September 2026
Recent 4 and 5 star Airbnb reviews, shared with first names only.
From our housekeeping team
Cleaning tricks and hacks
- Top to bottom. Dust and wipe high first. Vacuum and mop last, so nothing falls on a clean floor.
- Spray, then wait. Let bathroom cleaner sit for five minutes. It does the scrubbing for you.
- Buff for shine. Wipe chrome faucets dry with a clean microfiber cloth to stop water spots.
- Steam the microwave. Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for three minutes. The mess wipes right off.
- Check the hidden spots. Look under cushions, behind doors and inside the oven before you call it done.
- Baking soda for odors. Sprinkle it in sinks and shoes, let it sit, then rinse or vacuum.
Guest tip: run the dishwasher and take out the trash before you leave. Follow the checkout list in your guide.
From the kitchen
Hot spiced apple cider
Warm up after the hot springs or a ski day. Serves 6 to 8.
You will need
- 1/2 gallon apple cider
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 strips of orange peel
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
How to make it
- Pour the cider into a large pot.
- Add the spices and orange peel.
- Heat on low for 20 minutes. Do not let it boil.
- Stir in maple syrup to taste.
- Strain into mugs and serve warm.
Make it grown-up: add a splash of bourbon to each mug for the adults.
Slow cooker version: put everything in a slow cooker on low for two to three hours, then keep it on warm for a party.
Fireside fun
Pagosa word search
Find all eight words. They run across, down and diagonally, forward or backward.
| T | R | A | I | L | A | O | K | O | T | G | R |
| H | W | J | P | A | C | O | A | W | I | N | S |
| C | C | I | K | H | R | J | S | P | A | C | T |
| D | M | O | D | J | M | C | P | A | S | A | A |
| G | G | B | C | P | M | M | E | G | N | N | C |
| T | W | G | I | O | K | C | N | O | O | J | K |
| A | N | D | E | H | A | D | A | S | W | B | O |
| P | F | S | G | O | R | G | E | A | N | N | W |
| M | E | C | A | L | P | E | R | I | F | I | D |
| M | N | G | A | I | T | J | A | G | F | B | M |
| U | W | T | D | B | U | T | T | O | H | A | B |
| E | G | O | I | A | U | K | J | M | C | C | C |
- PAGOSA
- ASPEN
- SNOW
- COCOA
- CABIN
- HOT TUB*
- TRAIL
- FIREPLACE
*Hot tub is one word in the grid. Answers in next month’s issue.
Local love
Happy Life IV Therapy
Owned by our friend Angelica, right here in downtown Pagosa Springs.
“We infuse more than just vitamins and minerals—we infuse joy, light, and happiness into every session.”
Happy Life IV Therapy
Angelica offers personalized IV infusions of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, with a belief in helping people take charge of their own well-being. A thoughtful stop for a trip to the hot springs.
Visit: 175 Pagosa St, Suite 4, Pagosa Springs. Open daily, 10am to 7pm.
Book: (970) 501-5051, happylifeivtherapy.com or @happylifeivtherapy.
Homeowner corner
How we look after your home
Every purchase has a receipt
Anything we buy for your home carries a receipt and a note naming the home and what was bought, so your monthly statement is clear.
Cleans are checked
Our cleans are inspected, and anything missed is put right.
Ready for winter
Before the first hard freeze, ask us to check heat, outdoor faucets and the hot tub.
Thinking about a change? Read our guide on switching vacation rental managers, or learn about vacation rental management in Pagosa Springs.
Next issue
Until December
Our holiday guide, winter hot tub tips and a look at another favorite home.
Know someone who would love Pagosa? Share this letter. Follow @simply.home.inc on Instagram, call (970) 731-1485 or visit us at 56 Talisman Drive, Suite 2, Pagosa Springs.