Lazy W Ranch: Working Cattle Ranch with Equestrian Center - Slave Lake, Alberta

Stunning ranch set in Alberta’s heartland. Set up for this highly functional ranch operation is a wonderful investment with ample upside and opportunity. Located approximately 3 hours north of Edmonton, the Lazy W Ranch runs 400 cow-calf pairs across 11 deeded titles, 4 grazing leases, and 2 farm development leases. The ranch is self-sustaining with sufficient hay production to feed the herd and carryovers through the winter. There is no need to buy hay with the current setup.

The ranch is set up to allow for a seasonal and rotational grazing program, which maximizes herd efficiency and allows ample grazing fodder and hay production. A portion of the hay lands abuts up to Slave Lake, which creates highly fertile soil conditions.

The ranch is a mixture of open pasture, hay lands, and thick timber pockets. The aspen and poplar coverage on the various titles creates shelter belts for wintering cattle and wildlife. Large portions of the ranch are contiguously permitting for easy farming and easy transport of livestock from one area of the ranch to the next.

In the main farmyard is the immaculate equestrian building, perfect for equestrian and rodeo pursuits. This structure is full of utility and could easily be converted into a calving barn in the spring. There is a front barn within the equestrian center. The building has cement flooring within floor radiant heating. An outdoor wood boiler heats the building. All walls are insulated ensuring the building retains the heat on cold winter days. The building is fed adequate water by a drilled well. This well also feeds the cattle handling infrastructure outside and the upper pasture.

Included with the ranch, at the advertised price, is an over 4,000 ft² executive home. This home was custom built (2014) and offers an amalgamation of country charm and elegance. The home is heated with in-floor radiant heating and sits on a concrete slab. As you enter the home, there is a large boot room with individual coat racks to hang and store muddy workwear. This means no tracking dirt throughout the remainder of the home. As you walk into the great room, you are greeted by a large expanse. The home has high vaulted ceilings with a grand, rustic stone fireplace, which ascends from floor to ceiling. This is a cozy and comforting place to sit and relax after a long day on the range.

Off this living room is the stunning kitchen. With granite countertops and custom cabinetry, this country kitchen combines functionality with beauty. Over the sink is a large window where you can watch the herds of elk roll by on the rolling hills outside. The kitchen is completed with stainless steel appliances and ample storage space. Beside the kitchen is a large dining room crowned by a barn wood crossbeam. Large windows permit the sun to bask in the dining room in warm sunlight throughout the day.

Heading upstairs we enter the master bedroom with en-suite. As the only bedroom on the upper level, it is very quiet and private. The en-suite is complete with a large bathtub (with stepped entry) shower, sink, and toilet. Continuing through the bedroom there is the loft, which is currently utilized as an office space. The loft grants a gorgeous perspective of the living room and stone fireplace below.

Back on the main level, there are two additional bathrooms, three bedrooms, a playroom, and an entry into an attached garage. There is also an exit to the outdoor covered living space on the back of the home. Under the roof canopy, there is an outdoor barbecue area with a beer fridge and counter space. This is the perfect location to entertain on warm summer days.

The second residence on the ranch, at the advertised price, is a neat, manufactured home with its own private yard space. The home is well taken care of and is perfect for housing a ranch hand. CSA: 401491.

1,682± acres Deeded
1,360± acres Grazing Lease
476± acres Farm Development Lease

The ranch is located 25 minutes west of Slave Lake, Alberta.

From Slave Lake, head west on Highway 2 for until it intersects with Highway 33. Turn and head south on Highway 33 for approximately 5 miles at which point, the main entrance to the ranch will be on the east side of the highway.

The Slave Lake region in Alberta covers 53,614 square kilometres. The region accounts for approximately 8.4% of Alberta’s land mass, but less than 1% of the province’s population. Oil and gas has long reigned as the region’s most important industry offering a diverse array of job opportunities to local residences and out-of-towners alike. The large retail and tourism sector helps service and provide for te many workers that travel from abroad to the Slave Lake region for work.

Forestry is another leading industry in the Slave Lake region with several mills converting the raw lumber into oriented strand board.

The largest municipal center in the region is the town of Slave Lake itself. There is an estimated population within the town of approximately 7,000.

The region surrounding the ranch is renowned for its outdoor recreational opportunities.

The ranch itself is excellent for hunting with moose, deer and elk all in abundance. There are impressive flocks of waterfowl stopping on the ranch during their annual migration.

Slave Lake is excellent for fishing during both the summer and winter months.

There are excellent snowmobiling trails throughout the region during the winter.

The town of Slave Lake offers various restaurants and dining options.

With the equestrian building, you can comfortably ride horses and partake in rodeo activities year-round.

The first European to visit the area of the present-day Town of Slave Lake was David Thompson who explored the area in 1799. Following his brief visit, several fur trading posts were established around Slave Lake, with a Hudson's Bay Company post established at the mouth of the lake. The first community, called Sawridge, was renamed Slave Lake in 1923. It was wiped out by a flood in the 1930s and was subsequently moved to its current location. It was incorporated as a town in 1965.

55°14'52.38"N and 115°21'6.02"W