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

Stunning ranch set in Alberta’s heartland. 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 12 deeded titles, 9 grazing leases and 3 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 set up.

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 contiguous 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. Sitting 60 ft by 240 ft this structure is 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 that is 40 ft by 60 ft in size. 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 water by a 200-gpm drilled well. This well also feeds the cattle handling infrastructure outside and the upper pasture.

Included with the ranch, at the advertised price, is a 4,200 ft² executive home. This home was custom built (2014) and offers an amalgamation country charm and elegance. The home is heated with in floor radiant heating and sits on a concrete slab. Water is provided to the home via a drilled well at 35 gpm. As you enter into the home, there is a large boot room with individual coat racks to hang and store muddy work wear. 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 counter tops 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 large dining room crowned by a barn wood cross beam. Large windows permit the sun to bask 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, playroom and entry into an attached garage. There is also an exit to the outdoor covered living space on the back of the home . Under the roofs canopy there is an outdoor barbecue area with 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.

Additional Structures

There are numerous other structures, which can be included in the transaction as needed:

Manufactured Residence
There is an additional manufactured residence off of the highway with a private yard. The manufactured home was built in 2008 and is heated by a forced air furnace and sits on a concrete pad. The home is 1,440 ft² and has a 15 cubic metre cistern for water supply.

Detached Family Home + Shop
There is a second detached family home located on the northwest ranch titles. This home sits above a gently flowing river and offers 1,050 ft² of living space. The home was built in 1975 and is well maintained. It is connected to the county water line and is heated with a forced air furnace. There is a bonus shop in the main yard as well.

Industrial Shop and Cold Storage
The industrial shop is 60 ft by 132 ft. It has 5 large overhead doors and has been used to operate a trucking transport business. There is a main office (20 ft x 20 ft), kitchen area (20 ft x12 ft), lounge, gym and sauna room. The shop is outfitted with built in air compressor and 200-amp electrical service. The building is heated by a natural gas furnace with in-floor heating and 2 radiant overhead heaters extending the entire length of the building.

Overhead door size:

4 overhead doors 12 ft x 14 ft
1 overhead door 12 ft x 16 ft

The cold storage building is 60 ft by 100 ft and 20 ft high. There are 4 large overhead doors. There are storage racks down the center of the building to increase storage capacity and organization. All doors are connected to chain hoists.

Overhead door size:

24 ft x 16 ft overhead door
20 ft x 16 ft overhead door
16 ft x 16 ft overhead door

1,800± acres Deeded
1,440± acres Grazing Lease
480± 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