Meeting and group participants are becoming four-wheelers, wine experts, chili artistes and much more, thanks to a newly-introduced menu of teambuilding and group activities at
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. The new menu was developed by the resort’s Group Activities division, with programs operated and staffed by specially-trained employees of The Ritz-Carlton and including a team of uniquely outdoor-oriented Southwest adventure and culinary specialists.
Located in a dramatic desert setting between Phoenix/Scottsdale and Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain specializes in creative group and teambuilding programs highlighted by:
Chili, Salsa and Guacamole Challenges
Adorned in aprons, group teams battle it out in a race against the clock to design, create, and present two different creations chosen from Chili, Salsa or Guacamole dishes. This event pairs well with a dinner reception to follow or as a fun afternoon activity. Guests also enjoy the addition of a Margarita Bar to this friendly competition.
Glow Golf
Glow Golf pairs attendees with resort golf pros in a memorable evening of glow putting and chipping challenges for novice and experienced golfers alike. Playing on expansive putting green illuminated by the glow of custom-created putting holes complete with natural hazards, guests use glow golf balls to navigate the lighted holes, and even chip from a driving range towards a flag outlined in glow attire.
Margarita Mixing Class
The adopted cocktail of Arizona is the Margarita, and this activity incorporates Margaritas using the freshest flavors of the Sonoran Desert. Guests learn the difference between styles of tequila, which are harvested from the blue agave, and the importance and ease of using fresh juices to make the perfect Margarita. Guests will learn to make the classic Margarita, along with fruity variations of the traditional Margarita on the rocks.
Hiking Reception
Event members experience a journey into the magnificent Tortolita Mountains and explore areas, which the Hohokam Indians inhabited so many years ago. Experienced guides lead guests along National Geographic-mapped desert trails and provide outdoor refreshments as well as colorful commentary. Options exist for attendees to voyage on foot or via four-wheel drive.
Group Ranch Adventures
Groups can experience the authentic cowboy spirit of the Old West offered by The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in conjunction with The White Stallion Ranch, a century-old working cattle ranch. Guests enjoy daily or sunset horseback, trail and hayrides, and take part in live cattle penning or the Saturday Rodeo — a 60-year tradition narrated with an eye to the history and tradition of ranching and rodeo in the West. Back at the ranch or underneath the stars, participants then dust off their boots, enjoy hearty cowboy grub, and witness the ever-changing hues of a brilliant mountain sunset in the Southwest.
Yoga Breakfast
Surrounded by majestic mountains, magnificent and rare Saguaro cactus and fresh desert air, guests begin the day with a centering yoga class, led by one of the resort’s certified yoga instructors. In the class, the focus is on stretching, mental relaxation and overall wellness, and a special enhancement is a follow-up, spa-inspired healthy continental breakfast served in a private location exclusively for group guests.
Stargazing Afterglow
Participants will enjoy a visual journey thousands of miles into clear night skies, as knowledgeable astronomers lead a group stargazing session using high-powered telescopes. One of the astronomy capitals of the world, Tucson offers up expansive skies in which to view constellations, planets, stars and the moon. A delicious addition to this activity is a “Stargazing Dessert” station, filled with sky-inspired treats such as Black Hole Brownies, Lemon Moon Pies, Milky Way Cupcakes, Super Nova Chocolate Chip Cookies, Solar Flare Citrus Berry Parfaits and Cosmic Rice Krispies.
Wine Blending Class
Many of the best wines in the world are blends of individual varietals, and participants learn how to distinguish the characteristics of red varietals and how they can be blended to create a better, more complex wine. By the end of the class, guests will be able to create their own signature wine blends to impress friends and family.
Dining under the Stars
A unique evening experience, Dining under the Stars presents a meal in the middle of an infinity-edge pool surrounded by the changing ambient colors of fiber-optic lighting. The evening can be enhanced by special touches such as a solo guitarist, private telescope and dedicated astronomer and a s’mores station set-up poolside.
Geo-Caching
Geo-Caching is a high-tech treasure-hunting game played throughout the world by adventure-seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is for teams to search outdoors and locate hidden containers, called geo-caches, sharing their experiences afterward either online or in a group gathering. Geo-caching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, offering a strong sense of shared community and support for the environment.
Farm-to-Market Cooking Class
Resort chefs provide guests with the tips, tools and training to prepare a regionally-inspired group meal, with customized logos able to be placed on participants’ aprons. A unique addition is a visit to the local organic farm where many of the resort’s vegetables and herbs are grown. Guests have the opportunity to take a tour of the farm and speak directly to the farmer, learning first-hand what it takes to get a fresh ingredient from seed to table.
With more than 44,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor function space, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain caters to group meetings and special events with a variety of spaces to choose from, including three ballrooms of 9,000, 5,000, and 2,100 sq. ft. and five individual meeting rooms. Numerous outdoor meeting spaces feature lush lawns and/or dramatic desert surroundings, complemented by an award-winning destination spa and fitness center able to accommodate group activities, two swimming pools — one with a central tanning island, championship golf, multiple indoor and outdoor dining venues, expansive grounds, on-site desert adventures and exclusive group access to White Stallion Ranch. Additional gathering options are available at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, its restaurant and clubhouse and COPRAGolf Academy, home to a variety of group golf clinics and corporate outings. Group inquiries may be directed to the resort at (520) 572-3000 or
www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain.