Horse Drawn Okanagan in Armstrong offers horse drawn sleigh rides every winter.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Horse Drawn Okanagan
December 16, 2023 - 12:00 PM
With snow just starting to fall in Kamloops and the Okanagan, many ranches and ski hills are getting teams of horses ready to pull guests through forests and fields.
The snow, the hot chocolate and the interaction with heavy draft horses adorned with jingle bells makes for special family memories.
It is the sixth year the Clydesdales at Horse Drawn Okanagan in Armstrong are pulling sleighs through a hayfield, offering cookies and hot chocolate, and ending with a warm gathering around a bonfire.
“Some people have never seen draft horses up close and are amazed at their size, calmness and ability, it’s something a lot of kids don’t grow up with and generational farms are less common than ever these days,” owner Kelly MacIntosh said.
She loves to share the history behind the tradition of using draft horses and sleighs.
“We try to give some context of draft horses and their purpose, it interests people,” she said. “The older generations tend to enjoy the history while the kids love to get to know the horses and their personalities. Draft horses are heavy horses that were used to transport things, like logs and ice blocks and were essential for the developing agricultural industry.”
The trails are already packed down for the events that run from Dec. 22 to Dec. 24, and Dec. 27 to Dec. 30 at 4735 Grandview Flats Road. Find details on available times and tickets here.
Pritchard resident Ellen Hockley takes drives her horse drawn sleigh full of friends through the snow.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Rachael Sdoutz
Horse-drawn sleigh rides are available at Big White Ski Resort where guests can keep warm under a blanket and drink hot cocoa while gliding along snowy forest trials for either a half hour or an hour.
“This is an ideal family adventure, open to all ages, promising a fantastic and heartwarming experience,” the resort's website reads.
There are also private tours available for a more intimate experience as well as a more family-oriented Dining Tour that ends at a cabin in the woods where a gourmet meal is waiting.
The tours run from Dec. 22 to Jan. 19. More information and tickets can be found here.
Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna offers horse drawn sleigh rides every winter season.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Big White Ski Resort
On a big farm in Pritchard, just East of Kamloops, long-time horse driver Ellen Hockley is getting her team geared up for a fun season of dashing through the snow.
“We are open for the public, however we are snow dependent but run throughout the season, sometimes into March so we should be able to adapt easily,” she said. “We got enough snow last night to hook up and run the sleighs but the ground is still warm.”
Of course, she will be adorning her team with jingle bells.
The rides run during the days between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. can be made by reservation via email here.
Sun Peaks Stables has been booking private horse-drawn sleigh rides through Sun Peaks Village since 2013, where guests enjoy the "sights and lights of snowy trails" according to their website.
It's unclear how many tours they are running and for how many months this season, and the owners were not immediately available for comment. More information can be found here.
This photo shows a horse team with Sun Peaks Stables company at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops in 2022.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sun Peaks Stables
Did we miss any horse-drawn sleigh opportunities in your neck of the woods? Please everyone know in the comment section below.
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