Photo via @tourismradium / Instagram
Looking for a cute winter date idea? An enchanting horse-drawn sleigh ride is a great reason to get bundled up and experience British Columbia’s frost-covered mountains. And if you’ve been craving a day trip out of Vancouver, even better, because these spots provide a much-needed getaway from the city!
As it turns out, the village of Radium Hot Springs is home to more than just its famed hot springs. From Dec. 26 to 29, visitors can cozy up in a horse-drawn sleigh that takes them on a tour of the charming town.
Each ride is priced at $10 per person, and must be booked in advance. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis, and can accommodate up to 10 to 12 riders depending on the sleigh ride time (11 am to 4:30 pm).
Where: 4863 Stanley Street, Radium Hot Springs
From Dec. 15 through Mar 31, visitors of Big White Ski Resort can go on a nostalgic journey on a horse-drawn sleigh through the winter wonderland of Big White, snuggled up beneath warm blankets as you glide across snow-covered trails.
Sleigh ride tours are offered daily for $35 to $45 per adult and $25 to $35 per child.
Where: 5315 Big White Road, Kelowna
Barkerville is the largest living history museum in western North America, allowing visitors to roam over 125 carefully restored heritage buildings. And the historic town is about to get an old-fashioned Christmas makeover! This includes festive, horse-drawn sleigh rides on Dec. 14 and 15.
Where: Cariboo Wagon Road, Barkerville
For a spot that’s closer to Vancouver, head to Grouse Mountain for a memorable mountaintop journey with access to a ton of holiday fun, including its popular pond skating rink. Visitors can hop on a sleigh ride just behind Santa’s Workshop throughout the winter season, the price of which is included with a Mountain Admission Ticket, Annual Pass, or Lift Ticket.
Where: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Ready for the magic of Christmas carols, sleigh bells, and nine days of horse-drawn sleigh rides in the Okanagan? Head to Armstrong for the annual Horse Drawn Okanagan event, which offers visitors the chance to glide through the snow-covered valley.
Tickets are $23 for adults and $15 for children, and include a bonfire, complimentary cookies and cocoa, and visits with the horses and farm animals.
Note that three sleighs will run on Dec. 20 to 29, with the exception of Christmas Day.
Where: 4735 Grandview Flats Road North, Spallumcheen
This month, visitors of Fernie can go snowmobiling on Coal Creek, ride in horse-drawn sleighs at the Fernie Alpine Resort (available daily from December 22nd to January 5th), indulge in a pancake breakfast with Santa, and take part in a number of community Christmas parties, craft fairs, and holiday concerts.
Where: 5339 Fernie Ski Hill Road, Fernie
Every year from December to April, Sun Peaks Stables offers horse-drawn sleigh rides to visitors looking for a private tour of Sun Peaks Village. Starting at $425 for family sleigh rides, these 40-minute tours are definitely a splurge – but if you’re treating your family for the holidays, they’re well worth it.
Note that Sleigh Rides depart from just outside the Village Day Lodge and The Coast Sundance Lodge.
Where: Sun Peaks Stables, Industrial Way
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