Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS

    25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine

    Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Life
  3. Travel
  4. These Scenic Sleigh Rides Across the Country Are Bound to Take Your Breath Away

These Scenic Sleigh Rides Across the Country Are Bound to Take Your Breath Away

By Zee Krstic
December 16, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty / Leo Himsl / LOOK-foto

Celebrate a joyous holiday season by hopping aboard one of the best old-fashioned rides across the nation—you'll experience the enchanting sound of sleigh bells and the whisper of runners on fresh snow.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Getty / Leo Himsl / LOOK-foto

These days, there are so many ways you can travel over the hills and through the woods—but none are as impressive as a horse-drawn sleigh. If you're dreaming of snuggling up in a warm blanket and joyfully whizzing through piles of fresh powder, you may want to travel off the beaten path. These destinations all offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear sleigh bells ring as you mount a real wooden sleigh in the heart of the wilderness, enjoying your very own ride through a wonderland of snow.

Expect more than just a pair of thoroughbreds and a seat aboard the sleigh. Some of the best sleigh rides in the United States offer a chance to see local wildlife in their habitat; in Wyoming, for example, you'll find yourself surrounded by thousands of elk as they gently saunter the snow-covered grasslands in Yellowstone National Park. Other experiences will get you up close and center with animals on your journey, including one experience where the sleigh is lined with treats for you to actually feed animals as you go. Most sleigh rides are simply one offering in the local attractions—tourists can enjoy skiing and snow sculpting, ice skating on open air, steaming mugs of cocoa, live holiday music and light festivals, or a hearty meal in front of a warm stone fireplace.

Every trip, however, comes with a sweeping scenic view of the natural world around you. Some of these sleigh rides are nestled in picturesque Christmas towns that are full of first-in-class resorts, while others take you beyond paved, car-lined streets into the forests and trails that wind up into the mountains. Climb aboard as we walk you through the best sleigh rides found across the country, from the Pacific Northwest all the way into New England.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Aspen, Colorado

Credit: Courtesy of C2 Photography / Aspen Chamber of Commerce

Enjoying a fine four-course dinner at Elk Mountain Range in the heart of Colorado's ski country sounds exciting enough. What if we told you the only way you could get to the restaurant is by a horse-drawn sleigh? The Pine Creek Cookhouse is known for combining gourmet recipes with locally-sourced game (try the chef's selection of ten-ounce Rocky Mountain elk chop) and other ingredients. Even if you only stop by this charming log cabin for cocktails, you'll never forget how you traveled there in the first place.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Leavenworth, Washington

Credit: Courtesy of Icicle TV

This Bavarian-themed Christmas town is just two hours northeast of Seattle, and its main street is worth a visit all on its own (plus, there's a reindeer farm). There are four different farms and purveyors in town that offer daily sleigh rides for the whole family throughout the winter season. But if you head there on weekends in December, you'll catch a glimpse of the Christmas Lighting Festival and the 50,000 outdoor lights that are on display at the annual Christkindlmarkt.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Credit: Getty / Jacob W. Frank

If a remote excursion is what you seek, head out West. Far away from any resort or bustling city, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners with local sleigh drivers in the Wyoming state area to take visitors through the National Elk Refuge, which is populated by thousands of migrating elk each and every winter. And if you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of bison, trumpeter swans, or even a bald eagle. Purchase a ticket in person at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center or make a reservation for private groups.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Big Sky, Montana

Credit: Courtesy of Lone Mountain Ranch / Brian Schett

While the intimate lodges that pepper the Lone Mountain Ranch are exclusive enough, the sleigh rides that are offered on their breathtaking grounds have become legendary since their historic homesteading began in 1915. During the day, you'll catch sweeping vista views of nearby Wilson Peak. And at night, you can be whisked off to an oil-lantern-lit cabin for a farm-to-table family-style dinner of prime rib. You can hitch a ride from December through March, by making a reservation.

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

North Lake Tahoe, California

Credit: Courtesy of Borges Family Sleigh & Carriage Rides

California isn't synonymous with snow, but North Lake Tahoe is home to the largest alpine lake and many ski resorts in the Sierra region, and it comes alive with frosted peaks during the holiday season. You'll find horses trotting their way along the shores of the lake if you check out Borges Sleigh & Carriage Rides, which has been operating in the area since 1967. The private tour is narrated as you weave through pine trees and snow-covered trails, observing the pristine beauty of the lake itself.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

North Conway, New Hampshire

Credit: Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington Resort

All of New England turns into a picturesque snow globe, but this area is home to Mount Washington, the largest summit in the Northeast. Alongside the Conway Scenic Railroad (which runs Santa's Holiday Express in November and December), visitors can hop on their own sleigh ride at the Omni Mount Washington Resort, which dashes across the grounds of the hotel at the base of Mount Washington. You'll even be served a cup of hot cocoa while you enjoy views of the mountain.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fish Creek, Wisconsin

Credit: Courtesy of John Nienhuis and Door County Visitor Bureau

Ever wonder what happens to orchards and wineries when winter arrives? The whole family can get bundled up in their coats and take in a guided tour on the 100-acre grounds of Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery and Market, which has been family-owned since 1955. The narrating driver will help you navigate the orchards, vineyards, and wooded logging trails of Door County. Afterwards, return to the market and warm up with their homemade spiced wines and hot apple cider.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Telluride, Colorado

Credit: Courtesy of Telluride Sleighs and Wagons

It's already a ski destination, but Telluride provides fun for the whole family even when you're away from the slopes. Telluride Sleighs combines a thrilling sleigh ride beneath the stars (pulled by Bambi and Pearl, a pair of American draft horses) with a delicious culinary experience. Over the course of the evening, they will transport you to a Basque-inspired dinner in the luxurious yurt situated on the Aldasoro family ranch.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Marquette, Michigan

Credit: Courtesy of Pond House Ponies

Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Marquette is one of the largest communities in the Upper Peninsula—and is packed with adventure. Snow is all a-flurry during the winter season, and Pond House Ponies takes area visitors through fresh powder on 33 acres of groomed trails that are adorned with holiday lights and décor. After you've been towed by a pair of Norwegian Fjord horses, you'll be able to warm-up by a bonfire in the middle of the property.

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cascade, Idaho

Credit: Courtesy of Art of Visuals / Visit Southwest Idaho

This sleigh is lined with alfalfa bales—not for your comfort, per se, but to encourage the herds of wild elk that guests see on their journey to actually approach the sleigh. There are over one hundred elk that normally feed along the Gold Fork River north of this small city, which means you'll have ample opportunity to watch as the elk eat right from the sides of your sleigh; you'll be able to join Hap and Florence Points Sleigh Rides throughout the winter season.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Government Camp, Oregon

Credit: Courtesy of Collins Lake Resort / Katie Schoen

A small alpine village below the slope of Mount Hood, Government Camp is about as wintry as it gets. Each year, there's an average snowfall of nearly 300 inches, and it's the base camp for a wide range of outdoor activities and adventures. Even though the town is at an altitude of 4,000 feet, the village's Mount Hood Outfitters saddles up a team of Belgian horses to pull visitors through the historic village with daily tours making their way past Christmas lights and trees on parade.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

East Haddam, Connecticut

Credit: Courtesy Connecticut Office of Tourism

Just about two hours north of New York (and south of Boston), this sleepy Connecticut town is home to historic architecture, scenic panoramas, and the Horse Drawn Carriage and Sleigh Museum of New England at Allegra Farm. After you peruse the vintage carriages and sleighs housed at the museum, climb aboard one of their carriages through charming farmlands where fresh air and lush forests abound. You may even recognize your ride: Virtually every carriage, in addition to being a true antique, has a history of having transported famous actors in numerous movie or television productions such as Kate and Leopold.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Durango, Colorado

Credit: Courtesy of Treehouse Communications

Many visitors flock to Durango for a ride aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which first ran in 1880 and is modeled after the Polar Express each December. At the nearby Purgatory Resort, a 45-minute sleigh ride through the base of the San Juan National Forest will allow you to see more of the forests than you would on the train. Along the way, there's an option to stop for an aprés ski at the Nugget Mountain Bar, where there is a full bar as well as gourmet food trucks ready to serve you.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Greenough, Montana

Credit: Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up

Greenough is a well-kept secret locale enjoyed by many Northwestern locals, but one of the best experiences in town is actually held at a luxury resort for tourists. A whole team of Percheron Draft horses at the Resort at Paws Up pull guests through frosted forests and through powdery hills each and everyday, where guests can lean back and sip on hot cocoa and hot cider during their excursion. 

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Zee Krstic

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 15
2 of 15 Aspen, Colorado
3 of 15 Leavenworth, Washington
4 of 15 Jackson Hole, Wyoming
5 of 15 Big Sky, Montana
6 of 15 North Lake Tahoe, California
7 of 15 North Conway, New Hampshire
8 of 15 Fish Creek, Wisconsin
9 of 15 Telluride, Colorado
10 of 15 Marquette, Michigan
11 of 15 Cascade, Idaho
12 of 15 Government Camp, Oregon
13 of 15 East Haddam, Connecticut
14 of 15 Durango, Colorado
15 of 15 Greenough, Montana

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

These Scenic Sleigh Rides Across the Country Are Bound to Take Your Breath Away
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.