Dashing through the snow SLEIGH RIDES OFFER BUNDLED-UP FUN

BY SHEILA ASCROFT

Snowflakes caress faces, sweet hay and cedar aromas mingle with steam off hard-working horses. Yes, and sleigh bells jingled, on a sleigh ride with my big family, complete children tumbling off into the snow and racing to jump back on, laughing all the way.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides have been a part of Canadian culture since early settlers used sleighs to travel over snow. It probably wasn’t quite as idyllic as a Krieghoff painting, but it can be a glorious ride these days for city folk.

Think about being out on a snowy night on a big sleigh cushioned with hay bales and pulled by massive horses. Or prancing over the snow in a one-horse cutter with your sweetie wrapped in a blanket. A sleigh ride can plant a warm memory in cold winter, and there are many rides to choose, from local operators on both sides of the Ottawa River.

But ahead of time …

Book your ride early, especially if you have a group (and then pray for snow!)

Check whether you bring blankets, hot drinks, snacks and the like or whether these are supplied.

Find out if anyone can sit up front with the driver.

Ask whether children (or adults) can visit the horses in the stable before or after.

Here’s a selection of rides.

PINTO VALLEY RANCH Fitzroy Harbour, Ont. 613-623-3439 pintovalley@xplornet.com www.pintovalley.com Operating until March 30

Snow permitting, Pinto Valley Ranch offers sleigh rides throughout the winter. After a ride, children can try out the toboggan hill or go skating on the pond, while adults enjoy a bonfire or the indoor fireplace along with country music and hot chocolate. The ranch offers hour-long rides day or night on its trails for $175 (plus tax). Visitors are welcome into the barn to see the animals. Advanced booking required.

CAPTIVA FARMS Wakefield, Que. 877-459-2769 or 819-459-2769 info@captivafarms.com www.captivafarms.com

Just north of the capital, Captiva Farms offers two ways to have fun in the snow. A large sleigh seats 17 adults and costs $230 for 90 minutes (the price goes up to $275 Dec. 15–Jan. 15) and the velvet-lined cutter sleigh seats two couples for $230 (price up, as above, to $250). You can also ride alongside the sleighs on one of the farm’s horses. Rides are included as part of Captiva’s bed and breakfast packages.

710 EXCURSIONS Ladysmith, Que. 819-647-2724 or 613-293-7470 shawnpulley@hotmail.com www.710excursions.com Open all winter, seven days a week

Let draft horses Victor and May in full harness with bells tour your group on a sleigh through the Ottawa Valley countryside. This

company offers hour-long rides day and night on wind-sheltered forest trails for close encounters with nature (cameras are a must), which people with disabilities can enjoy as well. The 710 company also has a four-seat sleigh with lanterns for romantics. In partnership with Hotel Ladysmith, its drivers will pick up and drop you off at the hotel door, with hot chocolate or spirits, finger foods or a complete meal before or after your ride. Reserve in advance (prices start at $150 plus tax and vary with options). New for 2013, the company offers a hot meal and drink at its new warm-up silo Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $15. If your group wants a full outdoor experience, 710 can arrange snowshoeing treks, winter survival and winter camping provided by Purelife Adventures. STANLEY’S OLDE MAPLE LANE FARM Edwards, Ont.– 613-821-2751 earl@stanleysfarm.com www.stanleysfarm.com/oursugarbush.php Open December through to February

Stanley’s horse-drawn sleigh rides last about an hour and accommodate up to 20 guests, or seat just two in its old-fashioned cutter. A driver and a coachman give a brief history of the farm, farm events and the surrounding community as they travel through forests tapped in spring for maple syrup. Afterwards, guests may visit the animals in the barn, go to the Stone House gift shop and enjoy a hot chocolate and a freshbaked cookie. Cost for everything is

PHOTO BY STANLEY’S

$245 (plus tax). MERRYLYND FARM RR 4, Lakefield, Ont. 705-755-1081 or 705-755-0519 merrylynd@peterboro.net

During winter, Merrylynd Farm just outside Peterborough will hook up its beautiful Belgian horses and take folks for long horse-drawn sleigh rides through the rolling hills on the farm’s 40-hectare property. Afterwards, there are chocolate drinks from an iron kettle over an open fire. Skating and tobogganing are also available.

HOLLYBROOKE FARMS 5280 Ramsayville Rd., Ottawa 613-822-0172 Open seven days a week

Hollybrooke offers sleigh rides, weather permitting. It will also bring a sleigh to events at your location (call for details and prices.)

Some Christmas tree farms offer free sleigh rides as part of the cutyour-own Christmas tree outing in December only. Here’s a few.

FALLOWFIELD TREE FARM 6100 Fallowfield Rd., Ottawa 613-720-3451 www.ottawatreefarm.com Open daily through Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This 40-hectare farm is full of winding trails through interesting countryside. Afterwards, you can roast marshmallows and warm up with hot chocolate around the bonfire. And cut your own Christmas tree. HILLCREST TREE FARM 7357 Fourth Line Rd., North Gower, Ont. 613-489-2994 hillcresttreefarm@sympatico.ca Open weekends until Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekdays call ahead. If weather permits, horsedrawn sleigh rides are available on weekends along with hot drinks and a bonfire.

THOMAS TREE FARM 6421 McCordick Rd., North Gower, Ont. 613-489-2314 thomas@thomastreefarm.ca www.thomastreefarm.ca Open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9 and 15).

After you cut your own Christmas tree, there’s a free ride with hot chocolate and homemade cookies.

CUNDELL’S STABLES Byward Market – (613) 241-8054

Open Saturdays and Sundays in December before Christmas from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. These are free rides, pulled by a pair of Belgian draught horses. Register early in front of the Moulin de Provence at York Street. John Cundell is the third generation to operate the family stables, which began operating in the late 1890s.