Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides in Breckenridge
You know that one song about wintertime, that’s usually played to get you in the holiday spirit? The one that goes, “walking in a winter wonderland.” I often feel that this song was written about my life in Breckenridge. If you’re new around here to Mountain Chic Musings, you might not know that I am not originally from Colorado. What! A girl who has a blog about mountain life that’s not from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado? Never!
If you asked me 15 years ago where I would be, I could have never imagined a lifestyle so deeply rooted in the outdoors. Playing on the mountain or road tripping through snow-dusted pine tree forests to the next magical mountain town was never in my deck of cards. Or so I thought.
Breckenridge is All About Lifestyle
The adventure and balanced lifestyle that comes along with living in Breckenridge, Colorado is hard to beat. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Living in Breck also means that every once in awhile, I get to do some REALLY COOL activities. Like, horse-drawn sleigh rides through a winter wonderland, surrounded by twinkle lights hanging from Blue Spruce and Colorado pine trees. Oh, and with a cup of steaming hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps, should that tickle your fancy.
I was invited to experience an evening with Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides, a local horse-drawn sleigh ride company here in Breckenridge. Riding behind two massive and regal Clydesdale horses on a bright red sleigh seems like something straight out of a fairytale. I can assure you, I felt like a mountain princess for hours that evening.
If you’re looking for activities in Breckenridge or even just a local looking for a good friends outing or date night idea, look no further than Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides mining camp dinner and theater ride. You’ll rave about the experience just like I am to your friends and family for years to come.
So how does the evening play out?
Golden Horseshoe Tours is located about 6 miles outside of downtown Breckenridge, in the mountain countryside where the air is brisk and the cell service is well, non-existent.
When we arrived we checked in for our excursion under the cover of a cozy canvas tent, complete with twinkle lights, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, a stove fireplace and the friendliest staff ready to greet us with a warm cup of cocoa and that peppermint schnapps I previously mentioned. We received two dinner tickets that identified our pre-ordered meals of steak and fish for the dinner to follow our sleigh ride.
Shortly after check-in, four Clydesdale horses named Smith & Wesson and Atlas & Apollo trotted up with that ever so recognizable clip-clop, clip-clop. Then, two darker horses, Salt & Pepper arrived, a Belgian duo ready to carry us away in our sleigh chariot.
After a quick photo opportunity with the towering horses (and I mean, they are truly gentle GIANTS), we were swept off through the forest at dusk, and watched the remaining alpenglow slowly fade to darkness. Our sleigh guide told old mining town stories about the history of Breckenridge and how the quaint mountain town came to be. Did you know that there are multiple types of mining? Guess you learn something new every day!
Our trusted steeds Smith & Wesson, trotted back through the backcountry winter wonderland and we soon arrived at the most darling circle of canvas tents that surrounded a crackling fire pit we could huddle around for warmth. We then were guided into a tent where we stepped into a time machine that took us back to the saloon and mining days of Breckenridge. Complete with a bright red piano, stove fireplace, log walls and ceilings straight out of your childhood tinker toys tub, we were immersed in a mountain scene, perfect for the dinner and show we were about to experience!
I won’t spoil the rest for you, but our evening unwound into a three-course hearty meal to warm the soul and fill the belly, followed by a generous serving of homemade apple pie. I’m drooling on my keyboard just thinking about it.
After a delightful and hilarious show by “Diamond Dixie” the dance hall girl, we nearly had to wobble back out to our glorious red sleigh, which by the weigh (no pun intended) is 1,000 pounds, WITHOUT passengers. Just goes to show you the strength of Clydesdales!
And that’s a wrap! Over the years, I’ve grown to prioritize experiences not things. An evening with Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides is an unique mountain experience that builds lifelong memories with the ones you love.
What To Know, Before You Go
- There is no cell service.
- Bring: Hand Warmers, Gloves, Hat, Scarf.
- Cash to tip your hosts and pay for drinks.
- There are different types of sleigh ride tours. Check them out here.
- Cameras & iPhones are allowed for photography.
- Golden Horseshoe Tours is on the same property as Good Times, don’t worry, you’re in the right place when you arrive.
Looking for other things to do in Breckenridge? Check out related articles here!
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