Sleigh Rides

Private Sleigh Ride for Four

A private horse-drawn sleigh ride for four people through Banff's mountain meadows is the perfect winter outing for the whole family!

Duration: 40 Mins
Riders: All Ages
Season: Dec-Mar
Departs: Throughout the day

Climb aboard your private sleigh ride with a friendly cowboy guide, and take in the breathtaking views and sparkling winter air of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as this horse-drawn sleigh will take you through Banff’s Bow River Valley, with mountain views including Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain.

This 40-minute sleigh ride package includes warm buffalo hides to snuggle under. After your ride, gather around the fire with your group and enjoy a hot drink, plus two included s’mores kits—enough to make four delicious s’mores to share. Seating up to four people, the family can consist of a mixed group of adults and kids or just adults.

The perfect excuse to get close and snuggle up.

What’s Included

Cowboy Guide / Sleigh Driver
A warm buffalo robe to snuggle under
hot drink
2x S'mores kit

Before You Ride

HIGHLIGHTS

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

Private sleigh ride for four

A private sleigh ride for up to four people, perfect for the whole family or group of friends.

Special touches

The ride includes a warm buffalo robe to keep you warm, a 2x s'mores kit (make 4 s'mores) and hot drinks to enjoy by the fire after your ride.

FAQs

When does sleigh ride season run?

Sleigh rides run December to March, departing throughout the day. They're weather dependent and may not operate in some conditions.

How long is the sleigh ride?

About 40 minutes, with optional time by the campfire afterwards to enjoy a hot drink by the campfire, weather and snow conditions permitting.

Is there an age limit? Do babies ride free?

Our public sleigh ride has no age limit, and children 3 and under ride free, though they aren't guaranteed a seat and may sit on your lap. The Private Sleigh Ride for Four and Private Group Sleigh are open to all ages, while the Private Sleigh Ride for Two is listed as 18+.

What should we wear?

Dress warmly in layers, with a thick winter jacket, mitts, a hat and boots. The sleigh is open-top and you're outside in the cold for about 40 minutes.

Are blankets provided? Is the sleigh covered?

Yes, we provide warm wool blankets for the ride, and our private sleighs for two and four come with buffalo robes. The sleighs are open-top, not covered, so please dress warmly.

Is there a hot drink or campfire afterwards?

Yes. After the ride you can warm up by the campfire back at the stables with a hot drink, weather and snow conditions permitting.

Can we buy s'mores kits?

Yes. S'mores kits are available to buy at the stables to roast by the fire after your ride, weather permitting. Our Private Sleigh Rides for Two and for Four include s'mores kits.

Do you offer private sleigh rides?

Yes. We offer a Private Sleigh Ride for Two in a one-horse cutter sleigh, a Private Sleigh Ride for Four, and a Private Group Sleigh with seating for up to 9 or 16 people. The rides for two and four include buffalo robes, a hot drink and s'mores kits.

What is the difference between the public and private sleigh?

On our public sleigh ride, you share a 9- or 16-seat sleigh typically pulled by two horses, with wool blankets and a hot drink, and s'mores kits for sale. Private sleighs are just for your group: a one-horse cutter for two or four with buffalo robes and s'mores kits included, or a whole 9- or 16-seat sleigh for larger groups.

How many people fit in a sleigh?

Our public and private group sleighs seat 9 or 16 people. The Private Sleigh Ride for Two is a 2-seat cutter, and the Private Sleigh Ride for Four seats up to four. For larger groups, please contact us.

Do you run sleigh rides at Lake Louise?

No. Our sleigh rides depart from Banff Trail Riders Stables, at the end of Sundance Road in Banff, a short drive from downtown.

Is there a Christmas or holiday sleigh ride?

Yes, our sleigh rides operate through the holiday season, weather and snow conditions permitting. Advance booking is recommended.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for approximately 40 minutes, with optional time by the fire after your ride.

How to dress?

We recommend dressing warm and in layers. Full dress code suggestions can be found here.

What does the tour include?

The private family sleigh ride includes buffalo hides to keep you warm during the ride, 2x s'mores kit (make 4 s'mores) and the option to warm up by the fire after your ride with a hot drink.

Where is the meeting point?

Please meet at Banff Tail Riders Stables, the big red stables located at the end of Sundance Road in Banff. When you arrive, please follow the sleigh ride signs to check in for your ride at the office in the west barn. There is plenty of free parking at the site.

When should I arrive?

We recommend that you get to the Banff Trail Riders Stables 20 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.

What kinds of things will I see on this tour?

The circuit is at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, so you will get great views of Banff’s surrounding mountains including Sulphur Mountain and Mount Norquay. If you are lucky you may even spot some local wildlife including deer or elk.

Is the sleigh covered or open? Is it cold?

The sleigh is “open top” so we recommend that everyone dresses warm with multiple layers, mitts, hats, a thick winter jacket and boots. There will be buffalo hides to help to keep you warm during the ride.

What do we sit on? Is it hay or a proper seat?

The sleigh is a traditional wood construction style, with wooden bench seats. You do not sit on hay.

How many horses pull the sleigh? How big are they?

This ride is taken in a four seat cutter sleigh pulled by one horse – a true one-horse open sleigh! The horses are a variety of heavy horse breeds, including Percheron horses..

What is the cancellation policy?

There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).

Should I tip my guide?

Gratuities are customary and very much appreciated.

BOOKING TERMS

The price is per sleigh, which can fit up to four people.
All minors under 18 years old participating in a horse activity must have a parent or legal guardian on the ride with them.
All adults must sign a waiver prior to the tour. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any rider under the age of 18 (documentation may be required to confirm the signatory’s authority).
Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
Sleigh rides are weather dependent, and may not operate in certain conditions.