best sleigh ride dinner for families?

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Permalink Reply by Marlene on January 12, 2009 at 1:16pm

Boo just wrote a great blog describing her Ragnar's Sleigh Ride Dinner. And here's the page on steamboat.com that provides more information for each sleigh ride outfitter. There's a few posts on here that also provide information regarding sleigh rides - let me see if I can dig them up.

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Permalink Reply by kim on January 12, 2009 at 1:31pm

THanks.. I saw her post and did a search on the forum for sleigh rides, Saddleback, Sunset and a few others... honestly they all sound great.. I sort of like the idea of eating in a tee pee but Saddleback seems to be very popular!

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on January 13, 2009 at 9:55am

Hi

Ragnars is excellent, but I am not sure it is ideal for kids that young... our Sleigh Host was saying that they try to discourage young kids (because it is a long night and more of an adult meal). BUT that depends on the kids really (all kids are different).

Rangars is effectively a 4+ hour experience (meet at the bottom of the Gondola at 6pm, you wont be back at your condo/hotel until gone 10pm). The meal is a very relaxed, leisurely affair (it is 5 courses and I don't think that they do a kids meal option - you would have to check).and there is no option to "go home early".

There were a couple of mature young teens when we were there (12/13ish) and they seemed to enjoy it, but I am guessing that younger kids might get too tired/bored and might not like the food. BUT it is impossible to tell without knowing the kids...

You could telephone their reservations department and talk it through with them.

Have a great time, whatever you decide.

Boo

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Permalink Reply by Marlene on January 12, 2009 at 1:36pm

I can really only comment on Saddleback since it is the only one I have ever done (recently). It was quite spectacular with a full moon that evening - wow! The folks there are super friendly and it is definitely kid-friendly. When we were there we had a group of little ones ranging from 2-8 years old and the cowboys there were teaching them how to lasso a steer (pretend, of course) and the kids thought that was pretty cool. My sister and I thought it was pretty cool watching the cowboys (hope my husband doesn't read this). Can't say the food was anything I can remember or that stuck with me but usually it is more the experience than the food that you are paying for. Hope you and your family have a great time with whatever you decide upon.

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Permalink Reply by kim on January 12, 2009 at 1:47pm

Great.. maybe someone will answer about one of the others... Saddleback def sounds like a family affair .... honestly none of them sound bad! My kids just love the whole thing! We don't get any real snow here so everything in snow is fun for them!

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Permalink Reply by Trottyboy on February 23, 2009 at 7:44pm

Agree completely with you Marlene! Saddleback was a ton of fun! We were a party of 14 ranging in ages from 6-80 years old and everyone enjoyed themselves! It was a very memorable experience!

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Permalink Reply by Sian and Nige on January 13, 2009 at 8:23am

Sunset ranch ..from our trip last March.. ' the oldest sleigh ride in Northwest Colorado' so they say. its pretty much what you see in the pictures..i hope this gives a little insight..we loved it.

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Permalink Reply by kim on January 13, 2009 at 8:26am

wow great pictures! honestly I do not think there is a "bad" one out there... love the different input .... thanks for the help!

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Permalink Reply by Sian and Nige on January 13, 2009 at 8:32am

you get picked up on an old school bus pretty much from where ever suits you , the sleigh ride is perhaps half an hour or so iirc , they give you some woolen blankets to throw over you to fend of the cold..but wear warm clothing anyway..the views were lovely as you can see the return was in the dark, but still fun, this was st pats night and they themed it accordingly, the singer doing irish songs instead of the usual country..it was very informal and very relaxed..the food was simple with a small choice..you tell them which meet you want before you go..chicken steak or fish i think, with jacket potatoes..was cooked great and was just the job to warm you up..im sure your right there probably isnt a bad sliegh ride to be had.. let us know how you get on..

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Permalink Reply by trudeska on January 13, 2009 at 8:35am

Here's my take on Elk River's version...

I've done Elk River twice. The "sleigh ride" feels more like a wooden crate being pulled by wagon train horses. The paths are just basically switchbacks through a flat meadow. You can see the teepee you are heading for right at the outset. You just take a while to get there. The guide stops from time to time to tell jokes and let you take in the view of the blackest night offset by a gizillion stars, a full moon if you are lucky as we were. We saw a moonlit fox dive for a mouse under the snow which made the night for my 8 year old nature freak. Stepping into the teepee was a real WOW... sofas strewn with animal hides a wood burning stove in the center. The guide grilled our meat outside the teepee then we sat around on the sofas and dined. Before and after the ride you take appetizers then desserts, respectively, in a little guest cottage where you purchase your wine for the evening. The kids can also play in drifts of snow just outside. The first time we went to the late seating and had the teepee all to ourselves. The good? We weren't rushed. The bad? The kids crashed so they missed dinner. The second time we were rushed, rushed, rushed so that they could get another group in. Plus, the other family pretended as though we weren't there. Really awkward. No amount of social banter could make them crack a smile. We proceeded to have a good time anyway. The first time was really impressive.

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