A Stitch In Time; Walters Sleigh Rides

Visitors enjoy the wintery scene at Walters Sleigh Rides (photo contributed)

By Barbra Fairclough

An open sleigh ride at Walters Sleigh Rides has been a wintery highlight of the holiday season for generations.

Today, tradition carries on as Keith Walters’ son Irwin and his family provide nostalgic sleigh rides pulled by two beautiful Percheron horses. The horses are driven by Irwin and son Deryk through their eighty-acre ranch.

Guests are covered by beautiful homemade quilts, stitched from fabrics of recycled materials from years gone by, each one lovingly made by Keith Walters’ wife Anita and her mother Granny ‘B’.

Anita takes time each year to add a few stitches and do minor repairs to keep the many quilts in top shape. Guests are fond of the beautiful quilts, and it is their unique beauty that adds a special personal touch.

The farm has been in the family since 1935, and Keith Walters was raised here from his early childhood. When Keith started offering sleigh rides to people in the community over 25 years ago, he may not have predicted the enduring tradition that had begun.

Walters Sleigh Rides Percheron horses

(photo’s contributed)

In earlier years, Keith would return to the cabin after a crisp sleigh ride with friends and neighbours, and his wife Anita would offer up a generous serving of hot chocolate and cinnamon buns. This was a wonderful end to the ride where everyone had a chance to visit and connect around the crackling woodstove.

There is still a cracking fire in the wood stove, and after the horse-drawn ride, patrons will take a step back in time in the cabin filled with mementos that speak to the long traditions of sleigh rides in the Walters’ family. A good place to connect with friends and neighbours over a mug of hot chocolate.

Sleigh rides begin in early December and are by horse-drawn wagon until the snow starts falling. They continue a horse-drawn open sleigh throughout the winter season. Large groups can easily be accommodated, and rides are scheduled by reservation. The farm is in historic Notch Hill at 2068 Notch Hill Road “Broderick Creek Ranch”.

Irwin’s wife Carol-Lynn confirms word of mouth is how most folks find out about it. “It’s quite picturesque and patrons are welcome to take photos along the way.” To reserve your horse-drawn winter sleigh ride, contact Irwin or Carol-Lynn at (250) 835-8384.