With bells on: Dash through Ruidoso - snow or not - with Grindstone Stables' sleigh rides

While snow might be ideal for most sleigh rides, it isn’t always a necessity.

Such is the case for the version offered through Grindstone Stables, a Ruidoso-based business that has been giving visitors horseback rides for more than 30 years. The sleigh rides have been going on for just about as long, and though snow is uncommon in the southern New Mexico town, that doesn’t stop the attraction from running from Thanksgiving until just after New Year’s.

The key is a special type of wheeled “sleigh” that allows the rides to operate in all conditions.

With bells on: Dash through Ruidoso - snow or not - with Grindstone Stables' sleigh rides

“They’re antique bobsleds is what they are,” said Stephanie Kennedy, who owns the stables with her husband. “And we just converted them and put wheels on them, so that if there’s no snow and we can’t use the skids, then we just wheel it.”

Winter wonderland or not, the sleigh rides are quite popular. Kennedy expects that approximately 3,000 people will enjoy the journey, which takes visitors on a 30-minute trek through the oldest part of Ruidoso, by season’s end. Blankets are provided, but it’s still advised to come prepared with coats, gloves, hats and earmuffs. Bringing a warm drink with a lid, such as hot chocolate, isn’t a bad idea, either.

“Even if there’s no snow, it’s gonna be cold,” Kennedy said.

The sleighs are pulled by a team of draft horses — in this case Percherons and Belgians — that are adorned with bells to add to the festive aura. Grindstone can run as many as four sleighs, the largest of which can carry up to 12 people.

“We can put the whole family on them,” Kennedy said.

Because of its popularity, Kennedy recommends that interested parties reserve their sleigh rides in advance.

“Right around Thanksgiving, they’ll all be booked. The first couple weekends in December, we’ll probably only have two (sleighs) of them going because it won’t be as busy. But through Christmas, they’ll be booked for sure,” Kennedy said.

“We always welcome walk-ins, but they stay so busy that if you don’t have a reservation, you’re gonna still show up and stand in the cold and hope for a seat. So it’s a good idea to call ahead.”

The route itself passes through Upper Canyon, and the residents in that part of town tend to put on a show for visitors during the holiday season.

“All the cabins decorate, and they kind of try to outdo each other every year,” Kennedy said. “It’s really pretty.”

Before or after the ride, visitors can head to Wingfield Park for even more holiday attractions. This includes an outdoor ice skating rink ($20 for a day pass), which is open until 8 p.m. daily. The park itself is also adorned with Christmas lights.

“That makes a nice evening for everybody,” Kennedy said. “And they’re only like a five-minute drive apart from each other, so it’s really close.”