Wintertime in Breckenridge brings bustling crowds excited for skiing the slopes and enjoying the snowy high country mountainscape. In this season, the charming ski town feels like a snow globe full of sparkling dreamlike moments from childhood. It is an alpine escape to Christmas town where children are sledding, gondola’s are running, hot chocolate is frequently sipped, and horse drawn sleigh rides over the snow are an actual reality just waiting for passengers. In Colorado, there are many unique winter activities to enjoy once the snow falls, like dogsledding and snowmobiling. One of my favorite activities though are the sleigh rides, which are enchanting and endearing for all ages. Thankfully, you can find many of your desired winter activities all in one place, a little known placed called Good Times Adventures! Good Times Adventures is nestled in a unique backwoods setting amidst the White River National Forest. It sits 6.5 miles back on Tiger road (you will lose cell service) in between Frisco and Breckenridge, Colorado. The company offers premier guided snowmobiling and dogsledding tours but if snowmobiles and huskies are not your thing, they also host another company on the property; Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides. Golden Horseshoe hosts several options for horse drawn sleigh rides and mining camp dinner theaters which are a hoot to experience during the winter months. There is hearty warm food and actors tell tales of another time that create an uproar of an evening while experiencing a small sliver of the past. Take time to enjoy all of these winter activities if you can as each one is unique and leaves a lasting impression! When you arrive you will see that there is a lot of excitement happening at base, so even if you only choose one activity to experience, you are sure to see a few zooming snowmobiles and hear excited huskies barking before you leave on your own adventure.

Another reason this season is so magical is that it rings in the new year with proposals and wedded expectation. As a majority of Colorado based couples choose a warm summer wedding or elopement date for their celebration, winter is really the perfect time to propose. And honestly, what better way to go about it than an alluring horse sleigh ride that takes you over the snow and through the woods? That is exactly what Austin chose to do and it could not have been more fun for him and his fiance! Austin booked a private romantic sleigh ride and secretly invited family to join in on their Breckenridge vacation. After our horse took off down the trail, family arrived and awaited the couples return inside the large canvas welcome tent, kept warm by a wood burning stove. If that doesn’t sound cozy, I really don’t know what does!

We set out across the Swan River Valley and enjoyed the crisp air on a bright and sunny afternoon. Golden Horseshoe provided warm blankets and toasty hot cocoa for the ride. We glided across the snow and watched as a silent dogsled team rushed by amongst the trees on a nearby trail. The bells from the horses tack jingled as we moved along, adding to the dazzling landscape of shimmering snow and tall pine trees. Eventually we came to an opening in the trees and the horse and bells slowed to a quiet stop. We had arrived at a lookout that boasts views of Mt. Guyot, a 13,376 ft mountain that sits high above the Swan River Valley and Georgia Pass. We encouraged taking time to walk about and enjoy the view and this is when Austin dropped down on one knee. I pulled out my camera, hidden beneath a warm blanket, to document the moment. His heartfelt proposal was so sweet and came as a complete surprise! While he was kneeling she bent down and kissed him over and over again. She of course said yes and could not stop looking at the beautiful engagement ring he chose for her. We celebrated with champagne, took photos with the Percheron draft horse, and allowed the couple time to take in the views and all of the excitement of getting engaged.

Post proposal we returned to the elegant black swan-bodied sleigh awaiting us on the trail. Bells jingled once more as we left the open valley and wound our way back through the trees. The newly engaged couple sipped champagne and cuddled up together as we passed through the now memory filled woods. When we arrived back to base, another surprise was waiting. Jumping down onto firm ground, the snow crunched beneath our feet. The couple ducked their heads into the canvas tent and family erupted in cheers and congratulations. It was a special moment to celebrate their engagement together with all of their loved ones.

I hope you enjoyed their proposal story and the pictures that follow!