When looking for things to do, sleigh rides popped up. Yes,horses pull the sled, not reindeer. When…read moreits your turn you hop up into the sleigh & are given blankets. The person pulling the sleigh gived you a little background on the ranch & horses. Thought it was cool that most horses come here from Montana & will go back after the season is over. It was a magical experience. There hadn't been much snow fall recently, but there was still enough for it to feel like a winter wonderland. After the ride is over, youre free to take photos with the horses & then head inside to get some hot cider & coffee. All the workers were really nice & welcoming. The one who was with us was born & raised in Hawaii, so it was nice to have a little piece of home with us on this ride. Such a cool experience, highly recommend.

We were in town for Christmas and all of the sleigh rides fully booked. I emailed Eagle Creek Ranch…read moreand they contacted me early the next day and we were able to set up a sleigh ride on Christmas Day :) They provide blankets on the ride. Just bundle up if it's snowing. They have a warm waiting room with coffee and hot cider. All the staff was great and informative

This is a horseback riding business affiliated with Sun Mountain Lodge. I came here with my family…read morelast summer for a trail ride and we had such a great time that we all came back again this summer to do it again. The trail rides are led by Debbie, who is wonderful with horses and people. She take a lot of time to make sure everyone is comfortable on their horse and that the stirrups are just right. The trail ride goes through some beautiful country with breathtaking views, and Debbie knows a lot about the local plants and history which is really interesting.

From the owner: We focus on providing quality horseback experiences. We offer horsemanship lessons, guided trail…read morerides, wagon rides, and hopefully in the future sleigh rides again. We take each individual's level and provide an experience suited to their experience and learning style. We know the personalities of our horse herd and what unique qualities they each have. Come and experience JD Outfitters for yourself:) we look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Debbie 'Red' Schrock

Had a quick but wonderful ride with Judy, who was so accommodating in setting our time up on short…read morenotice. Would love to come back for an overnight trip and just really enjoyed the ride, her friendliness, her grandkids who were helping around the barn and overall experience. Highly recommend for anyone to book here.

Early Winters Outfitting is a joke.......Don't waste your time and money! I booked a fully guided…read morehunting trip for my son, who drew a once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat tag. We were promised a horseback style backcountry hunt with wall tents. Two days before our hunt was supposed to start, Early Winters postponed our hunt, and one week later they completely canceled our hunt with zero explanation what so ever. Save yourself bunch of time and headache, and spend your hard earned money elsewhere. These people are a complete joke and their customer service is the worst I have ever dealt with.

The ranch dog had more personality and people skills than the person guiding/leading the ride.read more

The only reason I added an extra star to the lowest possible rating is because the snowmobile ride…read moreitself on the trails was very enjoyable. Wonderful weather, great time in the mountains. The rest of this review is focused on my interaction with the owner Don, and not the guides (who were very pleasant fellas). Don handled the paperwork and showed my partner and I how the snowmobiles worked. Then we got on our own snowmobiles to get started, and this is when Don started yelling at me. First of all, to start this snowmobile you have to pull up the kill switch. Those little knobs pull up by like one tiny centimeter and maybe if you rode it everyday you can tell by eye if the kill switch is up or down. Well I couldn't tell and I assumed I had to pull up the knob so I tried, and Don started yelling at me IT'S ALREADY UP WHY ARE YOU PULLING IT, IT'S ALREADY UP! Then I tried to turn the key in ignition but it didn't start because I didn't flip the parking brake. Then Don started yelling again "YOU ARE STILL IN PARKED, FLIP THIS THING. DON'T YOU LISTEN?!!" Now, in Don's instructions he said almost in his exact words" this is the parking brake and you don't have to worry about it". So hey Don I listened to you and didn't worry about it, guess you need better instructions. Maybe Don had a bad day and was frustrated, but no amount of frustration justifies yelling that way at others. Oh and we paid for a 4 hour ride but got only 3 hours of actual ride time. And no we weren't late. If you really want to go snowmobiling, I'd recommend checking out options near Leavenworth. The prices are similar if not cheaper than Chewack, views are just as good and the staff a lot more pleasant and professional.

This campground is a hidden gem if your looking for a real camping experience--not a crowded RV…read moreparking lot with generators humming all night? Let me introduce you to a hidden gem that's the real deal. Whistlin' Pine Ranch sits at the quiet end of Alta Lake, just one mile past the State Park. This four-generation, family-run ranch and campground was started by my girlfriend's grandparents and lovingly restored by Tara, who grew up hunting, fishing, and outfitting with her dad, Brian Varrelman. Many of you will remember Brian as the heart behind Sawtooth Outfitters, leading generations of families on unforgettable trail rides and backcountry hunts. This isn't just any trail ride. It's access to untouched wilderness--no joggers, no mountain bikes, no barking dogs. Just you, a sure-footed horse, and views so breathtaking they'll leave you speechless. If you're lucky, you might even spot the ranch's resident bear stretched out sunbathing by the pond. Whistlin' Pine is the kind of place that reminds you what camping should feel like--peaceful mornings, paddleboarding on the lake, fishing at sunrise, and star-filled nights. Tara has done an incredible job honoring her family's legacy while giving the ranch some love and new life. So if you're craving the real outdoors, not the Instagram version--this is it. Book a site, saddle up, and go make some core memories.

We first visited WPRSO about ten years ago, shortly after the fire that decimated the nearby Alta…read moreLake State Park. At that time we met Brian, the owner/outfitter, and were impressed with what he had to offer though we were just passing through at the time. We learned from his sidekick that the only reason the beautiful homes, cabins, and ranch at the south end of the lake weren't destroyed in the fire is that Brian and some helpers stayed to keep things watered down when official help wasn't. That's true grit. Fast track to now, and we were planning on staying in Chelan (about 40 minutes away) and I wanted to do some trail riding. I found the newly updated website (really well done - AltaLakeRanch) and contacted Tara, Brian's daughter, who has taken the reins of the ranch now that the Covid issues have passed. She returned my message immediately, something that sooooo many other riding places seem unable to do. She answers her phone. Long story short, we got two rides scheduled for early in the week. She does have a two rider minimum, like so many trail riding places. First two-hour ride ended up being just the two of us, and since I've had horses about forever we could take some of the steeper and rockier trails. This time I rode Bella, a draft/Friesian cross and a giant horse. These trails weren't the easiest, yet she never missed a beat. Since Bella hyper-enjoyed the spring grass, Tara did have to get off her horse to adjust (tighten) up Bella's cinch a few times around her round belly. Otherwise, the saddle fit me well. Tara was riding a young horse that wasn't "string" ready yet but still seemed very well trained to me. Dog Rip, already a great trail dog for his age, joined us. Second two-hour ride we had another person join us, not a regular rider though very fit. Tara asked if I wanted to ride her horse June from the day before (guess I passed the riding test!) so I rode third with her. Once she is on the official string she'll be a favorite as she is nicely trained, moved off the leg really well, was also very sure footed, and just was a pleasure to ride. Well, that plus she isn't a mile high like Bella. Tara rode June's sister, also a young horse in training, and she did great too. Got to add here that Tara knows her horses' quirks well and has appropriate tack for each horse and rider combo. It's awful trying to ride hilly ground on a saddle built for a giant that you slosh around in. This time we took different trails which were more suitable for less experienced riders and really enjoyed the scenery and mountain wildflowers. With 500 acres in this three-generation ranch and adjacent state land to ride on, there are lots of choices for riders from beginners to the more experienced. Reminder to people who don't ride regularly: don't start out with a long ride as you'll be using muscles you never thought you had. You'll realize that in 24 hours and beyond. I found two hours to be perfect for me. We haven't stayed in their campground or attended any equestrian events so I can't comment on that, though Tara is making improvements to the camping area and has more she is exploring. I'll be back to ride again and check on her upgrades as some of them sounded pretty cool.

We had such a nice time it was icing on the cake for our trip. The horses are well taken care of…read moreand the owners are great, easy going guides which made it even more enjoyable :) Def recommend taking time out of rushing around or laying around bc it's effortless and icing on the cake for sure.

The lessons were much more expensive than other private lessons in the area. In addition, the…read moreoffice manager was difficult to work with and had quite the attitude.

I wanted to go horseback riding for my birthday. I found Stillwater Ranch by searching for trail…read morerides. I am so happy I did. This place was EXACTLY what I was looking for. The owners, Barbara and Dalton were so nice and down to earth, They are true animal lovers just like we are. They have over 20 horse, 3 dogs, 2 mules and they offer it all. This isn't your 1 hour trail ride up a dirt road and back. This ride is 3 to 4 hours long, through trees, down what looks like animal trails in the woods, you criss cross through the woods and clear cuts in the Skykomish River Valley then you head up mountain to this amazing lookout and have lunch. I rode a wonderful gelding named Bernie. Bernie's a Missouri Fox Trotter and he was super sweet. Chris rode Comet, she's a Tennessee Walker. Chris said she floated. You can see for miles up on "the rock". When you look down into the valley and see just how far you have ridden, you are amazed. Dalton said it is probably 5 miles. The lunch is amazing, it's from the Sultan Bakery and it is one of the best lunches I've had. Sitting up on the rock just me, Chris, and Dalton was so relaxing. We became instant friends. Stillwater Ranch offers a variety of rides that include river rafting, fishing, moonlight rides, overnight camping and much, much more. You can ride in all seasons - We are looking forward to a winter ride when the valley is covered in snow. They are even starting a wine dinner ride - woo hoo. The next time we need an equestrian fix, we will look to Stillwater Ranch to supply it.

From the owner: Professionally Guided day Horseback rides in the Cascade Foothills- less than l hour from Seattle…read more Horse and River Rafting Trips Drop Camping with horses and mules Horse drawn hay wagon rides Summer Day Horse Camps Classes on Horse and Mule Packing Team Building Events

Amazing family ran business. Patty and Len really care about their horses. Patty is an excellent…read moreinstructor, shes very kind, patient yet firm in her teaching. Safety is always a first priority. If you are a new beginner or looking to brush up or advance your skills. I highly recommend you choose Patty! Her years of horsemanship skills are invaluable. You can tell she really loves it. Shes very good at communicating and transferring her knowledge and skill. Super blessed to have her as an instructor!

From the owner: Blackstock's Performance Horses & Arena is a riding academy in Chilliwack. We specialize in horse…read moreboarding, training and provide weekly roping lessons as well as therapeutic riding sessions to customers of all ages.

The people were very nice. The equipment maintained and in good order. My issue was with the…read moreproperty. They lease from the fish hatchery and the land is basically unattractive commercial fields. Then, because the property is so small they have to crisscross back and forth across the same fields to be able to get 30 minutes in. You watch all the other sleighs crisscross like you're riding Autopia in Disneyland. The charm of a holiday sleigh ride in the snow just felt like an amusement park ride. Again, people, gear, and horses all great. Just the location is the only issue. I'd love to see them find a better location next season. Not sure how feasible that even is in the area. See Jessica N review below too.

Fun sleigh ride. Booked a private sleigh. Did not disappoint. Nice ride through an open field,…read morethrough trees and down by the river. Saw an eagle on our adventure. Our driver was friendly and knowledgeable.

Silver Bay Inn Resort is a remote destination in the North Cascade Mountains. Located at the end…read moreof Lake Chelan and the mouth of Stehekin River, Silver Bay Inn has a beautiful view. Four rentals that each offer their own amazing views of Stehekin. Canoeing, bike riding, hiking, and kayaking are a few of the activities to do in Stehekin. Located close to the Landing and the Stehekin Bakery. Stehekin is a wonderful place to step back in time, relax and get away from it all.

From the owner: Enjoy the beauty of nature in luxury at the Silver Bay Inn. Panoramic views of Lake Chelan and…read more7,000ft peaks. Bald eagles, osprey, Great Blue Herons viewing from your deck or kayak in wetlands or bike the Stehekin Valley and stop for goodies at the famous Bakery or hike the trails surrounded by the spectacular views. Some people enjoy the hammocks with a good book, sit around the bonfire or play croquet/bocci ball on the spacious lawn. Sign up for horseback riding, mountain bike breakfast trip, guided fishing, massage or guided kayak tours. The Organic Garden is a fun trip and food tastes great just picked. Stehekin is a special getaway...get there by ferry or float plane.