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Eugene Lepischak of Rossburn, Man. and his family make their way, with 32 other sleighs, from the south side of the mountain. Lepischak had three generations of family on the sleigh.
Photo: Sandy Black
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Harvey Watson of Rossendale harnesses up his Percheron quarter-horse-cross team of Gypsy and Dusty.
Photo: Sandy Black
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David and Marnee Bonchak of Solsgirth enjoy the view from the back of Jim Lane’s sleigh, out of Birtle.
Photo: Sandy Black
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Event organizers Steve Novalkowski (l) of Grandview and Clint Marzoeff of Inglis were all smiles with the attendance and weather for the 20th RMNP sleigh ride.
Photo: Sandy Black
It’s touted as the largest sleigh ride in Canada, but to participants in this year’s 20th anniversary event Mar. 4 near Riding Mountain National Park, it’s pure and simple winter fun.
Close to 300 people attended this year, and a total of 56 sleighs and horse teams. Participants departed from both north of Rossburn and south of Grandview, meeting up at a new wilderness campground near the Sugar Loaf Hills just to the southwest of the park.
For many years participation bounced around the 15- to 17-sleigh mark, but organizers say over the last three years there’s been a real spike in interest, and sleighs and drivers are coming from farther away. This year Harvey Linnen, of Raymore, Sask. travelled more than four hours with friends to drive in the event.
