A magical winter wonderland

WEST BEND, Wis. — Bells jingled as a team of Percheron horses named Clyde and Wilbur pulled a sleigh down a trail of glistening snow Dec. 6. More than 10,000 Christmas lights brightened the way for the nighttime ride through the woods, which marked the first day of sleigh ride season at Roden Echo Valley LLC.

This is the Roden family’s sixth year offering sleigh rides at their dairy farm near West Bend, where they milk 850 cows. If there is not proper snow on the ground, the sleigh rides are traded for wagon rides.

“Sleigh rides have brought so much joy into the season for me and my whole family,” said Jacki Moegenburg, the youngest of Bob and Cindy Roden’s daughters. “We all look forward to it.”

Adding to the ambiance of the evening, Moegenburg and her brother, Rick Roden, said this year’s early snowfall made the experience all the more spectacular. They received a foot of snow the week prior, allowing them to pull out the sleigh for the first time ever on opening night.

“The first five years, we only used the sleigh five or six times,” Roden said. “Years two, three and four, we didn’t use it at all. It’s kind of odd that we can use the sleigh this early. If you have snow, it doesn’t mean you can use the sleigh. You need a good pack, not just one or two inches; and it has to be the right type of snow.”

Moegenburg said she feels that when they get snow, people are more eager to come.

The Rodens offer six sleigh rides per night with 12 people per ride. Reservations are required with tickets sold in advance for all rides. The family is hosting 11 public nights this year on Fridays and Saturdays in December as well as the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas and the first weekend in January.

“We sell out most nights,” Moegenburg said. “The rides take place at night, and the trails are lit with Christmas lights.”

Moegenburg’s husband, Brett, does all the lights, which he starts hanging in early October.

“We use commercial lights,” Moegenburg said. “It was an investment, but they’ve lasted.”

The Rodens add a farm element to the experience by parking pieces of equipment along the route, such as the combine or chopper.

“This year, we have a semi-truck with a big ‘Merry Christmas’ sign parked out there,” Roden said.

The horse-drawn ride also passes by a local church and its nativity scene.

Rides leave every half hour starting at 5 p.m. Each ride is 25 minutes long, followed by an additional five minutes for taking pictures with the horses.

“We get a lot of repeat customers,” Moegenburg said. “On the first night this year, over half were repeats. One couple said they’ve come every year. It’s really special to create that bond with them.”

She said some people buy the ride as a Christmas gift for their family.

“For people wanting experiences rather than physical gifts, this is a cool option to do right around Christmas,” Moegenburg said. “I love the idea of being present in this slow-paced moment instead of being consumed by technology and the fast-paced world around us.”

The family also does a handful of private tours each year for 30 people or more. One business is doing their corporate Christmas party at the farm this year.

The farm is also home to Roden Barnyard Adventures LLC, offering summer farm camps, farm tours and birthday parties.

In their first year doing sleigh rides, the Rodens partnered with their neighbor at his location.

“He was getting out of the business so we bought the horses and sleigh from him to see if it would be a good fit for expanding our agritourism,” Moegenburg said. “It’s been a really good fit.”

Roden is one of the main drivers of the sleigh, along with his dad and his sister, Becky. Jim Wiedmeyer, who was a farrier for many years, also drives the sleigh. There are always two drivers.

“Jim kind of came with the horses,” Roden said. “He’s been a constant and just turned 80. My 14-year-old niece, Jadyn, can also handle the horses just fine. … The horses are so well-trained.”

The Rodens ask guests to arrive 30 minutes early, and while waiting to depart, they can gather in the warming barn. Decorated in a country Christmas theme, the barn is a cozy place to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or hot apple cider while snacking on popcorn. Christmas music fills the air, adding to the festive atmosphere.

A photo area featuring a sleigh, trees and a lighted backdrop is a focal point of the warming barn, while soft white lights strung from end to end make the space glow with holiday spirit. A selection of old-fashioned games and puzzles can be played on tables dressed with tablecloths and centerpieces or on straw bales that have been transformed into couches. A small gift shop containing items made by two of Moegenburg’s sisters is situated in the corner. Outside, guests can warm themselves by a bonfire.

“Everyone in the family has a part in this,” Moegenburg said. “My mom is in the warming barn selling popcorn. Sometimes my dad is sitting around the fire talking to people.”

Guests are also welcome to bring food and beverages of their own.

“Many people make a whole evening out of it,” Moegenburg said. “It’s nice to see people enjoying their time here. They’re not on their phones. It’s very much an old-fashioned experience, and I love that.”

The sleigh rides have also been the setting for more than a half-dozen marriage proposals.

“We’ve had at least one engagement per year,” Roden said. “One year, we had three.”

The opportunity to educate consumers is another benefit the sleigh rides provide.

“People oftentimes don’t realize they’re coming to a dairy farm, and it’s a good conversation starter,” Moegenburg said. “They’ll go see the calves or ask how many cows we have. When doing farm tours, our goal is to educate and provide facts, whereas with sleigh rides, it can be more conversational. We share our story; they share their story. It’s a different approach to educating.”

Moegenburg said they like providing a tranquil escape this time of year for people to enjoy with family and friends.

“Everyone is always happy when they come here, filling the room with joy,” she said. “It’s such a good season.”