JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The National Elk Refuge has launched the 2018-19 winter program schedule for the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. The visitor center, located at 532 North Cache Street in Jackson, is open from 9am to 5pm daily this season except for Christmas Day.

The refuge’s most popular educational program takes place from the unique setting of a horse-drawn sleigh. Sleigh rides begin for the season on Saturday, December 15. They operate daily through early April from 10am to 4pm, except for Christmas Day. The rides are an exciting way to observe and photograph wildlife on the refuge. In addition to elk, passengers routinely see coyotes, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, ravens, and other wildlife.

Sleigh rides offer visitors a chance to get closer to the elk than would normally be possible by someone walking on the ground. Elk have become accustomed to seeing the horse-drawn sleighs and are also fed from them, so wapiti are not much bothered. (Lori Iverson, USFWS)

Participants purchase sleigh ride tickets at the visitor center and are transported on a free shuttle bus to the sleigh boarding area three miles north of Jackson. Sleighs depart three to four times each hour throughout the day, with rides typically lasting an hour.

Teton Raptor Center will again be offering educational opportunities at the Visitor Center for schools or nonprofit groups. (Tara Bolgiano)

Sleigh rides are operated under contract by Double H Bar, Inc. Rates are $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 5 through 12, with children under age 5 riding for free. Reservations are required for private tours and groups of 20 people or more; smaller groups or families may make reservations, but advanced booking is not necessary.

The National Elk Refuge is again partnering with the Teton Raptor Center this winter to present a series of “Feathered Fridays” visits at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. The informal programming gives guests a fun and educational opportunity to view live birds such as owls, hawks, eagles, or a falcon as they wait for or return from a sleigh ride. The free programs, offered each Friday from 12-2pm, will run weekly from December 21, 2018 through March 29, 2019.