A Belgian draft horse escorts a couple on a scenic sleigh ride across the grounds of The Up North Lodge in Gwinn. (Photo courtesy of Jesie Melchiori)

GWINN — Fans of melting Upper Peninsula snow will surely take delight as the weather warms up in the area during the coming weeks.

This does mean that outdoor winter activities will soon be coming to a summer halt.

Among them, there is only one week left this season to hitch a horse-driven sleigh ride at The Up North Lodge in Gwinn.

Lodge manager Jesie Melchiori and her parents, Jerry and Jesie Melchiori, operate Melchiori’s Cold Springs Livery, which offers visitors an opportunity to take an old-fashioned sleigh ride pulled by Belgian draft horses.

“Groups of friends, groups of families, and even groups of coworkers come and enjoy our 80 acres of wooded winter wonderland,” manager Jesie Melchiori said. “The memories our team helps make are priceless, from giving the little kids a chance to drive to couples getting engaged.”

The family tradition has been taking place for six years at the lodge, but began long before that.

“My mom and dad used to own the Red Horse Ranch and they offered sleigh rides then, so when I became the manager at the Up North Lodge it only seemed right that we bring back the sleigh rides,” Melchiori said.

The family owns six horses that alternate pulling the sleighs. The activity has only become more popular over the years, with this season seeing a record-breaking 179 rides since the first part of December.

The lodge offers individual rides for up to two people or group rides.

“Our big sleigh can take up to 22 people while our small sleigh can hold 16,” Melchiori said. “As an added bonus, most groups then add a dinner reservation and make their visit that much more enjoyable.”

Sunday will be the last day the sleigh rides will be available this winter and reservations are required.

To reserve a sleigh ride, call The Up North Lodge at 906-346-9815 or call Jesie Melchiori at 906-360-7069.