Yellowstone Winter Tours by Ski, Skate, Snowshoe and Dogsled
Join us on this action-packed Yellowstone winter tour. It’s a small group journey into the wild as we explore Yellowstone National Park in the quiet season. Snowshoe, cross-country ski and dog sled across snow-covered meadows by day, while you savor scrumptious regional fare beside a roaring fireplace by night. Our expert guides can’t wait to share one of their favorite places on earth with you on this all-inclusive, custom itinerary through Big Sky Country and the world’s first National Park. With roots deep in Montana soil, it’s no wonder Austin Adventures is the leading provider of best-in-class travel from Gallatin Canyon to Old Faithful and beyond.
Relax and See Yellowstone in Winter via Snowcoach
Sip hot chocolate, ice skate a frozen pond and bundle up for a snowcoach ride under a crisp, starry sky, all the while enjoying Western hospitality and the finest in guest ranches and iconic park properties. These unforgettable days are complemented on our Guided Yellowstone Winter Tour with Austin’s signature touch of inspired, thoughtful service so that your only task is simply to kick back and discover this hidden gem of the wild, wild west.
Your Yellowstone Winter Tour Awaits
A wintry adventure awaits you and yours on this six-day, exclusive itinerary into the wilds of Yellowstone National Park. You’re invited to explore this snow-white wonderland animated by lodgepole pine forests, gurgling geysers and curious wildlife before settling into your cozy accommodations with a toasty cocktail and a good book by a crackling fire. This perfectly-balanced vacation sends you home happy, relaxed and awakened by one of America’s most fascinating landscapes.
After arriving through the West Yellowstone entrance, take in the majesty of the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful
Take a leisurely morning ski with your guides on the Fern Cascades trail, looping through lodgepole pine forests and over rolling woodlands
Enjoy dinner in the Snow Lodge followed by a Steam, Stars & Winter Soundscapes tour
Visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center where you’re guaranteed to see these amazing predators up close
Embark on a dog sled tour through the wintry backcountry, with views of majestic snow-covered mountains and frost-laden pines as your backdrop
A few more reasons why you've gotta go:
01
The superlatives: Yellowstone is the world's first National Park. Spectacular year-round, this iconic Park is a particular treat in the winter.
02
Mush! Dog sledding has been around for over 4,000 years. While it is most commonly known as a sport nowadays, it was originally used by ancient tribes as a way to move loads over long distances. Instead of hauling goods, simply enjoy the brisk air as you're whisked through a winter wonderland by a chipper pack of yelping pups.
03
Elk, bison, bear, oh my! Yellowstone hosts the largest concentration of megafauna in the lower 48. Snow-laden meadows and pine-studded forests are the perfect haven for wild animals of all shapes and sizes, especially in winter.
This morning we leave Bozeman en route to Yellowstone through the snowy West Entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana. Upon arriving to this snowy town, visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center where you’re guaranteed to see these amazing predators up close. Hop aboard your snowcoach and enjoy a cozy ride to Old Faithful. Along the way, take in views of Madison Canyon and thousands of acres burned by the fires of 1988, now replaced by millions of young, healthy lodgepole pines. Arrive to Old Faithful in the afternoon and take a short walk around the Upper Geyser Basin, of course watching an eruption of the famous geyser herself go off. Dinner tonight in the Snow Lodge dining room.
About Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Completed in 1999, the Snow Lodge is the newest of the park’s full service hotels, and features heavy timber construction, exterior log columns and a cedar shingle roof, making it a significant example of classic “parkitecture”.
In winter, Old Faithful Snow Lodge offers a truly unique experience. From this snowy haven, you can set out on a variety of explorations: cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowcoach tours.
This morning, we head over to the ski shack to get ourselves outfitted with crosscountry skis. Your guides will give an introductory lesson but the best way to learn is to practice! You’ll be able to do just that on your ski to Morning Glory Pool. Enjoy a guide-prepared lunch and some downtime before heading out on a beautiful walk to Observation Point. Enjoy dinner back at the Snow Lodge.
Take a leisurely morning ski with your guides on the Fern Cascades trail, looping through lodgepole pine forests and over rolling woodlands. Lunch on your own back at the lodge. Enjoy an afternoon on your own to take in a few more steaming hot springs, check out the visitor center and gift shops, or head over to the ice skating rink to try your hand at figure skating. Meet back up for an early dinner in the Snow Lodge followed by a Steam, Stars & Winter Soundscapes tour.
This morning, we bid our farewells to Old Faithful and board our snowcoach back to West Yellowstone. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at Fountain Paint Pots, where a short hike will show us all four geothermal features in one area. Continue on to West Yellowstone. Upon arriving, indulge in some pizza before transferring to the 320 Guest Ranch near Big Sky, Montana. We’ll head into nearby Big Sky to explore this quaint ski town before eating dinner at one of the many restaurants.
About the 320 Guest Ranch
Experience a 110 year old homestead – reshaped into a Montana guest ranch. Relive the early western atmosphere and down-home hospitality – all in one big beautiful, historic property. The 320 Ranch offers exceptional cowboy comfort just south of Big Sky Ski Resort, where the pristine Gallatin River winds through sage and towering pines, and mountains rise up against crystal blue skies.
This morning, we head up to Big Sky where we’ll embark on a dog sled tour through the wintry backcountry, with views of majestic snow-covered mountains and frost-laden pines as your backdrop. After this one-of-a- kind experience, enjoy a tasty lunch and some shopping in Big Sky Town Center. This afternoon, we embark on a short but neat hike to Ousel Falls just outside of town. Back at the ranch, enjoy some downtime before heading out on a pre-dinner sleigh ride. Dinner at 320’s Steakhouse and Saloon.
This morning, head to the ranch’s hill for some last minutes sledding fun or choose to sleep in and relax in your cabin. Late morning, we transfer back to Bozeman where your guides will drop you off at the airport for your post-trip flights or at your local hotel.
** Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.
Meals Included
B
Overnight
No overnight
Departure Dates
Call for dates and availability.
Depart on Your Own Schedule / Custom Trip
Contact us for custom itineraries and departure dates
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 8:00 or 8:15 am, depending on your hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Bozeman airport (12:00 pm) or your Bozeman hotel (12:30pm).
Activities
Snowshoeing: 1.5 miles to 3 miles, easy to moderate terrain
Cross-Country Skiing: 3 to 5 miles, easy to moderate terrain
Dogsledding: No experience necessary. Professional mushers will provide instruction and a safety talk as well as accompany guests throughout the morning tour.
Ice skating: No experience necessary. Skate rentals are free and available through the Front Desk.
Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, Austin Adventures guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.
Cultural Discoveries
Unlock the mysteries of Yellowstone’s geyser basins. Take in the beauty of an Old Faithful eruption with a snowy backdrop. Keep an eye out for elk, bison, coyotes, and foxes in the open and vast Madison Canyon, a winter range for Yellowstone’s wildlife far and wide. Discover your inner scientist at the newly built Old Faithful Visitor Center as you investigate the how’s and why’s of Yellowstone’s four geothermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Experience Yellowstone by snow coach, one of the only motorized ways to enter the Park in the winter with so much snow on the road! Witness the amount of acreage burned by the fires of 1988 and take a look at just how close the fires came to destroying the Old Faithful Inn. Come explore Big Sky Country in the winter!
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by the detailed daily itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days
What's Included
Included in Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
Meals as indicated by daily itinerary.
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Any necessary equipment, all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.
Not Included in Trip Price
Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Yellowstone Expert
Kasey Austin
As Vice President of Operations at Austin Adventures, Kasey Austin can tell you the logistical ins and outs of every single trip. More than that, though, Kasey has lived and breathed most of the company’s featured destinations and will eagerly share her contagious passion for the transformational power of active travel. Kasey grew up in the adventure travel business; she knows the positive, lifelong impact of family travel, a quality that earned her the distinction of being named top family travel guide by Outside Magazine in 2014.
