12/19/07 through 03/09/07

Yellowstone’s winter season is always from the third Wednesday in December through the second Sunday in March.  The mode of transportation switches from automobiles to snowcoaches and snowmobiles.  Yellowstone becomes a winter wonderland, with frost coated trees next to boiling water.  The wildlife is much easier to see with a white backdrop and also make better photos.  Yellowstone is guided only in the wintertime and has very few people.  If you are skiing Big Sky, you may want to take a day off to rest your legs to see the world’s first National Park.

There are snowcoach and snowmobile trips that depart daily from Big Sky.  The roads may be icy on the drive down to West Yellowstone, so you may want to take advantage on the transportation provided by most of the tour operators.   On the way to West Yellowstone, watch for elk, moose and coyotes as you travel through the Gallatin Winter Range between Big Sky and mile marker 23.  Make sure you drive with caution at dawn, dusk and dark, the wildlife may number in the hundreds.   Remember to pull completely off of the roadway to view any wildlife, parking in the lane of traffic may cause a major accident.

The snowcoach trips vary from company to company, however most will visit Firehole Canyon and Firehole Falls, the Fountain Paint Pots, Biscuit Basin and Old Faithful.  Elk and Bison along with the occasional coyote is the most common wildlife.  The trumpeter swans are also in good numbers on the Madison River.   Snowcoaches are warm and most seat up to ten people.  There are also larger supercoaches that seat 20 and 30 passengers.  Snowcoaches allow the guide to interpret the park, and are more of a social atmosphere.   There are also a couple of snowcoach only roads including Riverside Drive and the Freight Road.

Snowmobiles trip are usually a little longer.  Keep in mind to operate a snowmobile in Yellowstone, you must have a valid driver’s license, in your possession.  You must follow the rules of the road at all times, and all trips are guided only.  Snowmobiles must stay on the road, and most speed limits are 35 miles per hour.  Snowmobiles must also pull completely over to the right to view wildlife and may never ride side by side.  Snowmobiles are easy to operate.  Snowmobiles in Yellowstone may not have more than 2 passengers per sled.  Common attractions on the snowmobile trip are Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pots and Firehole Canyon.

Facilities:

The Old Faithful Snowlodge, Dining Room, Geyser Grill, Old Faithful Visitor’s Center, Canyon Warming Hut, Madison Warming Hut are all open between 12/19/07 through 03/09/08.

All facilities in West Yellowstone are available year ‘round.

Cross-country skiing is available via snowcoach with most companies.  There are also cross-country ski trails available in West Yellowstone into the park and adjacent to the park that are open when the West Entrance is closed.

Tour Companies in Big Sky:

Yellowstone Tour Guides

West Yellowstone Based Tour Companies:

All Yellowstone Sports

SeeYellowstone

Rendezvous

Ace Snowmobile