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(USA) 435 658 2227
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Please note that "scheduled" does not mean that the tour is guaranteed to depart. Most tours run but some may be sold out. In addition, for any tour to depart the first two people have to book at least four weeks from the tour date. If this has not happened, the tour may not operate.
The Best Yellowstone Winter Tour From Big Sky
Price
$1165.00 per person
All prices are in US currency.
Highlights
- Only a few hundred people a day are allowed in Yellowstone in winter!
- Take a snowcoach or snowmobile to Old Faithful!
- See wildlife and search for wolves in the Lamar Valley!
- Mammoth Hot Springs and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone!
- Optional day snowmobiling outside the park!
- Scroll down for the tour itinerary, or click here.
Similar Tours
You may also enjoy the following similar tours...
Itinerary
Day 1 - Big Sky to Bozeman - 41 mi / 65.97 km - About 1 hours, 15 minutes
Map
We'll pick you up at your in-town hotel or Airbnb and twist and turn our way alongside the Gallatin River through the towering Gallatin Mountains, towards Bozeman.
Day 1 - Yellowstone In The Winter!
If you think Yellowstone during the summers is magical, come and check it out in the winter! It is awesome and unlike any experience you have ever had!
Most people think that Yellowstone is shut down in the winter. It isn't. But it is deserted. Instead of there being tens of thousands of people in the park, there are only a few hundred! You just about have Yellowstone to yourself.
During the winter months the vast majority of Yellowstone is closed to cars and buses. Not only will we have you gliding over the snow in a snowcoach or snowmobile - your choice - but we've also got a way of showing you a spectacular part of the park, with much wildlife, by road as well!
During the winter months the vast majority of Yellowstone is closed to cars and buses. Not only will we have you gliding over the snow in a snowcoach or snowmobile - your choice - but we've also got a way of showing you a spectacular part of the park, with much wildlife, by road as well!
It is so hard to describe the thrill of snowcoaching through the crown jewel of America’s National Park system. If you prefer to snowmobile, it’s just you and the elements. With nothing in-between, you are exposed to endless vistas of the most incredible beauty. Whatever you choose, you will get up close and personal with sights you could only have imagined!
And what a unique experience it is, with the landscape being painted white, as far as the eye can see. But don't worry. You'll be nice and warm as you enjoy sights that only a tiny number of people get to see in their lifetimes.
And what a unique experience it is, with the landscape being painted white, as far as the eye can see. But don't worry. You'll be nice and warm as you enjoy sights that only a tiny number of people get to see in their lifetimes.
Day 1 - Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park - 86 mi / 138.37 km - About 1.75 hours
Map
Leaving Bozeman we'll be on the Interstate for a short way, until we reach the small town of Livingston, where we'll head south. The scenery is once again picturesque and depending on the time of the day, we may see wildlife as we approach Gardiner, which is located right at Yellowstone's north entrance.
Not many people know this, but Yellowstone's north entrance is open during the winter, and we'll enter the park under the famous Roosevelt Arch. With this being one of the lower parts of Yellowstone, we can expect to see wildlife here. Mammoth Hot Springs is just a few miles up the road, and we'll take a slow drive there, stopping to take photographs on the way.
A sack lunch is provided today, which your guide will have for you.
Day 1 - Mammoth Hot Springs - About 1.5 hours
Mammoth Hot Springs is one of Yellowstone's top attractions. The winter snow adds extra beauty, while the clouds of steam rising from the springs are spectacular in the winter months. Mammoth is also known for its elk and you are almost certain to see some in the area.
Mammoth Hot Springs comprises of a series of terraces that are continually evolving. We'll take you towards the top, from where you can stroll some of the trails through the dormant terraces, to the ones that are still growing. The landscape is at times eerie in its desolation, with the dark, dead trees a stark contrast to the snow and the white terraces.
After visiting the terraces we'll return to Mammoth's lower area, where there are other trails to walk. You will find almost limitless photographic opportunities. There is also a General Store here, where you can buy souvenirs and snacks.
Day 1 - Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City - 51 mi / 82.06 km - About 2 hours, 20 minutes
Map
Yellowstone's north entrance provides access to the park's upper loop. Fortunately, the portion that is open to regular traffic in the winter months is the area where a lot of Yellowstone's wildlife is to be found, and this will be our focus. From Mammoth we'll make our way down the hill and across a bridge high above the Gardiner River.
We're making our way towards the road that leads to Cooke City, which is the north east entrance to the park. The route takes us along the Lamar River, and through the Lamar Valley, which is known for its wildlife. With any luck, the animals you may see include bison, big horn sheep, elk, coyote and pronghorns. Wolf sightings are more common in the Lamar Valley than anywhere else in the park, and we're going to do our best to try and find one.
You will see that the scenery is spectacular with snow covered valleys leading to the Lamar River. The towering Absaroka Mountains provide a splendid backdrop to nature's beauty. Depending on how much we do that day, and how often we stop, we may or may not make it all the way to Cooke City. The road beyond Cooke City is closed, and at some stage we will need to turn around and retrace our steps.
Day 1 - Cooke City to Mammoth Hot Springs - About 1 hours, 35 minutes
Map
One of the beauties of Yellowstone is that you literally never know what may be around the next corner or behind the next snow bank. On the way back to Mammoth you can fully expect to see animals and sights you did not see on the way out!
Day 1 - Yellowstone to Bozeman - 86 mi / 138.37 km - About 2 hours
Leaving Yellowstone we'll make our way back to Bozeman. Once we get there we'll stop to enable you to buy a take out dinner to enjoy on the road.
Day 1 - Bozeman to West Yellowstone - 86 mi / 138.37 km - About 2 hours
After driving to West Yellowstone, we will take you to check in at Yellowstone Motel, where you will be staying in a self catering studio for the rest of the tour.
Day 2 - Over the snow to Old Faithful! - About 6 hours, 30 minutes
Map
Today you'll be doing something very few people get to do - travel over the snow to Old Faithful, the world's most famous geyser. You'll also see many other geysers, some amazing scenery, as well as wildlife.
Map
Please remember that a trip by snowcoach is included in the price of this tour. If you would prefer to, you can ride a snowmobile instead. There is an additional charge for this, which can be seen elsewhere on this page. You can have either one or two people on a sled, as the locals call a snowmobile, and can select whichever option you prefer on checkout.
If you travel by snowcoach your driver/guide will pick you up, and take you into the park for your tour. If you ride a snowmobile yourself, you will first be kitted out with special clothing, and then be shown how to control your sled. You will also have park etiquette and regulations explained to you. The snowmobile tour is also led by a guide, who will show you where to go, and tell you all about what you are seeing.
If you travel by snowcoach your driver/guide will pick you up, and take you into the park for your tour. If you ride a snowmobile yourself, you will first be kitted out with special clothing, and then be shown how to control your sled. You will also have park etiquette and regulations explained to you. The snowmobile tour is also led by a guide, who will show you where to go, and tell you all about what you are seeing.
Map
West Yellowstone is located right at Yellowstone’s entrance, and in no time you’ll be riding across the snow into the park. You can expect to see endless stunning scenery, wildlife, plus, of course, geysers and other thermal features.
Once in the park, we’ll follow the Madison River east, stopping whenever we see anything of interest, and there will be a lot of interest! At Madison Junction we’ll turn right, or south, and start making our way towards the geyser basins. Where you stop will depend on your guide, but options include the Lower Geyser Basin, which is home to Fountain Paint Pot, the Midway Geyser Basin, Black Sand Basin, and Biscuit Basin, before reaching the highlight of the trip, Old Faithful. As mentioned before, you can buy some lunch here, and watch Old Faithful. Alternatively, buy something in West Yellowstone and take it into the park with you.
After a fun filled day you will return to West Yellowstone. You are on your own for the rest of the day, and for supper.
Day 3 - Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - About 6 hours, 30 minutes
Today we’re traveling by snowcoach to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which is an amazing canyon that the Yellowstone River has cut through the rocks. Just as you did yesterday, you are welcome to go by snowmobile instead. Please choose that option when you check out. Whatever you decide on, you will once again have a guide with you.
We’ll once again follow the Madison River into the park, but this time we’ll head north, or left, at Madison Junction. The Gibbon River will be alongside us, and you can once again expect to see wildlife, beautiful scenery and thermal features on the way.
Amongst the many highlights will be stops at both Gibbon Fall and Beryl Hot Spring, before reaching Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which will take your breath away. Because there is nowhere to buy food along the way, we provide a sack lunch today. Please remember to take it with you.
Day 3 - West Yellowstone to Big Sky - 48 mi / 77.23 km - About 55 minutes
After a fun filled day in the park, we'll head north out of West Yellowstone, keeping our eyes open for moose when we enter Yellowstone again.
You will be dropped off at your in-town Big Sky hotel or Airbnb. Thanks for joining us!
Day 3 - Snowmobiling outside the park
There is the option of spending an extra day in West Yellowstone, to take a snowmobile on your own, outside the park. You will be able to ride your sled over your choice of hundreds of miles of trails through the forests and up and down the mountains of the area. This is really exhilarating fun!
Please order this option when you check out. It includes an extra night's stay and the use of a snowmobile. Note that you will not have a guide with you unless you want to pay extra for one.
Please order this option when you check out. It includes an extra night's stay and the use of a snowmobile. Note that you will not have a guide with you unless you want to pay extra for one.
Please be aware that the entrance fee to Yellowstone is excluded on this tour, and needs to be paid on arrival. As of mid 2020, the entry fee was $25 per person, but is subject to change without notice by the National Park Service.
If you are thinking of taking a winter Yellowstone tour, please be aware that tours for the period around Christmas and New Year sell out months ahead of time!
Available Options
- Old Faithful snowmobile option - 1 person on sled: +$0
- Old Faithful snowmobile option - 2 on same sled: +$0
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone snowmobile - 1 person on sled: +$0
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone snowmobile - 2 on same sled: +$0
- Extra day free snowmobiling - one person on sled. Includes extra night lodging: +$0
- Extra day free snowmobiling - two people on sled. Includes extra night lodging: +$0
- Extra night in West Yellowstone and shuttle the next day to Salt Lake (2 person lodging minimum): +$0
Tour ID
1413
Please note the following...
- This tour is subject to a $3 per person fuel surcharge.
- The days and dates this tour runs can be seen in the calendar at the top right of this page.
- Between the dates of December 24th and January 3rd inclusive, there is a surcharge of $80 for each snowmobile trip.
- The entrance fee to Yellowstone is excluded and needs to be paid on arrival.
- All times are approximate. We are not responsible for the consequences of any delays, and this itinerary may change without notice.
- Two nights' accommodation are included at a Yellowstone motel called Yellowstone Motel. If lodging there is sold out, you will stay in a two star hotel with breakfast included.
- Two days of snowcoaching inside Yellowstone are included in the price. You can pay a surcharge and take a snowmobile instead. There are no taxes.
- A four person minimum may be required for this tour to operate. That is a total of four and not four in your group.
- Meals: Three sack lunches. There will be bacon, eggs, bread, etc, in your studio, so you can make yourself breakfast when you are in West Yellowstone. If you stay in a hotel instead, it will be one that includes breakfast.
- This tour departs from and returns to in-town Big Sky hotels and Airbnb's.
- Portions of this tour are subcontracted to other reputable vendors.
- After ordering this tour please wait to receive a confirmation email from us before making any plans that are dependent on this tour. Snow conditions at the start and end of the season may prevent portions of this tour from being run.
- It will be cold on this tour, and may be very, very cold. Please bring appropriate clothing. It is important to dress in layers. That way you can remove a layer when hot, or put one on if you get cold. We suggest a selection of the following:
- Thermal underwear for both top and bottom; a pair of waterproof boots, with ankle supports, into which you can tuck your trousers; gloves; a beanie; appropriate pants and shirts; and a ski type jacket. A useful tip is to carry a spare pair of socks with you, in case the ones you are wearing become wet.
- If you decide to ride a sled, special snowmobiling clothing is included in the tour price.
- There are rare times when the authorities close the roads because of high winds and/or a lot of snow. We cannot be held responsible for the consequences of delays or cancellations caused by this, weather, mechanical failure, acts of God, or other matters beyond our control. Snow conditions at the start and end of the season may prevent portions of this tour from being run. If it becomes necessary to cancel part of a tour all that we will refund is the cost of that part that is missed.
- Payment And Cancellation Details: CANCELLATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS TOUR. Changes will also not be accepted, and refunds will not be given. Please consider purchasing trip insurance as our cancellation policy is strictly enforced. The payment schedule is as follows: Half of the total will be charged any time from when you make the booking. The other half will be charged 30 or fewer days from the tour date, at our discretion.
This tour can be ordered online here.
Please call us at 1 800 724 7767 or (USA) 435 658 2227,
or mail us for additional information.