Winter in Yellowstone Country - Starting Point

Winter in Yellowstone Country:

Before I showcase a list of itineraries and adventure activities, I want to give you tips to start the planning process:

How to Get Here:
Flying into Gallatin International Airport is the best option.  Great Falls, Billings, Cody (WY), Jackson Hole also are hubs to start your winter retreat into the fire and ice of winter in Yellowstone Country.

I recommend Priceline (Name Your Own Price) to fly in as our airfare isn't cheap in or out of this area.  You might also consider 'Southwest or similar' for one leg of the journey then switch.  Travel agencies might offer a deal if you book a 'package' at one of the area resorts...

You can drive in, but Mountain passes are often icy and rife with snow, so I recommend flying.  If you do drive from another state, use caution and follow major highways and interstates, keep plenty of blankets in your car, a full tank of gas, water on hand and stay tuned to weather forecasts...

What to Pack:
Plenty of layers: jackets (waterproof and windbreaker shell, with fleece lining or fleece attachment), fleece or warm water resistant jackets.  On the coldest of days it might take four to five layers to stay 'comfortable' - Ski Mask is the only thing that really keeps your face warm when the temperature dips below 0.  Wool/Fleece hats, gloves...I recommend not wearing jeans unless you are going out to eat or to a museum...they get wet and you get cold.  Ski pants, or similar, Columbia/Patagonia type water resistant pants.  You can get Capillene leggings to wear underneath if it is that cold. 

I recommend purchasing a map (National Geographic or similar) at REI for the greater area, especially if you are interested in cross-country trails...

What to Do:
We'll be covering a plethora of fun adventures for all explorers in the coming weeks...Here is a short list of 'musts'

- Yellowstone National Park:
All Interior roads are closed to all vehicular traffic (cars) - with snow mobiles, skis, snow coaches your way in or out of the park, with the exception of the Gardiner/Mammoth (North Entrance) through the Lamar Valley to Cooke City.  Cooke City is locked between national parklands and therefore it is essential to keep the Cooke City to Mammoth Road open all year.  This is a great option if you prefer driving over snowmobiles as The Lamar Valley is a hub of winter wildlife including the elusive Yellowstone Wolves...

- Bozeman Montana - with museums, great eats, cultural arts and shopping this is the perfect place to use a base camp for your Yellowstone travels.

- Big Sky Resort/Moonlight Basin - Even if you don't ski, take a trip up to Big Sky to experience the splendor of snowy Lone Mountain and the expanse of ambling powdered valleys set against the majestic winter capped Gallatin-Madison Ranges

- Gallatin Canyon

- Hyalite Canyon - premier ice climbing

- Grand Teton National Park

Here are travel links to get you started with your adventure:
Yellowstone National Park

Visit Montana - Official Travel Website for MT

West Yellowstone, Montana - your gateway to the Park for anything snow coach, skiing related...If you want to Old Faithful in the Winter - this is your starting point for entering the park.

Yellowstone Vacations

Ski Resorts:
Big Sky
Bridger Bowl
Bohart Ranch (cross-country skiing)

Museum of the Rockies - The premier dinosaur museum, with renowned paleontologist Jack Horner (Jurassic Park's Dr. Grant was inspired by Horner)

Bozeman Montana Chamber

Downtown Bozeman

Stay tuned to this blog as we unlock adventures in Yellowstone Country