If you are interested in 'where to go' and 'what is available' in and around Yellowstone, you might find the following helpful.
The Northern Rocky Mountains offer abundant snow, bountiful dry powder, and diverse terrain. In addition, the tri-state area is home to Yellowstone National Park, America's oldest national park, as well as one of her most multifaceted and beautiful.
Cross country skiers have the option of enjoying a resort, participating in an ‘expedition', or just experiencing the local trails. For those who prefer sticking close to town, West Yellowstone, Montana; Island Park, Idaho; and Red Lodge, Montana, all offer groomed cross country ski trails and lodging options.
To Yellowstone's northeast, Red Lodge's Nordic Center offers over 15 km of groom trails. These trails, designed to take advantage of the natural terrain and beautiful views, are an inexpensive way to introduce the family to cross country skiing. Red Lodge (
Red Lodge, Montana Gateway to Yellowstone National Park via the Scenic Beartooth Highway) offers numerous lodging options.
Harriman State Park, on the outskirts of Island Park, offers several miles of groomed trails with various loops providing easy to challenging ski terrain. Island Park (
Chamber Members), a small resort town just across the border from Yellowstone's west gate, can provide you with a good meal and a comfortable bed after a delightful day in the snow.
West Yellowstone prides itself in offering the west's best winter get-away. Located at Yellowstone's west entrance, West Yellowstone (
West Yellowstone) provides rooms and snow in abundance. Their Rendevous Ski Trails are an official training site for the Biathlon and US Nordic Ski Teams. With over 30 km of premium trails offering sixteen different trail and loop options, cross country skiers of all ages and abilities will find something to their liking.
For the cross country skier seeking a more personal winter ski experience, one of the area's many resorts or treks are an ideal option.
To cross country skiers wishing to spend their time in the Park, Yellowstone Expeditions (
Cross Country Skiing in Yellowstone) offers 4, 5, and 6 day trips into the heart of Yellowstone. Based out of a ‘Yurt Camp', this package include your guide, meals, lodging, and snow-van transportation both to the camp as well as to trailheads within the Park.
Pros: Yellowstone Expeditions offers a unique, remote back country experience with the security of a guide. With a one to four guide to guest ratio, Yellowstone Expeditions is well-prepared to custom fit your skiing experience.
Cons: Yellowstone Expedition guests rough it a bit. Guest accommodations are private heated sleeping ‘huts' (tents). The camp shower and sauna are shared as is the outhouse. Furthermore, the trip is a bit pricey ($950 per person / double occupancy for 3 nights).
However, for the cross-country skier seeking a ‘real' Yellowstone winter experience, it does not get much better than this.
Big Sky, Montana, is famous for its down hill skiing. In fact, this area has been inundated with fancy private homes and large resorts which share the valley floor and creep up the mountainside. Lesser known are the 85 km of groomed cross country ski trails which were voted #1 in North America in a Cross Country Skier Magazine reader's poll.
Operated and maintained by Lone Mountain Ranch (
www.lmrach.com/winter/nordic/index.php), this trail system winds across the valley floor past frozen streams and snow covered forest as well as bustling highways and fancy condominiums. For the more adventurous, Lone Mountain offers back country ski and snowshoe tours.
Pros: Lone Mountain Ranch has a reputation for quality upscale offerings. Their trails are groomed nightly and offer tracks as well as a separate skating platform. Lone Mountain guests enjoy gourmet meals, evening entertainment, upscale lodging, a sleigh ride dinner, and airport transfers.
Cons: Lone Mountain is not inexpensive. They require a one week stay (although a 4 night stay is offered for an additional ten percent fee). For two adults Lone Mountain's winter rates range from $3830 to $4715 per week. In addition, Big Sky's popularity makes it hard to escape the crowds.
However, for the cross country skier who wants to be pampered, wants the option to alpine ski, enjoys spectacularly groomed trails, and does not mind a few crowds, Lone Mountain is about as good as it gets!
For most, Jackson, Wyoming, needs no introduction. Gateway to the majestic Grand Teton National Park and just down the road from Yellowstone's south entrance, Jackson is said to be the place where the billionaires have now pushed out the millionaires.
Not far from Jackson, Wyoming, you will find Brooks Lake Lodge and Guest Ranch (
www.brookslake.com). Offering snow conditions which rival any other ski area in the country, Brooks Lake combines superb scenery with spectacular powder snow.
Pros: Brooks Lake offers groomed snow trails in one of the West's most spectacular settings. Guest accommodations are lush with an on-site Jacuzzi, sauna, and exercise room. Winter packages include your meals, access to on-site bonuses, cross country and snow show equipment, guided ice-fishing and even tobogganing for the kids.
Cons: Brooks Lake, like most cross country ski lodges, is a bit pricy for the average pocketbook. With rates starting at $300 per person / per night, this is not a budget location. In addition, although Brooks Lake offers groomed ski trails, their offerings are meager compared to Lone Mountain.
Nonetheless, spectacular scenery, lush accommodations, and a more private setting combine to make Brooks Lodge quite an attractive option.
North of Yellowstone a small resort caters to the budget crowd. Wade Lake Resort (
Wade Lake Cabins) offers 35 km of groomed trails covering diverse terrain as well as unlimited back country ski opportunities.
Pros: Wade Lake not only offers nice ski trails in a back country setting, they are also far enough off the beaten path you will enjoy privacy. Their prices are very reasonable -$100 per night for up to two people.
Cons: Wade Lake guests must ski the 6 miles or so from their parking area just off Highway 287. While gear shuttle is supplied, passenger shuttle is not offered. In addition, the resort offers no dining options nor is it convenient to any.
However, for a budget adventure destination far from the pressing crowds, Wade Lake is a great option.
About twenty-five miles from Yellowstone's west entrance lies a large, undeveloped valley. At the Centennial Valley's heart is a 45,000 acre wildlife refuge which provides a winter haven to 150 moose. Tucked up against the refuge's northeast corner is Elk Lake Resort (
Montana Winter Vacation - Snowmobile, Cross Country Ski, Snowshoe, and Cabin Rentals) offers a unique winter back country adventure destination.
A small resort, Elk Lake caters to intimate parties and focuses on attention to detail. Their winter package includes lodging and three meals daily off their popular menu. Elk Lake's Cross country ski guests enjoy solitude and wildlife sightings comparable to Yellowstone Park visitors. Like Yellowstone, Elk Lake does not provide groomed trails. However, they do have a small groomer to soften the bumps and smooth your path.
Pros: Elk Lake offers a true back country experience for a moderate price. Their upscale meals pamper you with comfort while their remote setting lets you experience nature up close and personal. Furthermore, your chances of seeing wildlife during your stay are quite high. Nightly ratess are a reasonable $100 per person / double occupancy with discounts offered for longer stays and groups of six or more.
Cons: Elk Lake offers no groomed trails. While their snow is light and powdery and rarely deep, if groomed trails are your ‘thing', this is not the place to go. Elk Lake's cabins are heated and comfortable with flush toilets. However, winter cabins do not have running water. Showers and hot and cold running water are provided in the lodge.
However, for a real ‘back-to-nature' experience combined with comfortable lodging options and great meals, Elk Lake offers the best of both worlds.
Cross country skiers looking for great powder, incredible scenery, and western hospitality would do well to check out the tri-state Northern Rocky Mountains. This area offers cross country ski options to fit any budget.
Ski In and Around Yellowstone National Park
Ski In and Around Yellowstone National Park
