The Wonder of Winter in Yellowstone Park

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There are ample ways to enjoy your visit to Yellowstone National Park in the winter. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge provide numerous services to assist people with whatever way they decide to explore the snowy terrain. They also offer snowcoach or van shuttles to and from ski trails. Both have ski shops where they provide cross-country/skate ski rentals and other skiing equipment as well as ice skates and snowshoes. They offer guided ski tours, lessons, and instructions for individuals and groups.

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has an ice skating area near the North Entrance of the park. They have a launching point for over-snow exploration, and hot tub rentals where people can relax at the end of the day. Old Faithful Snow Lodge's Bear Den ski shop has a repair center. Snowcoach excursions and massage therapy are offered there as well. Both places have ice skating rinks, and people may rent skates through the lodges or bring their own.

Cross-country ski and snowshoe trails wind through much of the park. Some are groomed hiking trails, while others are backcountry routes. Anyone taking overnight excursions must obtain a Backcountry Permit from the park ahead of time. The Old Faithful area is a favorite location among skiiers because it has 40 miles of cross-country courses.

One popular 8-mile trail beginning at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge is called Lonestar Geyser Trail, and takes skiers into a secluded wilderness setting. The Fern Cascades Trail takes skiers around a 3-mile loop leading around the Old Faithful geyser basin. The Biscuit Basin Trail and Upper Geyser Basin Trail are near Mammoth Hot Springs. These trails may take up to a full day, but visitors claim they are worth the time.

Alpine Skiing

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Vans and snowcoaches from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge take guests to the Nordic downhill ski resort of their choice. Mountain Resorts in the greater Yellowstone region offer world-class skiing and snowboarding.

Big Sky ski resort is a short drive to the northwest of Yellowstone park and is a very family friendly ski resort. It has 150 trails, including easy trails for beginners and challenging runs and wall rides for experts. They also offer ski clinics and camps for people of all ages.

The Grand Targhee Resort is on the west side of the Teton Mountains. This area averages 500 inches of fluffy snow every year. This resort is recognized for its range of runs catering to skiers of all abilities, and its family-oriented amenities including slope-side daycare.

 

Yellowstone Snowmobiling

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Yellowstone is known for providing unsurpassed snowmobiling in the winter. There are hundreds of groomed and backcountry trails throughout the park. Some of the most extensive snowmobiling trails can be found here leading through the stunning landscape. People may also take roads closed to motor vehicles for the season. It's a terrific way to see the park at your own pace. Moderate speed limits are enforced and a driver's license is required to rent snowmobiles.

Warming huts are located at many areas around the park including Mammoth, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Indian Creek, Madison, West Thumb, and Fishing Bridge. The warming huts are designed to keep outdoor winter travelers warm as they pass through the park. Most of the huts are open 24 hours a day. The Madison hut offers sandwiches and other snacks along with hot and cold beverages. Drinks and vending machines are at most other warming hut locations aside from West Thumb and Indian Creek.

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