Overview
Experience the winter wilderness of Yellowstone from the glide of a pair of cross-country skis. This full-day adventure combines active exploration, exceptional winter scenery, and the opportunity to discover Yellowstone’s northern landscape alongside an experienced naturalist guide.
Highlights
- Guided Cross-Country Skiing Tour of Yellowstone National Park
- Personalized Outdoor Adventure
- Immersive Winter Scenery and Wildlife Viewing
Winter transforms Yellowstone into a remarkably quiet and beautiful world. Rivers slow beneath layers of ice, forests become blanketed in snow, and wildlife gathers in and around the valleys and winter ranges. Cross-country skiing provides a wonderful way to move through this landscape—quietly, efficiently, and with the freedom to explore areas that cannot be reached by vehicle. Throughout the day, your guide will share the stories of Yellowstone’s wildlife, geology, forests, and winter ecology, bringing the landscape to life as you travel through it.
Every ski safari is different. Your route will be selected according to snow conditions, weather, wildlife activity, trail conditions, skiing ability, and the interests of your group. Our guides have thousands of hours of experience exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and will adjust the day’s adventure as conditions and opportunities unfold.
Your adventure begins in the morning as we explore the cross-country skiing opportunities around Mammoth and Northern Yellowstone, taking in the area’s stunning winter scenery along the way. Depending on your experience and interests, the day might include an easy, scenic ski through open meadows, a gentle route through lodgepole forests, a longer journey across rolling terrain, or a more demanding backcountry adventure for experienced skiers. Our guides are skilled at finding the right balance of challenge, scenery, wildlife viewing, and exploration for each group.
No previous cross-country skiing experience is required. Beginners will receive instruction and plenty of encouragement as they learn the fundamentals and gain confidence on the snow. More experienced skiers can take advantage of longer distances, varied terrain, and more adventurous routes. The goal is not simply to follow a trail, but to experience Yellowstone in a way that matches your group’s interests and abilities.
Throughout the day, our guides provide the knowledge, equipment support, and backcountry expertise necessary for a comfortable and enjoyable outing. We carry essential medical supplies, maps, communication equipment, tools, and bear spray, and provide a hearty picnic lunch along with snacks and a steaming cup of hot cocoa or coffee to warm you along the way.
Northern Yellowstone is particularly rewarding for winter wildlife viewing. As we travel to and from the trail and throughout our ski route, we may encounter bison, elk, deer, moose, and bighorn sheep moving through their winter habitat. Bald and Golden eagles are frequent sights, while hawks and falcons may be seen hunting across the open country. Winter also offers opportunities to observe predators such as coyotes, foxes, and, with some luck, wolves moving across the snow-covered landscape.
Cross-country skiing offers a unique perspective on all of it. The steady rhythm of skiing allows you to cover ground while remaining connected to the environment around you. You may pause to examine a set of tracks, watch an eagle working the valley below, listen to the silence of a snow-covered forest, or simply take in the immense mountains surrounding you. From a relaxed first day on skis to an ambitious journey into Yellowstone’s winter backcountry, this is an opportunity to experience the park through movement, discovery, and adventure.
What's Included
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Hotel pickup
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Professional naturalist guide
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Private safari
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Catered picnic lunch
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Assorted snack basket
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Non-alcoholic beverages (hot and cold)
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Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
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Skis, poles and boots
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Guide gratuities
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National Park entrance fees
Private Safari
$995 for 1-2 guests; $225 for each additional guest, (plus taxes and fees). Average per vehicle, 4-8 guests, maximum 11* guests; *large groups please inquire. This is a private safari.
Tour Information
What time is my hotel pickup?
For private tours, all our guests are picked up (and dropped off) at their lodging location. We pick up in Bozeman, Paradise Valley, Gardiner, and Mammoth. When you reserve, we’ll confirm your exact pickup time, based on the season, as well as your exact pickup location.
Please allow your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled pickup time in case of weather delays or traffic conditions.
Approximate pickup times include:
- 7:00AM Bozeman
- 7:45AM Paradise Valley
- 8:30AM Gardiner
- 8:45AM Mammoth
How long is this safari?
Total tour duration varies depending on your pickup location. All tours include 6–7 hours in Yellowstone National Park, with additional drive time possible for pickup locations outside the park. Please refer to the Tour Duration & Approximate Pickup Times section of your confirmation email for your estimated total tour duration and pickup times.
What is the itinerary?
Your exact route and itinerary will be determined by your interests, current wildlife sightings, and current weather and road conditions. Our guides are all highly experienced, with thousands of hours in the field, and will expertly tailor your safari to you and your group.
My friends and I booked a winter safari with the Yellowstone Safari Company and had a phenomenal time. Our tour guide was the best tour guide I’ve ever had when it comes to travel excursions and experiences. I could not recommend this tour group enough to anyone who is considering seeing and experiencing what Yellowstone has to showcase. Not only did we get to see some of what the park is most known for, their thermal features, but we also experienced the incredible wildlife that calls Yellowstone its home.
Safari Tour Gallery
All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides.
FAQs
Do I need prior cross-country skiing experience?
No. This tour is designed for a wide range of abilities, from first-time cross-country skiers to experienced backcountry skiers. Your guide will select terrain appropriate for your group’s experience and comfort level, and beginners will receive basic instruction to help them feel confident on the snow.
Where do we get our cross-country ski equipment?
Guests are responsible for providing their own cross-country ski equipment. You may bring your personal gear or arrange to rent equipment from a local outfitter prior to your tour. Please note that equipment rentals are not included.
Where will we cross-country ski?
Northern Yellowstone offers a variety of cross-country skiing terrain, and your guide will select the best location based on your ability, interests, snow conditions, weather, and current wildlife activity. Options can range from relatively gentle routes through open meadows and forests to longer and more challenging terrain for experienced skiers.
What kind of wildlife might we see while skiing?
Winter is an excellent time to look for wildlife in Northern Yellowstone. Depending on the location and conditions, you may encounter bison, elk, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, foxes, and a variety of wintering birds. Bald and Golden eagles are frequently seen, and with some luck, wolves may also make an appearance. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but your naturalist guide will help you understand where and how to look.
What should I bring for a full day of cross-country skiing?
Dress in warm, moisture-wicking layers and be prepared for changing winter conditions. We recommend bringing a warm jacket, gloves or mittens, hat, sunglasses or goggles, sunscreen, water, and any personal medications you may need. Skis, boots, and poles are available through the morning rental, and we will provide snacks, a hearty picnic lunch, and hot cocoa or coffee during the day. Your guide will also carry the essential safety and backcountry equipment.
How do we access the park during winter months when roads are closed to regular cars?
During winter, most interior roads in Yellowstone National Park are closed to regular automobile traffic due to snow and winter conditions. Tour guests access the park using specialized winter transportation, such as guided snowcoaches or snowmobiles, depending on the tour and route. These vehicles allow visitors to travel into the park and experience its winter scenery, wildlife, and geothermal features. Once inside the park, guests can access winter trails and points of interest on foot, using snowshoes or cross-country skis, depending on snow conditions and the location. Many popular geothermal areas are explored via boardwalks, while designated winter routes provide opportunities for snowshoeing and skiing. Trail access varies by area and conditions, so your guide will help determine the safest and most appropriate routes.
When is the best time to take a cross-country skiing tour of Yellowstone?
The best time for a cross-country skiing tour in Yellowstone is generally December through March, when winter snow blankets the park and conditions are often ideal for exploring its quiet forests, open meadows, and scenic trails. January and February typically offer a true winter experience and the best snow coverage, while March can bring longer daylight hours and milder temperatures.
Nordic Ski Guides
Guide Staff
Local, experienced naturalist guides.
