First Winter trip to Yellowstone

shredhiker

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Feb 14, 2023
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We've decided on taking our first winter trip to YNP this Christmas. I'm aware there's a lot of limitations to visiting the area, unless you're breaking out the checkbook, but thought I'd ask for whatever helpful advice we can get. Here's a rundown of what we've got so far...

  • Day 1: Fly into BZN, pick up AWD with snow tires from Explore Rentals, grocery shop. Suggestions for lodging in/near Bozeman would be welcome.
  • Day 2: Snowcoach tour to Norris GB, this is the only guided tour we splurged on for the trip. Need to book lodging in Gardiner that night.
  • Days 3-5: Staying at the Alpine in Cooke City, planning to mainly hang around between Lamar & Tower area. Would love suggestions for short hikes etc. we should consider? Ideally something we could do in 2-3 hours. I know conditions this time of year can vary widely.
  • Days 5-6: Staying at Riverside Cottage in Gardiner. Planning to hang around Mammoth, maybe check out the commercial hot springs outside the park.
Photo from a winter trip we did to RMNP a few years ago. If anyone from the forum here will be around the area during the week of Christmas, feel free to drop me a line, we'd be happy to plan a meet up if possible! Unfortunately we're not experienced XC skiers, although we're not opposed to lessons for beginners, if there are places nearby that would offer that.


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Bozeman has some of the highest prices for motels around....
 
Boiling river is good any time.

There's places in Bozeman that rent snowshoes, if there's enough snow in Lamar/Tower Jct/Blacktail to use them.
 
I'd definitely rent snowshoes or xc skis! Wish I knew Cooke City better to give you pointers over there. I'd imagine there's good stuff to go snowshoe/ski almost right from town. Blacktail, Specimen Ridge, and Lamar Valley will be great for hiking or snow travel. I backpacked a shuttle route up Pebble Creek this year and that was really nice too. Steep right at the beginning but then really nice.

Bozeman has some of the highest prices for motels around....
This is true. Christmastime would be brutal I imagine. You may find a good Airbnb though. Multiple in my neighborhood 5 minutes from the airport. Livingston area may also be worth a look since you're headed that way.

And re: Boiling River, the word post-flood is that it doesn't really exist like it did before due to major changes in the river channel. It was closed to for years before then as well.
 
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