Skiing with Bison in Yellowstone

Yellowstone might be more known as a summer destination, but Old Faithful, the park’s most popular attraction, puts on a show all year round. This geyser is incredibly reliable, erupting every 44 minutes for the last 20 years. In winter, it faithfully produces this same incredible spectacle exclusively for the handful of people that have braved the cold temperatures.

In the winter season, the only way to get to Old Faithful is either by snowmobile or snow coach. The latter, basically a yellow minivan on enormous low-pressure tires, looks like a cross between a school bus and a monster truck and is easily the most fun way to get around.

Once there, Old Faithful is far from the only attraction, An insider tip is that Yellowstone’s winter landscapes are a cross-country skier’s paradise. Trails glide along hot springs, geysers, and wildlife – if you’re lucky, you might even catch the sight of bison enjoying a steam bath. Bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and wolves all take refuge in the lowest elevations where it’s warmer, which means spotting them is actually far easier than in the summer.

Three times a day, snow coaches depart from the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and drop skiers off at the Indian Creek Cross Country Ski Area. Here, a variety of groomed and ungroomed trails loop through the spectacular mountain scenery on Swan Lake Flats, and for the experienced and extra fit, there's a ski trail that leads all the way back to Mammoth Hot Springs Village.

Get in touch with our curators, pack your thermals and get ready for a Yellowstone adventure.