Yellowstone...Winter trip or early Spring? Your fave time of year? Also...dog-sledding thoughts if going winter?
Dec 28th, 2007, 11:29 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yellowstone...Winter trip or early Spring? Your fave time of year? Also...dog-sledding thoughts if going winter?
Okay...big decision time!! 
Should we hit Yellowstone this Feb
for a winter getaway? Only have been in late summer (twice).
Would probably fly into Bozeman...
but could consider Jackson Hole, too, I suppose. However, almost don't want to be 'tempted' by offerings there, as have little time really. On the other hand, the Tetons are gorgeous!
Considering a Wolf Discovery Program offered between the Yellowstone Assoc & the lodges there. Or could do our own search for animals. If doing the program you stay 3 nights at Mammoth, which I don't know whether there is much wildlife there in winter or not.
Considering tacking on a night or two at the Snowshoe Lodge near Old Faithful too. If going winter and any time left (depending on how far out of the way) might stay a night at Chico Hot Springs & do dog-sledding or go to Howlers Inn. (heard about it here)
If anyone here has thoughts on these places OR dogsledding please do share! Do they treat the dogs well or...? :-\ I don't want to contribute to anything negative there...but used to have a husky mix & miss her. (so the pull is there) ;-)
Other idea? A Wolf & Grizzly program in early summer, like late May. Would see more baby animals & bears over a winter visit. BUT...
is Yellowstone so unique in winter, that that should be our first priority?? (despite having to put up w/below zero temps sometimes?) ;-) Help!
Could really use feedback here...
and also, whether to just do this trip independently vs. w/a formalized viewing program like they offer. (w/early, early start times...not a plus for this major night owl!) But seeing wolves would be! (altho' it sounds like they are always a half mile or more away) Help?
Should we hit Yellowstone this Feb
for a winter getaway? Only have been in late summer (twice).
Would probably fly into Bozeman...
but could consider Jackson Hole, too, I suppose. However, almost don't want to be 'tempted' by offerings there, as have little time really. On the other hand, the Tetons are gorgeous!
Considering a Wolf Discovery Program offered between the Yellowstone Assoc & the lodges there. Or could do our own search for animals. If doing the program you stay 3 nights at Mammoth, which I don't know whether there is much wildlife there in winter or not.
Considering tacking on a night or two at the Snowshoe Lodge near Old Faithful too. If going winter and any time left (depending on how far out of the way) might stay a night at Chico Hot Springs & do dog-sledding or go to Howlers Inn. (heard about it here)
If anyone here has thoughts on these places OR dogsledding please do share! Do they treat the dogs well or...? :-\ I don't want to contribute to anything negative there...but used to have a husky mix & miss her. (so the pull is there) ;-)
Other idea? A Wolf & Grizzly program in early summer, like late May. Would see more baby animals & bears over a winter visit. BUT...
is Yellowstone so unique in winter, that that should be our first priority?? (despite having to put up w/below zero temps sometimes?) ;-) Help!
Could really use feedback here...
and also, whether to just do this trip independently vs. w/a formalized viewing program like they offer. (w/early, early start times...not a plus for this major night owl!) But seeing wolves would be! (altho' it sounds like they are always a half mile or more away) Help?
Jan 4th, 2008, 05:14 PM
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Daydreamer,
Sorry to see that no one has posted an answer to you. My family and I are considering a trip to YS next winter, after Christmas 2008, and I'd be very interested to communicate with you if you go forward with your plans. Please keep me posted if you do go.
Javier
[email protected]
Sorry to see that no one has posted an answer to you. My family and I are considering a trip to YS next winter, after Christmas 2008, and I'd be very interested to communicate with you if you go forward with your plans. Please keep me posted if you do go.
Javier
[email protected]
Jan 4th, 2008, 05:18 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Yellowstone website message board is absolutely amazing. Folks with a true passion talking about every aspect of Yellowstone travel. I was addicted when I was planing my fall trip to YNP. Check out that website.
Jan 4th, 2008, 11:48 PM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jan 5th, 2008, 03:47 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
daydreamer:
A few years ago we had a ski club trip to Jackson Hole. One of the club members set up a snowmobile day trip to yellowstone.
We all complained that we had to start out at 5am, temp was about minus 15 degrees!, we were driven in a van for about 1 hour to park entrance, put into ski suits and helmets,given a quick lesson in how to work the snowmobile, taken into the park and toured for about 5 hours.................
Oh did I say that it was one of the greatest experience day trip that I have ever spent!!
We saw some incredible scenery, waterfalls, eerie hot spots, Bison on the road, elk on the road and wound up eating a box lunch at 'old faithful' By noon the weather was a balmy 1 degree with intense blue skies!!
This trip was about 10 years ago and the hotel made all the reservations...so I am useless to you as to service recommendations!
GO For It!
A few years ago we had a ski club trip to Jackson Hole. One of the club members set up a snowmobile day trip to yellowstone.
We all complained that we had to start out at 5am, temp was about minus 15 degrees!, we were driven in a van for about 1 hour to park entrance, put into ski suits and helmets,given a quick lesson in how to work the snowmobile, taken into the park and toured for about 5 hours.................
Oh did I say that it was one of the greatest experience day trip that I have ever spent!!
We saw some incredible scenery, waterfalls, eerie hot spots, Bison on the road, elk on the road and wound up eating a box lunch at 'old faithful' By noon the weather was a balmy 1 degree with intense blue skies!!
This trip was about 10 years ago and the hotel made all the reservations...so I am useless to you as to service recommendations!
GO For It!
Jan 5th, 2008, 06:31 PM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad you liked it. I spent HOURS on it when planning my trip - the last weekend of the year the hotels were open in the park.
These guys are SERIOUS about Yellowstone. They can tell you where to go at what time to see which wildlife - and even guess what wolfpack or individual animals may show up. These hobbyists are wild about Yellowstone - and the depth of information they share is amazing.
Enjoy your trip!
These guys are SERIOUS about Yellowstone. They can tell you where to go at what time to see which wildlife - and even guess what wolfpack or individual animals may show up. These hobbyists are wild about Yellowstone - and the depth of information they share is amazing.
Enjoy your trip!
Jan 12th, 2008, 01:33 PM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just returned from Old Faithful Snowlodge,very nice and took Snocoach tours try one ,prebooked though. The food at the restaurant is good service may be a ittle slow. Go in February it will be COLD, down jackets and gloves are useful too, Of importance I developed dehydration even drinking gatorade and water,very dry mountain air is to balme. The lodge is 200 yards from Old Faithful geyser too. The Frontier cabins are rusitc and a 5-10 minute walk from the main lodge where food is served. The company ALL TRANS Jacksonhole will pick up at the airport in SaltLAKE and JAckson Hole and other places like Idaho Falls,they have website,.Very uncrowded in winter at that time ,if you cannot book online call than as they will have cancellations maybe,Xantera is the comapny.
Jan 12th, 2008, 03:38 PM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am spending a night at the Snowlodge in February and am really psyched!! Jossin, did you by any chance do the nighttime snowcoach tour, I think it's called "Stars and Steam" or something like that? I've booked it, but wondering if I'm going to be a little too snowcoached out, going the length of the park in two days time.
Jan 15th, 2008, 10:33 AM
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Daydreamer -boy,if you can book the Snocoach to the canyon and other places during the day do it.The snocoach tour was informative and fun with plenty of photo ops and restroom breaks.I did not take the snowmobile tour.the snocoach is heated and can get noisy inside but they provide earplugs.Call OldFaithful Snowlodge to book-they reccommend reservations.
Jan 15th, 2008, 12:39 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Daydreamer,
You originally mentioned Feb and then May. Two very different experiences.
Feb, snow coaches or machines, very cold, all the thermal and snow is spectacular. Bison, elk etc on the roads. My family had a snocoach built in the 1950's so that we could go into the cabin and YP in the winter. Absolutely one of my all time favorite childhood memories. Another point is that as the year go by there will probably be more and more restrictions on winter park use. As to dogsleading, I've heard they treat there animals well. Not the the iditarod were they are competing.
Never been to the Howler Inn but it sort of bothers me that they "acquired wolf pups in the spring"
We love Chico Hot Springs. Great restaurant, cool old bar, hot pools and a good location. It is quite close to Mammoth but the weather is very mild in that valley. As to dogsleading, I've heard they treat there animals well. Not the the iditarod were they are competing.
May, not a lot of tourists, lots and lots of wildlife. I'm from the area and this is when the locals travel to the park. It is a great time of year to see wolf and grizzly. I've heard its best to hire a guide to see wolves... or when driving thru the Lamar if you see anyone with a huge lense, stop and talk because they are looking at wolves.
Both are very worthwhile trips.
You originally mentioned Feb and then May. Two very different experiences.
Feb, snow coaches or machines, very cold, all the thermal and snow is spectacular. Bison, elk etc on the roads. My family had a snocoach built in the 1950's so that we could go into the cabin and YP in the winter. Absolutely one of my all time favorite childhood memories. Another point is that as the year go by there will probably be more and more restrictions on winter park use. As to dogsleading, I've heard they treat there animals well. Not the the iditarod were they are competing.
Never been to the Howler Inn but it sort of bothers me that they "acquired wolf pups in the spring"
We love Chico Hot Springs. Great restaurant, cool old bar, hot pools and a good location. It is quite close to Mammoth but the weather is very mild in that valley. As to dogsleading, I've heard they treat there animals well. Not the the iditarod were they are competing.
May, not a lot of tourists, lots and lots of wildlife. I'm from the area and this is when the locals travel to the park. It is a great time of year to see wolf and grizzly. I've heard its best to hire a guide to see wolves... or when driving thru the Lamar if you see anyone with a huge lense, stop and talk because they are looking at wolves.
Both are very worthwhile trips.
Jan 15th, 2008, 12:50 PM
#16
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, this is the first time I saw your post. We went to Jackson to ski in February 2 years ago and did a snowmobile tour of Yellowstone “while we were there”. Like a previous poster said – it’s dark when you drag yourself out of bed and you think you will surely freeze to death. It was absolutely the highlight of the trip. We did not freeze, it was always quite comfortable and we stopped once at a warming hut. I would imagine most all day trips would, too. It was insane how beautiful it was in the winter. I would go back in February in an instant. My husband has also seen the park in the summer and he said it was a completely different experience. I put that trip on par with going to Africa, which had been a life long dream of mine. I can’t imagine anyone regretting a trip there in the winter. I’d love to do the hot springs trip but I couldn’t miss Old Faithful. AND we saw wolves.
Jan 16th, 2008, 01:54 AM
#17
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi there,
we are also thinking of visiting the park in Winter. ( Jan )
We are from Australia and were wondering about transportation to the park. We have been to the US many times and have alwys driven. ( never in the Winter / snow )
What are the road conditions like?
Is there much wildlife to be seen?
Thanks in advance
Donna
we are also thinking of visiting the park in Winter. ( Jan )
We are from Australia and were wondering about transportation to the park. We have been to the US many times and have alwys driven. ( never in the Winter / snow )
What are the road conditions like?
Is there much wildlife to be seen?
Thanks in advance
Donna
Jan 16th, 2008, 04:18 AM
#18
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know that only part of the park is open to driving in winter, from the north. But, you can travel all around the park in snowcoaches. Check out travelyellowstone.com for information on the schedules and tours.
Jan 16th, 2008, 07:31 AM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lordy,
Road conditions can be fine or horrible, just depends on the storms. If you are renting and feel comfortable with snow odds are good that you shouldn't have too much of a problem, BUT occationally the roads are closed for a short period of time. I would rent an SUV or some sort of 4 wheel drive auto.
Road conditions can be fine or horrible, just depends on the storms. If you are renting and feel comfortable with snow odds are good that you shouldn't have too much of a problem, BUT occationally the roads are closed for a short period of time. I would rent an SUV or some sort of 4 wheel drive auto.
