Destination: Yellowstone Nation Park, WY
Terrain: Ungroomed trails/Backcountry
Trip Rating: All levels
Yellowstone is one of the world’s greatest wonders—in winter, something magical happens. Imagine skiing near steaming, bubbling turquoise hot springs where the steam creates a winter wonderland of frosted trees. Skiing alongside the geothermally heated Firehole River, where buffalo and elk congregate along its warm banks to graze on green grass during the winter. Seize the opportunity to ski and snowshoe among a land of dramatic geysers, abundant wildlife, and incredible views and experience YELLOWSTONE IN WINTER! Twelve lucky PDX Nordic Club members will have the opportunity during Valentine's Day week 2027.
Carpool from Portland to arrive Sunday, February 14, at Gardiner, just north of the Yellowstone National Park north entrance. We will stay that evening at the Absaroka Lodge on the shores of the Yellowstone River, in rooms with two queen beds and private baths. The following day we will travel to Mammoth Hot Springs, minutes from the park’s north entrance, and board a heated snow coach at 7:45 AM for a several-hour tour to Old Faithful, where we will stay in the modern Western Cabins with two queen beds and private baths. Spend three days skiing among the magnificent geysers, pools, and bubbling springs of the Old Faithful basin; up to the Continental Divide; and on the Mallard Lake Ski Trail, all while viewing elk and bison (and perhaps wolves), catching the Yellowstone that most tourists miss. Many ski trails start right from the Old Faithful area, and others are accessible via snow coach shuttle services, arranged at the Old Faithful Lodge. Dry snow and clear days are the expectation.
Thursday we will return to Mammoth Hot Springs by snow coach and then stay in Gardiner for 3 nights at a spacious Airbnb home with 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a full kitchen, and 3 communal living areas. We will ski in areas accessible from the Mammoth Basin Area—Tower, Indian Creek, and Blacktail Plateau; the northeast Cook Park Area—Bannock and Barronette; or spend a day in the famous Lamar Valley and its world-famous wildlife viewing.
We will come back each night to share stories and camaraderie at potluck dinners. On Sunday, Feb 21, we leave for home, relaxed and full of memories of our adventures and animal sightings. There is a wide selection of trails available, from beginner to advanced; something for every desire.
This trip offers off-trail options for members who have the competence and equipment needed to enjoy and navigate ungroomed and downhill slopes under varied snow conditions. The trip leaders will assist participants in reviewing specific tour options and facilitate organizing tour groups for those interested.
Included are 7 nights' lodging, double occupancy, and guided snow coach between Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are available in the dining rooms at Old Faithful but are not included in the per-person cost above. We have reservations for dinners at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge dining rooms. Yellowstone National Park entry fees (or passes) are required but not included.
For travel to and from Garibaldi, Montana, participants carpool the 13-hour drive over one or two days. It is also possible to fly to Bozeman to avoid the drive. Please contact the tour leader or co-leader for information.
If the registration page shows the trip as full, please join the waitlist online or email the trip leader. There are almost always cancellations, so chances are very good you will be able to get on the trip. For additional information about this trip, please contact the trip leader or co-leader.
Trip limit: 12 participants, including leader and co-leader.
Cost: $1,535 per person for 7 nights lodging and snow coach. Two people per room. Meals, other travel expenses, and park fees not included. Trip deposit of $500 due at signup, balance due by Dec 1, trip leader will coordinate.
Travel miles: From Portland, approximately 1,800 miles round trip. Costs for carpooling, lodging and meals en route are not included in costs above.
Trip Leader: Marty Pike
Co-Leader: Mark Fitzsimons