Walking in Yellowstone ’ s winter wonderland
During our snowmobile journey outside West Yellowstone
Viewing wolves in the Lamar Valley area of northeastern Yellowstone
The most trouble-free option is a package that includes hotels , meals , guided tours , and park transportation with Xanterra , the private concessionaire that operates Yellowstone lodging , food service and tours . The firm ’ s Couple ’ s Winter Package ($ 2,439 / person ) includes three nights at Mammoth Hotel , two nights at Snow Lodge , all meals , transportation , guided tours , and more . Other packages are available . Visit Xanterra ’ s website or call ( 307 ) 344-7311 for reservations and information about lodging and packages . The website is excellent and we have found the firm ’ s phone representatives to be quite knowledgeable .
While guest rooms at the two lodges can be booked directly with Xanterra , tours and shuttles into Yellowstone are also available from firms based in Jackson and West Yellowstone . Some travelers might find it preferable to fly to Bozeman , take a bus to West Yellowstone for a day or two of snowmobiling , and travel to Yellowstone via a Backcountry Adventure-operated shuttle ($ 99 , call 1-800-924- 7669 ) to Old Faithful Snow Lodge . The same firm offers snowcoach tours of both Old Faithful and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone ($ 139 ). Another possibility is to drive or fly to
Jackson and take a shuttle operated by Scenic Safari ($ 169 , call 1-307-734-8898 ) to Old Faithful Snow Lodge . The same firm offers snowmobile and snowcoach tours of Yellowstone and snowmobile tours and van tours of neighboring Grand Teton National Park . Various types of Yellowstone snowmobile tours can be booked with Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours ( 1-307-733- 9767 ) out of Jackson and Gary Fales Outfitting ( 1-307-587- 3970 ) located outside the park ’ s east entrance in Cody .
Regardless of the type and length of the Yellowstone winter trip you decide upon , we are confident it will be one to remember . It is not too early to begin planning and reservations should be made as soon as possible .
David and Kay Scott are authors of “ Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges ” ( Globe Pequot ). They live in Valdosta , Georgia . Visit them at blog . valdosta . edu / dlscott .
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