RATE THIS ARTICLE
(Current Rating: 0)
BOOKMARK & SHARE
On December 15th, the west gate opens to a truly adventuresome way to access the wintry wonderland interior of Yellowstone National Park. “Oversnow” travel moves winter visitors from the west entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana (45 miles south) on unique vehicles designed to travel over snow – snowcoaches and snowmobiles.
Snowcoaches are touring vehicles with wheels replaced by large rubber track systems or front-end ski systems. Snowcoaches provide a warm, climate-controlled environment with large viewing windows (or even rooftop viewing). Professional guides drive the snowcoaches and offer an informative and inspirational view.
Snowcoaches come in a variety of sizes, colors, and even styles from small 6-passenger vans to larger 32-passenger luxury coaches. Snowcoach tours are good for families or groups, younger children, seniors or physically challenged travelers. Snowcoach Yellowstone (www.yellowstonevacations.com) offers a wheelchair accessible snowcoach that is ADA compliant (with lift and wheelchair tie-downs). A complimentary snow wheelchair, specially equipped with ski’s on the front that allows access to Yellowstone winter boardwalks, is also available.
Snowmobiles are individual recreational vehicles (like an ATV) with front ski’s and a back track system designed for moving easily over the snow. All snowmobile access to Yellowstone Park is only through Yellowstone snowmobile tours. These tours are small groups led by a professional guide on environmentally-approved machines. As part of the tour, riders receive full gear including special helmets, boots, gloves, and snowmobile suits.
"Imagine waking on a frigid winter morning, donning your snowmobile gear, mounting your sled, and heading off into the wilds of the world’s first national park with friends, family, or business associates," asks Kay Mathews, Marketing Director of All Yellowstone Sports (www.allyellowstone.com). “There’s no other place on earth like Yellowstone. Witness all its wonders from the seat of your sled...warm, steamy waterfalls and rivers rushing through frozen vistas, wolves, bison, coyotes, and elk… infinite beauty."
Daily snowmobile and snowcoach tours leave each morning from West Yellowstone and return in late afternoon. Many local Big Sky hotels can make a tour reservation. Some West Yellowstone companies even offer shuttle service to-and-from the Big Sky area.
Tours offer a choice between going to the Old Faithful area or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone area. After leaving West Yellowstone, tours stop for wildlife sightings, scenic views, or interesting history and geology spots. Everyone usually stops at Madison Junction about mid-morning for a rest stop, restrooms, and a hot beverage.
At this point, tours will split. Those going to Old Faithful will head south and those going to Canyon will go north. Old Faithful tours will stop at Old Faithful long enough for lunch break and a chance to see Old Faithful erupt (a not-to-be missed sight).
Tours to Canyon travel north to Norris and then east to Canyon for a lunch break. A highlight of this trip is the chance to see the semi-frozen grandeur of the waterfalls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This tour is longer and travels through more forested areas but offers some incredible winter views.
Private and custom tours are also available for both snowcoaches and snowmobiles. Simply reserve a guide and equipment and the tour is just for your family or group. Private tours allow you to work closely with your guide to determine the best routes and stops for your group. If you have a special interest, like photography or geyser watching, you can also customize your tour accordingly.
Want to combine activities? Try adding a cross-country ski adventure to your snowcoach tour. A number of snowcoach companies offer drops for cross country skiers along major areas (like Old Faithful) for 1-2 mile loops (great for beginners).
This year, Snowcoach Yellowstone is also offering dedicated Yellowstone Ski Trips using snowcoaches to access Yellowstone’s interior cross country ski trails. Four times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), these ski tours will take skiers via snowcoach to locations and trails such as Fairy Falls, Lone Star Geyser, Shoshone Lake, etc. These ski trips will cover 6-10 miles of skiing per day and are recommended for experienced skiers. Daily ski equipment rentals are available in West Yellowstone.
Owner Randy Roberson explains that these new tours were just a natural extension of their existing winter tours. “We found that we were receiving more and more special requests for ski tours. Our guides already had a passion for skiing along with their Yellowstone expertise, and we had the equipment, so it was a natural fit.”
“These combination snowcoach/ski tours offer a truly unique way to see the inner workings of Yellowstone Park, its wildlife, and thermal features. During the winter, skiing is the only way to access this experience. It’s like your own private viewing, an intimate Yellowstone experience.”
Oversnow travel through Yellowstone’s west entrance is offered from December 15th, 2009 through March 15th, 2010 (weather permitting). “What a better opportunity to see a wider selection of animals and easier access to Old Faithful and the geyser basins, going through the West Yellowstone entrance is the ONLY way to see Yellowstone’s winter wonderland?” asks Mark Pearce, Sales & Marketing Manager for Three Bear Lodge (www.threebearlodge.com).
Take a day and experience Yellowstone in its quietest, and most spectacular, season. Or, come back for a weekend or a week. For more information on activities and lodging, visit www.yellowstonedestination.com (West Yellowstone TBID).
