Winter Adventures In & Around Yellowstone
Snowmobile & Gear Rentals from High Mark Rentals
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, the folks at High Mark Rentals are ready to help you with all your West Yellowstone snowmobile needs. They offer snowmobile rentals as well as clothing, gear and avy pack rentals. And if you have your own sled, they also provide service, parts and accessories for all makes and models.
Plus they're happy to share their local knowledge of area snowmobile trails as well as trail conditions, so be sure to stop by and see them. Tell them Bill at Brook Trout Inn sent you, and they’ll take good care of you.
Yellowstone Snowmobile Tours with Backcountry Adventures
For snowmobile tour fun, Backcountry Adventures is a 3rd generation, family owned tour outfitter that provides personalized service from guides who live here. They offer guided Yellowstone snowmobile tours to Old Faithful and the Canyon Area on environmentally friendly snowmobiles.
Yellowstone Snow Coach Tours with Backcountry Adventures
Take one of two guided Yellowstone snow coach tours to Old Faithful or the Canyon Area in a heated snow coach! See herds of bison trudging through snowdrifts while foraging for grasses. Spot bald eagles soaring above looking for prey. Watch coyotes delicately prancing across snow covered prairies. And if you’re lucky, witness wolves revel in their favorite season. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your experienced guides share intimate knowledge about the Park and its history.
Backcountry Adventures is a 3rd generation, family owned tour outfitter offering personalized service from fun and friendly guides who live here.
Cross Country Skiing & Snow Shoeing with Free Heel & Wheel
Growing up in West Yellowstone, the girls of Free Heel & Wheel really know their stuff when it comes to cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Whether you need to rent equipment, be taught the ropes or be guided on the best trails in the area – or if you need all three – Free Heel & Wheel is ready to help you have a great winter adventure!
They also offer a full service ski shop, winter gear, clothing and accessories. Plus they’re happy to share their local knowledge about trails and trail conditions. And while you’re there, you can enjoy a hot beverage from their coffee bar as well.
Cross Country Skiing at Rendezvous Self-Guided Ski Trails
This is a premier cross country ski area with groomed trails from November through March (and sometimes April). Trail options can be from as little as 0.5 miles to a seemingly infinite combination of intersecting loops. You can ski it every day while you’re here and have a different experience each time. Be sure to check out the maps at the trailhead.
Daily passes can be purchased at the trailhead, and daily, season and family passes are available at Free Heel & Wheel (see above), the Hebgen Lake Ranger Station and the Chamber of Commerce.
This large trail system is located at the south end of Geyser Street behind the Povah Community Center in West Yellowstone.
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing on the Riverside Trail System
The Riverside Trail provides access to Yellowstone National Park where you can treat yourself to the splendor of the Gallatin Mountain Range and keep your eyes open for elk, bison and moose grazing along the Madison River.
This self-guided trail system offers 4 options:
Short - about 2 miles round trip and fully groomed.
Medium - about 3.5 miles round trip and not groomed.
Long - about 5.6 miles and partially groomed.
Longest - about 7.7 miles and partially groomed.
You can pick up a free trail guide at Free Heel & Wheel or the Rendezvous Ski Trails (see above for both). If you’re unfamiliar with this trail or new to skiing or snowshoeing, always find out about trail conditions before you go. The staff at Free Heel & Wheel are great sources for trail knowledge and trail conditions.
The trailhead is located on Boundary Street at the end of Madison Avenue. (Look for trailhead signs visible through a gap the snow bank.)
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing on the Boundary Trail
The Boundary Trail is fully groomed and runs about 3 miles along the boundary of Yellowstone National Park to Baker’s Hole Campground. (About 6 miles round trip.)
You can pick up a free trail guide at Free Heel & Wheel or the Rendezvous Ski Trails (see above for both). If you’re new to skiing or snowshoeing, always find out about trail conditions before you go. The staff at Free Heel & Wheel are great sources for trail knowledge and trail conditions.
The trailhead is located at the north end of Boundary Street in West Yellowstone
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing in Yellowstone's Northwest Corner
There are four great trails a little north of West Yellowstone on Highway 191: Telemark Meadows (near mile marker 18), Big Horn Pass Trail (near mile marker 20, ski only), Fawn Pass Trail (near mile marker 22, skiing only) and Specimen Creek Trail (near mile marker 27).
For a free map with descriptions of these trails, stop by Free Heel & Wheel or the Rendezvous Ski Trails (see above for both). And always find out about trail conditions and possible avalanche areas before you go. The staff at Free Heel & Wheel are great sources for trail knowledge and trail conditions.
There is no fee and you do not need a Park Pass to access this part of Yellowstone National Park.
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding at Big Sky Resort
If you’re looking for a downhill skiing or snowboarding adventure, Big Sky Ski Resort is the place to be with its 5850 skiable acres and short to non-existent lift lines. You can purchase full day lift tickets online or half day lift tickets at the lift ticket window.
(57 miles, 1 hour north of West Yellowstone)
Dog Sledding with Spirit of the North Sled Dog Adventures
Dog sledding in West Yellowstone is a wonderful way to tour our surrounding National Forests in all their winter splendor. Imagine yourself gliding through a winter wonderland of majestic mountains with a team of beautiful huskies pulling you down the trail. The only sounds you hear are the panting of the dogs and the swish of the sled runners. No other method of travel over snow can compare with dog sledding. This is a trip back in time that you will never forget!
Trips are offered 7 days a week with start times at 9:30 am and 1:00 pm. Making your reservations early is recommended to guarantee your day and time.
Sleigh Rides at 320 Ranch
Snuggle up for a fun evening under the big Montana sky in a two-horse open sleigh. This unique adventure includes a round-trip ride to Mountain Man Campsite, appetizers, hot beverages and adult beverages. Private sleigh rides are also available. (36 miles, 39 minutes north of West Yellowstone)
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
See live bears, wolves, river otters and raptors at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center - West Yellowstone’s non-profit wildlife park and educational facility. Explore the interactive, indoor bear exhibit, and if you’re lucky, you may be able to watch the bears test products for official “bear-proof ratings." There’s also a movie room that shows videos about the area’s wildlife and natural environment. Open 365 days a year.
Kids'N'Snow Weekends
The Kids’N’Snow Weekends provide kids and their families with an opportunity get outdoors in the winter and try a new activity - like ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and much more.
It's a great way to get kids outdoors and teach them how to remain active, even in the winter.
Yellowstone Giant Screen
Watch movies about Yellowstone on the giant IMAX screen and learn about the Park’s unique features. The theater also offers movies on other topics, as well as current feature films, making it your best and only choice for a West Yellowstone movie theater. Concessions are available, plus Yellowstone exhibits and a gift shop too.
West Yellowstone Walking Tour
For a scenic stroll around town, click on the photo to access a digital version of the free West Yellowstone Historic Walking Tour map. You’ll learn about the early days of West Yellowstone life, the significance of 21 landmarks located within a 4 block radius in town, plus the history of fire in West Yellowstone