Global Adventures

Cross-Country Skiing in Yellowstone National Park

By Cindy Hoover and Cheri Solien, Global Adventures Leaders

Ten Mountaineers were fortunate to have plentiful sunshine and no winds for last February’s Global Adventure to Yellowstone National Park. We spent a week cross-country skiing in three sections of the park – Mammoth, North, and Old Faithful – which provided ample opportunities to experience the magic of winter in Yellowstone. We enjoyed early morning walks with the fine spray of Old Faithful freezing in midair, and afternoon ski trips so quiet that we could hear water gurgling below the snow. We were fortunate enough to have a private off-trail tour with two wildlife ecologists. This four-hour ski gave us a unique look at the park’s history, detailed wildlife information, and current political and ecological issues. Did you know that when a bison raises its tail, it’s either going to urinate or charge? One day we skied around a corner to find a magnificent bull elk just 20 feet off the trail, and another we followed wolf tracks through the snow. We saw herds of massive bison close enough to our ski trails and the main road to cause us to stop; we always yield to them! Though based out of Gardiner for most of the week, we used a snowcoach to travel to and from Old Faithful Snow Lodge (a shuttle van on snowmobile tracks). We spent one night there reveling in the unique trails around geyser basins. If you’re considering visiting Yellowstone in winter, go for it – you won’t be sorry.

Upcoming Global Adventures

Nordic Ski the Canadian Rockies of Lake Louise and Canmore

Trip Dates: Jan 22-29, 2023 Registration closes: Dec 16 Join us this winter to explore the winter wonderland of Lake Louise and Canmore, CA. Trip highlights include skiing Lake O’Hara and the Emerald Lake, stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, and classic scenes around Lake Louise. We will also have the pleasure of enjoying the world-class grooming of the Canmore Nordic Center, site of the 1988 Olympics. We will ski 8-15 miles per day, with 600-1,700 foot gains, on groomed and skier-made tracks over beautiful frozen lakes and through stunning mountain scenery. We’ll choose the best trail each day based on the conditions. Short drives get us to the trailhead from our comfortable lodgings. N3 intermediate Nordic skiing skill level required.

A snow-dusted bison as seen from a snow coach enroute to Old Faithful. Photo by Donna Hahn.

Cross-country skier standing on the Biscuit Basin Trail. Photo by Donna Hahn.

Cross-country Ski in Norway

Trip Dates: Mar 5-18, 2023 Registration closes: Dec 16 Early this spring, join us for a two-week adventure to the birthplace of cross-country skiing: Norway! We will ski beautifully-groomed trails out of three mountain lodges and one hotel in Lillehammer. The trip will also include three nights in Oslo, where we will get a taste of Norwegian urban life and visit a few historical and cultural sites. Norway has one of the most developed ski trail systems, with many trails connecting ski villages. This creates an extensive network in each area we visit, offering over 372 miles (600 km) of trails from which to choose. We will be skiing over mountain plateaus, gentle hills, forested areas, and past classic Norwegian farms, all with spectacular views of Norwegian winter scenery. N3 intermediate Nordic skiing skill level required.