Snowshoeing

Hiking and sightseeing don’t have to be limited to the summer months. Snowshoes allow a world of possibility to tour the parks on foot and offer a great alternative to skiing. Similar to walking on sand or running on a beach, snowshoeing can also be a great work out depending on conditions and snow depth. You can rent snowshoes through most outfitters in town and head up to the top of Teton Pass for a non-guided experience as you traverse the many different ridges and roads. Or, search through a myriad of guided or experiences in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park for a curated trip.

Photography

The winter views of the Greater Yellowstone Area are enough to leave a lasting impression for the entirety of your life. Capturing the expansive landscape and wildlife is a favorite pastime of locals, and visitors alike. If you ask to scroll through the cameras on their phones you will most likely be met with a barrage of the most beautiful photos you’ve ever seen – much of what you would expect to find on the memory card of a National Geographic Photographer. Many outfitters and guides offer photography tours that will take you to the right places at the right time, leaving only footprints and taking only photos.

Wildlife Tours

Professionally guided tours take the guesswork out of looking for wildlife and can really make a trip. Gaze upon packs of wolves in Yellowstone, Moose snacking on trees and branches, birds cresting above and more. The many guiding services in the area offer an interpretive experience that goes far beyond just scoping larger than life animals through a set of binoculars.

Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride

While not actually located in either of the national parks, the National Elk Refuge – especially in the winter – should not be overlooked as a destination or non-skiing activity for those visiting in the colder months. Led by a horse drawn sleigh and adorned with blankets and hot drinks, the sleigh rides in the Elk Refuge offer a once in a lifetime chance to see close-up wildlife viewing of the thousands of elk that migrate down from the mountains every winter.

Snow Coach Tours

Snow coach tours are an especially unique way to tour around Yellowstone National Park. Outfitters replace the wheels on their tour vehicles with different tire tread, often in the form of low pressure, larger tires or a rotating belt (like a snowmobile) that allows for safer travel on snow and ice. From the comfort and warmth of a Snow coach, you’ll be able to travel to the many sights of Yellowstone – think Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and more – that become inaccessible in the winter due to road closures.