Yellowstone Suggestions

Anyone here ever ski into the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone? The wife and I are considering a trip out there sometime in the future and were wondering what the deal was.

Are there turning possibilities out there or is it mostly touring around on the flats?

Also - any ideas on how bad are the snomos these days?

i dont know if there is alot of good turns around the lodge, you could find something within 10 miles or so,, even with no turns that area is pretty awsome, there are plenty of hot pots that you can lounge in, when the air outside is -0,, cooke city area of northeast y, accessed in winter through the gardner entrance is a huge bc ski area, as well the tetons to the south, and the bridgers/madison/gallatiain to the northwest,, plenty of opurtunity close by. have fun!!

I'm headed to Yellowstone in late February and resurrected this thread to see if anyone else has any recommendations or advice.

The current plan is to stay with the park concessionaire at Mammoth hotsprings for $50/night.  I would like to see Old Faithful or another geyser of equivalent splendor (and more solitude), but am repulsed by the driveby tourism that a group sled or cat trip would probably entail.  Unfortunately, tent camping is probably not on the table.  Would it be worth trying to get a reservation at the old faithful lodge in order to have a heated base for further exploration? I'd guess that some of the thermal pools would be pretty cool around there in the winter.

Does anyone have any experience with www.yellowstoneexpeditions.com/ ?  Their yurts look cool, although far more expensive than Mammoth hot springs.  Are there any other attractions or sites that I shouldn't miss?  Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone?

Actually depending on what you are up for, all mentioned are possible. I did a sled trip back in the 90's south of old Faithful along the Belcher river, hot springs along the river and a slight elevation drop, one could do a in and out but it was nice to have a large group to break trail, no turns, just touring.

Every time I have been out there the patchy snow along the old faithful basin always seemed too scanty for touring because of the thermals. If wishing to see this area, its easy to walk. There is however a number of day tours, but get away from the roads as the motor sleds still run. The last time I was there in winter the sled isssue had improved as they were all four stroke and had to be in groups.

  I also have used a snow coach for larger groups of friends, that was very nice, they would drop off and pick up, A little pricy but again for a larger group it was really nice. They really are not to tacky and they can point you in the right direction........plus they are about the only way around. Use them as a drop off and pick up for tours.  I would call out there and price them out. I have never used the yurt system there. if you had the cash it sounds nice. Yellowstone lodge though is a American classic and worth staying in there at least one night. Again its not as painful of a tourist thing in the winter as in summer, at least for one night. Reserve early! South of West Yellowtone along the paved road there are some nice tours back in the park, though I have only done those in the spring with corned up conditions, after a fresh snow trail breakng can be painful there. Nice though as they keep it plowed and you do not have to depend on the snow coach. The trick is to go in the spring after they are plowing the roads but before they are open for cars. They allow bikes in this window and there is NO ONE out there, just pull your bike and pack up on the bank  and camp....sort of secret...now on the internet!! Just doge the bison as they find the plowed roads easy to walk on also


Mammoth has some touring up towards Cooke city when open, some areas are closed due to wildlife. I have never gone there in the winter, so can not speak with personal knowledge.

Ohers have more experience but if you are thinking of going I would in a heart beat. It is a totally cool place to hang and the winter is a sweet time to be there.........bring your mittens!!

cw

I spent a summer working out in Yellowstone a few years ago and remember thinking that the ski possibilities seemed endless, even though I wasn't much of a skier then. There are quite a few areas for x-country touring (ie. flat or rolling hills), but also quite a bit of vertical relief as you climb out of the Mammoth area. As mentioned the Cooke City area seems great, the Beartooths (beyond Cooke City) would probably be outstanding (but maybe require a snomobile) and the Gallatin range also runs through the NW part of the park. I remember some people saying that they ski Electric Peak in the Spring-time- it was a long summer hike to get up there. There are some neat open slopes surrounding the Lamar Valley, as well...

I took 3 days and toured into the lodge at Old Faithful a couple of years back, drug a sled for about 25 miles. Was loads of fun, saw a full lunar eclipse. Pretty amazing place. Once there, my partner did a bit of touring, had to want it pretty bad, pretty thin snow cover relative to JH or other places nearby and a short run.
Snomo's are very restricted, short hours, only on roads and only guided and limited numbers, not a real problem.