Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where the dramatic peaks of the Teton Range rise above the valley. Settle into your historic downtown hotel and take some time to relax or explore Jackson at your leisure before meeting your guides and fellow travelers for a welcome orientation and overview of the adventure ahead at 4:00 pm in the hotel lobby. We will then enjoy a welcome dinner for you first taste of the legendary hospitality of the American West. (D)
Your winter adventure begins in Jackson Hole, where the dramatic peaks of the Teton Range rise above the valley. This afternoon, settle into the historic downtown Jackson hotel before meeting your guides and fellow travelers for a welcome orientation at 5:00 pm. We’ll introduce you to the journey ahead, review the week’s adventures, and answer any last-minute questions. Tonight, gather for a special welcome dinner featuring the flavors and hospitality of the American West - the perfect introduction to the unforgettable days ahead. (D)
Begin your winter adventure with a morning visit to a local Nordic outfitter, where your guides and professional ski technicians will help you select and fine-tune your rental equipment for the days ahead. Once your skis, boots, and poles are properly fitted, enjoy a group lunch in Jackson before setting out for your first cross-country ski excursion.
From Jackson, travel up scenic Teton Pass into the Bridger-Teton National Forest for an afternoon of Nordic skiing. Glide through peaceful, snow-covered forests and rolling mountain terrain as you settle into your stride surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Teton region. After a rewarding afternoon on the trails, return to the hotel to relax and enjoy the evening before gathering again for dinner. (BLD)
Distance: 2.5 miles | Ascent: 600 feet| Descent: 600 feet (may vary)
Today combines some of Jackson Hole’s finest Nordic skiing with two of the valley’s most memorable wildlife experiences. We’ll begin the morning traveling along the Gros Ventre River and across Antelope Flats toward Shadow Mountain, keeping watch for elk, moose, bison, and other wildlife along the way. Our ski follows a peaceful winter trail through open forests, with expansive views across the valley toward the Teton Range. After skiing, we’ll continue to the National Museum of Wildlife Art for lunch, surrounded by one of the country’s finest collections of wildlife-inspired art.
This afternoon, experience one of Jackson Hole’s most iconic winter traditions: a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge. Thousands of elk gather here during the winter months, offering an unforgettable opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-covered Gros Ventre and Teton ranges. (BLD)
Distance: 4–11 miles | Ascent: 500–1,550 feet | Descent: 500–1,550 feet (may vary)
Leave Jackson Hole and enter the world's first national park: Yellowstone. Our journey north takes us deep into a winter landscape transformed by snow and steam, with opportunities to stop for wildlife viewing and explore the remarkable geothermal features surrounding Old Faithful. After a picnic lunch, we’ll set out on skis for our first Yellowstone backcountry adventure. We’ll glide through a quiet landscape of forests and steaming geyser basins toward Lone Star Geyser, one of Yellowstone’s most distinctive geothermal features. We will then shuttle to the historic Yellowstone Snow Lodge, where you’ll settle in and experience the remarkable stillness of Yellowstone in winter. Tonight, dinner is followed by dessert as a naturalist shares stories and insights into the park’s wildlife, geology, and unique winter ecology. (BLD)
Distance: 5 miles | Ascent: 105 feet | Descent: 105 feet (may vary)
Ski from the Old Faithful area toward the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins, with opportunities to explore Black Sand Basin and other geothermal features along the way. A shuttle then takes us to Fairy Falls, where we continue on skis toward Grand Prismatic Spring and the colorful geothermal landscape of the Midway Geyser Basin. Our route eventually leads toward the impressive frozen landscape surrounding Fairy Falls, a spectacular 200-foot waterfall framed by snow-covered forest. At the end of the day, our snowcoach will be waiting to return us to the lodge, where you can relax and enjoy a warm dinner.
Distance: 7 miles | Ascent: 170 feet | Descent 170 feet
We’ll begin the day with a scenic snowcoach journey to Norris Geyser Basin, one of Yellowstone’s most dynamic and geologically active areas. A short morning exploration introduces us to the basin’s remarkable collection of steaming pools, colorful springs, and erupting geysers, including Steamboat Geyser - the tallest active geyser in the world. From Norris, we continue by snowcoach toward the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, stopping along the way to experience the park’s winter scenery and geothermal features. After a picnic lunch, we’ll trade the snowcoach for skis and set out along the Canyon Rim Trail, following the dramatic edge of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. As the afternoon light begins to fade, we’ll continue to Mammoth Hot Springs where we will enjoy dinner before soaking in the nearby Yellowstone Hote Springs, a particularly welcome experience after a full day in the snow. (BLD)
Distance: 1.6-mile walk on boardwalk | 4.5-mile ski | Ascent: 100 feet | Descent: 100 feet
Today takes us into Yellowstone’s legendary Northern Range, one of the most wildlife-rich landscapes in North America. After a morning shuttle, we’ll set out on skis along the Lamar Valley area, where the surrounding mountains and open winter landscape provide outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing. Keep your eyes open for elk, bison, coyotes, foxes, and other wildlife as we glide through the quiet northern reaches of the park. After a picnic lunch and spotting our fill of wildlife, we’ll return to Mammoth Hot Springs for and evening and dinner at our historic hotel.
This evening, the adventure continues after dark. Weather depending, we will ski a short loop near Upper Terraces, where an astronomer will introduce us to the constellations, planets, and wonders of Yellowstone’s exceptionally dark skies. With the quiet winter landscape surrounding us and the stars overhead, it’s a fitting way to end a day spent exploring one of Yellowstone’s wildest corners. (BLD)
Distance: 4 miles | Ascent: 50 feet | Descent: 50 feet (may vary)
We begin the day with a morning wildlife safari through Yellowstone’s Northern Range, taking advantage of the early hours when wildlife is often most active. From the Upper Terraces, we’ll then clip into our skis and begin a scenic adventure over Snow Pass. The route carries us through quiet forests and across open winter landscapes before descending toward Swan Lake Flats, where a snowcoach will meet us for the next leg of our journey.
We’ll continue to West Yellowstone, arriving with time to settle in before dinner. After dark and depending on conditions, we’ll head out for either a short moonlight ski along the Madison River or another opportunity to explore the extraordinary night sky with an astronomer. (BLD)
Distance: 4.5 miles | Ascent: 700 feet | Descent: 700 feet (may vary)
Our final day brings us full circle as we travel south through Yellowstone and back toward Jackson. Along the way, we’ll make the most of our final hours in the park, with opportunities to explore additional winter landscapes and geothermal features along the Firehole River Corridor.
Returning to Jackson, gather this evening for a special farewell dinner and raise a glass to an unforgettable week of Nordic skiing, wildlife, and winter exploration in Yellowstone and the surrounding mountains. (BLD)
Your Yellowstone winter adventure comes to an end this morning. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before beginning your onward travels or heading to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Please note: Departure transportation is not included on the final day. We are happy to provide guidance for arranging airport transfers or onward travel from Jackson.
Alpenwild trips are designed for active travelers with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as moderately strenuous. Guests should be comfortable cross-country skiing for 4 to 6 hours per day at elevations reaching up to 8,000 feet above sea level.
Please note this is a true Nordic ski adventure designed for experienced cross-country skiers. Guests should have previous cross-country skiing experience and feel confident skiing varied terrain and winter conditions. This tour is not recommended for first-time Nordic skiers.
