While many head to Yellowstone National Park in winter to explore by snowmobile or snowcoach, many visitors also like to get out on foot -- either with snowshoes or cross-country skis -- to move about the park.
Snowshoers near Hellroaring Trailhead, Yellowstone National Park / NPS - Jim Peaco
Here's the rundown on how to safely enjoy those activities in the park this winter, courtesy of the park webpage.
Yellowstone has miles of trails for the adventurous skier and snowshoer. Whether you are skiing a groomed trail in a developed area or venturing into the backcountry, remember that you are traveling in wilderness with all its potential dangers: unpredictable wildlife, changing weather conditions, hydrothermal areas, deep snow, open streams, and avalanches. You have chosen to explore and experience the land on its terms, and your safety is not guaranteed. Be prepared for any situation. Carefully read the safety information, understand all backcountry guidelines and regulations, and know the limits of your ability.
You have a choice of ski trails throughout the park—a few are described here. Maps and trail brochures are available for trails in the Mammoth, Tower, Northeast, and West Yellowstone/Gallatin areas. These trails range from easy to difficult. Please take a map.
* A permit is required for all overnight trips in the Yellowstone backcountry.
* Pack it in—Pack it out: No matter what trail you are on or its length, you must pack out all refuse.
* You can rent skis and snowshoes in the Bear Den Ski Shops at Mammoth and Old Faithful.
Here’s a list of ski trails in Yellowstone. You can snowshoe on these trails, too, but do not snowshoe or walk directly on ski tracks. Also remember while skiing and snowshoeing uphill to yield to those going downhill.
For more detailed information, click on each trail name.
Canyon Area
The Canyon Rim Ski Trail is a 4.5 mile (7.24 km), easiest to more difficult forested trail that takes skiers along the Canyon Rim providing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
The Cascade Lake Ski Trail is a 3-mile (4.8-km) round-trip, easy, 1-2 hour ski trail that gently travels through lodgepole pine forests, open meadows, and provides views of frozen Cascade Lake and snowy mountains with hills suitable for taking backcountry turns. Close to Canyon, this is a great trail for beginners to backcountry skiers alike.
The North Rim Ski Trail is a 3-mile (4.8-km), easiest to more difficult forested trail that takes skiers along the North Canyon Rim providing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
The Old Canyon Bridge Ski Trail is a flat 1-mile (1.6-km) easy ski that provides skiers a short but beautiful way to see the Yellowstone River in winter.
The Roller Coaster Ski Trail is a more difficult 1.8 mile (2.9 km) roundtrip forested trail taking skiers on a rolling course with several steep drop-offs.
Mammoth Hot Springs Area
The Bighorn Loop Ski Trail is a 5.5 mile (8.85 km), easy to more difficult trail taking skiers on a loop through rolling terrain with outstanding winter landscape views.
This 6-mile / 9.65-km (one-way) trail follows the old Bunsen Peak road; in places it is steep and has
sharp turns. Along the trail, you will have views of the Gallatin Mountains and the Gardner River Canyon. For trail conditions, suggested starting points, and shuttles, ask at the Bear Den Ski Shop next to the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
The Indian Creek Loop Ski Trail is a skier-tracked, easy, 2.2-mile (3.5 km) ski trail suitable for any ability level.
The Sheepeater Ski Trail is a skier-tracked, easy, one-way 5-mile (8 km) trail that provides scenic views of Swan Lake Flats.
The Snow Pass Ski Trail is a 4.2-mile (6.76-km), skier-tracked, one-way, easiest to most-difficult, ski that takes skiers through a steep heavily forested area to a semi-flat wide open area with views of Swan Lake Flats.
Enjoying a day along the Upper Terrace Loop Ski Trail, Yellowstone National Park / NPS - Jacob W Frank
The Upper Terrace Loop Ski Trail is a groomed 1.5-mile (2.4-km) loop that ranges from easy to more difficult due to a steep downhill section if traveled to the right from the trailhead. This trail takes you around the Upper Terrace Drive to views of impressive thermal features, the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District, and distant snow-covered mountain ranges.
Northeast Area
The Bannock Ski Trail is a 2-mile (3.2-km) easy ski that follows the old road bed that once used to supply the mining town of Cooke City, Montana.
This 3.5-mile / 5.6-km trail (one-way) follows Soda Butte Creek along an old roadway that parallels the Northeast Entrance Road at the base of Barronette Peak. It travels through a forest and offers spectacular scenery and consistently good snow conditions.
The Pebble Creek Ski Trail is a 13-mile (21-km) most difficult, round-trip ski that offers skilled backcountry skiers challenging terrain and beautiful views.
Old Faithful Area
The Black Sand Basin Ski Trail is a groomed 4-mile (6.4-km) round trip, easiest trail that takes you from the Upper Geyser Basin to Black Sand Basin. Begin in front of the Old Faithful Visitor Center and take the Upper Geyser Basin Trail past Castle Geyser. Turn left onto the skier-tracked trail to Daisy Geyser, stay to the left and continue to the snow vehicle road. Black Sand Basin is across the snow vehicle road.
The Divide Ski Trail is a 2.8-mile (4.5-km) round trip, more difficult, skier-tracked trail that offers views of Shoshone Lake and Mt. Sheridan on clear days.
The Fairy Falls Ski Trail is a 10-mile (16-km) (with ski drop) skier-tracked, round-trip, easiest to more difficult ski that provides icy views of one of Yellowstone's most popular waterfalls.
The Fern Cascades Loop Ski Trail is a one-way, steep, 3-mile (4.8-km), easy to most difficult, skier tracked trail that provides views of the cascades.
This moderate 9-mile trail /14.5-km (round-trip) begins at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and takes you to Kepler Cascades. From there, you follow a groomed service road alongside the Firehole
River to Lone Star Geyser. The geyser erupts about every three hours from a 12-foot high
cone. Beginning skiers should return the same way; more advanced skiers might like to return via the Howard Eaton Trail, which is steep and requires caution.
The Mallard Creek Ski Trail is a 12-mile (19-km) round-trip, most-difficult, skier-tracked trail that takes advanced skiers over challenging terrain.
The Mallard Lake Ski Trail is a 6.8-mile (10.9-km) round-trip, skier-tracked, more difficult trail taking skiers on a steep climb to views of Mallard Lake.
Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail
The Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail is a 2.0-mile (3.2-km) snowshoe only trail that treats visitors to unobstructed views of the Upper Geyser Basin and the Firehole River.
The Spring Creek Ski Trail is an 8-mile (12.9-km) one-way, skier-tracked, most difficult ski that requires excellent speed control and turning skills.
Tower Area
The Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 8-mile (12.9-km) one-way ski with two trailhead options. This trail travels open meadows and forests with great wildlife viewing opportunities in winter.
Cross-country skier on the Chittenden Loop Ski Trail, Yellowstone National Park / NPS - Jacob W. Frank
The Chittenden Loop Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 5.3-mile (8.3-km) loop providing views of Mount Washburn on clear days.
The Lost Lake Ski Trail is a 4-mile (6.4-km) easiest to more difficult one-way trail that takes skiers by Petrified Tree, Lost Lake, and Calcite Springs Overlook.
The Tower Fall Ski Trail is a 5-mile (8-km) round-trip easiest trail that allows skiers to enjoy canyon views of the Yellowstone River and Tower Fall.
The Yancey's Hole Ski Trail is a 2-mile (3.2-km) easiest ski trail with rolling terrain and wide open views of the Yancey's Hole area.
West Yellowstone Area
The Bighorn Pass Ski Trail provides a variety of options for skiers to experience the northwest area of Yellowstone National Park.
The Black Butte Ski Trail is a 14-mile (22.6-km) roundtrip ski that follows Black Butte Creek and offers mountain views.
The Daly Creek Ski Trail is a 12-mile (19.3-km) round-trip ski that takes skiers to the Sky Rim Trail and park boundary.
The Fawn Pass Ski Trail is an 11-mile (17.7-km), one-way, more difficult ski trail that provides skiers with wide open views of the Gallatin Range.
The Gneiss Creek Ski Trail is a 14-mile (23-km) one-way lightly-used ski trail that takes skiers across rolling meadows and open forests.
The Riverside Ski Trail provides several easy options to ski along the Madison River and enjoy views of both the Gallatin and Madison mountain ranges.
The Specimen Creek Ski Trail is an 8-mile (12.9 km) one-way trail that takes skiers through rolling forests.
Some safety pointers to keep in mind for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing:
* Most of the park is above 7,500 feet (2,286 meters). If you are coming from lower elevations, acclimate yourself and test your capabilities by taking short day trips before considering longer excursions.
* Evaluate your party’s capabilities. Plan your outing so that everyone will enjoy it.
* Know your equipment’s capabilities and weaknesses and be prepared to make repairs.
* Let someone know where you are going.
* Never go close to geysers, hot springs, or mudpots. You may fall through overhanging snow ledges or thin crust. Do not leave designated trails in hydrothermal areas.
* Beware of icy conditions on downhill grades leading into hydrothermal areas. Side-step or walk down the hill rather than risk skiing out of control into a boiling pool.
* When crossing frozen lakes, use extreme caution and check ice thickness by prodding with a ski pole. Ice, snow-covered or not, may be thin, especially near inlets, outlets, and waters warmed by hydrothermal activity. Crossing rivers may be dangerous; some have
bridges and some do not. Ask a ranger about local crossings.
* Do not approach wildlife. Wild animals are unpredictable; if they charge, you can’t outrun them, especially in deep snow. If they run, you are forcing them to use energy they need to survive.
* When passing through areas of dead trees (snags), stay on established trails and be alert. Snags can fall with little warning.
* Exertion in dry mountain air can dehydrate you. Drink two quarts of water a day. Carry gear to melt water from snow or dip it out of a stream from a safe distance with a ski pole. Boil water from lakes or streams to reduce the chance of infection from water-borne diseases.
* Learn as much as you can about winter survival. Talk with park rangers before you leave on any trip. Many good books are also available on this topic.
* Follow basic ski etiquette: skiers going uphill yield to those going downhill; never walk or snowshoe in ski tracks.
* Orange trail markers attached to trees may be difficult to find in winter. Even on a well-marked trail, you can become lost easily in a whiteout or blizzard.
* If you venture into the backcountry, carry a USGS topographic map and a compass—and know how to use them.
* Attempt off-trail travel only if you are completely familiar with the specific area where you will be skiing.
* Obtain specific information on conditions at the area’s ranger station, backcountry office, warming hut, or visitor center.
