Yellowstone Winter Activities
A total of 24 miles of trails for skiing and snowshoeing. 19 miles are groomed with tracks, and 12 miles are groomed for skating, comprising a total of 10 loops & trails. Scenery is fantastic, including river & lake views, and plenty of wildlife. Trails are groomed every Friday and Monday from January - March. Jones House warming hut available from 10 am to 3 pm. There is a $4 daily motor vehicle entry fee, or a yearly pass can be purchased for $25. The daily fee for skiing is $2 per person or buy a yearly pass for $35. Funds go to support the grooming program.
Grooming report can be found at:
Idaho Parks & Rec, Harriman State Park
Contact info: 208-558-7368
Caribou-Targhee National Forest Park N’ Ski
There are over 60 miles of Cross Country Ski Trails available on the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District in Targhee National Forest. Idaho Park N’ Ski permits are required for skiers and permits can be obtained at any Forest Service Office, Harriman State Park and some Ashton Businesses. 3-day permit is $7.50, season-long pass (November-April) is $25. Forest Service personnel usually groom the 8-mile (13 km) trail system weekly, and usually on Thursdays or Fridays (but grooming is always subject to weather and availability of funding). Learn more about obtaining passes at http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation/nordic.aspx.
Snowshoers and people pulling sleds are welcome, but should stay to one side of the groomed trail in order not to destroy the set track. Dogs are prohibited on ski trails. They damage groomed trails and tend to scare off the wildlife. Grooming info can be obtained by calling either the Ashton or Island Park Ranger stations.
Contact Info:
Ashton/Island Park Caribou-Targhee National Forest Ranger District
(208) 652-7442 or (208) 558-7301
Fall River Ridge Park N’ Ski –
The trail system runs over moderate terrain, through lodgepole and aspen, for less than half the distance. The remainder is through rolling hills and meadows. Scenic vistas abound. Several species of wildlife such as moose, coyote, snowshoe hare, porcupine and grouse may be seen on occasion. There are ample opportunities for longer trips, off the trail, through open country, when snow conditions permit. The various loops are suitable for beginner and intermediate use, totaling nearly seven miles.
Parking for the Fall River Ridge Ski Trail System is located at the end of the plowed section of Cave Falls Road, about 10 miles east of Ashton, Idaho. From Highway 20, turn east onto Main Street Ashton (which becomes Highway 47). Follow Highway 47 several miles to the Cave Falls turnoff to the east (right). Follow Cave Falls Highway to the Forest Service boundary, where the road ends and the trail begins. The parking lot and one mile of trail are shared by snowmobilers & skiers. The ski trail system is directly south of the parking lot and the trail system consists of 3 loops in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Canyon Rim/Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls Park N’ Ski –
This trail system provides excellent views of the Henry’s Fork Canyon, and Upper & Lower Mesa Falls (110 feet and 65 feet, respectively). Wildlife includes bald eagles, ravens, osprey, moose, ermine, porcupine, grouse, and more. The trail parallels the snowmobile track out to the spectacular Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. The trail then branches away from the snowmobile trail and travels south along the canyon rim, eventually returning to the trailhead. This trail is recommended for intermediate and advanced skiers because of the steep climb in the first mile. Less experienced skiers can still enjoy this trail by walking the first ½ mile on foot, and skiing the first loop clockwise (the first ½ mile is unplowed highway, hard-packed by frequent snowmobile use). A total of three loops, totaling nearly nine miles in length. This ski area is located seven miles northeast of Ashton on Mesa Falls Forest Highway 47. From Highway 20, turn east onto Main Street Ashton, which becomes Highway 47. Follow Highway 47 for about seven miles, where the snowplowing ends at Bear Gulch parking area.
Brimstone Trail System Park N’ Ski -
The trailhead and parking area for the Brimstone Trail System is located ¼ mile north of the Island Park Ranger Station off Highway 20 near Pond’s Lodge Resort. The trail system totals nine miles and provides scenic views of the Island Park Reservoir, Box Canyon, and Buffalo River. Trails are usually groomed weekly with the exception of Thurmon Ridge trail that is not groomed. The terrain varies from gentle grades to downhill runs through tree groves. Moose may be encountered on any of these trails and could possibly be a hazard. Always give them the right of way; they are bigger than you are! Difficulty level varies from easy to difficult. Consult trail system guide for details on each loop. This system also connects to the Harriman trail network to the south, via a long one-way connector trail.
Buffalo River Interpretive Trail Park N’ Ski -
This is one of the few interpretive ski trails in the National Forest system. Information in the trail brochure is geared toward learning about nature in the winter. Trail brochures are available at Henry’s Fork Anglers and at the trail register ¼ mile North of the Ranger Station. Parking for the Buffalo River Ski Trail is located at the Island Park Ranger Station. This is an excellent trail for the beginning skier. It begins at the island park Ranger Station and winds eastward along the south bank of the Buffalo River, then turnse south at Tom’s Creek and west through lodgepole pine forests back to the Ranger Station. Moose and numerous waterfowl can be seen along the river.
Riverside Ski Trail
The Riverside Ski Trail is accessible right from West Yellowstone from a spur road located along the fence break on Boundary Street (the east end of Madison Avenue at the park boundary). From there the trail follows a power line to the old service road and merges with it shortly before Riverside. The "Upriver" and "Downriver" loops combine for nearly ten kilometers of groomed track up and down the banks of the Madison River along with great views of Mt. Holmes and the Gallatin Mountain Range. Wildlife is abundant along the river and you could encounter bison, elk, deer, moose, coyotes and foxes. Watch for bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and an occasional river otter in the river.
Grooming report can be found at: http://www.rendezvousskitrails.com/report.html
Ideally situated at just over 6800 feet (2000 meters) in altitude, the Rendezvous Ski Trails provide perfect conditions for high altitude training or recreation at any time of the year. The altitude and location adjacent to the Continental Divide also mean that snow comes early and stays late. The Rendezvous Ski Trails are groomed on an as-needed basis. They consist of about 22 miles of gently rolling, beautifully groomed trails that wind through tall stands of lodgepole pine and open meadows. Subsequent loops and optional cut-offs mean the course is never boring or predictable. You create your own route by linking together different loops. Elk, moose, pine marten and bear sightings are not uncommon. The distinctive Trailhead Archway and the brand new Trailhead Building are located at the south end of Geyser Street. Though the trails are just a short walk from just about anywhere in town, there is plenty of parking available across the street from the Archway.
Trail passes are required when using the Rendezvous Ski Trails between November 1 and March 31. During the month of November, there is a special trail fee schedule in place. In November, month long passes are $45, three day passes are $25 and 1 day passes are $10.00. From December 1 through March 31, the cost share agreement between the USFS, the Chamber of Commerce and the Ski Education Foundation is in effect and season passes are $25.00 while one Day passes are $5.00. Passes can be purchased at the trailhead, the USFS, the Chamber of Commerce and from several local merchants in West Yellowstone.
Grooming report can be found at: http://www.rendezvousskitrails.com/report.html
Yellowstone National Park Nordic Ski Trails
Offers many miles of in-park groomed trails for classic and skate skiing at Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower and Canyon.
Contact info: (307) 344-7311 or (866) 439-7375
