PROGRAM DATES: Dec 2024, Jan & Feb 2025
PRICING: See below.
LOCATION: Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful
GROUP SIZE: 9
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 2
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Old Faithful Winter Expedition Lodging & Learning package is designed for those who want to explore the heart of Yellowstone’s winter wilderness with an expert field educator. The serenity and beauty of Yellowstone in winter is truly one-of-a-kind, and this will provide the setting for discovery, reflection, and fascination. Wildlife, history, ecology, and geology will be incorporated into daily activities, additionally the group will discuss a variety of issues that affect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Yellowstone Forever field educator will lead you through the most scenic and awe-inspiring features in the park and share stories behind the rare magic of Yellowstone National Park.
This program begins at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, where a field educator will deliver an informative evening orientation. The following three days will be based out of the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Days will be spent visiting some of Yellowstone National Park’s most iconic interior-based locations, such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Old Faithful. The final day of programming will be spent traveling back to Mammoth Hot Springs where participants will spend their final night, before departing the next morning.
Most sightings of wildlife occur at a distance; the field educator will provide high-powered spotting scopes and binoculars for group use. However, participants are encouraged to bring additional scopes and binoculars if they have them.
Session Start Dates:
2024
December – 12/15, 12/17, 12/19, 12/22, 12/24, 12/26, 12/29, 12/31
2025
January – 1/2, 1/5, 1/7, 1/9, 1/12, 1/14, 1/16, 1/19, 1/21, 1/23, 1/26, 1/28, 1/30
February – 2/2, 2/4, 2/6, 2/9, 2/11, 2/13, 2/16, 2/18, 2/20, 2/23, 2/25
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
Participants are welcome to check into the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel beginning at 4:00 p.m. After checking in, guests will meet a Yellowstone Forever field educator for an orientation. Education staff will go over the program itinerary, discuss clothing and equipment needed for daily outings, and answer any questions participants may have. After the orientation, guests will have dinner at the Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room.
5:30 p.m. Orientation at Mammoth Hot Springs Conference Room
7:00 p.m./7:15 p.m. Participant Dinner at Mammoth Dining Room
DAY 2
DEPART FOR OLD FAITHFUL
The group will board a chartered snow coach for a scenic trip to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. The group will explore points of interest along the way, such as Norris Geyser Basin and Madison Junction, and stop to enjoy wildlife sightings. The group will settle into the Old Faithful Snow Lodge to finish up the day.
Breakfast at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room
9:00 a.m. Depart for Old Faithful
- Sightseeing along the way
- Deli lunch in the field
4:00 p.m. Arrive at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, check-in
5:45 p.m. Dinner at Obsidian Dining Room
- Dinner for this night is provided and reservations have been pre-booked.
DAY 3
GEYSER BASINS
On the first full day at Old Faithful, participants will venture out into the nearby geyser basins, forests, and riparian habitats on snowshoe, while taking in fascinating sights and sounds of the surrounding thermal features. The Yellowstone Forever field educator will interpret wildlife tracks and signs found in the snow and explain the science behind the survival of these hardy animals.
Breakfast at Obsidian Dining Room
9:00 a.m. Meet in lobby with gear
- Deli lunch in the field
3:00 p.m. Arrive at Old Faithful Snow Lodge
5:45 p.m. Dinner at Obsidian Dining Room
- Dinner for this night is provided and reservations have been pre-booked.
DAY 4
THE GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE
Participants will board a chartered snow coach for a full day excursion to the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Along the way, a field educator will provide stories and information about Yellowstone’s vast natural and cultural history. Once at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, visitors will experience the incredible views of the famed waterfall and canyon while snowshoeing.
Breakfast at Obsidian Dining Room
8:30 a.m. Meet in lobby with gear
- Board snow coach and depart for Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, sightseeing along the way
- Deli lunch in the field
6:00 p.m. Return to Old Faithful Snow Lodge
7:00 p.m. Dinner at Obsidian Dining Room
- Dinner for this night is provided and reservations have been pre-booked.
DAY 5
RETURN TO MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS
This is the last full day on the program. For this final program day, the group will return to Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel via snow coach with sightseeing stops along the way.
Breakfast at Obsidian Dining Room
9:00 a.m. Meet in lobby with gear
- Depart for Mammoth Hot Springs, sightseeing along the way
- Deli lunch in the field
4:00 p.m. Return to Mammoth Hot Springs
6:00 p.m./6:15 p.m. Dinner at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room
- Dinner for this night is provided and reservations have been pre-booked. Confirm reservations at check-in.
DAY 6
CHECK OUT & DEPARTURE
Breakfast at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room
Dates & Times: The program begins at 5:30 p.m. on Day 1 and goes through 4:00 p.m. on Day 5.
Lodging:
- 2 nights lodging at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – Deluxe Room
- 3 nights lodging at Old Faithful Snow Lodge – Deluxe Room
- Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Day 1
- Lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Day 6
Most meals, to include:
- 5 breakfasts (2 at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room & 3 at Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room)
- 4 lunches (to-go)
- 5 dinners (2 at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room, 3 at Obsidian Dining Room)
Transportation: In-park transportation via a snow coach
World class educational programming with a Yellowstone Forever field educator
A Nalgene water bottle (gift item) and a Snow Card
Baggage handling is provided throughout the entire stay
Field equipment (trekking poles and snowshoes)
Access to ice skating rink and free ice skate rentals at Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful
Optional Airport Shuttle: Daily shuttles (winter season only) are offered from the Bozeman Airport to/from Yellowstone. You can reserve your seat(s) when making your lodging reservations by phone.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Be prepared for to hike or snowshoe up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 250 feet.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information, please contact the following:
- Reservations, lodging, food, and payment questions, please contact Yellowstone National Park Lodges at [email protected] or 307-344-7311
- Program itinerary, health forms, and activity questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
- Road updates, park conditions, and general park information, please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
TESTIMONIALS
“What a wonderful experience for myself, daughter and grand daughter.” – Mary, CA
“This was our first time to Yellowstone National Park. The description of this package is what drew us into going. Turned out that the description was not adequate. What Sam provided in his explanations and talks along with the scenery cannot be put in words. Magical Outstanding Exceptional. Once in a life time trip that begs to be experienced again.” – Miles, CA
“The expertise provided by the guide and driver was spectacular. The knowledge of these two complimented each other and made the experience great for everyone, whether they were thermal feature lovers or birding aficionados.” – Dale and Charla, OH
BOOK THIS PACKAGE NOWREAD THE COURSE LETTER
YF Institute | Field Educator
Yellowstone Forever field educators are among the best experts in Yellowstone. Educational staff are passionate professionals with significant training who are dedicating their careers to this vital work. They live in the Yellowstone ecosystem, they work and train alongside park researchers and educators, and thus can provide accurate and exciting behind-the-scenes perspectives on the park’s natural and cultural history. They know where to go and when, and they handle all the details to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
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