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After the fast pace of summer has gone, you will find Yellowstone country at its best. Bison and elk are easily visible around the geyser basins. The geysers, hot pots, and fumaroles continue their age-old bubbling, boiling, hissing and spouting against a dramatic backdrop of snowy pine trees and icy blue winter skies.
It’s no wonder that West Yellowstone has earned the nickname “Snowmobiling Capital of the World.” Combined with trails in neighboring Island Park, there are almost 1,000 miles of well-marked and regularly maintained trails. An average annual snowfall of 150 to 175 inches in West Yellowstone creates a blanket over which you can travel long distances and view spectacular wildlife and natural wonders up close. A web of trails that will thrill snowmobilers exists just outside the hotel doors. From town, Yellowstone National Park and Old Faithful Geyser are the best known destinations. Cruise past shaggy bison on your way to the world-famous geyser and find it faithfully spouting steam and water into the crisp winter air about every ninety minutes. From the boardwalk at Old Faithful, admire the herds of elk, deer and bison taking advantage of the thin snow cover and warmer climate that exists within the geyser basin. Also take note to see the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs.
After exploring to the far corners of the park, escape from the park and explore the other side of West. Straddling the Continental Divide, Two Top Mountain is renowned for its powder filled bowls, gentle slopes, and go-for-broke steeps. Travel south to Island Park to destinations such as Big Springs or spectacular Mesa Falls. At Big Springs, the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River emerges out of a hillside. Farther downstream, spectacular Upper Mesa Falls crashes down 100 plus feet to the river below. These sights prompted Snow Rider to recently name West Yellowstone and Island Park the first and fourth best snowmobile destinations in North America, respectively.
 While snowmobiles may be the most popular means of seeing the country, other over snow travel methods include snowcoaches, skiing, dogsledding and snowshoeing. The original snowcoach, made by the Bombardier, was created in the north of Canada to travel on snow-covered roads. Now using modern, converted vans on snow tracks, snowcoaches today are a popular method to view Yellowstone. They offer an enclosed and heated option chauffeured by a naturalist guide. In the quiet of a snowcoach, your guide will have an opportunity to entertain you with stories that bring the history of “Colter’s Hell” alive. Find out about the predator-prey relationships operating within the ecosystem and learn about how geologic forces operating deep within the earth are responsible for Yellowstone’s 10,000 thermal features. Scenic tours to Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone operate every day. Skier drop-offs and guided ski tours may also be arranged. Charters are also available.
The West Yellowstone area has something to offer every breed of cross-country skier, from perfectly groomed trails to deep backcountry powder. Perhaps the best part about skiing in West Yellowstone is the length of the season. Easily accessible snow is virtually guaranteed from mid-November through mid-April. Many skiers push the season from October through June. With every amenity available, West is a perfect cross-country skiing destination.
 In November, before the roar of snowmobiles comes to the roadways of West Yellowstone, the U.S. Nordic team and other cross-country enthusiasts stream into town to train at the Rendezvous Ski Trails. From then until April, visitors will find over 30 kilometers of beginner to advanced trails through flat and rolling terrain groomed and maintained exclusively for cross-country use. Doug Edgerton of Yellowstone Track Systems grooms the Rendezvous Trails and was selected as Chief of Grooming for the cross-country and biathlon trails of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. In addition to their ideal layout and maintenance, the trails of the Rendezvous system are perfectly situated for the high altitude training favored by virtually all of the world’s best skiers and biathletes. Perhaps you will see national and international athletes training here for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Representatives of the Norwegian Olympic Committee visited the site and declared it “perfect” for their training and racing needs.
Also easily accessible from town, the Madison River Trail winds through mostly flat terrain where skiers can gain solitude and perhaps encounter winter wildlife. For the more experienced or adventurous, there are millions of acres of national forest and park lands to explore. Plan ahead and go on a backcountry adventure. With a guide, explore Yellowstone from a cozy base camp deep in the wilderness. Downhill skiing is also world-class in this area. Just a short drive north of West Yellowstone, you will discover Big Sky, Montana, home of the mountain with the nation’s biggest vertical rise of 4,180 feet. Abundant snowfall, diverse terrain and a pristine natural setting characterize this resort.
It’s well worth the drive to explore Big Sky’s 150-plus runs and 3,812 skiable acres, where you will find plenty of skiing for beginners and experts alike. From the top of Lone Peak, you will see expansive views of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Backcountry skiing also abounds. West Yellowstone is virtually land-locked by deep powder pistes that offer great touring. Opportunities for skiing the interior of Yellowstone National Park are available through Yellowstone Alpen Guides, AmFac and Yellowstone Expeditions.
If you feel up for competition, join one of the local races. Beginning with the Fall Camp Sprint in late November, at least one race per month takes place throughout the season. Local races, dubbed the Spam Cup, are fairly informal events. Winners receive a can of Spam in recognition of their accomplishments. In addition to the Spam Cup, West Yellowstone hosts the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race every year. This event is part of the American Marathon Series and attracts more than 600 participants. Other ski events in West Yellowstone include the annual Christmas Stroll with children’s ski races and fun activities in the streets of town and the annual West Yellowstone Youth Festival the day after the Rendezvous Race. For more information on skiing activities, race schedules, snow and grooming conditions, etc., contact the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce at (406) 646-7701.
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