Big Sky To Jackson Hole Ski Trips
Available from 12/15 through 03/15
Two of the biggest mountains in the US, two of the most beautiful national parks in the World, and more wildlife than humans, this is a ski trip not to be missed. There is more to see than on just about any other ski vacation in the world. Big Mountain skiing, away from large metropolitan areas, wildlife numbering in the thousands and steamy geysers against a blue winter sky all await you on this once in a lifetime adventure.
We have noticed living at Big Sky that many people like to take a day off in the middle of their ski trip to rest their legs. Why not take a couple of days, and travel across Yellowstone by snowcoach, visiting the world’s first national park opposite of the big crowds in the summer, then hitting up another ski area legend for the rest of the week?
Soak in hot springs, see the wildlife of the Northern Range, and visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Winter is the best time to beat the crowds, and the skiing is excellent as well.
Sample Itinerary
a truly magical day in the park
Day 1: Fly into Bozeman, MT, transfer to Big Sky, MT
Days 2 – 3: Ski Big Sky, MT. 5800 acres of varied terrain scattered on 4 mountains serviced by 30 lifts. Big Sky has long been known as the largest ski area with the shortest lift lines, this is because there are no metropolitan areas nearby. 4,380 vertical feet await you on hundreds of miles of empty ski slopes. Great views of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park await you on top of the Lone Peak Tram. Beginners are able to ride 9 lifts at Big Sky on 3 different mountains, at the same time there are 3 lifts that Big Sky can not get a snowmobile or snowcat to the top of because of how steep the terrain is. Big Sky is easily one of the most diverse ski areas in the world for terrain. Of course you can add more ski days if you wish, as each package is custom built.
The group may take a couple of hours in the morning for a quick sunrise and wildlife searching trip in Yellowstone’s Gallatin District as well before skiing one day. This corner has a large herd of bull elk, along with some good moose and wolf habitat, and is often worth a quick trip, that can often be back before the lifts open. We also recommend a snow cat dinner, which we can arrange for you as well with enough notice. Where else can you ride on top of a snowcat?
Day 4: There is more to ski and see in the Yellowstone area, and we begin this day with some more skiing at Bridger Bowl, MT. Much like Big Sky, this unique hill has a great variety of terrain for everyone, and can challenge the best of them. After skiing a few hours, we will hit the road again to head to Yellowstone’s Northern Range to view the evening wildlife and wolf viewing. Chico Hot Springs offers live music most nights and a relaxing soak, but must be booked months in advance. Other options include Gardiner, MT, Mammoth Hot Springs or Cooke City/ Silvergate. Many people wonder why we tie the smaller lesser known ski areas into this package, but, why not? As guides we are here to show you some of the hidden secrets of the area as well.
Book with Yellowstone Tour Guides
The beauty you will see is indescribable
This is a truly magical day in the park, as we will be opposite many other groups schedules and on our own much of the day. The beauty you will see between the Canyon and falls, Norris Geyser Basin is indescribable. Imagine viewing these famous attractions with only a handful of other people, if anyone, compared to the summer crowds, add some snow for some ambiance, and you are enjoying a rare treat to see Yellowstone without the crowds.
Day 5: After some early morning wildlife, we will board the snowcoach for the trip to West Yellowstone via snowcoach, visiting Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lower Falls, Gibbon Falls and the Fountain Paint Pots along the way, Norris Geyser Basin time permitting.
Day 6: We board the snowcoach at West Yellowstone for our trip to the South Entrance. Today we will visit the Fountain Paint Pots, Old Faithful Geyser, the Keppler Cascades, West Thumb Geyser Basin and Lewis River Falls. At Flagg Ranch we will switch back to wheeled vehicle, where we will visit some of the view points of the Teton Mountain Range, often during the sunset as we roll into Jackson WY for our next few nights.
Days 7, 8 & 9: Ski Jackson, WY. Take an early morning wildlife trip to Grand Teton National Park before the lifts open (optional). Stay in town or at Teton Village, Night skiing at Snowking ski area is available some nights, sleigh rides through the Elk Refuge, there is a lot to do in Jackson, in addition to the skiing.
Jackson Hole offers a vertical drop of 4200+ feet, and a lot of advanced terrain. What many folks don’t realize is the amount of intermediate terrain that has opened up with the Apres Vous and Casper Bowl High Speed Quads. Great views of Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole Valley are offered from every lift ride. Jackson has 14 lifts servicing over 2500 acres of skiable terrain. Other options include nearby Snowking Resort, Wyoming’s oldest ski area, with 3 lifts, night skiing and easy access. The King offers great views of Grand Teton National Park from its lifts as well.
Optional Day 9: For those who would like to fly back out of Bozeman, MT, the group can load up and head back to Bozeman via Idaho, stopping to ski Grand Targhee Resort before the trip back through the Madison Valley to Bozeman, MT. The ‘Ghee offers 4 lifts, and a lot of terrain. On top of the Dreamcatcher lift, visitors are treated to a great view of the Grand Teton and Grand Teton National Park’s rugged backcountry. The Madison Valley is often home to a few thousand wintering elk, mule deer, pronghorn and whitetail deer not to mention incredible scenery (but it is in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem).
There you have it, the most unique, action packed ski vacation package in the country, if not the world. Each package is custom built, and many vendors have to work together to make this work. We have partnered with some of Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s best to make this trip possible.