Every winter, Yellowstone closes its roads to ordinary traffic and the crowds disappear. What is left is steam rising off the snow, bison in the meadows, and Old Faithful erupting for a handful of people instead of a few thousand.
Most people see Yellowstone in July, shoulder to shoulder at the railings, waiting in traffic behind a bison. Winter is a different park entirely. The roads close to ordinary vehicles, the crowds vanish, and the whole place goes quiet under snow.
You reach the interior by snowcoach, which is the only way in once the snow sets. Heated, big windows, and a guide who knows where to look. Steam rises off the thermal basins into air cold enough to freeze it, bison walk the meadows with frost on their backs, and Old Faithful goes off for your group and almost nobody else.
Then south to the Tetons, which do not ease into view so much as simply appear, straight up out of the valley floor. A horse-drawn sleigh takes you into the National Elk Refuge, right in among a herd of thousands. That is the part people talk about afterward.
Seven days, six nights, roundtrip from Salt Lake City, with a free day in Jackson to do exactly as much or as little as you want.
Day three, the heart of the trip
The Madison River, the boardwalks at Fountain Paint Pots, and unhurried time at Old Faithful. Lunch included, picture stops throughout, and an optional snowmobile add-on if you want it.
Day four, by horse-drawn sleigh
A sleigh ride into the refuge, right in among a herd of thousands, with your guide explaining how settlement changed the elk migration and why this place matters. Jackson, Wyoming is your base for two nights.
Your winter escape begins in Utah. Plan to land at Salt Lake City International before 1:00 pm, where your transfer downtown is arranged and waiting. Once you have settled into the hotel, meet your local guide for an unhurried tour of the city and its landmarks, including historic Temple Square. This evening the group comes together for a welcome dinner, and by dessert you will have met the people you are about to spend the week with.
This morning you leave Salt Lake City and travel north into Idaho, with a comfortable stop for lunch on your own along the route. The afternoon is the scenery you came for, rolling through the Island Park area toward West Yellowstone, your base for the next two nights. Dinner is included at a local restaurant, then the evening is yours to wander the town.
Today is the heart of the trip. In winter the park interior is reachable only by snowcoach, so you climb aboard a heated coach with big windows and an experienced guide who knows exactly where to look. You will stop along the Madison River, walk the boardwalks at Fountain Paint Pots, and spend real time at Old Faithful with no rush at all. Lunch is included, and the ride back adds more picture stops. Optional add-on: snowmobile tour to Old Faithful, $250 per person.
The Tetons do not ease into view, they simply appear, rising straight out of the valley floor. You travel south with photo stops overlooking the Snake River, then arrive in Jackson, Wyoming for free time and lunch on your own in a western town that has kept its character. Then the moment most guests talk about afterward: a horse-drawn sleigh ride into the National Elk Refuge, right in among a herd of thousands. Your guide explains how settlement of the valley changed the elk migration and why this refuge matters so much today.
Today belongs entirely to you. Some travelers keep it easy with museums, galleries, and a long lunch in town. Others go looking for something more, and your guide is available for transfers if you want to head out.
Leave Jackson this morning and travel through western Wyoming, past silver streams, soaring peaks, and wide meadows. You will drive the rugged Snake River Canyon with a stop in Star Valley, then reach Evanston for lunch on your own. The afternoon brings a guided tour of Utah Olympic Park, host of the 2002 Winter Games and still a training ground today. You will see the Utah Ski and Olympic Museum, three Nordic jumps, and the bobsled and luge track, which holds some of the fastest ice on earth. Late afternoon you return to Salt Lake City for a farewell dinner with the group.
Transfer to Salt Lake City International for your flight home, carrying a week of new friendships and a very different picture of what winter can look like.
Keep it easy with museums, galleries, and a long lunch in town, or go looking for something more. Your guide is available for transfers, and I can help you book any of these ahead of time.
No. This is a land package, which keeps the price down and lets you use miles or fly from whichever airport suits you. Call me and I will help arrange air from your home airport.
In winter Yellowstone closes its roads to ordinary vehicles, so the park interior is reachable only by snowcoach. It is a heated coach on tracks or oversized tires, with big windows and a guide who knows where the wildlife is. You stay warm the whole way.
Cold, and that is the point. Daytime highs often sit in the teens and twenties, colder in the park. You will want a serious insulated coat, warm layers, waterproof boots with grip, hat, gloves, and hand warmers. I will send a full packing list.
Moderate and mostly optional. Boardwalks at the geyser basins, some walking in town, and the sleigh ride is fully seated. The snowcoach day is long but comfortable, with stops throughout.
Whatever you like. Some travelers do museums, galleries, and a long lunch. Others ski, snowshoe, dogsled, or go looking for wildlife. Your guide is available for transfers, and I can help you book anything ahead.
Quad is four people sharing a room, triple is three, double is two, and single is a room to yourself. Sharing brings the per-person cost down, and I am glad to help match you with a roommate.
Deposit is due September 1, 2026, with final payment due November 1, 2026. Call me for the deposit amount and to get your name on a seat.
Yes. Pricing is based on a minimum of 12 paying travelers. This one tends to fill from the mailing list, so let me know early if you are interested.
Per person, land package. Airfare not included, and I am happy to arrange it.
Deposit due September 1, 2026 · Final payment due November 1, 2026
Button not opening your email? Write to frances@tripsunlimited.com or call 931-801-9900.
Based on a minimum of 12 paying travelers · Travel insurance strongly recommended · Itinerary subject to change.
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