West Yellowstone, Mont., – The snow arrived early at Yellowstone and winter adventurers and lovers of snow are flocking to West Yellowstone, MT, to enjoy fresh powder and free access to the Park. This year, the Rendezvous Ski Trails were among the first Nordic trails in North America to open, being fully operational since the first weekend of November.
Return visitors know that winter in Yellowstone National Park is magical and a great time to create your own adventures while the large summer crowds hibernate. West Yellowstone is one of the foremost winter vacation destinations in the Northwest because of the abundance of winter recreation options, including sled dog rides, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The popular Rendezvous Trail System consists of over 35 kilometers of groomed trails that wind through open meadows and tall stands of lodgepole pine. These trails are literally just out the backdoor and within walking distance from most West Yellowstone hotels. There are trails to fit the needs of all skill levels ranging in both length and difficulty, and all trails are at least 14-feet wide to accommodate skiers, snowshoers and dog sledders alike. The Riverside Trail provides free on-foot access to Yellowstone National Park.
West Yellowstone also offers a 400-mile snowmobile trail system that reaches into Montana and Idaho. The early snow has blanketed these trails and daily grooming begins in mid-December. Equipment rentals and professionally guided tours of all sports are available for the best introduction to winter in Yellowstone.
Visitors who are not within driving distance can fly into nearby Bozeman, MT, the closest major airport to West Yellowstone. Direct flights are available from 14 different cities across the United States: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Houston, Atlanta, Newark, La Guardia, Chicago, and Minneapolis.
A complete overview of West Yellowstone, its many attractions, and the upcoming 2016 winter events are available online at yellowstonedestination.com.