Xanterra Parks & Resorts’ Yellowstone National Park Lodges, the operator of lodging, restaurants and activities in Yellowstone, offers packages that are designed to showcase the park’s winter offerings while minimizing the logistical planning that is necessary for a winter visit.
During the summer, nine lodges are easily accessible by car, but only two lodges are open in winter with most of the roads passable only to over-the-snow vehicles. Of Yellowstone’s annual visitors, around 3 percent see the park in December through March.
“Our job is to help our guests discover the secrets and surprises of the winter season in Yellowstone,” said Rick Hoeninghausen, director of sales and marketing for Xanterra in Yellowstone. “This park can be surreal in the winter, as winter temperatures mixing with the world’s highest concentration of steamy thermal features create other-worldly snowscapes. There is also the best wildlife watching in the lower 48 states, and simply touring Yellowstone with so few people adds up to a profound and possibly life-changing experience.”
Xanterra offers an array of multi-day packages that help visitors focus on their interests. These packages include “Lodging & Learning” packages in partnership with the Yellowstone Association Institute, self-guided winter “Getaway Packages” and a guided snowmobile “Adventure Package” as well as lodging and transportation options for those who want to explore the park on their own.
The park’s winter season begins Dec. 18, with the opening of Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel opens Dec. 20. The lodges provide the only wintertime accommodations within the park. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel will close for the season March 3 and Old Faithful Snow Lodge will close March 2.
The popular Winter in Wonderland Lodging & Learning packages feature a comprehensive overview of the winter experience while additional packages focus on specific interests with titles like Yellowstone on Skis, Winter Wolf Discovery, Winter Wildlife Expedition, Old Faithful Winter Expedition and YNot Winter, a new package developed to teach participants the basics about winter-season travel to Yellowstone. Each program includes expert guides, accommodations, in-park transportation, some meals and Xanterra’s “Snow Card” good for 10 percent off meals, in-park transportation, tours, ski shop services and most retail items.
Xanterra also offers a variety of self-guided winter “Getaway Packages” and a guided snowmobile “Adventure Package” as well as lodging and transportation options for those who want to explore the park on their own.
A new airport shuttle from Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport provides a convenient and cost-saving option for traveling to/from the park. Package participants receive a special rate of $39 (plus applicable taxes/fees) each way.
Except for the road from Gardiner, Mont. to Cooke City, Mont. via Mammoth Hot Springs, transportation within the park is limited to snowmobiles and enclosed heated snowcoaches during the winter. Snowcoach transportation is available daily to a variety of park locations. Xanterra also offers a wide range of half- and full-day snowcoach, ski and snowshoe tours and ski and snowshoe rentals as well as expert instruction and other services.
Yellowstone Association members receive a $10 discount on all courses and family memberships begin at $35 per year.
Complete details about “Lodging & Learning” packages as well as winter “Getaway” and “Adventure” packages, accommodations, restaurants and activities in Yellowstone can be found by calling (307) 344-7311 or toll-free (866) 439-7375, or visiting the web site at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com. —Submitted by Mona Mesereau
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