Yellowstone in Winter

Six nights in winter, when Yellowstone's wildlife comes down to the valleys. Four nights in Paradise Valley, with early starts for wolves in the Lamar Valley, a day on wolf behaviour with a Montana Master Naturalist and the private spring creeks, open all year to a few rods. Then a private flight over the park to Jackson for two nights among the Tetons.

Length: Six nights
Pace: Two stays
Style: Wildlife, winter, private guiding
Route: Paradise Valley to Jackson

Paradise ValleyFour nights
JacksonTwo nights

The lodge buildings beneath Emigrant Peak, reflected in a still casting pond. — Photo: Sage Lodge

Days 1 to 5 · four nights

Paradise Valley

Met at Bozeman and driven an hour to Paradise Valley, with the Museum of the Rockies on the way if you like. A day at Mammoth Hot Springs with lunch alongside a wolf biologist, then two early starts tracking wolves in the Lamar Valley; one can be the lodge's Expedition Yellowstone, eight to 10 hours on wolf behaviour or the winter ecology of the Northern Range with a certified Montana Master Naturalist. On a free afternoon, snowshoes or cross-country skis around Mammoth Hot Springs, or a few hours on Paradise Valley's private spring creeks.

Where you stay

Sage Lodge

Sage Lodge sits on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, 35 minutes north of the park, with more than 1,200 acres to explore. Guests stay in lodge rooms or ranch houses, eat locally sourced Montana food in the Fireside Room and the Grill, and can cross-country ski on the property.

A fire pit and sheepskin-draped chairs on a terrace, the snowy slopes and the tram beyond. — Photo: Caldera House

Days 5 to 7 · two nights

Jackson

A private charter from Livingston over Yellowstone and the Tetons. A private tour of the National Museum of Wildlife Art with one of its docents, and an early-morning wildlife drive in Grand Teton with spotting scopes. In winter, a private half-day on snowshoes in Grand Teton National Park can be arranged, following animal tracks with a naturalist. A sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge, arranged by the hotel, which stands steps from the tram at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Where you stay

Caldera House

Caldera House stands in Teton Village feet from the tram up Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with eight suites of two or four bedrooms. There is a heated outdoor plunge pool and a cedar sauna, ski rental and tuning on site, and Corsa and Southcable Café for dinner and drinks.

Arranged on request

Expedition Yellowstone

Eight to 10 hours in the park with a certified Montana Master Naturalist, given to wolf behaviour or the winter ecology of the Northern Range, from November to March.

Paradise Valley's private spring creeks

Fly fishing on the valley's private spring creeks, open all year with a limited number of rods each day, booked ahead through the lodge.

The Museum of Wildlife Art with a docent

A private guided tour by one of the museum's docents, requested two weeks ahead.

A sleigh on the Elk Refuge

A sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge, arranged by Caldera House.

Tracking on snowshoes

A private winter half-day on snowshoes in Grand Teton National Park, following animal tracks with a naturalist. On request.

Subject to availability.

Ways to make it yours

A day skiing at Jackson Hole, from the tram beside the hotel.
Dog sledding from Jackson.
A night in a snowcoach lodge inside Yellowstone.

This is a sample. The hotels, the pace and the order are where we start, not where we finish: every journey is designed around the people taking it.

Made around you

Most travel is bought. This is designed.

Before anything is booked, we talk: who is travelling, how you like to spend a morning, and the hotel preferences below the obvious, from the kind of bath you like to the time you wake and how much daylight you need in a room. You see options where options matter and clean recommendations where they don't.

The same person remains your point of contact from the first reply to the trip after next. No handovers. No team.