Yellowstone In Winter

Back home in West Yellowstone and winter has definatly shown up. This time last year when we returned from Alabama we were greeted with ground bare of snow. What a difference a year makes. In West Yellowstone and the surrounding area winter seems to be making up for lost time. I’ve spoken with several long time residents and have been assured that it been over 20 years since we’ve had this much snow so early in the season.As I’ve mentioned before, this is my favorite time of year and I am so ready to be trekking through knee deep snow, camera in hand.

Yellowstone National Park opened for the winter season on December 15th. For those who don’t know, I guide snowcoach tours in the winter. Most of Yellowstone is closed to private vehicles during the winter and the only access for visitors is to either take a guided snawcoach or snowmobile tour to the parks interior. I’ve had a front row seat for the past eight years to experience wonderland with all its wildlife during the most exciting time of year. And believe me, Yellowstone’s winter wildlife is amazing.

Yellowstone is a completely different park when it shifts from summer to winter. If you’ve only witnessed it in summer you definitely need to come back in winter. I often tell visitors that it’s so different that you may not recognize places you’ve been to many times before. Vistas that in summer are rugged and formidable are transformed by a blanket of shimmering crystal flakes that soften all the rough edges. Snow also has the added effect of softening every sound. Sometimes it’s so quiet it almost hurts your ears. It’s sensory overload.

So what do you say, ready for another visit to Yellowstone? How about coming to see the “Other Yellowstone”. The one you can only see in the winter. Been here in winter before? How about sharing your thoughts about winter in wonderland.

Ed