Winter Tours

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Overview

While winter is never far away in the northern Rockies sub-freezing mornings really begin in November. Snows have been later in recent years, but most wildlife still defer to their ancestral migration patterns.

Visitation drops off when the many of the roads close on November 1, but the wildlife is still here. Wolves are still following elk out of the high country, migratory birds leave when the ponds and lakes begin to freeze. Bison still get frosty while steam pours off the back of bull elk and bull moose herd together.

We have a number of scheduled tours during the wintry time of year ranging from 5 - 12 days. You need at least 10 days to see both parks reasonably well, but we can separate one park from another for shorter stays depending on your specific interests.

As all of our Greater Yellowstone tours are private to you and your family or group we can modify an existing scheduled tour or create something from scratch.

Details

We can begin or end in either Jackson or Bozeman.

A Teton itinerary can be as few as 3 days/2 nights.

This is the best time of year to see bighorn sheep, moose and wolves.

Bring the warmest clothes you own.

itinerary

Sample Itinerary

5 Day and 4 Night Winter Wolf Watching in Yellowstone

Day One
Pick up in Bozeman at your lodging or at Bozeman airport. Drive over Bozeman Pass and through Paradise Valley to Gardiner, Montana. Check in to lodging and spend afternoon and evening scouting for wolves. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn or similar.

Day Two – Three
All day along Yellowstone's Northern Range looking for wolves while enjoying moose, elk, bighorn sheep, bison and more. Lodging in Gardiner. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn or similar.

Day Four
Spend most of day along Yellowstone's Northern Range looking for wolves and other wildlife. Drive back to Bozeman in late afternoon or early evening. Check in to lodging. Farewell dinner. Lodging at Belgrade Holiday Inn or similar.

Day Five
Breakfast at hotel. Hotel transportation to Bozeman Airport or extend to Tetons. Four full days of guiding, all meals from lunch on day one to dinner on day 4, 4 nights of lodging, all transportation, taxes, fees and an annual parks pass. This itinerary starts at $3,295 per person sharing.

‍Itinerary booking faq's terms & conditions

Pricing

Prices are subject to change based on the season and specific tour details.

Group Size

1 - 6 Guests

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Team 399 is an authorized permittee of Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge and Yellowstone National Park

FAQ's

What wildlife will I see on a winter tour?

Wildlife is wild and can show up anytime anywhere. Wildlife looks as good as they will look all year in late autumn and early winter, gradually showing the strain of winter’s grip. Winter is the best time to see canines (wolves, foxes, coyotes). Bighorn sheep are readily visible in both parks. Moose congregate right after their autumnal rut, showing up in loose herds until early January. We are seeing the occasional bear in recent years as predators congregate around any food source.

What wildlife will I see on a winter tour?

Wildlife is wild and can show up anytime anywhere. Winter is the best time to see canines (wolves, foxes, coyotes). Bighorn sheep are readily visible in both parks. Moose begin to dissipate in Grand Teton in early January but are still readily visible in Yellowstone through February. Wolves are most common in February.

What will the weather be like?

While the weather patterns are rapidly changing we’ve seen it as low as -42 Fahrenheit in January and as warm as 60. The winter wind bites pretty hard in the sagebrush flats and you might not need a coat at Oxbow Bend.

What should I wear?

We always recommend dressing in and bringing layers. We have plenty of room for you to bring varies levels of clothing. Waterproof boots above the ankle are always favored. Long pants and SPF long sleeve shirts. A knit cap and a sun or baseball cap. We always recommend sunblock and SPF lip balm. Leave anything made of cotton at home.

Who is the tour for?

This tour is for singles, couples, families and private groups. People of all ages, photographers and non-photographers alike are welcome. Anyone wanting to get a deeper appreciation for the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem will enjoy this private tour.

Will we be hiking or snowshoeing?

Our tours are road-based. Most trails are closed and impassable. We will get out of the car on many occasions and walk around. If the tour is to Yellowstone the boardwalks are generally passable. We do not have a concession to lead snowshoeing tours.

What happens in the event of a blizzard or inclement weather?

If the roads are open we go. We will do our best to find things to do in the area that may not include inside the park. If the roads are all closed we stay in a safe place and wait for the weather to clear. While your safety is always our first concern inclement weather often brings out the wildlife and provides for the best photography.

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Terms & Conditions

Payment

1. Lodging deposit due at time of booking via check or wire transfer.

2. Remaining balance due 60 days before the start of tour via check or wire transfer.

Cancellations/Refunds

1. 60 days or more before start of tour: Full refund less $250 booking fee, any lodging cancellation fees, any credit card fees, any wire transfer fees.

2. 30 – 59 days before start of tour: Refund of 50% of balance less $250 booking fee, any lodging cancellation fees, any credit card fees, any wire transfer fees. unless we can re-book the dates of the tour in which case full refund less the fees listed above.

3. Less than 30 days before start of tour: No refunds available.

Unplanned Events

Floods, pandemics, forest fires, terrorism, severe weather and other unplanned or unforeseeable global catastrophes are beyond our control. In the event of one or more of these events we will make every attempt to provide you with a quality experience, but these types of events are not our fault. Please consider trip insurance if you have any concerns.

Medical Concerns

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a dry, high altitude relatively remote environment. Please consult with your medical provider if you have any health concerns.