Cross Country Ski in Yellowstone
Whether an experienced skier looking for a scenic workout, a family looking to combine outdoor sports with fun, or just a beginner, here is some great cross country skiing just down the road. The Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, the Riverside Trail leaving from West Yellowstone, and 40 miles of ski trails in the Old Faithful area are all available from West Yellowstone.
Located at the southwest corner of West Yellowstone (Geyser and Obsidian Streets), the Rendezvous Ski trail system covers more than 35 kilometers of varied terrain from gently rolling hills to more challenging climbs, descents, and turns. The view is always scenic whether winding through tall stands of lodge pole pine or open meadows embraced by nearby Lionhead Mountain. The trail system is unique because of its location at a high altitude adjacent to the Continental Divide that produces early and late season snows, and some of the most annual consistent snows in the continental U.S.
In addition to a long season and great snow, the Rendezvous Ski Trails can boast the best grooming in the country. Each fall, volunteers remove branches, rocks, and smooth out holes in anticipation of the first snows. This prep combined with know-how equals great ski trails with as little as 4 inches of snow.
During the winter season, trails are groomed on an as needed basis except for Tuesday, generally before and after weekends plus after snowstorms. The trail system is also super user-friendly. The initial flat terrain and gently rolling hill are great for beginners. Subsequent loops and optional cut-offs mean the course is never boring or predictable. You create your own route by linking together different loops from 0.9 to 7.3 kilometer each. A children’s play hill and local tele-hill are also incorporated into the system. Volunteer and Windy Ridge Loops are designed to challenge experienced skiers.
Trail passes are required when using the Rendezvous Ski Trails between November 1 and March 31. From December 1 through March 31, season passes per person.
Passes can be purchased at the trailhead, the USFS, the Chamber of Commerce and from several local merchants. Call 646-7701 for more information. Ski rentals and expert advice is available from Freeheel and Wheel located at 40 Yellowstone Avenue and is Nordic ski headquarters for the annual Yellowstone Ski Festival. Check this website for rental equipment and pricing, ww.freeheelandwheel.com/ski.html. Rentals are also available from Bud Lily’s Trout Shop, 39 Madison Avenue in West Yellowstone.
Yellowstone Park’s The Riverside Trail is accessible right from West Yellowstone from a spur road located along the fence break on Boundary Street (the east end of Madison Avenue at the park boundary). From there the trail follows a power line to the old service road and merges with it shortly before Riverside. A park or trail pass is not required to ski this trail.
The “Upriver” and “Downriver” loops combine for nearly ten kilometers of groomed track up and down the banks of the Madison River along with great views of Mt. Holmes and the Gallatin Mountain Range. Wildlife is abundant along the river and you could encounter bison, elk, deer, moose, coyotes and foxes. Watch for bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and an occasional river otter in the river.
After one mile, you will experience the remnants of the 1988 Yellowstone fires and a realization of just how close the fires came to West Yellowstone. There are also stopping places along the way, great for a picnic break on a beautifully blue winter’s day. Riverside Trail is perfect for new skiers or families with young children as it crosses easy terrain and has no substantial change in elevation. You can also take a snowcoach shuttle in and ski back out. Xanterra (www.travelyellowstone.com) is now offering one-way skier drop-offs from West Yellowstone to Seven-Mile Bridge or Madison Junction. (No pickups, you must return by ski or snowshoe.)
Old Faithful Area Ski Trails: There are 40 miles of cross-country trails in the Old Faithful area many of which are interconnected. You can access up-to-date information on ski trails throughout Yellowstone at http://www.travelyellowstone.com/daily-trail-status-1688.html. Snowcoach drop-offs are available from the Snow Lodge to either the Divide or Fairy Falls trailheads. There is a fee so be sure to check, one way with daily departures on the hour between 8 and 11a.m. (No pickups, you must return by ski or snowshoe.)
Lone Star Geyser Trail (7360’ to 7600’): This trail is 9 miles of relatively easy terrain with 240 feet elevation gain/loss. Beginning across from the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, the trail follows Mallard Lake Trail through the Old Faithful Lodge cabin area crossing the Firehole River. The trail goes to the right following an old road cut to the snow vehicle road. Approximately 100 feet up the road, signs will direct you back into the woods. After skiing about a mile over moderate hills, the trail returns to the snow vehicle road at Kepler Cascades. Across the road the trail continues along the east bank of the Firehole River. The trail connects with and follows an old service road to Lone Star Geyser. (The geyser erupts about every three hours with activity lasting approximately 30 minutes.) Novice skiers should return to Old Faithful by the same route. A more difficult return route can be made on the Howard Eaton Trail.
Lone Star Geyser Loop Trail (7360’ to 7860’): This part of the trail is 7 miles long with easy to more difficult terrain and 500 feet elevation gain/loss. You may ski this loop in either direction; however, if you begin by following the Lone Star Geyser Trail, you will encounter some very steep downhill sections on the Howard Eaton Trail. If you begin your trip on the Howard Eaton Trail, be prepared for some steep climbs.
Spring Creek Trail (7360’ to 8100’): This trail is 8 miles long with easy to more difficult terrain and 740 feet of elevation gain/loss. This one-way trip begins with a drop off at Divide lookout Trailhead, approximately 7 miles east of Old Faithful. The trail follows Spring Creek consisting mostly of gentle downhill slopes with a few steep sections crossing back and forth over a series of bridges. After crossing the Firehole River Bridge, the trail joins the Lone Star Geyser Trail returning to Old Faithful.
Divide Lookout Trail (8044’ to 8779’): This trail is 3 miles of more difficult terrain with 735 feet of elevation gain/loss. The route begins approximately 7 miles east of Old Faithful. The trail climbs approximately 1.7 miles up to a lookout tower that is on the Continental Divide. See if you can spot the Teton Mountains in the distance.
Fern Cascades Loop Trail (7360’ to 7600’): This trail is 3 miles of more difficult terrain with 240 feet of elevation gain/loss. The one-way Fern Cascades trail begins next to the Old Faithful Snow lodge continuing past the ski shop. After the trail crosses the snow vehicle road, look for directional arrows marking the beginning of the one-way loop. For your enjoyment and safety, follow the one-way signs. The trail continues along a power line, past some government buildings, turns left and climbs approximately 250 feet. The trail continues .2 miles through rolling woodlands to Fern Cascades. The loop continues through lodge pole pine forest until you reach the last section, a steep downhill run. Return to the Old Faithful Snow lodge by the same route.
Mallard Lake Trail (7320’ to 8120’): This trail is 6.6 miles of more difficult terrain with 800 feet of elevation gain/loss. The Mallard Lake Trail begins across the road from the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and leads through the Old Faithful lodge cabin area and down a short hill to the Firehole River. After crossing the bridge, the trail divides with the Mallard Lake Trail straight-ahead and Lone Star to the right. There is a 750-foot climb to Mallard Lake with some steep sections. You’ll experience plenty of dense lodge pole pines.
Black Sand Basin Trail (7280’ to 7360’): This trail is 4 miles of easy terrain with 80 feet of elevation gain/loss. The route begins in front of the Old Faithful Visitor Center and travels up Geyser Hill toward Morning Glory Pool. Take the turnoff to the Daisy Geyser Group and continue on this trail until you come to the snow vehicle road.
Mallard Creek Loop Trail (7320’ to 8120’): This trail is 2 miles of difficult terrain with 760 feet of elevation gain/loss. Follow the Mallard Lake Trail 3.2 miles going left at the fork before reaching the lake. From there, the trail is steep with challenging turns. The trail ends at the snow vehicle road. Here, take the trail to your left that parallels the main road back through the geyser basin to Old Faithful. (The trail to your right goes to Fairy Falls.)
Biscuit Basin loop Trail (7320’ to 7360’): This trail is 5 miles of easy terrain with 40 feet of elevation gain/loss. This is a favorite trail. The route begins across the road from Old Faithful Snow lodge and continues through the Geyser Basin. The trail goes east of Morning Glory Pool and on to Biscuit Basin. This trail passes by many thermal features with good possibilities of viewing wildlife. To complete a loop back to Old Faithful, follow the Mystic Falls Trail a few yards, and then turn left onto a trail that leads down to a footbridge across the Little Firehole River. From the bridge, the trail continues through the woods and meadows for about a mile, returning to the main trail through the Geyser Basin at Grotto Geyser.
Mystic Falls Trail (7320’ to 7400’): This trail is 7 miles of easy to more difficult terrain with 80 feet of elevation gain/loss. Follow the Biscuit Basin Trail through Geyser Hill to Morning Glory Pool and on to Biscuit Basin. You will find the trail to Mystic Falls at the far end of the basin boardwalk area. After about 50 yards, the trail branches left to Summit Lake. Continuing on, the Mystic Falls Trail approaches the falls with a series of steep switchbacks. Return by the same route.
Fairy Falls Trail (7240’ to 7400’): This trail is 11 miles of easy terrain with 160 feet of elevation gain/loss. The route begins at the southern end of the Fountain Flats Drive. At approximately 1.3 miles the trail divides. Continue skiing to the left passing through lodge pole pine forest to Fairy Falls, one of the most spectacular ice-encrusted falls in the park. To return to Old Faithful, ski back to the snow vehicle road and follow the trail that runs parallel to the Biscuit Basin Trail.
FOR SKIING and to carry in your daypack:
- Daypack,(sufficient size to carry warm clothing to put on during lunch, extra mittens, water bottle, snacks and lunch, sitting pad, ski waxes, etc. )
- Water bottles (two, at least 1 qt. capacity each, and you may want to bring your own thermos for hot drinks.)
- Insulated pad for sitting at lunch stops. (something such as a thermarest or ensolite sleeping pad will do.)
- Skis and Ski poles (a mid weight touring ski is best)
- Ski boots (over the ankle)
- Gaiters, for Yellowstone powder snow
- Maxi-glide® for waxless skis
- Climbing Skins if you plan on telemarking
- Warm Ski Hat and balaclava, neck gaiter or scarf, ball cap or sunhat with rim
- Ski Gloves, extra pair of warm Mittens for lunch stops
- Sunglasses, Ski Goggles, Sunscreen, Chapstick
TO WEAR FOR SKIING:
- Warm wool socks, (a pair for each day)
- First layer of long underwear, top and bottom, (wool or synthetic, i.e., polypropylene / capilene)
- Warm shirt and wool or synthetic pile fleece sweater, (remember to dress in several layers, no cotton.!)
- Warm ski pants or knickers (fleece or wool)
- Wind pants or ski pants and jacket, with hood.
- Winter storm coat.
A fun web page to bookmark is http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/winterreports.htm. This Yellowstone Park page includes daily reports from the previous days as well as upcoming weather forecasts, road advisories, Sylvan Pass information, and ski trail conditions. Yellowstone’s weather is very unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for a range of conditions. Updated information on the park’s over snow and plowed roads is available 24 hours a day by calling (307) 344-2117.
