Snowshoeing, Sledding, XC Skiing, and an Optional Snowcoach Journey to Old Faithful
Lone Mountain Ranch Extension
Overview
Experience the beauty of Montana's winter landscape from Lone Mountain Ranch, surrounded by 150 acres of rolling ranchland and braided rivers just 18 miles from Yellowstone. We've chosen this historic, award-winning lodge for a three-night extension that brings you farm-to-table cuisine, 50 miles of epic cross-country ski trails, snow shoeing, dog sledding, and sleigh rides. The ranch is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and offers a stunning array of activities, including a full-day Snowcoach tour through Yellowstone to witness the wonder of Old Faithful—without the summer crowds (and with an opportunity to snowshoe or cross-country ski part of the way to Old Faithful!) Lone Mountain Ranch is deeply interconnected with Yellowstone National Park and has shared land, air, resources, and guides with this national treasure for over 100 years. It was recently voted “Best Family Ranch” by Top 50 Ranches.
Arrive: Bozeman, Montana
Depart: Bozeman, Montana
Highlights
- Experience Montana's winter landscape by cross-country ski, snow shoe, dog sled, and sleigh
Itinerary
You'll be met at Chico Hot Springs this afternoon for a two-hour drive to Lone Mountain Ranch, set just beyond the northwest border of Yellowstone in rolling ranchland threaded by rivers. Tonight you'll dine at the Horn & Cantle Restaurant. Cozy fireplaces and ranch décor create a friendly ambiance, and the menu is based around locally sourced ingredients that reflect a true Montana heritage, from bison short ribs and elk bolognese to mountain trout, washed down with a flight of Montana whiskey. The adjacent saloon with live Western music is a great way to end the evening with a nightcap. Overnight at Lone Mountain Ranch...D
Join your sledding guides and their team of rambunctious Alaskan huskies this morning, sit back in your sled, and enjoy miles of gorgeous winter landscapes by dogsled. Guests can help the mushers hook up the sled dogs if they like (you can even try a hand at mushing if you want to get in touch with your inner Jack London!). After lunch at the Horn & Cantle, enjoy self-guided cross-country skiing or snowshoeing adventures around Lone Mountain Ranch, with ski gear and snowshoe equipment provided. You can also choose to hire a private guide for these activities. Lone Mountain Ranch has over 50 miles of beautifully maintained trails—it's one of the top cross-country trails systems in North America, and you'll have full access to it. Tonight, a magical ride by horse-drawn sleigh brings you through a snow-blanked wonderland to the lantern-lit North Fork Cabin for a family-style prime-rib dinner, rounded out by tunes from a cowboy musician. Overnight at Lone Mountain Ranch...BLD
The range of activities today includes cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the ranch's trails, winter fly fishing, morning yoga, or a day of alpine skiing at Big Sky Resort (transfers provided, lift tickets and rental equipment at extra cost, advanced booking required). One exciting option is a full-day Snowcoach journey to Old Faithful (at extra cost). Overnight at Lone Mountain Ranch...BLD
Snowcoach Ride to Old Faithful with Optional Snowshoeing or Cross-Country Skiing
There is nothing more magnificent than the quiet of Yellowstone in winter, and Lone Mountain Ranch guides are trained and certified Yellowstone Park guides, ready to take you to parts of the park inaccessible to other visitors. Take a full day's journey by shared Snowcoach (a sturdy, heated 12-guest bus with oversized tires that allow it to travel safely over snow). You'll explore the most iconic scenery in a season when bison, elk, wolves, eagles, and multi-colored steaming geysers are in view and enjoy lunch the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, with plenty of time to view the eruptions of the world's most famous geyser—without the crowds of summer! You'll have the choice to snowshoe or ski the final distance to Old Faithful (about 1-1.5 hours of activity) or continue by Snowcoach.
Snowcoach Ride to Old Faithful with Optional Snowshoeing or Cross-Country Skiing
There is nothing more magnificent than the quiet of Yellowstone in winter, and Lone Mountain Ranch guides are trained and certified Yellowstone Park guides, ready to take you to parts of the park inaccessible to other visitors. Take a full day's journey by shared Snowcoach (a sturdy, heated 12-guest bus with oversized tires that allow it to travel safely over snow). You'll explore the most iconic scenery in a season when bison, elk, wolves, eagles, and multi-colored steaming geysers are in view and enjoy lunch the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, with plenty of time to view the eruptions of the world's most famous geyser—without the crowds of summer! You'll have the choice to snowshoe or ski the final distance to Old Faithful (about 1-1.5 hours of activity) or continue by Snowcoach.
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning of morning yoga or snowshoe and ski excursions at the ranch, then depart via a private one-hour transfer to Bozeman Airport...B
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.