Cross Country Skiing
Yellowstone region is home to some of the best cross country skiing that three states can offer visitors. The x-country ski experience is unlike anything else in the skiing world. Families, friends, couples and individuals can enjoy scenic trails and open plains or meadows covered in groomed snow without the concern of using lifts or other mechanical things. Both the professional racer and the amateur can be accommodated with ease. Many come from across the world to experience the Yellowstone cross country experience.
Featured Listings: (add your listing)
Hole Hiking Experience - Snowshoe & XC Skiing
Join our naturalist guides as they take you on a journey into the heart of winter. Trips offered in Grand Teton National Park or the surrounding National Forest.
(866) 733-4453
Yellowstone Alpen Guides - XC trips in the Park
Individual and daily tours of Yellowstone in top quality historic snowcoaches to photograph wildlife and ski near the geysers. A truly magnificent way to experience winter.
(800) 858-3502
Cross Country Skiing Listings: (add your listing)
Adventure Yellowstone Winter X-C Ski Tours
Hands-on 'learning' excursions into Yellowstone National Park. See native animals by X-C ski, van, snowcoach and snowshoeing into their natural environment.
(406) 585-9041
Brooks Lake Lodge near Togwotee Pass
Dogsledding adventures take place in the beautiful wilderness... Why not stay in that eutopia? Click to see our Spa, winter activities & accommodations.
(307) 455-2121
Lone Mountain Ranch Cross-Country Ski Center
Big Sky's Nordic resort in a historic ranch setting. 90km ski trails, Yellowstone backcountry tours and dinner sleigh rides. Fine dining, cozy cabins & vacation packages.
(800) 514-4644
X-country skiing in Yellowstone is unique, given that it covers three states and provides all levels of cross country ski experience for all age groups and tastes. The amazing scenery allows skiers to take a less aggressive approach and relax and enjoy the clear blue skies and fresh air. For those who do race, a few tracks are on hand that create the perfect training ground for future Olympians and would be hopefuls.
There are many guest ranches that also offer trails for skate and track skiing, though all the major resorts have them. However, for free trails, the Forest Service's logging roads are also used for x-country skiing. Other old roads are also useful as are some of the golf courses. All local tourism offices and hotel concierges can provide lists of cross country skiing trail and tracks.
Yellowstone is generally wilderness and backcountry. The majority of the x-country trails are found in these outer lying areas, but only a few provide set tracks. The majority of unplowed roadways are also open to both snowshoeing and cross country skiing. It is also best to be cautious on these roads as snowmobilers also use them.
When wandering into the wilderness or backcountry with cross country skis it is important to be aware of the potential dangers. These can include avalanches, open rivers and streams, exceptionally deep snow, thermal features, weather changes and dangerous wildlife. Any attempt to go into the backcountry for x-country skiing requires a backcountry pass and registration in case of accidents or that the skier gets lost. The land is used by the skier at their own will and there are no safety measures in place to guarantee anything.
The majority of marked trails have orange metallic markers that are wrapped around trees. Very few of the streams and rivers have any bridges. Groups that choose to venture into the wilderness and backcountry areas need to carry emergency equipment, most especially maps, compasses and avalanche things. It is important to note that blizzards and whiteouts are common, so even marked trails are not necessarily easy to follow. Therefore cross country skiers without backcountry experience or who are unfamiliar with the local terrain should stick to resort designated trails.
It is important also to be aware of how far a skier can go on a trail, so x-country skiers are advised to take a trip along the shortest trail possible the day before to see how long and how far they can actually go. For those who need longer to do the trails, it is advised that staying overnight in the bush is more advisable than attempting to do it all in one go, though such camping requires a backcountry pass and familiarity with the area. For those who need them, guides can be hired from most major resorts.
Park rangers can supply permits for backcountry use for overnight x-country skiing trips, but it is important to check in with the ranger prior to any trip no matter how short. Rangers can advise about the trails to avoid and incoming expected weather conditions. Trips should be planned to include daylight hours, conditions of the snow, temperatures, numbers of those skiing, physical conditions of those skiing and experience of those skiing. It is highly advised that overnight x-country trips should be avoided during December and January due increased snow packs and higher avalanche risks.
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