DATES: FEBRUARY 22 – 26, 2027
PRICE: $TBD | TUITION & LODGING
LOCATION: LAMAR BUFFALO RANCH
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 2
PROGRAM INFORMATION
There are few wildlife experiences more iconic than watching wolves within Yellowstoneâs winter snowscapes. Yellowstone Foreverâs iconic and everâpopular Winter Wolf Week allows participants to experience firsthand the wild, winter world of wolves.
Days will be spent searching for wolves and other charismatic wildlife, both from the roadway and out in the field via guided snowshoe jaunts. Participants will be led by expert Yellowstone Forever Lead Field Educators who spend nearly every day out in the field tracking and observing Yellowstone wildlife.
Additionally, there will be opportunities to learn directly from Yellowstone wolf researchers and experts, both out in the field and during evening programs at the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch. Topics covered throughout the week range from wolf behavior, ecology, and natural history to wolf management and conservation.
This is a premier, immersive opportunity to become familiar with this iconic species while based in the heart of Yellowstoneâs famed Lamar Valley.
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.
DAY 2
Wildlife Watching
With a focus on wildlife, days will consist of a mixture of early morning roadside wildlife watching and early afternoon wildlife discussions. In the mid-afternoon the class will go for a hike (or snowshoe depending on snowpack) and have lunch in the field. The class will return late in the afternoon for free time.
Guest speakers for the week may include:
- Rick McIntyre, award-winning author, and retired Yellowstone Wolf Project Biological Science Technician
- Yellowstone Wolf Project Research Associates
- Joanna Lambert, Ph.D., canid researcher and tenured professor of animal evolutionary ecology and conservation biology at the University of Colorado â Boulder
DAY 3
Wildlife Watching
With a focus on wildlife, days will consist of a mixture of early morning roadside wildlife watching and early afternoon wildlife discussions. In the mid-afternoon the class will go for a hike (or snowshoe depending on snowpack) and have lunch in the field. The class will return late in the afternoon for free time.
Guest speakers for the week may include:
- Rick McIntyre, award-winning author, and retired Yellowstone Wolf Project Biological Science Technician
- Yellowstone Wolf Project Research Associates
- Joanna Lambert, Ph.D., canid researcher and tenured professor of animal evolutionary ecology and conservation biology at the University of Colorado â Boulder
DAY 4
Wildlife Watching
With a focus on wildlife, days will consist of a mixture of early morning roadside wildlife watching and early afternoon wildlife discussions. In the mid-afternoon the class will go for a hike (or snowshoe depending on snowpack) and have lunch in the field. The class will return late in the afternoon for free time.
Guest speakers for the week may include:
- Rick McIntyre, award-winning author, and retired Yellowstone Wolf Project Biological Science Technician
- Yellowstone Wolf Project Research Associates
- Joanna Lambert, Ph.D., canid researcher and tenured professor of animal evolutionary ecology and conservation biology at the University of Colorado â Boulder
DAY 5
CHECKOUT & DEPARTURE
Dates & Times:Â The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2027, and goes through Thursday, February 25, 2027,
at 7:00 p.m.
Lodging Check-in & Check-out:Â Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2027, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2027.
Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
Group Size: 14
Optional Airport Shuttle:Â We provide an optional airport shuttle for those interested. The shuttle service is provided on the first day of the program with a 1:00 p.m. pickup and the last day of the program with a departure from the Lamar Buffalo Ranch at 8:00 a.m.
1st Day of Program | Shuttle Pickup Location: Â Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
1st Day of Program | Shuttle Drop off Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Check-out Day | Shuttle Pickup Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Check-out Day | Shuttle Departure Location: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
If you opt-in to the shuttle service, please ensure that your flight booking will allow for you to be picked up and dropped off during the above timeframes.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
General Information:Â For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar Buffalo Ranch – Winter General Information document.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Be prepared for hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
General Information:Â For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar Buffalo Ranch – Winter General Information document.
Cancellation & Refund Policy:Â Review our Cancellation & Refund policy here.
TESTIMONIALS
“I have no complaints whatsoever! It was damn near perfect!” – Ted, MA
“What a fun week! We saw lots of wildlife and learned so much about the wolves here in Yellowstone. It was so nice to stay at the Ranch, something I had wanted to do for years. Thank you for making this happen.” – Kim, MT

Kyle Wonders | Lead Field Educator
Kyle started his career as a wildlife biologist, but quickly realized his true passion lay in environmental education. Over the last five years, he has worked to combine wildlife biology with environmental education through roles as Citizen Science Coordinator with a western Montana watershed group, curriculum designer for a zoological museum, and a Beaver Conflict Resolution Specialist with the National Wildlife Federation. He brings his passion for the natural world to his work as an educator as he creates connections to place through authentic experiences in and on the landscapes he works within. Kyle has a deep curiosity for the ways that wildlife finds itself so intrinsically interconnected with geology, history, and in so many ways our lives. He is an avid bird-watcher, fly fisherman, and backpacker who strives to experience and connect with the natural world in as many ways as possible.




