Old Faithful Winter Expedition is one of the many Lodging & Learning programs we offer through the Yellowstone Forever Institute. These trips are based at park hotels and include lodging, daily field trips, meals, and in-park transportation. As you may have guessed, the Old Faithful Winter Expedition is based out of the Old Faithful area with accommodations at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

We recently joined participants and our naturalist guide on a February trip to the interior. For the two days prior to our arrival, the park received big dumps of snow. And upon our arrival, temperatures reached well below zero. These conditions produced the most magical winter wonderland atmosphere. Participants braved the frosty conditions and had an unforgettable experience to say the least.

In the images below, you’ll see just a snapshot of what we experienced on this extraordinary trip. Warning – after viewing you might just want to join us on a future trip.

 

The first eruption of Old Faithful we experienced was a beauty. Below zero temperatures and a bluebird day produced incredible plumes of steam.

 

Our guide for the week explains the inner-workings of the wide variety of thermal features found in the Upper Geyser Basin.

 

Frigid temperatures held the steam from geysers and hot springs low in the basin producing this type of ethereal view of natural and man-made features like the Old Faithful Inn.

 

Our fantastic snowcoach driver led us to various locations in the park’s interior including the Madison River, the Fountain Paint Pot Trail, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

 

Our group, fitted with yak tracks on our boots and some with hiking poles, made our way through the wonders of the Upper Geyser Basin.

 

Though they can look bitterly cold and frosty, bison are particularly well suited and insulated to survive frigid winter conditions.

 

Our group took an afternoon outing on snowshoes meandering around the Mallard Lake Trail. Here they are crossing over the Firehole River.

 

The Firehole River, because of the prevalence of thermal features that flow into the river, never freezes.

 

Our guide for the trip, Josh, was a fountain of knowledge about all the wildlife, thermal features, and history of the park. And because of the extreme temperatures, he produced this fantastic icy beard during a couple of the coldest days.

 

This was our last dinner with the entire group at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Another benefit to these trips is that you get to share the experience with other people who are just as excited to be in the park as you.

Lodging & Learning programs are hosted in partnership with Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Find out more at Stay and Learn in Yellowstone National Park.