Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
- Go on an early morning photo shoot in Lamar Valley, zooming in on wildlife against the sparkling snow: from elk, bison, and bighorn sheep to coyotes and the elusive gray wolf.
- Capture unique angles on famous sites like Old Faithful geyser without the crowds and discover some of the park’s lesser known areas, exploring in the comfort of heated snow coaches.
- Learn about the reintroduction of Yellowstone’s wolves and meet a renowned wildlife photographer at his home studio.
- Document a spectacular display of ice along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and focus on the gem-colored mineral pools of the Upper Geyser Basin.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Yellowstone in winter is a photographer's delight: mineral pools burn through the snow, revealing their gem-colored depths; waterfalls freeze mid-spill; and elk and moose stand out clearly against the glistening white landscape. Record the beauty of winter in our oldest national park, zooming in on wildlife in the Lamar Valley, catching the interplay of steam and snow on Mammoth Hot Springs, and rising early for a sunrise photo shoot in the Lower Geyser Basin.
Travel from Bozeman, Montana to Yellowstone National Park, following the Yellowstone River through magnificent valleys on the lookout for bald eagles, mule deer, antelope, and bighorn sheep. At Mammoth Hot Springs take our first photo walk amid the steaming, colorful mineral spring terraces outlined in snow. Gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Head to the open, wide vistas of the Lamar Valley to photograph wildlife at one of their most active times. Gray wolves were first restored to Yellowstone in the Lamar Valley in 1995, and the snow-covered meadows host herds of elk and bison. Use a spotting scope and your telephoto lens to find coyotes and eagles and perhaps an elusive wolf. After lunch, we meet a renowned wildlife photographer in his home studio where he shares his experiences photographing for National Geographic.
Travel by private snow coach to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where winter adds extra magic to an already dramatic landscape. Walk to the rim of the spectacular gorge to capture images of its thundering waterfall and the ice arch that forms from the spray. Continue to Old Faithful, stopping along the route to photograph a geothermal wonderland of erupting geysers, frozen waterfalls, and gem-colored mineral pools. Keep an eye out for wildlife—bison, encrusted in ice, often stand among the pools for warmth.
Awaken at dawn to photograph Old Faithful in the first light of morning. After breakfast, hit the trails on an optional snowshoe or cross-country ski excursion or go on a photo shoot near the lodge. This afternoon, head to the Upper Geyser Basin, discovering the geological forces behind Yellowstone. Focus on steaming, mineral pools, whose sapphire, emerald, and violet hues appear even more brilliant in the snow. After dark, step outside to admire the incredible canopy of stars in one of the world's best constellation-viewing spots, and work on low-light photography to capture scenes of steam, stars, snow, and night sky.
After breakfast, head west, stopping to photograph the colors and shapes of bubbling, popping mud at the whimsical Fountain Paint Pots. Leave the park via the West Yellowstone gate and travel to Big Sky, Montana. Settle into a comfortable log cabin lodge. This evening, gather to share your best photos and toast your winter adventure in Yellowstone at a farewell dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Bozeman to catch your flight home.