Winter in Yellowstone 2027
Absaroka Lodge, Gardiner, Montana
Trip A: Sunday, January 3 to Friday, January 08, 2027 (5 Nights and 4 Ski Days)
Trip B: Monday, January 11 to Saturday, January 16, 2027 (5 Nights and 4 Ski Days)
Come join your CONC members this January to ski and view wildlife at Yellowstone! The price for this trip includes five (5) nights lodging, a shuttle from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to the Indian Creek Cross Country Ski Area to ski surrounded by the spectacular mountain scenery on Swan Lake Flats, and other ski destinations selected by your guide where wildlife will be the focus. While not yet confirmed, plans are also underway to travel by snowcoach to ski along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We are fortunate to have CONC member George Wuerthner, a Montana native and former Yellowstone guide, returning to lead our ski tours of this magnificent area.
Weather and group interest will dictate the daily ski outings, with hiking and soaking in the hot springs also an option. Daily 4–6-mile ski tours will be on rolling terrain in forests and meadows in and out of Yellowstone National Park. We will stay at the Absaroka Lodge where each of the rooms has two Queen beds and views of Electric Peak. You will be responsible for all meals including breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. All rooms have a small refrigerator and a microwave.
The trip will require a minimum of 6 and be limited to a maximum of 9 intermediate or higher skiers. You must be comfortable skiing off groomed trails with equipment and clothing that can handle terrain and the potentially cold and windy winter weather. Backcountry skis will be needed. While much of the terrain is gentle, some hills occasionally require the ability to slow down and/or climb. If you are comfortable with your ability to ski the loop to Swampy Shelter or the trail to Todd Lake under all conditions, then this trip is for you!
Getting to Gardiner by car will take approximately two days so expect to spend a night in Kellogg, ID or Missoula, MT. You can also fly to Bozeman, MT and take a rental car to Gardiner. You may wish to add some additional days to your trip for other activities, such as skiing at Harriman State Park or Big Sky.
Registration instructions: Registration will open on Monday, November 16, 2026 at precisely 8am (not earlier!) by emailing your request directly to Char Newman. Since there are two Yellowstone trips offered this season, be sure to indicate which trip you are requesting. (Trip B is Jan 11 to 16.) Be sure to include your roommate’s name if you want to signup for two people. Once your spot is confirmed, each participant will be invoiced for a $250 deposit ($100 non-refundable) to be paid by 11/17/2026 to secure your space. You will also need to complete the required CONC Overnight Trip Waiver Application. Final invoices will be emailed to you just a week later on November 23, 2025. Final payment will be due by December 3, 2026.
Standard Double Occupancy $955.00
Standard Single Occupancy $1,315.00
Like all CONC trips, this is powered by volunteers. We will ski as a group, and the role of ski sweep will be shared amongst the group over the week. If your strength is more in logistics, you can help by doing things such as calling for group dinner reservations. If you are willing to help in these ways, please let me know!
Please note this trip covers moderate distances during each day's ski activities. The group stays together on each outing and there are no additional opportunities to ski on your own. Consider adding on additional days if you are eager to ski longer distances in this beautiful setting. You must also be a current CONC member to register for this winter wonderland adventure!
