Looking for something a little different this winter? This luxury winter vacation to Montana delivers a smorgasbord of winter experiences, while still giving you the option to ski two outstanding, crowd-free mountains.
Yellowstone Wolf Safari
Day 1, 2 & 3
Bozeman entry.
Winter is a time of big animals (bison, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, wolf, mule deer, and coyote) on big landscapes. This is especially true for Yellowstone’s wolves that roam the Northern Range, which includes the Lamar Valley known by some as ‘America’s Serengeti’.
On this two day safari, you’ll take advantage of the snowy background when watching the wolves and other wildlife. Elk, the most common prey of wolves, are concentrated at lower elevations in large herds and the wolves are more easily seen as they track, hunt, or feed in an open landscape in the vicinity of them.
You’ll be accompanied by an expert naturalist and will travel in custom built vehicles, complete with viewing hatches. High quality optics are provided and your expert guide will be finely attuned to the animal’s recent movements. All combining to give you the best possible opportunity to observe not only the animals themselves but also their behavior and relationships.
You’ll spend the night in rustic but comfortable lodging that is ideally located to give you easy access to the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley.
Lone Mountain Ranch
Day 4, 5 & 6
Located in the stunning Gallatin Valley between Big Sky Mountain and Yellowstone, Lone Mountain is one of the West’s great dude ranches and is perfectly placed to experience the best of winter in this stunning corner of Montana.
Whether you’re a complete novice or an old pro, the nordic skiing surrounding the ranch is world class and has something for everyone with over 85 km of groomed trails traversing beautiful terrain. Snowshoeing is another wonderful way to explore the snow-covered Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and hitting the trails at night under the light of the moon is a magical experience.
If the snow conditions look good, you’re on the doorstep of Big Sky, one of Montana’s best ski mountains. With more terrain than any other resort in North America and nearly 6,000 ft of vertical, it’s a beast that flies under the radar and has the short lift lines to prove it.
End your stay in Big Sky with an experience of a lifetime as you glide through the winter wonderland of Moonlight Basin, your sled pulled effortlessly by a team of twelve Alaskan huskies. You’ll of course be guided by an experienced musher but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you find yourself at the helm, directing your sled along the snowy trails.
The Ranch at Rock Creek
Day 7, 8 & 9
Finish your Montana winter vacation in style with a stay at the phenomenal Ranch at Rock Creek, where not only will you adventure to your heart’s content but you’ll also indulge yourself at one of the most remarkable getaways in the country. From the central Granite Lodge to the individual log cabins along Rock Creek, you’ll stay in utmost comfort, and after a day’s winter fun you can kick back with log fires, exceptional food, and shared stories of the day’s adventures in the Silver Dollar Saloon.
You’ll have every activity under the low winter sun to keep your days busy, from an adrenaline-fueled snowmobiling expedition that will take you through untouched valleys on state of the art machines, to ice skating on the ranch’s pond where you’ll of course have your own cocoa-stocked shed to warm up in afterwards. For little ones (and big ones!) head to Elk Ridge for some turbo-charged sledding.
If Big Sky is somewhat under celebrated in international ski circles, then Discovery Ski Area thirty five minutes from the ranch, is a true hidden gem and once again you’ll be able to time your visit based on the snow conditions. The front face is a perfect blend of gentle runs and more advanced groomers, whereas the back face delivers some the most challenging lift-serviced skiing in North America.
Head home after a vacation to remember from Missoula Airport, an hour and a half from the ranch.
N.B. This itinerary can either by self-drive or transport can be arranged.
