If you are a nature lover who spends a lot of time reading about conservation and animal rights, then you may have heard of Yellowstone Club. Nestled in the Yellowstone National Park, this legendary private ski destination caters to high-end individuals who want to enjoy a winter vacation without leaving the country.
So, is skiing at Yellowstone Club still possible? Can you ski at a place famous for its majestic buffalo, massive bison herds, and glorious snowcapped mountain ranges?
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The Answer Is Yes.
Thanks to technology, you can enjoy the thrills of snow-covered slopes even if you live in a place outside of Yellowstone Park. With the help of American companies, you can have any winter sport you could wish for – including skiing. Thanks to a number of high-end resorts located in Banff, Alberta, Canada, and Wolf Ridge in Mount Hood, Oregon, you can now travel to the United States and take a dip in the powder.
Yellowstone Club has one of the best snow parks in the world. With expertly crafted chairlift and ski-in/ski-out accommodations, it takes only 12 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. The views are breathtaking, and it’s not uncommon to see elk, moose, bison, and even a grizzly bear on the slopes. While a day ticket to the park costs you only $60, the one-day all-inclusive pass to Yellowstone Club is a whopping $125. For that price, you and your family can have an entire week of pure, unadulterated, ski fun.
Why Should You Visit Yellowstone Club?
In addition to offering some of the most picturesque back country skiing in North America, Yellowstone Club also has one of the largest swimming pools in the world. The size of the pool itself is daunting – it’s over 40 meters long and 10 meters wide – yet it’s not uncommon to see bathers in the pool during the summer months. During the day, the sun beats down, warming the air and making it perfect for swimming. At night, the pool lights come on, and the water is illuminated by the eerie blue glow of the surrounding mountains.
With the exception of the famous Mont Blanc, the Jungfrau, and the Matterhorn, the rest of the Alps are generally considered the white nations of the ski world. The popularity of skiing in the region is due, in part, to the area’s remoteness: getting to the top of a mountain is as easy as stepping on a plane.
While you’re in Yellowstone Park, you may want to consider visiting the Old Faithful Geyser. This famous hot spring erupts every hour or two, so you’ll have to time your visit accordingly. If you’ve never been to a geyser before, then this may be the best opportunity to see one in action. A quick Google search will bring up dozens of websites that give you a good idea of what to expect, and how long it will take for the geyser to go from full display to cooldown.
Getting To Know The Area
If you’ve been to Yellowstone before, then you know that getting there is half the fun. Thanks to the incredible geography of the United States, you can simply hop on a plane and be at the doorstep of some of the country’s most photographed and most coveted real estate. From there, you can rent a car, catch a bus, or take a cab to get to your destination.
As mentioned, Yellowstone Club is in the heart of the Yellowstone National Park. The closest airport to the resort is Billings Air Force Base, about an hour away. From there, you can connect to the scenic Yellowstone Highway, which leads to the main entrance of the park.
Getting to Wyoming from the airport in Denver is fairly straightforward. You can either fly to Cheyenne or Laramie and then transfer to the Jackson Hole airport, or connect to the airport in Jackson Hole directly. Jackson Hole Airport has direct connections to Chicago, the West Coast, and other western cities.
The Local Community
Another perk of visiting Yellowstone Club is that you’ll be staying in a small town – otherwise known as a ‘ski resort town’ – where everyone knows your name. This is one of the few places in North America where the local high school kids look forward to the winter holidays, as it means they get to ski and snowboard for a week. The town has a strong conservation message: supporting the environment by purchasing green energy products and being eco-friendly in your daily routines.
Locals are proud of their town, and with good reason: it’s been rated one of the top 10 towns in the country to raise a family. It also has a very high school graduation rate and a good number of adults participate in the community’s many outdoor activities. In the summertime, you can go for a swim at the town’s three outdoor pools or take a ride on the Ghost Town Tramway, a heritage railway that still uses many of its original Victorian cars.
The Accommodations
Accommodation at Yellowstone Club is excellent. The resort makes a point of having fun, eco-friendly buildings that follow a universal design philosophy. These sustainable hotels use less energy, and they promote green practices such as the collection of rainwater tanks and the use of solar power. On the topic of sustainability, the buildings at Yellowstone Club are designed using green materials and the insulation in the room facings is high-tech soundproofing. In addition to helping the environment, these hotels have wonderful, rustic dining experiences that serve as a great introduction to Canadian food. After all, what’s more Canadian than icebergs, poutine, and Mounties?
The Activities
If you are looking for an alternative to an overcrowded ski resort, then Yellowstone Club is the place to be. Accommodation is comfortable, and the town has all the amenities you could need. If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the resort life, then Yellowstone Club is the place for you. There are plenty of activities available for everyone, whether you are a parent looking to take a long break from your kids or you have them with you the whole time. There are also lots of organized kids’ activities, including ice skating, snowflake craft, and making snowmen.
You may also want to check out the nearby town of Gardiner, which has a small historic district lined with galleries, boutiques and independent restaurants that are popular with both locals and visitors. This is a great place to take a stroll, grab some lunch, or meet for a drink. In the winter, the streets are covered in snow, making it look like a wintery metropolis. In the summer, the air is cool and refreshing, making it the perfect place to be outdoors.
Conclusion
So, is skiing at Yellowstone Club still possible? If you’ve ever been to the park, then you know the answer. The answer is yes. Now, all you have to do is decide if you want to go for a swim, a walk, a bike ride, or a drive to work.