Yellowstone Winter Insights
We are recently booked for Yellowstone in Jan 2024 and reviewing clothing recommendations. Planning on layers and we are familiar w/ winter wear, synthetics, no cotton, etc. Ski pants / bibs w/ elastic internal snow shields over boots.
Biggest question is re footwear as we may need to make an addition there. I'm guessing wool socks, insulation & water proof bottoms most important. Lace up vs slip in for better fit and avoiding snow over tops. Would like to avoid calf high tops if possible due to space to pack... is something above ankle ht sufficient for walking, viewing, etc? We are not planning on snowmobiling, XC skiing, snowshoeing... just viewing the sights. I'm thinking boot / toe warmers can go a long way for comfort vs super arctic pacs? Any insights appreciated.
Thnx
Comments
You betcha! You won't be mucklucking through deep snow or shlush unless you desire and find such a spot. We wore lace-up, w/p boots that were slightly above ankle height walking, viewing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Since it is likely you could encounter snow at Boseman airport you can always wear the boots on the plane to avoid luggage weight.
I would seriously bring boots that are taller as well as soles that are thick and far off the ground, if possible. . Mine soles on my boots looked like car Firestone car tires. When I took this spectacular trip (which it definitely is) there were many times you will walk on mounds of snow, and short boots would get soaked with snow. Just one of these places would be a photo op at the Continental Divide. The sign of the Continental Divide wasn’t on a paved path. I have a picture to prove this. My boots went up to my calf and they were perfect. We also took yak tracks (ice grippers) and put them on our shoes often. I even wished I had electric heated socks. I had thick wool socks and I needed more warmth going to my extremities. This was our experience.
Thanks for the responses.
AlanS... I've read you other posts about your experience w pics. Appreciate thecdetail.
No problem. When I said, "You won't be mucklucking through deep snow or shlush unless you desire and find such a spot . ." well, we had such an opportunity at Mammoth Hot Springs. Across from the dining hall there was a small field covered with undisturbed snow, a split rail fence, a few trees and a big elk, so we decided to try to get some close-up photos. The going was tough!!! The prairie grass fooled us as to the true depth of the snow! Not only was it above our boots, it was up to our thighs!!! It took us 15 min. to slog just a few yards through the deep snow to the fence which was only about halfway to our destination. Of course, by the time we got to the fence, the elk had started to wander off!
Thank goodness for my camera lens. The depth of the snow around the elk wasn't a good indicator since it appeared he was sitting down.
DKloeber, how was your trip? Any tips as we are in the final stages for preparing our gear for this tour. Did you arrive a day early? What did you do in Chico? What did you do in Jackson, WY? Was there enough snow to go skiing/tubing in Jackson?
Yellowstone January 2024 - Snowmobiling. How to arrange? Do you do it through hotel in Jackson? Thanks! We are staying an extra night in order to do this! Thank you.
I hope you mean January 2025
We Googled it, researched the options and providers, then asked question and booked via email. I believe it is possible to book thru the hotel also. Except for the farewell dinner, our last day was totally free, so we didn't need to stay an extra night. Our ful-day Iditarod Dog Sled trip started at 0815 with pick-up at the Wort Hotel and ended at around 4:30. We were transported back to the hotel.
Some posts talk about trying to judge the depth of snow there. I remember when our snowmobile group (8 of us) stopped along the road to see a frozen waterfall and I badly needed to make a pit stop. I dropped back from the group and went across the road to do so, but I found that the plowed snow was higher than my waist! Whoa! I managed to do so, but it was a challenge! Unfortunately back then (o/a 10 years ago), there were only a few stops where "official" restrooms were available. Sigh. It is what it is. :-)
Hi. My husband I are going on this trip in Jan 2026. I’m trying to find boots. Sounds like there are mixed opinions on how tall the boots really need to be. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to brands to consider. Never having worn boots like this before, I’m quite the newbie. Thanks for all advice, very appreciated!
typically a 8 to 10 inch boot will be fine. I wouldn't go shorter than 8 and I find a 10 to 12 inch boot fine. You could consider an insulated hiking/hunting boot from places like Cabela's, Meindl or REI. I do have a pair of 10" insulated Oboz that work well if I am doing a lot of walking. If you are standing around or your activity level is lower, look at a pack boot with and removable felt liner. These then to be warmer. Look at Sorel, Baffin, Schnee, or Sitka. I prefer Schnee. To keep the snow out bring a pair of boot gaiters.
I would recommend boots right below the knee. I have been on this trip and it’s fabulous; surreal. Be prepared for extremely cold weather. The higher the sole is away from snow or ice, the better. You want your feet to stay warm and I would recommend thick wool hunting socks. I also wore a sock liner. The typical merino wool ski sock did not keep my feet warm enough. I did not spend a fortune on my boots and I was lucky to find an excellent pair online at Sierra Trading st a fantastic price. I sized up because of the thickness of the socks I wore. You can also wear socks more than once before washing. There is a science to layering clothing and that means for your feet too.
Just finished this trip mid-January. I wore Columbia boots - 8-10" - I got them for $75 at a Columbia outlet - with a thinsulate lining - warm and thick wool socks (1 pair) and toe warmers and I was just fine! Also, if you take trackers - its easier if you buy the ones with the springs not the sharp points as you can't put them on indoors, BUT they aren't as good as the sharp pointed ones but we rarely wore ours - maybe once. We had -35 degrees .. yes you read that right!! That all being said, they were careful with us in those temps and we didn't spend a lot of time outdoors for long when it was sub-zero which we had 5 out of our 8 days. I wore Eddie Bauer lined winter hiking pants with good pair of long underwear and I was plenty warm. (Many wore actual ski pants). Take a heavy coat with a hood - and good winter mittens - again I had Eddie Bauer mittens and used a hand warmer in each and I was fine. I also took a good pair of Columbia gloves that I wore on days where I didn't feel I needed the mittens. I wore liner gloves on the busses to keep hands warm but not in big mittens. I used them a lot when taking photos too as hard to take pics in mittens. Bring something to pull up over your face that you can wear up or down (a scarf gets in the way). Even in sub-zero I wore my long underwear top, and a fleece over it - or I wore a good winter vest over my fleece and I was fine. When it was -35 I did add another lightweight long sleeved shirt under the fleece along with the long underwear. You do not need any dress clothes at all! If you want to change before dinner, jeans and the tops you wore all day are just fine, or flannel shirt. Don't overpack. Take hand/foot warmers - they are a must if you have sub-zero temps like we did. You do a fair amount of walking .. but nothing too strenuous. You don't go in deep snow unless you choose to do it .. then be careful as you can really sink down!! The trip is a lot of packing/unpacking and you move every two days - taking one piece of luggage and a small backpack is really all you need. Be flexible and realize that accommodations are a bit different in the National Parks .. It's a trip that's so different, amazing and stunning in the winter - enjoy! Be ready to see wildlife. We'd do it all again if we could.
Regarding clothing: when we were in the Arctic, a year ago January there was a couple that wore heated vests that they said were purchased on Amazon.
I took this trip a handful of years ago and Yellowstone is so much more magnificent in the winter than in the summer but that is just my opinion.