Yellowstone Thanksgiving Guide

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For travelers who have a passion for breathtaking scenery and time enjoyed in the great outdoors, a trip to Yellowstone National Park any time of year is an experience that promises to be one-of-a-kind. Here, it’s easy to access incredible hiking trails, beautiful biking routes, make time for amazing wildlife-watching, and explore stunning natural landmarks like geysers and hot springs as well. If you’re lucky enough to head to Yellowstone when Thanksgiving rolls around, there’s even more to be grateful for. A trip this way with family and friends is one that’s easy to customize according to your travel style and might just be an adventure that brings you back year after year with good reason. Let the following guide be your starting point when you’re looking forward to making the most of every moment you’re in town for Thanksgiving in Yellowstone this year.

Experience the Iconic Yellowstone Ski Festival for Yourself This November

Perhaps one of the most exciting and inviting seasonal events that occurs in West Yellowstone, Montana over Thanksgiving is the annual Yellowstone Ski Festival. Whether you’re an avid skier or someone who enjoys spectating, this festival brings locals and visitors alike together over the holidays in the name of an amazing sport and comradery. For more than three decades, Nordic skiers from across the U.S. and the globe have made their way to West Yellowstone around Thanksgiving to be a part of this one-of-a-kind ski experience. What began as a relatively small fall training camp for the U.S. Nordic ski team eventually turned into a full-fledged global Thanksgiving time celebration.

The festival is made up of a wide variety of activities for participants to enjoy ranging from expos and presentations by Olympic athletes to demonstrations, ski clinics, exciting competitions, and more! While some of these events are inevitably weather-dependent, West Yellowstone typically has early-season snow making Thanksgiving an ideal time for the festival fun to kick off. The vast system of Nordic ski trails in the area also means that whether you’re a pro or new to the sport, you can find a way to be a part of the festival experience at your own pace. In recent years, the festival has seen anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 attendees enjoying time on skis with 300 to 400 of those participants actively enjoying races. The festival is organized by the local Chamber and is presented in tandem with the U.S. Forest Service and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation too.

 

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Infuse Holiday Flavor into Your West Yellowstone Stay

For many travelers, a trip anywhere on the map at Thanksgiving wouldn’t feel right without some well-deserved savory moments built into the experience. The good news is that places like West Yellowstone are packed with delicious local restaurants for travelers to explore and many host specialized menus for Thanksgiving as well.

Hanks Chop Shop is a fan-favorite destination on Thanksgiving in West Yellowstone for those who are looking for a traditional holiday dish to enjoy in good company. Hanks Chop Shop is located at 221 N Canyon Street and in years past, the special menu has included everything from turkey and ham to creamy mashed potatoes and homemade pie for patrons to enjoy between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

The Branch is another eatery in town that typically hosts an annual Thanksgiving menu to try. Brunch and dinner are often served here between 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm and a traditional menu might showcase apple brandy glazed ham, whiskey glazed carrots, scalloped potatoes, stone fruit compote, and seasonal desserts. You can find The Branch at 315 Yellowstone Avenue when you want to make the most of a delicious lineup of options served in a spacious and cozy setting this Thanksgiving.

Tour Yellowstone National Park in Comfort

Thanksgiving is a great time of year for holiday travelers to set aside time to tour Yellowstone National Park. While many main roads you might explore in the warm weather months are already closed, you can get the insider experience by booking your place on a guided snowcoach tour instead during your November stay. These tours are not only comfortable but extremely convenient for passengers as they run out of the West, East, South, and North park entrances alike. You’ll be nice and toasty as you ride along and learn more about your surroundings, spot wildlife, and enjoy admiring the beautiful terrain in good company.

Book Your Stay Today

There’s never been a better time to head to Yellowstone in the name of fun and when you want to make sure you have incredible accommodations in place to top off your getaway in style, Sweet Home Montana has you covered. Reach out today to learn more about our inviting portfolio of West Yellowstone property options available to book including our Thanksgiving rentals that will infuse comfort, luxury, and exceptional style into every day of your stay. We look forward to seeing you this Thanksgiving in Yellowstone this year!

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