When you live in a place where snow covers the ground most of the winter, you can safely expect that winter sports will be quite popular, and in West Yellowstone, that is quite true. We love playing outside as much as possible, and when you visit during the snowy season, you will understand why and may want to participate in some of our favorite snow sports while you are here. This guide to the top snow sports you can engage in during your West Yellowstone adventures will paint a picture of long days spent playing hard and wonderfully long nights spent in the cozy confines of our Sweet Home Montana seasonal sanctuaries.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is more often considered a Scandinavian sport, but in West Yellowstone, the love of the sport is alive and well, with the Rendezvous Ski Trails being the most popular areas to traverse the landscape. The skis used in this sport are longer, slimmer, and lighter than the ones used in downhill, and the bindings are somewhat looser, allowing for more movement between the boot heel and the ski. Additionally, the ski poles that help propel you along the trails are longer, helping to create a gliding motion that still provides a pretty good workout. In fact, a cross-country journey is a wonderful aerobic AND anaerobic cardio exercise, helping you maintain an elevated heart rate over a longer period. And you don’t fall as far during cross-country, making it far more appealing to many amateur winter sports athletes.
Snowshoeing
Even if you have never participated, snowshoeing has been a popular activity all over the world for over 4000 years, so when you strap on your first pair, you will be walking in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors. Rendezvous Trails is also a great place to snowshoe, with the Refuge Point Trail being one of the most scenic, offering visitors a stunning hike that only last about 2.3 miles. There is something peaceful about a trek of this sort, especially when you are hiking in freshly fallen snow on a clear and sunny day. Packing a thermos of hot cocoa is always a good idea as well, enabling you to take warmth breaks that will be good for your soul.
Sledding
We had to think about this for a few minutes before listing sledding on this page, because when we thought about it, we weren’t sure we could consider sledding a sport, but it needs snow and is so much fun, we thought, why not? Pioneer Park is where we take our kiddos for an afternoon of sledding fun, but anywhere you happen to find a safe hill that isn’t on private land can be the ideal spot for this type of adventure. You will need to bring your own sleds, but we know from our own sledding experiences as children that a piece of plastic or cardboard will do just fine in a pinch.
Ice Skating
We are heading back to Pioneer Park for our next snowy adventure, as it offers an outdoor rink that will be a romantic adventure that could come straight from a scene in the Hallmark holiday movie that you like or a family bonding adventure that will be remembered for years to come. You will need to bring your own skates, so plan ahead and count on making wonderful memories on your vacation in our winter paradise.
Ice Fishing
Summer isn’t the only time for fishing in West Yellowstone, and as you bring out your favorite fishing gear, there is a new tool you will need to add your tackle, that of an ice auger to help you drill a hole in the thick ice on Hebgen Lake. The lake is located just 12 miles north of your Sweet Home Montana vacation retreat, and although it does take a little hike to get to your spot, it is an easy hike that will lead you through the frozen Montana landscape, offering peace and serenity and a sense of wow to all who are fortunate to witness the views on their way to a day of fishing. The lake itself is filled with brown and rainbow trout, ensuring that your catch of the day will be the very delicious meal of the evening.
Relaxing in Front of a Roaring Fire, Sleeping Late, and Snowball Throwing
These last sports are destined to be the ones that you enjoy the most and none need any sort of formal training or special equipment. Your Sweet Home Montana winter retreat is the stadium and the arena where all of the above winter sports will be played and enjoyed! Reserve your favorite Montana escape today and fall in love with all the perfect winter days you will enjoy during your vacation with us.