WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA

Winter Speaker Series. Yellowstone National Park and the Grizzly Discovery Center, an educational non-profit bear and wolf preserve, will kick-off the second annual winter speaker series on January 17 at 7:30 p.m. with a free slide program titled Wonderland in Winter: 25 Years of Inspiration for the Special Beauty of Yellowstone in Winter.

The public is invited to attend this one-hour program, featuring renowned photographer and Yellowstone winterkeeper Jeff Henry, who will explore Yellowstone's magnificent beauty in winter. The program will take place at the Grizzly Discovery Center auditorium, 210 South Canyon Street in West Yellowstone.

Ranger-led Evening Slide Programs. Every Saturday at 7:30 p.m., a park ranger will offer a slide program on a variety of interesting aspects of Yellowstone in winter. Each program lasts 45 minutes and is held at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on the corner of Canyon Street and Yellowstone Avenue in West Yellowstone.

Interpretive Orientations. Interpretive orientations will introduce you to the wonders of Yellowstone in winter and offer tips on getting the most out of your visit, including good wildlife viewing locations. Park rangers will host 20-minute, nightly orientations at various West Yellowstone hotels, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Hotel locations and presentation times vary, so please contact the Public Lands Desk at: 406-646-4403 for current schedules.

Snowshoe Walk. Discover Yellowstone's fascinating winter ecology on snowshoes. Join a park ranger for a 2-mile walk (approximately 3 hours) along the Riverside Trail. Bring your snowshoes and meet at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on the corner of Yellowstone Avenue and Canyon Street in West Yellowstone. Come prepared with warm, layered clothing, sunglasses, and water. This program is being offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. through March 8. No experience is required. (This program is subject to cancellation due to weather conditions).

For additional information on any of these programs, please contact the Public Lands Desk at: 406-646-4403, between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily through March 9.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS

Snowshoe Yellowstone. This 2-3 hour guided snowshoe walk will enlighten you on the diversity of life in winter as you silently traverse the snow with a park ranger. These guided walks are offered on:

Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. through February 25. Advance reservations are required. Call: 307-344-2263 or stop by the Albright Visitor Center. A limited number of snowshoes are available free of charge or they can be rented for $8.00 (half day) from the Bear Den Ski Shop next to the Mammoth Hotel. Come prepared with warm, layered clothing, sunglasses, and water. Meet at the Albright Visitor Center. You will need to drive 5-15 miles to a suitable location. No experience is required. (This program is subject to cancellation due to weather conditions).

Winter Wildlife Tour. Join a park ranger on this 3-3 ½ hour, narrated bus tour of Yellowstone's Northern Range, an important winter habitat for many species. This program is offered on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. through February 26. Advance reservations are required through Xanterra Parks and Resorts. Call: 307-344-7311 or stop by the Mammoth Hotel. Dress warmly. A limited number of binoculars and spotting scopes are provided. Meet in the Mammoth Hotel Lobby. The cost is $21 for adults; children are less. (This program is subject to cancellation due to weather conditions).

Talk: Feathers, Fur, and Fleece - Warm Up to Winter. Wolves, elk, bison, birds, and other wildlife survive and thrive in the frozen winter environment of Yellowstone National Park. How do you warm up to winter? Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and join a park ranger for a ½-hour talk about the park's wildlife. Meet in the Mammoth Hotel Map Room every Sunday and Monday at 4:00 p.m. through February 24. (This is an accessible program).

Evening Program. Join a park ranger for a 1-hour, illustrated program highlighting fascinating aspects of Yellowstone's natural, cultural, and scenic wonders. Program descriptions are posted in the Mammoth Hotel and Albright Visitor Center. Meet in the Mammoth Hotel Map Room for this 1-hour program that is offered every Thursday-Sunday at 8:30 p.m. through March 1. (This is an accessible program).

For additional information on any of these programs, please contact the Albright Visitor Center at: 307-344-2263, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

OLD FAITHFUL

Geology Talk. Yellowstone's history of volcanoes, earthquakes, and glaciers reveals a restless geological past (and present!). Learn about Yellowstone's geology and its effect on the ecosystem during this presentation. Meet in the Old Faithful Visitor Center auditorium for this 20-minute talk that is offered at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2:00 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday through March 9. (This is an accessible program).

Old Faithful Walk. Learn the ins and outs of one of the rarest geological features on earth--geysers! Accompany a park ranger for this 0.7-mile walk (approximately 1-hour) around Old Faithful Geyser and explore the world of hydrothermal features. Come prepared with warm, layered clothing and warm, sturdy footwear. Meet at the Old Faithful Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through March 9. (This program is subject to cancellation due to weather conditions).

Evening Program. Join a park ranger for a 45-minute, slide-illustrated program highlighting fascinating aspects of Yellowstone's natural, cultural, and scenic wonders. Weekly program descriptions are posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Center. Meet in the Old Faithful Visitor Center auditorium at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Saturday through March 9. (This is an accessible program).

For additional information on any of these programs, please contact the Old Faithful Visitor Center at: 307-545-2750, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily through March 9.

For children ages 5-12 wanting to become a Junior Ranger, these ranger-led and orientation programs fulfill one of the requirements. Junior Ranger newspapers are available at any park visitor center and at the Public Land Desk in West Yellowstone. For more information on how to become a Junior Ranger, visit the park's web site at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/todo/ranger/junrangr.htm.

Information provided by the NPS

Comments or Suggestions are Welcome. Send To: John@Yellowstone-Natl-Park.Com. Thank You!