Yellowstone Winter Photo Tours and Workshops

I am an Authorized Permittee of the National Parks.

Join us for a photo tour and workshop in Yellowstone, focused on snow-covered landscapes and wildlife during the park’s quietest season. We travel by private van and snowcoach to photograph geothermal features, frozen rivers and waterfalls, and locations many winter visitors never reach, including the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Old Faithful.

Winter Wildlife Photography
Winter is one of the best times for wildlife photography in Yellowstone. Subjects may include frost-covered bison, elk, moose, foxes, coyotes, bighorn sheep, river otters, bobcats, and more. Birdlife can include trumpeter swans, bald and golden eagles, and the elusive Great Gray Owl.

Yellowstone is widely regarded as the best place in North America to photograph wild wolves, especially in the winter. Its open valleys and established packs offer the most consistent chances anywhere on the continent. But even here, photographing wolves is not easy. They roam vast territories, often stay far from the road, and sightings can be brief or distant. Winter still provides the strongest opportunities, but nothing is guaranteed.

We’ve been photographing wildlife in Yellowstone for more than 30 years, and over that time we’ve built a wide network of biologists, guides, spotters, and local experts with whom we stay in close contact. This community helps us stay informed about recent wildlife activity, giving our groups the best possible chance to be in the right place at the right time.

Full Days Inside the Park
A major advantage of this workshop is spending four full days traveling by snowcoach inside Yellowstone. Many winter trips allow only brief access to the park’s interior. We spend real time there, returning to places like Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and the thermal basins that define Yellowstone in winter.

This extended access lets us work at a flexible pace, follow changing light, respond to fresh snowfall, and adjust plans around wildlife activity rather than rushing from stop to stop. The result is more time shooting and a deeper experience in Yellowstone’s winter interior.

Private Van Travel (Mini Bus)
We also spend additional days photographing wildlife in and around the park by private van, where show coaches can’t go, like Lamar Valley, Paradise Valley, Silver Gate, and Cooke City.

Lodging and Locations
We stay in Gardiner and at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, giving us access to different regions of the park. Gardiner, Yellowstone’s north gateway, offers easy daily access to Lamar Valley, strong wildlife opportunities, good dining options, and a relaxed place to unwind after time in the field. Staying at Old Faithful places us deep inside the park, surrounded by Yellowstone’s winter landscape.

Private Snowcoach Access
We travel by private, heated snowcoach to reach Yellowstone’s geothermal areas, including erupting geysers, colorful pools, mud pots, rivers, waterfalls, and fumaroles. Wildlife is often active near these thermal features during winter.

Our modern snowcoaches provide panoramic views, quieter rides, and more comfort than older models. Although they can seat more passengers, we limit groups to 6 to 7 participants for extra space and gear storage. Their efficiency allows us to cover more ground and spend more time photographing rather than traveling.

DATES
January 5-13, 2027 (3 spaces left)

GETTING THERE
Airport: Bozeman, Montana (BZN)

Both tours begin and end in Bozeman, Montana. The hotel has a free shuttle to and from the airport, and we will have an optional drop-off at the airport and hotel. No need to rent a car.

ITINERARY
Each day, we maximize the best opportunities at the best time of day.

Day 1: 
Arrive at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) and take the free hotel shuttle to our Bozeman hotel. We will meet at 4:00 pm for an introductory session covering safety, current wildlife conditions, and plans for the week. John will give a presentation on photographing winter wildlife and landscapes, followed by a group dinner.

Day 2: 
In the morning, we depart by private van and travel south toward Yellowstone. Along the way, we explore Paradise Valley and Yellowstone, stopping to photograph winter scenery and wildlife. Possible sightings include bald and golden eagles, river otters, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. We continue photographing through sunset before arriving in Gardiner.

Day 3: 
We spend a full day in Lamar Valley and select locations just outside the park, one of Yellowstone’s most reliable areas for winter wildlife viewing. This open terrain makes it easier to spot animals, and we focus on species active in winter, including wolves, bison, foxes, and coyotes, along with opportunities for winter landscape photography. Our schedule remains flexible throughout the day to follow wildlife activity and changing light. Overnight in Gardiner.

Day 4: 
Travel by snowcoach into the heart of the park to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. We’ll photograph geyser basins throughout the day, including sunset opportunities, and watch for frost-covered wildlife along the way. After dinner, you’ll have the option to enjoy night photography or relax by the outdoor firepit. Overnight at the famous Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

Days 5 & 6: We venture deep into Yellowstone’s interior by snowcoach, exploring iconic winter locations such as Hayden Valley, West Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. These days offer some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire trip: vast snow‑covered valleys, frozen waterfalls, steaming geothermal basins, and towering canyon walls draped in ice.

We return to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, a warm and quiet base while exploring Yellowstone in winter.

Day 7: We spend the day traveling deep into Yellowstone by snowcoach, focusing on photography as the winter light changes across the landscape. Steam rises from thermal areas, light moves across open meadows, and frost-covered trees catch the low sun. These conditions often bring wildlife into view, including bison, foxes, and coyotes moving through the snow.

We stay out through sunset to photograph the shift into blue hour, when the park grows quieter, and the light softens.

After sunset, we return to Gardiner, traveling first by snowcoach and then by private van, wrapping up our final day in Yellowstone’s interior. Overnight in Gardiner.

Day 8: On our final full day, we return to Lamar Valley, with additional time along the road toward Cooke City. This second visit allows us to revisit productive areas and adjust our approach based on what we’ve seen earlier in the trip. The open valleys and views of the Absaroka Range offer strong opportunities for both wildlife and landscape photography.

We end the trip with a relaxed group dinner, a chance to review images, share stories, and reflect on the week in Yellowstone. Overnight in Gardiner.

Day 9: Departure day. We check out of the hotel and travel by private van back to Bozeman Airport. We plan to arrive at the airport around 1:00 pm for afternoon flights.

NOTES
We will be traveling in one private van and a snow coach designed for wildlife viewing and photography. This specialized transportation enables us to explore remote areas and quickly respond to wildlife sightings. By being in smaller groups, we can approach animals more closely, as larger groups tend to make them more nervous.

SKILL & FITNESS LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Anyone with an interest in photography, from beginner to professional. The participants should have a love of nature and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting.

• There will be several brief walks, sometimes across slippery terrain. The majority of these walks will be less than a mile.

• Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

• The snowcoach ride can be bumpy, so it is not advisable for anyone with back or joint problems.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Hotels: 1 night in Bozeman, 4 nights in Gardiner, and 3 nights at the Snow Lodge

  Lodging is double occupancy. If you prefer a private room (single occupancy), the additional cost is $395. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart.

• Private snowcoach and driver

• Private van tour and driver in Lamar and the surrounding areas

• Professional Instruction on photography and wildlife

• Transportation (no need to rent a car)

NOT INCLUDED

• Snacks, dinner, and drinks. Participants will cover their food expenses, but we’ll make stops for snacks and beverages throughout the day. We’ll also explore a variety of restaurants outside the park.

• Air travel is not included.

• Tips for the drivers

PRICE
$7995 per person (4 spaces left)
Deposit: $1000 per person (this reserves your spot)
Balance: $6995 (due six months before tour begins)
Single Room Upgrade: $395 (this will give you a private room)

PAYMENT
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart.

Cancellation Policy

Our job is not only to help you create beautiful images and to have fun, but to teach skills and techniques that you can use to take your photography to the next level.

Click here to see Testimonials.

John Slonina, tour leader, is a professional nature photographer with decades of experience and has been leading photo tours to Yellowstone for several years. During the workshop, you will learn photography techniques and gain insights into the natural world, deepening your appreciation of nature and helping you become a better photographer. His first trip to Yellowstone was 30 years ago.

We hope you can join us! If you have any questions, please contact us.