Yellowstone Winter Photo Tours and Workshops

I am an Authorized Permittee of the National Parks.

Join us for a winter photo tour and workshop in Yellowstone, where you will capture the park’s stunning, snow-covered landscapes and wildlife in its quiet winter season. Explore Yellowstone aboard a private snow coach and van, accessing areas few others can reach. This is a prime time to photograph dramatic thermal features like bubbling mud pots, geysers, and waterfalls like the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Winter brings abundant wildlife to the park, with herds of bison covered in frost and wildlife drawn to the valleys, rivers, and geyser basins. We will look for frost-covered bison, elk, coyotes, moose, foxes, bighorn sheep, river otters, bobcats, and more. Bird photography opportunities are also plentiful, including sightings of trumpeter swans, bald and golden eagles, and the elusive Great Gray Owl.

Lamar Valley, known as one of the best spots to photograph wolves, is a highlight. The valley’s diverse habitats and conservation efforts make it a prime location for observing wolves and other wildlife. Don’t miss this chance to capture Yellowstone’s winter wonderland in its full glory.

Private Van:
We will have our own private van and explore the incredible Lamar Valley. This is one of the best places in the world to photograph wolves and other wildlife.

Private Snow Coach:
We will travel by private snow coach to explore Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders, including the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful, erupting geysers, vibrant pools, mud pots, rivers, waterfalls, and fumaroles. Along the way, we’ll look for wildlife drawn to the warmth of these thermal areas.

Not all snowcoaches are the same. We use modern, efficient models designed for comfort. While these heated vehicles can hold 13 people, we limit our tours to 6-7 participants to ensure ample space for gear. Our modern snowcoaches offer panoramic views, better fuel efficiency, faster speeds, quieter rides, and more space, providing a superior experience compared to older models. This allows more time to explore and capture stunning wildlife and landscapes. We cover more territory with the faster snowcoaches.

Dates:

We offer TWO VERSIONS of this trip: one with accommodations inside the park and another just outside the park entrance.

For more details on the differences between these tours, please refer to our article here.

January 4-13, 2026 (TOUR A): Inside the Park (1 space left)

January 15-23, 2026 (TOUR B): Outside the Park (2 space 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 optional drop-off to and from 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: Participants arrive at Bozeman Montana (BZN) Airport and take a free shuttle to the hotel in Bozeman. We will meet at 4:30 pm for an introductory session covering safety, recent wildlife sightings and behavior, and the plans and goals for the week ahead. John will then give a presentation on photographing wildlife and landscapes, followed by dinner. In the morning, we will be picked up by a private van and drive toward our hotel in Yellowstone.

Day 2: On our way to our hotel, we’ll stop for lunch and explore the scenic Paradise Valley, known for its incredible wildlife opportunities. We may see bald eagles, golden eagles, river otters, pronghorns, and close-up encounters with bighorn sheep. We will continue photographing until sunset.

Days 3 through 9: Tour A (Inside the Park Lodging)
Accommodations will be at Mammoth Hot Springs and also Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Four full days will be spent exploring by snowcoach and an additional three days exploring the Lamar Valley by private van.

Days 3 through 8: Tour B (Outside the Park Lodging)
Accommodations will be in Gardiner, Montana. Three days will be spent exploring by snowcoach and an additional three days exploring the Lamar Valley by private van.

Last Day: This is a travel day. We will check out of the hotel and travel back to Bozeman Airport for afternoon flights. We will target being at the airport at 1 pm.

Notes:

We will be traveling in one private van and 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 and 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:

Tour A (Inside the Park): $8195 per person
Tour B (Outside the Park): $6695 per person

Deposit: $1000
Balance Due: 6 months before start date

Payment:
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart. Choose between Tour A or Tour B.

Cancellation Policy

Price Includes:

• Hotels are included. Lodging is double occupancy. If you prefer your own private room (single occupancy), it is an additional $395. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart.

• Private snowcoach and driver

• Private van tour and driver at Lamar and 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 own food expenses, but we’ll make stops for snacks and drinks throughout the day. We’ll also explore a variety of restaurants outside the park.

• Air travel is not included.

• Tips for the drivers

What you will learn:

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.

About Us:
John Slonina (leader)

A professional nature photographer who has been photographing for several decades. During the workshop, you will receive information on photography techniques and the natural world. Understanding the natural world not only increases your appreciation of nature but also helps you become a better nature photographer.

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