Yellowstone Winter Photo Tours and Workshops

I am an Authorized Permittee of the National Parks.

Join us on a photo tour or workshop to photograph a winter wonderland in Yellowstone. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Yellowstone during its serene winter season and enjoy extraordinary photography opportunities in one of the planet’s most remarkable snow-covered ecosystems. Explore the park aboard a private snow coach and van, venturing into the wilds of Yellowstone. This awe-inspiring destination stands as an absolute must-visit for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, providing opportunities to capture stunning landscapes and observe wildlife in their natural habitats.

Winter is a magical time in the park when the crowds have left, and wildlife is abundant. Photograph bubbling mud pots, thermal pools, steaming fumaroles, and gushing geysers eerily veiled in steam. Take in the beauty of the many dramatic waterfalls including the majestic Lower Yellowstone River Falls in what is referred to as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is one of the premiere wildlife viewing areas in the United States. Wildlife is abundant and people are few and far between. Heavy snow in the higher mountains force wildlife to come to the low valleys, rivers, and geyser basins. Herds of bison, their thick fur covered in frost, roam amidst a snow-covered landscape. We will look for elk, coyotes, moose, wolves, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles.

We will visit a section of the park along a river where bobcats are most frequently photographed. The mammals will have their prime winter fur. Bird sightings can be very exciting, and we will look for trumpeter swans, bald eagles, great grey owls and other species.

We will spend time in Lamar Valley which is one of the premiere wildlife locations in the world. It is where wolves are most frequently spotted. The combination of ample prey, diverse habitats, limited human disturbance, and conservation efforts has made Lamar Valley a renowned and popular location for observing wolves in their natural habitat.

Snowcoaches:
Not all snowcoaches are created equal. We use the most modern models, designed for comfort and efficiency. These heated vehicles can accommodate 13 people, but we limit our photo tour to 6-7 participants to provide ample space for gear.

Our new-style snowcoaches offer panoramic views, enhanced fuel efficiency, faster speeds, quieter rides, and increased spaciousness. Unlike older models such as those with rotating tracks, the bombardier, and the 12-passenger van on tracks, our snowcoaches ensure better visibility and a superior experience. The increased speed allows us more opportunities to explore and photograph various subjects.

Join us as we photograph our way through a winter wonderland in the country’s first national park.

John Slonina has been photographing Yellowstone for almost 30 years. He is an authorized permittee of the national park. His experience brings in-depth knowledge of the area and its resident wildlife.

Dates:

January 12-20, 2025 (1 space left)
January 15-23, 2026 (3 spaces left)

Getting There:

Airport: Bozeman, Montana (BZN)

The tour begins and ends 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 fly into the Bozeman Montana (BZN) Airport. There is a free shuttle to the hotel. We will meet at 4:30 pm. We will have an introductory meeting to go over safety issues, recent wildlife sightings, and behavior. We also will discuss plans, goals, and objectives for the upcoming week. John will do a presentation on photographing wildlife and landscapes. Afterwards, we will go to dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 2: In the morning, we will be picked up by a private van and drive to Gardiner. Along the way to our hotel, we’ll make a brief stop for lunch and explore the stunning Paradise Valley. This area offers incredible wildlife opportunities such as bald eagles, golden eagles, river otters, pronghorn sheep, and you can get eye-level with groups of bighorn sheep. We will continue photographing until sunset.

Our cozy hotel in Gardiner, Montana is an ideal location since it gives us easy access to the best winter locations in Yellowstone and good restaurants within walking distance. We prefer Gardner over West Yellowstone since it is only a five-minute drive to the entrance of the park. We want to maximize your photography time.

Days 3-8 (6 days): We will explore the park, 3 days by snowcoach and 3 days by van.

Day 9: Travel Day. We will check out of the hotel and take the free private shuttle to the airport in time for afternoon flights. The estimated time we will arrive at the airport is around 1 pm.

Private Van:
We will have our own van and explore the incredible Lamar Valley. This is one of the best places in the world to photograph wolves. We will be looking for other wildlife such as bighorn sheep, bald eagles, red fox, river otters, bison, coyotes and elk.

Private Snow Coach:
We will be traveling by private snow coach to a geothermal wonderland. We will visit locations including the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful, erupting Geysers, bubbling mud pots, vibrant colored pools, rivers, waterfalls, and fumaroles. We will be looking for frost covered wolves, bison, elk, swans, eagles, otters, foxes, moose, bighorn sheep and bobcats. The warm thermal area attracts wildlife.

Notes:
We will be traveling in one private vehicle or 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 terrains. 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:

$6195 per person for 2025

$6695 per person for 2026

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.

Cancellation Policy

Price Includes:

• Hotels are included in this tour (8-night's stay). Lodging is double occupancy. If you prefer your own private room (single occupancy) it is an additional $350. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart if you want your own room.

• Private Snowcoach and driver

• Private van tour and driver

• Professional Instruction on photography and wildlife (see below)

• 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

Classroom and Zoom:
This trip is planned to maximize time outdoors photographing. We may have classroom time to discuss photography, post processing or provide photo critiques.

I will customize the class to cover the wishes of our small group. Topics may include nature photography, wildlife photography, photo techniques, and if the group is interested, some tips on Lightroom (which is the go-to program for photographers).

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), Jenny Bowlden (co-leader)

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

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