Trip Idea

Skiing and Snowshoeing in the Old Faithful Area

Skier on a trail with a hydrothermal feature steaming in the background

Topic(s)	Trails
Activities	Skiing, Hiking, Snowshoeing
Type	Kid Friendly, Active, Solitary/Remote, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks	Yellowstone National Park

Trail Ratings

Trails are rated by the National Park Service with ratings specific to Yellowstone National Park. We strongly encourage all skiers to inquire at a visitor center or Yellowstone Park Lodges Ski Shop before beginning their first ski trip. Weather conditions may cause icy trails, deep snow, or barren sections, and in some instances make trails difficult to follow, increasing the difficulty of a trail. Trails are not groomed or checked daily.

Easiest: Skiers need basic knowledge and limited experience in the diagonal stride, snow-plow, and side- stepping. Trails may have short downhill and uphill stretches.
More Difficult: Skiers need to be able to ski varied terrain requiring turning, snow-plowing, herringboning, and diagonal stride. Much of the terrain is forested with limited space to maneuver. Not recommended for anyone who does not have a solid knowledge of cross-country skiing.
Most Difficult: Skiers need to be experienced. Trails are hazardous and terrain is frequently extreme. Turns are often sharp and linked together with no room to snow-plow or herringbone.
Backcountry: Backcountry trails are marked on these maps with dashed black lines and should only be attempted by experienced parties with appropriate equipment. Many of them are difficult to find and follow as they have not necessarily been skied recently. Many go through avalanche-prone areas that are not marked. Caution: Do not attempt to travel any backcountry trails without good topographical maps and current trail conditions.

Yellowstone National Park
Fairy Falls Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: Yes
- Activity: Hiking
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 6–8 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Fairy Falls Ski Trail is a 10 mile (16 km) (with ski drop) skier-tracked, round-trip, easiest to more dificult ski that provides icy views of one of Yellowstone's most popular waterfalls.
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Mallard Creek Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 8–10 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Mallard Creek Ski Trail is a 12 mile (19.3 km) round-trip, most-difficult, skier-tracked trail that takes advanced skiers over challenging terrain.
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Yellowstone National Park
Mallard Lake Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 5–6 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Mallard Lake Ski Trail is a 6.8 mile (10.9 km) round-trip, skier-tracked, more difficult trail taking skiers on a steep climb to views of Mallard Lake.
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Yellowstone National Park
Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Snowshoeing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 1–2 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail is a 2.0 mile (3.2 km) snowshoe only trail that treats visitors to unobstructed views of the Upper Geyser Basin and the Firehole River.
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Lone Star Geyser Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 5–7 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Lone Star Geyser Ski Trail is a 9 mile (14.4) round-trip, easy, machine-groomed trail that takes skiers along the Firehole River to Lone Star Geyser.
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Spring Creek Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 6–8 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Spring Creek Ski Trail is an 8 mile (12.9 km) one-way, skier-tracked, most difficult ski that requires excellent speed control and turning skills.
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Divide Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 2–3 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Divide Ski Trail is a 2.8 mile (4.5 km) round trip, more difficult, skier-tracked trail that offers views of Shoshone Lake and Mt. Sheridan on clear days.
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Fern Cascades Loop Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: Yes
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 2–3 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Fren Cascades Loop Ski Trail is a one-way, steep, 3 mile, easy to most difficult, skier tracked trail that provides views of the cascades.
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Black Sand Basin Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Old Faithful Area
- Duration: 2–3 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Black Sand Basin Ski Trail is a groomed 4 mile (6.4 km) round trip, easiest trail that takes you from the Upper Geyser Basin to Black Sand Basin. Begin in front of the Old Faithful Visitor Center and take the Upper Geyser Basin Trail past Castle Geyser. Turn left onto the skier-tracked trail to Daisy Geyser, stay to the left and continue to the snow vehicle road. Black Sand Basin is across the snow vehicle road.
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