Trip Idea

Skiing and Snowshoeing in the Tower Area

Skiers in a snowfall along the road to Tower Fall.

Topic(s)	Trails
Activities	Skiing
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
Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Tower Area
- Duration: 2–3 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 8 mile (12.8 km) one-way ski with two trailhead options. This trail travels open meadows and forests with great wildlife viewing opportunities in winter.
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Yellowstone National Park
Chittenden Loop Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Tower Area
- Duration: 4–5 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Chittenden Loop Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 5.3 mile (8.3 km) loop providing views of Mount Washburn on clear days.
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Yellowstone National Park
Lost Lake Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Tower Area
- Duration: 3–4 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Lost Lake Ski Trail is a 4 mile (6.4 km) easiest to more difficult one-way trail that takes skiers by Petrified Tree, Lost Lake, and Calcite Springs Overlook.
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Yellowstone National Park
Tower Fall Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Tower Area
- Duration: 2–3 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Tower Fall Ski Trail is a 5.0 mile (8 km) round-trip easiest trail that allows skiers to enjoy canyon views of the Yellowstone River and Tower Fall.
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Yellowstone National Park
Yancey's Hole Ski Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Skiing
- Pets: No
- Location: Tower Area
- Duration: 1–2 Hours
- Season: Winter
- Time of Day: Day
The Yancey's Hole Ski Trail is a 2.0 mile (3.2 km) easiest ski trail with rolling terrain and wide open views of the Yancey's Hole area.
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