5 Winter Adventures That Belong on Your Cody Yellowstone Bucket List

When winter rolls into Cody Yellowstone, the Wild West doesn’t slow down, it transforms. Snow-capped peaks sparkle under a wide Western sky, frozen lakes revive age-old traditions, and adventure seekers pack a few more layers to enjoy their favorite winter activities. Whether you’re chasing outdoor adrenaline or stepping into a warm museum brimming with history, winter in Cody offers experiences unlike any other season.

Ready to bundle up and blaze your own trail? Here are five unforgettable winter adventures to add to your Cody Yellowstone winter bucket list.

Ice Fishing

Few winter traditions connect you to the land quite like ice fishing. Imagine cozying up in a warming hut located right on the frozen waters of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir, auger in hand, as the sun rises over snow-dusted peaks. Beneath the ice are schools of trout just waiting to test your patience and skill. It’s quiet, rugged, and as close to frontier living as you can get—minus the wood stove.

Got a competitive streak and ice in your veins? Why not try your hand at competing in the 19th Annual Meeteetse Ice Fishing Derby happening January 30th to February 1st, 2026—a much-anticipated annual event that draws fishing enthusiasts from across the country to the Sunshine Reservoirs.

Snowmobiling

The winter season also brings the need…the need for speed. With miles of groomed trails weaving through the Shoshone National Forest and beyond, avid snowmobilers get ready to rev their engines against a backdrop of alpine lakes, towering pines, and wide open meadows. This type of high-octane adventure is just what you need to get the blood pumping.

Ready to tear through untouched powder and feel the cold rush of freedom? Gary Fales Outfitting offers some of the best guided snowmobiling tours in the area. Whether it’s your first ride or your fiftieth, the wintery wilderness is wide open and waiting.

Cross Country Skiing

If you prefer silence over engines and grace over gears, get ready to glide into the quieter corners of Cody Yellowstone’s wilderness with cross-country skiing. Whether you’re an experienced Nordic skier or a beginner eager to try something new, the trails throughout Cody Yellowstone offer the perfect balance of challenge and tranquility.

Perhaps one of the most stunning winter landscapes in all of Cody Yellowstone, the rugged terrain at Pahaska Tepee is groomed into classic tracks plus lanes for skate skiing. Pack snacks, a thermos, and an extra layer — Pahaska Tepee may be closed for winter, but the trails are always open.

Ice Climbing

For those who like their winter adventures at a slightly higher altitude, world-class ice climbing is right at your doorstep when you visit Cody Yellowstone. The altitude and geography around the Shoshone River, combined with ideal melt-freezing temperatures for several months of the year, create the perfect playground for ice-climbing enthusiasts. 

Get ready to step out of your comfort zone and into some crampons with our friends at Wyoming Mountain Guides. Experts in climbing from rock to ice, they’re ready to make your ascent truly unforgettable. 

Fun fact: Known in the climbing community as the “U.S. mecca of ice climbing”, the South Fork Valley boasts one of the highest concentrations of frozen waterfalls in North America.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

When the temperatures dip and it’s hard to shake the cold, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West awaits. Comprising not just one, but five family-friendly museums, this Cody gem showcases a diverse range of exhibits, from sharpshooters and showmen to sacred artifacts and sweeping landscapes. Exploring the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a journey through time that pairs perfectly with the modern-day adventures just outside its doors. 

Bonus: Your admission ticket is good for two days. Trust us, you’ll want the time to explore. 

Winter in Waiting

Winter in Cody Yellowstone isn’t just a season—it’s an invitation. Whether you’re drilling through ice, chasing whiteouts on a snowmobile, scaling frozen falls, or thawing out beside legends of the West, winters here are special and demand to be experienced.

So pull on your boots, bundle up tight, and let winter show you why Cody Yellowstone is Wild Forever. Request your free Cody Yellowstone travel guide and start planning today.