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Plan Now for a Winter Adventure in Cody Yellowstone

CODY, Wyo., October 10, 2024 — If you’re the kind of winter traveler who prefers open space and the company of wildlife (in the distance, of course) over long lift lines and pricey chili

Cross country ski trails are easy to access.

dogs, Cody Yellowstone is your kind of place.

This vast and remote northwestern Wyoming destination is a 7,000 square-mile playground year-round, and in the winter, it’s especially inviting when you can adventure by the day and have a civilized brew and hearty meal at night.

“We used to say that winter is the quiet season around here, but that has changed over the years as more and more outdoor adventure seekers discover our abundant recreational offerings and authentic vibe,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the area that includes the marketing arm of the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, a large swath of the Shoshone National Forest and about half of Yellowstone National Park. “When it’s time to shake off the chill of the day’s adventures, visitors can stroll along the Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail to sample some local brews and shop at some of the towns locally owned stores and galleries.”

Outdoor Adventures:

Snowmobile inside and outside Yellowstone National Park. Snowmobiling in the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains is a winter enthusiast’s dream adventure. While the region is

Snowmobiling is popular throughout the region.

known for its stunning beauty year-round, the powdery backcountry snow in winter is especially appealing. Guided snowmobile trips into the park are available through outfitter Gary Fales Outfitting Snowmobile Tours, and guided adventures outside the park along with snowmobile rentals are available through Out West Adventures. Check out this interactive map to see some of the region’s best snowmobile trails. Or watch this Outside Yellowstone video about snowmobiling and ice climbing.

Cross country ski through the forest. We have the tracks here in Cody Yellowstone. Skiers will find classic tracks and skate lanes along the Shoshone River at Pahaska Tepee near the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park as well as in the remote Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park. (Insider tip: If you love communing with the forest but not a bunch of people, check out the ski-in/ski-out Wood River Cabin.) Skis as well as snowshoes can be rented at Sunlight Sports, a sports store situated right on Sheridan Ave. While you’re there, be sure to connect with the Sunlight Sports Outdoor Concierge for insider knowledge about trails, conditions and more. (Another insider tip: Pick up a Sunlight Sports pint glass. Proceeds from pint glass sales at this acclaimed store – along with two percent of ALL your purchases – support numerous local organizations.)

Try ice fishing. Ice fishing can be competitive or laid back, but either way, you’re going to catch some fish. There are plentiful rainbow, brook, lake, brown and cutthroat trout in the reservoirs throughout the region. The tiny town of Meeteetse outside of Cody hosts one of the largest ice fishing competitions in the U.S. The 17th annual Meeteetse Ice Fishing Derby is scheduled for Feb 3-5, 2025, and it typically draws 300 or more participants. Fishing is a year-round pastime in Cody Yellowstone, and every season offers a different kind of fishing adventure. The fall season is especially fun, with rivers and streams bursting with fish. Fly fishing is one of the reasons Cody Yellowstone was named one of the best fall destinations in the U.S. by USA Today.

Climb ice and earn bragging rights. Hard core winter sports enthusiasts can give ice climbing a try. With more than 200 climbable pitches within a 10-mile radius, Cody Yellowstone is a celebrated ice climbing destination. Visitors can join a commercially guided ice climbing tour throughout the winter. The destination also will host the annual Wyoming Ice Fest in early January with a variety of guided climbs and skill-building clinics.

Go ice skating inside or outside. There are two places to ice skate in Cody Yellowstone. The Victor J. Riley Arena and Community Events Center is a hub for indoor skating when the local Yellowstone Quake and Park County Youth Hockey Association hockey clubs and the Absaroka Figure Skating Club aren’t practicing. You can also skate outside at the Homesteader Park outdoor rink in Powell, featuring night lighting, sideboards, warming hut and concessions.

Watch for wildlife at sunrise. There’s nothing quite like quietly (and safely!) observing wild animals while they go about their daily business. We suggest grabbing a coffee from one of the many shops and drive-throughs in town and driving along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway towards the East Gate of Yellowstone with your binoculars handy. There are numerous places to pull off the road to the North Fork of the Shoshone, South Fork of the Shoshone, Sunlight Basin and along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to scope for bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep and even moose. The Cody Yellowstone interactive map is a good place to start when planning your wildlife watching adventures.

Glittering nights beneath the stars. If you still have some energy for one more adventure, fill your thermos with something hot and head back out to one of the many remote areas within a short drive of Cody to see some of the darkest skies around. Stargazing is another year-round adventure, since most of the region is undeveloped and free of ambient light. For a preview of your stargazing adventure, check out this Outside Yellowstone video.

Après-adventure fun:

Explore the Sippin’ Trail. Cody Yellowstone has the best small town beer scene in the U.S. (We didn’t say it; USA Today did.) Download the Sippin’ Trail pass to earn points for prizes as you wander from watering hole to watering hole along Sheridan Ave. and in the nearby town of Powell.

Shop for art, Western attire and more. Cody Yellowstone is home to numerous art galleries, museum stores and shops with an array of Western-themed gift items. Pick up a pair of classic cowboy boots at the Irma Hotel gift shop or Wayne’s Boots. Take home some sweet treats from the Cowtown Candy Company or Meeteetse Chocolatier. Or choose locally made artwork on display at the Cody Country Art League.

See the cultural side of Cody. There are numerous cultural attractions like the five-museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center and By Western Hands. Winter travelers can explore lauded locations at leisure since there are far fewer visitors than there are in the summer.

Eat good food. Cody’s restaurant scene is just as vibrant as its beer scene, with award-winning restaurants like Sitti’s Table and Cody Steakhouse. Don’t miss the “Cheers” vibe of Pat’s Brew House, where before the end of the night everybody indeed might know your name. (Insider tip. Try a Chicken Lollipop at Pat’s Brew House.)

Improve your aim. The Cody Firearms Experience is an inspired attraction for visitors who want to test their shooting skills at the indoor shooting range. The facility features dozens of replica guns that showcase the history of firearms in the West.

 

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Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park. The region is known for rodeos, authentic guest and dude ranches, world-class museums and recreational adventures that reflect the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.

 

Related hashtags:

#CodyYellowstone

#CodyWyoming

#CenteroftheWest

#BuffaloBill

#Yellowstone

 

Media contact:

Mesereau Travel Public Relations

720-284-1512

[email protected]

[email protected]