Snowmobile Idaho ~ Cross-Country Ski ~ Snowshoe ~ Snowmobile Yellowstone

Located just 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park in the heart of the Targhee National Forest, Grandma’s Cabin is home to some of the most exciting recreation in Idaho.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

• Snowmobile Idaho
  
• Cross-Country Skiing in Island Park, Idaho
• Rendezvous Ski Trail in West Yellowstone, Montana
• Yellowstone National Park in Winter
• Shopping
• Birdwatching

Snowmobile Island Park Idaho

Click Here: YouTube Video about snowmobiling in Island Park, Idaho

Whether adventuring inside or outside of Yellowstone for your snowmobile vacation make Grandma’s Cabin your destination. Grandma’s Cabin is centrally located in Island Park, Idaho and just west of Yellowstone National Park and West Yellowstone, Montana. Island Park Snowmobiling is where you will find over 500 miles of groomed trails in the Targhee National Forest. Connect them with Gallatin National Forest in Montana and there is 900 miles of groomed trails. Making this the best system in the West, Midwest or East. Where else can you find groomed trails with nearby meadows full of fun powder or access to mountains more than 8,700 feet high? Not to mention miles of backcountry and deep powder riding.Island Park is consistently rated in the top five snowmobile destinations by SnoWest Magazine in their “Top 15 Trails In The West.” (This year 2009-10 season, SnoWest Magazine survey, again gave Island Park an over all rating of #3 in the West.) See the Island Park Idaho Area Snowmobile Trail Map and Fremont County Grooming Report. The trail system is the exact trail system used by West Yellowstone and as you can see most of the riding is in Idaho!) West Yellowstone Grooming Report. Bring your own sleds or rent from Ken & Rena Hymas at Island Park Adventures right in Last Chance just minutes from Grandma's Cabin.

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Cross Country Ski Island Park Idaho

Island Park is winter wonder land! While staying at Grandma’s Cabin you can do so many activities you will have a hard time deciding what to do next. Cross Country Skiing surrounds you while staying at Grandma’s Cabin. You can visit Harriman State Park, located just 5 miles south of Grandma’s Cabin on Highway 20. There is a total of 24 miles of trails for skiing and snowshoeing, 19 miles are groomed with tracks, and 12 miles of these trails are groomed for skating or ski on one of the Park & Ski trails.

The Brimstone Trail/Buffalo River Trail is located approximately 5 miles north from Grandma’s Cabin on Highway 20 near the Island Park Ranger Station. The terrain varies from gentle grades to downhill. The nine miles of trail offer scenic views of the Island Park Reservoir, Box Canyon, and Buffalo River. The trail provides opportunities for all levels of skiing ability. The Buffalo River trail is 2.6 miles long.

The Fall River Ridge Park N' Ski area is located 10 miles east of Ashton on the Cave Falls Road. The various loops are suitable for beginner and intermediate use. Nearly seven miles of trails make up this area, which is groomed periodically when funding and weather conditions permit.

The Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls ski area is located seven miles northeast of Ashton on Mesa Falls Forest Highway 47. The trail parallels the snowmobile trail out to the spectacular Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. (You can also access this trail from Grandma’s Cabin in Island Park by Snowmobile.) The trail then branches away from the snowmobile trail and travels along the canyon rim, then returns to the trailhead. This trail is recommended for intermediate and advanced skiers because of the steep climb in the first mile. The trail is nearly nine miles long and is groomed periodically when funding and weather conditions permit.

Do you like the back country ski experience? How about snow shoeing? Great news! You can leave right from Grandma’s Cabin into the Targhee National Forest. Make sure to watch for wildlife and the occasional coyote or fox along Blue Creek!

Bring your own ski or snowshoes or rent from Henry's Fork Anglers in Last Chance 558-7525 or Free Heel and Wheel in West Yellowstone. Pick up and drop off arrangements can be made if necessary just ask us at Grandma's Cabin.

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Yellowstone National Park in Winter

Yes! Yellowstone is open in the winter. By over-the-snow travel that is! You may choose to travel with Backcountry Adventures by Snowmobile or Snow Coach. Take a full day tour to Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and return to Grandma's Cabin for a relaxing evening.

Snowmobile travelers in Yellowstone National Park need to be accompanied by an authorized guide and ride on the cleaner and quieter 4-stroke snowmobiles. A full day guided tour allows time to stop at the points of interest, catch the breath taking views, take some incredible Yellowstone photo’s, and do some wildlife watching along the way. (Where else can you see elk, bison, bald eagles and maybe even a wolf, all in the same day?)

Snowcoach travelers will ride in an enclosed “heated” vehicle much like a van or bus. Tours provide you with an experienced interpretive guide that will enhance your Yellowstone experience as you view the abundant wildlife and thermal features. We’ve got plenty of information at the cabin to help you plan a Yellowstone snowmobile or snowcoach trip.

Don’t limit your self to just a Snowcoach ride. Take your cross country skis with you and ski the Biscuit Basin area to Old Faithful or ski the following trails right from the town of West Yellowstone.

Yellowstone’s Riverside Ski Trail is located right from Boundary Street in West Yellowstone or through the West Entrance. This trail has a great view of the Madison River and Mt. Holmes. Watch for animal tracks and the animal. You may see elk, bison or moose along the way. And, it’s just 45 minutes from Grandma’s! This is a great Yellowstone National Park Ranger Led Program call (307) 344-2876 for the schedule.

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Don’t miss the Rendezvous Ski Trail System in West Yellowstone, Montana. The Rendezvous Ski Trails consist of over 35 kilometers of gently rolling, beautifully groomed trails that wind through tall stands of lodgepole pine and open meadows. The trail system is unique because of its location at a high altitude adjacent to the Continental Divide which produces early and late season snows. The trail system is also super user-friendly. The initial flat terrain and gently rolling hill are great for beginners Subsequent loops and optional cut-offs mean the course is never boring or predictable. You create your own route by linking together different loops from 0.9 to 7.3 KM each. A children’s play hill and local tele hill are also incorporated into the system. Volunteer and Windy Ridge Loops are designed to challenge experienced skiers. Check out the Rendezvous Ski Trail Web Cam.

While here think about a ski lesson or a guided ski tour and if you need ski's rentals they are also available.
Call or visit Free Heel and Wheel in West Yellowstone where they provide private, individual or group lessons as well as guided and custom ski trips.

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Birdwatching

Start your CHECK LIST right here at Grandma's Cabin by looking for the Morning Doves, Ruffed Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees, Downey Woodpecker, Steller's Jay,Bald Eagle, Cassin's Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and more of the popular birds in Island Park. Bird Watching for Kids. Look in the book case for the Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds to see pictures of our common species, print your check list, fill the bird feeder on the porch (you will find the food in the living room closet) and count many birds you can see. In February join the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Birdwatching is fun and challenging for everyone in the family and you can enjoy this fun family activity right from Gandma's Cabin living room, front porch and yard.

Then visit the near by Nature Conservancy's Flat Ranch, Henrys Lake State Park, Harriman State Park and Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to find even more.

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Shopping in the Area

YES! There is shopping in the area. You can find some unique gifts in Island Park, but the closest place for real shopping is West Yellowstone, Montana. You will find just about any gift you can imagine in the shops of West. There are several bookstores and countless souvenir shops. For some special gifts, check out the gift shops at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center or the Yellowstone Historic Museum at the Union Depot Building. There are also many great espresso shops and plenty of places to eat. West Yellowstone is just 45 minutes northeast of Island Park, Idaho and Grandma’s Cabin.

For those folks looking for something a little less hectic than West, a drive to Ennis Montana might be a good idea. Ennis is a small town on the Madison River that has a few neat shops that are fun to spend time in. Check out the antique stores, fishing shops, and Restvedt’s for the best jerky in Montana!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is another great destination for those who want to some great shopping. Make sure to sit in the saddles at the Cowboy Bar before leaving town. It’s a great place to stop on your day trip to the Tetons.

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