We offer our guests numerous opportunities to partake in the winter activities of the ranch. The season finds us working young Suffolk draft horses in training-visitors enjoy the early morning feeding trips, where a team delivers hay to the rest of the herd (this is also a great opportunity to view wildlife). Ecological activities such as viewing and photographing wild birds, wildlife tracking (wolves, moose, elk, wolverine) and observing the marvel of winter night skies ensure enduring memories. And, for wholesome snow-season sport, try your hand at cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and sledding.

We groom approximately 30 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiers, snowshoers and winter wildlife watchers to enjoy. Both skate-ski lanes and classic tracks are maintained daily. Our conditions predictably offer blue wax conditions much of the winter. With advanced notice and an additional charge, we are happy to arrange guided ski and snowshoe tours, and ski lessons on the ranch.

Three primary trail systems depart from the Nordic Tent near the lodge and head into the Basin. Our terrain offers a variety of ski challenges, but the most effortless trail, Willow Way, rolls south past the horse arena. The route crosses a skier bridge over Tom Miner Creek, and continues on a 6.5 kilometer loop. For an easy kilometer, the trail wends through willows and an open meadow, then among a distinctive aspen grove. Hidden in the willows, the Davis Cabin homestead still stands, a tribute to a family that arrived in the Basin in the early 1900s. There's shelter inside, a few chairs and evidence of a homesteaders rugged, bucolic life, including a rustic outhouse nearby.

Willow Way cruises another kilometer to meet the Anderson Trail, which is a straight shot, slightly downhill ego-boosting cruiser back to the Nordic Tent. Another short trail leads south from this junction to the Anderson Cabin, a one-room warming hut. Terrain is similar although once out of the aspens and alders, views appear: of 10,300-foot Ramshorn Peak, Twin Peaks, Sheep Mountain, Specimen Ridge and Yellowstone's boundary. Watch for owl wing prints in the snow where a snowy or great horned owl caught a rodent, revealing evidence of life existing below the snow.

Intermediate skiers and snowshoers find the Skully Loop trail initially challenging, then delightful. The track begins at the Nordic tent, heading west. After maneuvering past a frozen pond and between large aspens, the trail connects to Tini's Revenge. Tini's Revenge thankfully meets the forgiving Skully Loop, yet while en route, skiers wonder if the devilish .3 kilometer, 400-foot climb is truly worthwhile. It is. Once at Skully Tent warming hut, Mountain Lion Run trail and Skully Loop head off through timbered and rolling terrain. For a jolly break, try the sleds (stored in the Skully Tent). The fast ski back down from the tent is a .3 kilometer speed run for thrill seekers and skiers with powerful snowplows. Watch for evidence of mule deer, elk and the resident moose with her ungainly calf.

The more challenging Reed Sawmill Trail climbs from the Nordic Tent heading west, then north. The trail climbs en route to a cabin that was once part of the Reed family sawmill operation. A nearly 10 kilometer round trip in the Pine Creek drainage, this trail offers scenic views of Paradise Valley, Emigrant Peak, and the lower portion of Tom Miner Basin. The trail ascends through summer pastures and into wooded Middle Creek drainage and continues to climb to the Sawmill Cabin at 7,400 feet. The return trip offers fast downhills, banked turns and views of nearly the entire B Bar Ranch lands.

The ranch has numerous pairs of adults and kids snowshoes but no ski rentals. Ski equipment is available in Livingston at Timber Trails (406) 222-9550 and in Bozeman at Northern Lights (406) 586-2225 and Bangtail Sports (406) 587-4905.

Many of our guests choose to ski, snowshoe or look for wildlife-including wolves-in neighboring Yellowstone National Park (we share a boundary line with the park but no road; its 26 road miles from the ranch to the park entrance station in Gardiner. The park road between Gardiner, Mammoth and Cooke City remains open in winter).

Dog-sledding in the Paradise Valley is another popular excursion, as is soaking in the natural hot spring pools or pampering yourself with a decadent massage or other spa treatment at nearby Chico Hot Springs & Day Spa.

We encourage guests to arrange for a guide for off-ranch activities; with advanced notice, we are also happy to help with this.

Activities  |  Food & Drink  |  Accommodations