Yellowstone Winter Trip

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1 Trip Summary Experience a white winter wonderland in Yellowstone National Park as you explore Old s Faithful s geothermal features and Mammoth Hot Spring s terraces by ski or snowshoe. Dog sled under the shadow of the towering Absaroka Mountains and search for wildlife from your Bombardier snowcoach. At night curl up by the fireplace with a mug of steaming hot chocolate while you anticipate the next snow-filled day. Itinerary Day 1: Bozeman / Mammoth Hot Springs This morning we leave Bozeman en route to Yellowstone through snow covered Paradise Valley Enter America s first national park through the famous Roosevelt Arch and head up to Mammoth Hot Springs After a welcome meeting in front of the warm fireplace of the Mammoth Hotel, we snowshoe the Terrace Loop, taking in the white, orange, and yellow limestone travertine formations, constantly changing over time After a lunch provided by your guides, shuttle to Tower Fall where we cross country ski through a cold, wintery wonderland This evening at the Mammoth Hotel, enjoy dinner with your guides in the dining room before a restful sleep Overnight Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel (L, D) Day 2: Mammoth Hot Springs / Old Faithful Today we ride the snowcoach to Old Faithful, keeping a watchful eye out for bison, elk, deer, and coyotes After a hearty lunch provided by your guides at the Snow Lodge, explore the Upper Geyser Basin s (Old Faithful s home) boardwalks and trails by snowshoe Learn about Yellowstone s four geothermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles, at Old Faithful s brand new interactive Visitor Center After dinner, opt for a park ranger talk to learn more about your spectacular surroundings Overnight Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B, L, D) Day 3: Spring Creek / Old Faithful Ride the Bombardier snowcoach up Craig Pass to begin today s adventure, cross-country skiing We start at the Divide trailhead and follow Spring Creek, crossing this frozen stream several times over a series of bridges and eventually join the Lone Star Geyser trail to return to Old Faithful Lunch on the trail Upon returning to the Snow Lodge, opt for an afternoon ski around Old Faithful to take in a few more steaming hot springs or head over to the ice skating rink to try your hand at figure skating This evening, we dine in the Snow Lodge s dining room and listen to a ranger talk if desired Overnight Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B, L, D) Day 4: Cascade Loop Trail / Mammoth Hot Springs This morning you have the option to cross country ski the 3 mile Fern Cascades Loop Trail or snowshoe 2 miles up to Observation Point, a lookout over the steaming Upper Geyser Basin After a lunch prepared by your guides, return to Mammoth Hot Springs by snowcoach under towering lodgepole pine trees Upon arrival in Mammoth, we will say our goodbyes to Yellowstone as we shuttle to our next destination, Chico Hot Springs Take a dip in the natural hot spring pools before feasting on a delectable Montana style dinner in the Chico Dining Room make sure to sample the flaming orange for dessert! Overnight Chico Hot Springs Resort (B, L, D) 1

2 Day 5: Chico Hot Springs / Bozeman After a Mushing 101 lesson, we embark on a dog sledding excursion through frosty Paradise Valley under the towering Absaroka Mountain Range After a last tasty lunch, we depart for Bozeman where you will be dropped off at the airport or your hotel for your post-trip stay (B, L) **Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin- Lehman Adventures. Activities Snowshoeing: 1.5 miles to 3 miles, easy to moderate terrain. Cross-Country Skiing: 3 to 10 miles, easy to moderate terrain. Dog Sledding: No experience necessary. Ice skating: No experience necessary. Discovery: Unlock the mysteries of Yellowstone s geyser basins. Take in the beauty of an Old Faithful eruption with a snowy backdrop. Explore the travertine limestone Mammoth Terraces, a landscape that resembles a cave turned inside out, with its delicate features exposed for all to see. Discover your inner scientist at the newly built Old Faithful Visitor Center as you investigate the how s and why s of Yellowstone s four geothermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Experience Yellowstone by snow coach, one of the only motorized ways to enter the Park in the winter with so much snow on the road! Stand with one foot on each side of the Continental Divide at Craig Pass as eater on your East flows to the Gulf of Mexico and water on your West drains to the Pacific Ocean. Witness the amount of acreage burned by the fires of 1988 and take a look at just how close the fires came to destroying the Old Faithful Inn. Gee, Haw, Mush, Whoa learn the terms of dog sledding as you slide through Paradise Valley s winter wonderland. Learn why Chico Hot Springs Resort is a favorite celebrity haunt. Come explore Big Sky Country in the winter! Austin-Lehman guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, Austin-Lehman guides will help you select the distance that s right for you. 2

3 Distinctive Accommodations Night 1: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel In the early days, Yellowstone s visitors began their park exploration at Mammoth Hot Springs, naed after the steaming limestone terraces just above the hotel area. Today, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and cabins offers a warm welcome to winter visitors. Elk routinely graze outside the hotel around the parade grounds of what was once Fort Yellowstone. Nights 2 3: Old Faithful Snow Lodge Completed in 1999, the Snow Lodge is the newest of the park s full service hotels, and features heavy timber construction, exterior log columns and a cedar shingle roof, making it a significant example of classic parkitecture. In winter, Old Faithful Snow Lodge offers a truly unique experience. From this snowy haven, you can set out on a variety of explorations: cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowcoach tours. Enjoy the fire as you sip a hot beverage in the lounge while the snow falls lazily outside. Night 4: Chico Hot Springs Resort The perfect location for your Montana getaway. This historic resort is located in the heart of Paradise Valley, just north of Yellowstone National Park and nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Absaroka Mountain Range. Chico offers an extraordinary variety of accommodations, exceptional dining, outdoor adventures, live entertainment, ultimate relaxation, all with a warm smile and welcoming spirit from their friendly staff. This rustic-chic inn and day spa boasts mineral hot spring-fed pools, extensive gardens, & soothing spa services. In June of 1999, Chico Hot Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Meals The hallmark of an Austin-Lehman vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by the detailed daily itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price. 3

4 Arrival and Departures Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 8:00 or 8:15 am, depending on your hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Bozeman airport (2:00 pm) or your Bozeman hotel (2:30 pm). You may choose to add on an extension to ski Big Sky, Bridger, or Moonlight Basin. Trip Price $2,198 ($580 single supplement) Trip Length 5 days / 4 nights 2013 Dates December 22 26, 2013 December 29, 2013 January 2, 2014 Host City Bozeman, Montana Airport code: BZN Reservations & Availability For us, Montana is home. For adventurers, it s paradise. 4

5 Trip Reservations Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due To make a reservation, contact Austin-Lehman with your choice of trip and dates. A $500 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days. Choose one of the following contact methods: Toll free: Phone: Online: austinlehman.com/reservations.htm reservations@austinlehman.com Mail: Austin-Lehman Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT * You may also book your Austin-Lehman adventure with your preferred travel professional. ** We accept most major credit cards and personal checks (U.S. funds made payable to Austin-Lehman Adventures). Please do not send cash. Included in the Trip Price Double occupancy rooms with private baths. Meals as indicated by daily itinerary. Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners. Any necessary equipment, all safe and well maintained. Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip. Austin-Lehman T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service. Pre-departure and packing information. Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees. Not Included in the Trip Price Gratuities to Austin-Lehman guides. Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities. Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses. Air and land transportation to/from host cities. All types of personal insurance. Personal expenses. Pre-departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days. 5

6 Private Custom Trips Maybe your vacation schedule doesn t fit our list of trips and dates. Or perhaps you d prefer a slightly different itinerary or level of luxury and activity. A Custom Adventure is the perfect answer. You pick the date and destination and brief us on the size of your group, what activities you want, your must haves and just how you like to relax and unwind. No detail is too small, no idea too outrageous. Our staff of experts will help create a tailor-made vacation that s just right for you and your group. In short, if you can dream it, we can make it happen. Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments All trip prices are based on double adult room occupancy. Each additional person in a room receives a 10% discount (not combinable with other discounts). Single rooms are available for an additional charge. If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room and you inform us of this at the time of booking (a minimum of 90 days prior to departure) we will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you. On most trips, if we are unable to accommodate your request, you will receive a private room and be assessed 50% of the customary single supplement. Child Age and Pricing on Family Adventures Family Adventures are suitable for children 7 years old and up (5 years and older for our Yellowstone and Costa Rica Family Adventures). Children who share a room with one or more adults receive reduced rates. The minimum age on our non-family designated adult and teen adventures is 16 years old. Cancellations and Refunds The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect: ***As with deposits on some international and custom programs, refund schedule may vary, speak with your Adventure Consultant for details. Cancellation 91 days or more before trip departure Full trip payment refunded less a $300 per person administration fee Cancellation days before trip departure Full trip payment less 25% per person is refunded Cancellation days before trip departure 50% of the trip payment is refunded Cancellation 0-30 days before trip departure No refund is given Our Guarantee Exceeding your expectations is our number one priority. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with something during your trip, immediately notify your guide(s). If he or she is unable to resolve the issue, call our main office and give us the details of the problem, and a chance to correct it. We will do our best to find a resolution. If we are unable to do so during your trip, we will work with you upon your return home to arrive at a fair and equitable solution, including up to a full refund. 6