Winter Operations

Canyon Ski Patrol
Canyon Ski Patrol, Yellowstone National Park, YELL 9737.

From the early days of U.S. Cavalry management of the park during the Army Era (1886 – 1918), skis and snowshoes have proven invaluable to traverse Yellowstone’s difficult terrain in the winter, as well as monitor for illegal activity. Soldiers on patrol would sometimes travel up to 20 miles a day by snowshoe. Small cabins were built at strategic locations to provide refuge from the elements on these backcountry trips. The 1887 Report of the Superintendent of the Yellowstone National Park to the Secretary of the Interior describes how the U.S. Cavalry endured one of the worst winters in recorded history in 1886, with over 40 inches of snowfall in February and temperatures consistently in the negatives. Despite the harsh conditions, the soldiers continued to monitor the backcountry for poachers who may have been using the snow as cover.

After the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916, the military transferred control of Yellowstone to the first national park rangers by 1918. These early rangers took over the Cavalry’s ski patrols and routes, continuing to work against poaching. They often skied in pairs during the day, before resting at backcountry cabins stocked with food and firewood. Rangers would sometimes have to locate and dig out the cabins from six or more feet of snow, and knock piles of snow from the roofs before they could escape the bitter temperatures.

With the expansion of motorized travel by the mid-20th century, Yellowstone’s backcountry became more accessible. Snowmobiles were introduced to the park by 1963, and winter administration and navigation became more efficient. Today, most park roads close to the public from November to March, except for snowcoach tours and permitted snowmobile traffic. Although much of the park is closed in the winter, some employees live there year-round. During the winter, rangers help deliver mail, perform structural maintenance, and conduct law enforcement duties. Some vehicles equipped for difficult winter weather have tank-like tracks instead of wheels, while others have large wheels, known as low pressure tires, to grip the snowy roads. These vehicles work with plows, graders, and groomers to make roads accessible to park staff.

Last updated: July 8, 2024

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