2026 Winter Photography Expedition Recap

7 hours ago
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Six Days of Snow, Wildlife, and Unforgettable Moments in Yellowstone

Winter at Skyline is quiet, wild, and beautifully unpredictable. Our recent Winter Photography Expedition with professional wildlife photographer Julia Cook and an incredible group of guests was a week filled with fresh snow, remarkable wildlife encounters, and the kind of experiences that only happen when you venture into Yellowstone in its most peaceful season.

Here is a look back at each day of the adventure!

Day 1: Arrival Through the Winter Wilderness

Before sunrise, Alex and Julia departed the snowbound Skyline Lodge by snowmobile, traveling into Cooke City to retrieve the vehicles and begin the journey to Bozeman, Montana, where they welcomed our six guest photographers.

The return trip to Skyline was anything but ordinary. Even before reaching Yellowstone National Park, the group encountered wildlife, stopping to photograph a herd of bighorn sheep, elk, and a striking pair of bald eagles.

As daylight faded, they arrived in Cooke City and exchanged vehicles for a snowcat ride, traveling the final three miles through deep winter snow into Skyline Lodge. Waiting inside was a warm welcome and a prime rib dinner prepared from scratch. After a full evening of homemade food and introductions, everyone settled in to rest before their first full day of photography.

Day 2: Fresh Snow and First Tracks in Lamar Valley

The morning began with an incredible breakfast prepared by Liz, known to many guests simply as Nana, before boarding the snowcat bound for Yellowstone. Within moments of heading toward the Northeast Entrance, a red fox crossed the road, offering an immediate and unforgettable photo opportunity. Overnight snowfall had blanketed the park, creating pristine conditions as we entered Lamar Valley, where bison moved slowly through fresh powder.

Continuing north past Roosevelt Junction, the group stopped at historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel for lunch and explored the terraces, learning how hot water dissolves underground limestone and deposits it as travertine, forming the iconic formations.

On the return drive, two moose feeding on willow and a bull elk grazing roadside offered additional photography moments before heading back to the ranch for dinner and preparation for another early morning.

Day 3: Snowfall, Moose, and a Coyote in the Valley

French toast and bacon fueled the group before another full day in the field. Heavy snowfall near the Soda Butte area created dramatic scenes, including a lone bison moving through the storm and three moose traveling across the valley.

We spent nearly an hour photographing in the swirling snow before continuing past Gardiner along Yellowstone’s historic entrance road. Along the way, we captured images of pronghorn, ravens, and more bighorn sheep.

Returning through Lamar Valley, the group witnessed a memorable moment as a coyote trotted through the snowy landscape, blending perfectly into the winter scene.

Back at Skyline, another hearty dinner awaited, followed by a well-deserved serving of chocolate decadence.

Day 4: Winter Adventures

Midweek offered a change of pace as guests split into smaller groups to enjoy different winter experiences.

One group ventured above Cooke City to Daisy and Lulu Pass for a guided snowmobiling excursion, while another group set out on snowshoes directly from the lodge into the Beartooth Mountains. Traveling alongside the river, they observed tracks, birds, and the quiet details of winter with their guide.

After regrouping for a soup and salad lunch, we returned to Yellowstone for an afternoon session. A walk along Soda Butte Creek led us in search of American dippers, followed by encounters with a playful coyote and a majestic bull bison beneath Barronette Peak.

The day concluded with another fox sighting and a group photo at the Yellowstone National Park sign before returning to Skyline.

Day 5: Eagles, Moose, and a Perfect Final Day

On our final full day, Lamar Valley delivered immediately. Two golden eagles and an American dipper were spotted early, followed shortly by two bald eagles perched above the Lamar River. With patience, we watched them take flight, creating one of the most rewarding photography moments of the week.

A midmorning hike to Wraith Falls provided a scenic break before returning to the valley, where we encountered six moose feeding along the Soda Butte River. One bull still carried its antlers, a rare and exciting sight that made for extraordinary photographs and quickly became a highlight of the trip.

Additional coyote sightings rounded out the day before we returned to Cooke City for one final snowcat ride back to the lodge.

That evening’s farewell dinner featured beef tenderloin and homemade cheesecake, followed by an informal editing session with Julia and a chance for everyone to share favorite images from the week.

Day 6: Farewell to the Winter Range

Our final morning began with one last breakfast shared among new friends before departing Skyline and making the journey back through the park toward the Bozeman Airport.

Even on departure day, Yellowstone offered a few final gifts, including pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles in Paradise Valley.

Goodbyes were said, memories were exchanged, and another unforgettable winter week at Skyline came to a close.

A Week That Reminds Us Why Winter Matters

Winter strips Yellowstone down to its essentials. The crowds disappear, the wildlife moves freely, and every encounter feels personal. This safari was filled with quiet moments, dramatic weather, and incredible photography, but more than anything, it was a reminder of how special this season truly is.

We are already looking forward to returning next winter.

Special Thanks to Julia Cook

A special thank you to the incredibly talented Julia Cook Wildlife for leading such a memorable workshop. If an experience like this speaks to you, we invite you to explore future events with Julia, including our Wild Spring Photo Expedition and two Winter Photo Expeditions planned for 2027.