Yellowstone-Tetons in Winter questions

I am looking at doing a winter trip to Tetons and Yellowstone. Looking for any advice/tips. Hoping some folks here could offer some input as most of what I find on the web is geared to the ski or snowmobile crowd. This is really a trip with the wife so it will be photography in the mornings for me. Then us maybe going snow shoeing or if possible take a snow coach into Yellowstone, or similar. It will also mean a hotel and not a tent :-) I know that Yellowstone is mostly closed with a few exceptions from Gardiner or West Yellowstone entrances, but I was wondering about Jackson and seeing the Tetons and maybe going into the south Yellowstone entrance via snowcoach or snowmobile.

I have been to the area but it was August and we came in from Cody and went out the north entrance. Note -I am really there for the landscape, any animals are a bonus.

What I was considering was flying into Jackson Hole-being in Texas I can get a direct flight from DFW into JH.

Staying in Jackson I am presuming I could have a couple of mornings to photograph the Tetons from the overlooks or road. Days might be arounf Tetons or daytrip into Yellowstone.

Can you do a snowcoach from the south entrance into Yellowstone? I see some websites say you can but I couldn't find anyone who actually did it. If so is that a decent tour?

So, if you were going to Yellowstone in winter would Jackson be a good place or would Gardiner, West Yellowstone or going to the winter lodge at Old Faithful be the best bet?

Any tips for photography beyond the normal cold weather dress warm and be careful of condensation on cameras? I have bee out in Wisconsin in 25 below so I figure that Wyoming cant be much worse.

Thanks.

My wife and I have been to GTNP/YNP in winter ~ 8x. We are going to GTNP at the end of this month. It is very different every time. Your WI trip is probably a very good benchmark to prepare for WY in winter. It can be clear and extreme cold, or snowing like crazy and relatively warm.

I'd recommend Jan/Feb for the true feeling of winter. March has good storms, but too many warm periods and trees lose the heavy flocked look. If you fly into Jackson, consider staying at Dornan's cabins in Moose. The cabins are great and the resort is situated on the border of GTNP. You have many options for recreation, shooting, dining etc. from this area. You can also take the snow coach from the south border of YNP at Flagg Ranch. From Flagg, take the snow coach to Old Faithful - it's a ~ 4 hour ride with numerous scenic stops. At OF, you can snowshoe, xc ski, and shoot around the boarwalks - wear Yak Traks to stay upright! The food is good and the rooms are clean, but mostly dorm style. Spend at least 2 nights there and be well-prepared with extra batteries, a trash bag to put your camera bag in when you come inside, pac boots, snack foods - and maybe other foods to avoid sitting in the restaurant too much, hand and toe warmers....there is a ranger talk for nightly entertainment and watching OF go off at night with no one around is amazing. We once watched the geyser in -30 temps and the ice crystals made a tinkling sound on landing, frozen on the way down. If you decide to go to OF, spend at least 2 nights and make your reservations now.

Good Luck!

Dave-

Thanks for the detailed reply, it was just the type of info I was looking for.

I already went to look at Dornans. I had spotted another location called Spring Creek Ranch but now I have a coupe possible locations in JH.

I had only been thinking of a day trip coach ride into Yellowstone, but your comment got me to thinking staying a couple of nights at the OF winter lodging.

This is getting better all the time as a trip!

Thanks!!!