Winter Photo Tour in Yellowstone???

Has anyone rented a snow coach for a private photo tour in
Yellowstone. If so what was your experience.

Or

Has anyone gone on an organized photo tour in Yellowstone. If
so who do you recommend.

Thanks

Bernie

The Colorado Mountain Club does a tour to the park usually in Feb. It includes a bus ride from Denver and snow coach in and out of Old Faithful. Also a stop in the elk refuge.
I've done it three times and it has been great. A snow coach to the Lamar valley can be arranged, though I've not done it. (Can you stand to spend all day in a snow coach?)

Bernie, If I was to do a YNP photo shoot I would recommend Gerlach photography out of West Yellowstone. They use snowmobiles and both John and Barbra are exceptional photographers. Every thing is included: Food, equipment, clothes and lodging. They go out for the entire day and are one of the only tours who have a special pass to stay out until after sunset. If you want a snow coach tour there are many available. I would choose one thats for photography only. Its expensive last time I checked it was around 700. for a day to rent a coach. Wouldn't be bad if you could round up a couple of other photographers. Then you could split the cost and would have full control to stop and go whenever you wish.

I went on a snow mobile photo group tour there last winter.

It's all about expectations.

The tour leaders worked long and hard and we covered lots of ground.

But...I had assumed we would be starting before sunrise so that we would be in position for dawn shots. Don't assume. We started at 8. When a few of us asked to start earlier, no dice.

Also, we spent more time at many sites than I would have preferred (as in 2 hours vs. 1 hour). But when you're part of a group, you don't have individual control.

Again, in fairness to the guides, they had us out there for long days. They worked hard.

So don't make the mistake I made - don't assume.

I haven't gone, but if/when I do, it will be with the Gerlachs. They live up there so they know the park as well as anyone can. Also, they are experienced photographers so they cater to photographic needs. To top it off, they are really nice people and easy to get along with! Just my two cents...

I am going in early Feb with a group of 3 other photographers, and we arranged 4 days with a snow coach and guide who will take us anywhere we want to go that the coaches are allowed, and at any time of day. The guide works for Yellowstone Alpine Guides and is a friend of one of the photographers. We are all pitching in and he will stay with one of us at the Old Faithful Lodge for 2 nights. 2 days of the snow coach will be out of West Yellowstone and 2 out of Old Faithful. It's expensive - $3500 for the guide and snowcoach for 4 days, which includes sack lunches. I really think this is the way to do it, but we will see how it goes.

Have you looked at the Joseph van Os photo safaris? They do an annual Yellowstone workshop in winter.

If anyone gets a group tour going (hiring a guide, coach, whatever), get in touch. i still haven't been beyond the gates in winter, despite the fact that I live two hours away from Yellowstone now!

I would also be interested. I rented a snowmobile many years ago and it was great, but very cold. Technology and rules are very different now. I think the key is being in control and not a guide who isn't committed to the same experience.

Jesse/Ed, I have also been looking into a possible trip in the Feb time frame and have been looking into this option. Are your schedules pretty flexible for that time?

I might be interested as well, depending on when.

If you don't mind going in from the north side, the Yellowstone Institute has a couple of photo classes in the winter.

I can highly recommend Jess Lee at jessleephotos.com . He also lives just outside West Yellowstone and runs safaris and workshops and uses the snow coaches. He has an awesome collection of wolf shots, including a Nat Geo cover shot this past year.

What are you going to Yellowstone for in the winter?
Wildlife?
two things to consider:
Wolf mating in February, lots of opportunities to see them from Mammoth to Cook City. Buffalo, Elk, Coyotes, Big Horn Sheep, etc.
March is the month they assign a research team to each wolf pack from Mammoth to Cook City. They document every activity sun up to sun down. Wolf kills are easy to find, just find a research team. They don't mind interested parties to watch and listen. Many are eager to share.

Great Fun

Not a lot to add except a snow coach isn't available or required from Mammoth to the Lamar Valley, and Cooke City. The northern part of the park's road is kept open year round. The Yellowstone Association has wolf and wildlife tours in winter as well as the photography seminars. There are snowshoeing trips as well. They fill up fast so you have to sign up early.

I have gone on several workshops with Dale Franz, inckluding his winter in Yellowstone one, and recommend him very highly. He is in touch with other professional photographers by short-wave radio, so knows where the animals are, and will also get to to the right place for sunrise/sunset shots.
Dale is also an excellent instructor, which will help you improve your photos -something a non-pro-guide cannot do.
If you want good photos, imo, you have to go on a PHOTOGRAPHER-oriented workshop.
http://www.franzfoto.com/

Sandy

Thanks for the original poster and the replies, I've been thinking about a winter trip to yellowstone. Now to acquire the dough...