Posted by Bernie Wolff on November 2, 2015 at 6:41 PM
I am looking for a couple of interested photographers who would like to share the cost of a Snow Coach Charter into Yellowstone National Park. I have booked a small coach for January 19th and 20th. There are many wonderful Tours and Workshops offered by great photographers into Yellowstone at this time. The Gerlach’s and Dale Franz come to mind. These tours last about 7 days which is longer than I want to be in the interior of the park. We would stay in the park for about 10 hours on an average. We have Yellowstone Senior Passes which will should get everyone into the park without having to pay the entrance fee.
Here are the details for sharing the cost of the Snow Coach. At least the Coaches are Heated.
The coach company is Yellowstone Vacations: Here is their website address and if you scroll down you will find the charter costs: http://www.yellowstonevacation…..nter-tours
Daily rental: $795
7% tax: $ 56
Daily Total $851 times 2 Days = $1702.00 plus 15% Gratuity for Driver
Total Cost for Snow Coach for 2 days = $ 1957.30
My wife who does not do any photography and myself are all in. I am looking for 2 or 3 photographers who to share the cost of the coach rental.
2 additional people sharing would cost each person $489.33 for 2 days
3 additional people sharing would cost each person $391.46 for 2 days.
We control where we go and how long we stay at any one spot. This is not for the general tourist. We would go to the Canyon area were the upper and lower Falls are located and than into part of Hayden Valley on 1 day. We will have to bring a box lunch with us on this day. The 2nd day we would do the area around the Madison river, Norris Basin and the Firehole River. We could bring a box lunch or could plan to eat at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and photograph Old Faithful if our timing is correct. The snow coaches have to stay on the groomed roads. No cross county driving. The driver or quide usually knows where to find the animals. I rent 600 MM lens for a trip like this. Plus I add a 1.4 tele extender and shoot a crop sensor. But really, there are times I wish I had a 800mm. But there are other times I use my 70 – 200. You will also need to bring lens for landscape. I would suggest bringing a tripod and a head for long lenses.
Everyone pays their own lodging, food, and transportation to and from West Yellowstone.
The closest airport is in Bozeman Mt. which is about 2 1/2 hours away. There are many lodging choices in West Yellowstone. We are staying at the Grey Wolf Inn for, at a Senior rate, of about $90 per night. We are renting a car but I am sure there is a bus type service that will go from the Bozeman Airport to West Yellowstone.
My plan for my trip will be driving to Gardiner Montana, the northern entrance to the park, for 3 days. While there I will be driving into Lamar Valley to photograph the animals and landscapes. If you are interested in tagging along in the northern part of the park just let me know. Than I will drive to West Yellowstone for interior photography of the animals and landscapes we find. This is where we will have to use the Snow Coach.
I will be posting this on other nature forums but wanted to give my fellow members a first shot at this. I know this is not a inexpensive trip but at least the Snow Coach portion is a deal.
If you chose to sign up I would need at least $200 to secure your spot., The balance due by early December, If you change your mind you will forfeit your $200 unless I or you can find someone else to want to come along.
I am making no money off this trip. I just want to lower my out of pocket expenses somewhat. I did 2 days by snow coach 3 years ago and it was awesome. I signed up for Dale Franz tour and it cost me about $2800 for 7 days., but it was a great tour.
Please feel free to contact me direct for more information:
This will be a wonderful trip but we are at the mercy of the weather and the animals. It will be very cold. The temperature range will be anywhere from +20 to -40. Dress in layers, have warm boots.
Hope to hear from some of you soon. This trip will go fast.
Discussion
0 repliesI am looking for a couple of interested photographers who would like to share the cost of a Snow Coach Charter into Yellowstone National Park. I have booked a small coach for January 19th and 20th. There are many wonderful Tours and Workshops offered by great photographers into Yellowstone at this time. The Gerlach’s and Dale Franz come to mind. These tours last about 7 days which is longer than I want to be in the interior of the park. We would stay in the park for about 10 hours on an average. We have Yellowstone Senior Passes which will should get everyone into the park without having to pay the entrance fee.
Here are the details for sharing the cost of the Snow Coach. At least the Coaches are Heated.
The coach company is Yellowstone Vacations: Here is their website address and if you scroll down you will find the charter costs: http://www.yellowstonevacation…..nter-tours
Daily rental: $795
7% tax: $ 56
Daily Total $851 times 2 Days = $1702.00 plus 15% Gratuity for Driver
Total Cost for Snow Coach for 2 days = $ 1957.30
My wife who does not do any photography and myself are all in. I am looking for 2 or 3 photographers who to share the cost of the coach rental.
2 additional people sharing would cost each person $489.33 for 2 days
3 additional people sharing would cost each person $391.46 for 2 days.
We control where we go and how long we stay at any one spot. This is not for the general tourist. We would go to the Canyon area were the upper and lower Falls are located and than into part of Hayden Valley on 1 day. We will have to bring a box lunch with us on this day. The 2nd day we would do the area around the Madison river, Norris Basin and the Firehole River. We could bring a box lunch or could plan to eat at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and photograph Old Faithful if our timing is correct. The snow coaches have to stay on the groomed roads. No cross county driving. The driver or quide usually knows where to find the animals. I rent 600 MM lens for a trip like this. Plus I add a 1.4 tele extender and shoot a crop sensor. But really, there are times I wish I had a 800mm. But there are other times I use my 70 – 200. You will also need to bring lens for landscape. I would suggest bringing a tripod and a head for long lenses.
Everyone pays their own lodging, food, and transportation to and from West Yellowstone.
The closest airport is in Bozeman Mt. which is about 2 1/2 hours away. There are many lodging choices in West Yellowstone. We are staying at the Grey Wolf Inn for, at a Senior rate, of about $90 per night. We are renting a car but I am sure there is a bus type service that will go from the Bozeman Airport to West Yellowstone.
My plan for my trip will be driving to Gardiner Montana, the northern entrance to the park, for 3 days. While there I will be driving into Lamar Valley to photograph the animals and landscapes. If you are interested in tagging along in the northern part of the park just let me know. Than I will drive to West Yellowstone for interior photography of the animals and landscapes we find. This is where we will have to use the Snow Coach.
I will be posting this on other nature forums but wanted to give my fellow members a first shot at this. I know this is not a inexpensive trip but at least the Snow Coach portion is a deal.
If you chose to sign up I would need at least $200 to secure your spot., The balance due by early December, If you change your mind you will forfeit your $200 unless I or you can find someone else to want to come along.
I am making no money off this trip. I just want to lower my out of pocket expenses somewhat. I did 2 days by snow coach 3 years ago and it was awesome. I signed up for Dale Franz tour and it cost me about $2800 for 7 days., but it was a great tour.
Please feel free to contact me direct for more information:
wolffphotography@hotmail.com or call or text me at 217 721-5765
This will be a wonderful trip but we are at the mercy of the weather and the animals. It will be very cold. The temperature range will be anywhere from +20 to -40. Dress in layers, have warm boots.
Hope to hear from some of you soon. This trip will go fast.
Bernie