General Information ~ Summer
Safety, Responsibility, and Risk
Your safety is important to the Institute. We have established procedures to reduce medical emergencies and to provide treatment of those that nonetheless occur. Staff are trained to follow these procedures and receive additional training in driver safety, wilderness medicine, and the use of portable radios to contact National Park Service emergency services.
But the Institute needs and expects you to help us in these efforts by taking an active role in protecting yourself. Before arriving for a program, you should be careful to choose a program that is appropriate to your medical and physical condition, fully and accurately inform the Institute of relevant medical conditions, consult with your personal physician about any relevant medical conditions, and secure all recommended clothing and equipment. Once you arrive, you need to continually monitor your condition and any external hazards, make prudent decisions, stay hydrated and well fed, and keep Institute staff informed of how you are doing. Despite our combined efforts, Institute programs entail some inherent risks, many of which are associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity in high altitude mountainous or wilderness terrain. Even programs that include little activity and do not stray far from developed areas may take place in areas where advanced medical care may be significantly delayed.
Release from Legal Liability and Collection of Health Information
On receipt of your completed registration form we will send you an Assumption of Risks/Release of Liability form that must be signed by all participants, minors and adults. We will also send you a form to assist us in identifying medical issues that may arise during your course or activity. All information on this form will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by Institute staff or a licensed physician.
Lodging and Meals
Field seminars: For field seminars based at the Lamar Valley Buffalo Ranch, lodging is available on a first-come, first-serve basis for an additional fee of $25 per person per night, and students must bring and cook their own meals. A portion of this fee is contributed to the National Park Service for maintenance of the field campus. For field seminars at other locations in the park, lodging and food are not included in the tuition fee but rooms are set aside for course participants to reserve on their own at least 30 days in advance and the selected lodges all have restaurant facilities nearby.
Backpacking Courses: Participants in backpacking courses must bring and prepare their own meals.
Yellowstone Ed-Ventures: For Yellowstone Ed-Ventures students must make their own arrangements for lodging and meals.
Lodging & Learning: Daily breakfast and box lunch are included in the cost of each Lodging & Learning package, some packages include dinner.
Transportation to and from Yellowstone:
For all Institute programs, students must arrange their own transportation to and from the location where the program begins. For those arriving by air, we recommend renting a car or contacting the registrar for information on public transportation.
Transportation during Institute Programs
Field seminars and Lodging & Learning: The Institute’s 15-passenger vehicles will be used for group transportation once a program begins.
Backpacking courses: For backpacking courses that require a vehicle shuttle, an Institute vehicle may be available but carpooling may be necessary in some cases.
Yellowstone Ed-Ventures: Institute vehicles are available for Yellowstone Ed-Ventures.
Academic Credit
For some field seminars, credit is available from Colorado State University (CSU). These courses are marked as "credit pending" by their course description. Courses are generally one semester hour. On the first day of the course, the participant must fill out a registration form and write a tuition check payable directly to the sponsoring university. Credit fees range from $70-$80 per semester hour and are in addition to the tuition and cabin fees. For specific fee information, contact the Institute registrar at 307-344-2294. To receive academic credit, participants may be required to successfully complete exams and other assignments.
Letter of Certification
For field seminar participants, the Institute will gladly provide a letter of course completion, which includes the course title, description, and hours of instruction.
Location
All Lodging and Learning programs are held at park hotels. Field seminars may be based at either the Institute’s Lamar Valley Buffalo Ranch field campus or at a park hotel. Backcountry courses take place in the wilderness in and around Yellowstone National Park. Course locations are included in each program description.
Altitude
Most of Yellowstone Park is above 6000 feet. If you are coming from a much lower elevation, it is wise to allow yourself at least one "easy" day to adjust to this altitude before beginning strenuous activity. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Children
Children who meet stated minimum age requirements are very welcome in family programs. All other courses are designed for adults only (age 18 and older). However, children 16 years and older may participate if accompanied by a participating adult.
Pets, RVs, and Camping
To avoid disturbing other students and resident wildlife, pets are not allowed at the Buffalo Ranch field campus or on any Institute courses. National Park Service regulations prohibit camping and recreational vehicle use at the field campus.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a national education program designed to encourage minimum impact skills and ethics among outdoor users. The Institute endorses this program and includes the LNT curriculum in our classes.
General Information ~ Winter
Winter in Yellowstone
Winter is a particularly enjoyable time to visit Yellowstone, but staying safe and comfortable in all weather conditions requires planning and preparation. Please read the following information so that you know what to expect and how to prepare.
Winter Weather
Winter in Yellowstone begins early and ends late. Snow usually begins to accumulate in November, and it does not melt until late spring, except in the lower elevation valleys in the northern portion of the park. Temperatures in November range from the thirties during the day to the teens at night. During the deep winter period of December through February, average highs are around freezing, nighttime lows average around 10 degrees, and it is common for temperatures to drop below zero. Because winter weather in Yellowstone can vary from mild to extreme, it is wise to come prepared for all possibilities.
Winter Equipment
Proper equipment ensures that you will stay warm and dry in all conditions. We recommend layers of synthetic and wool clothing, with a nylon shell to provide protection from the wind. By adding or removing layers as your exertion level changes, you can maintain a comfortable body temperature without perspiring. A list of recommended clothing and equipment for winter courses is sent to all course participants, and we will be glad to answer specific questions.
Ski and Snowshoe Rental
Cross-country skis and snowshoes can be rented from the Xanterra Parks & Resorts ski shop in Mammoth at 307-344-5276. Skis can be rented from Park’s Fly Shop in Gardiner, Montana, at 406-848-7314.
Getting to the Lamar Buffalo Ranch Field Campus in Winter
In winter, the ONLY route to the Lamar Buffalo Ranch is via the north entrance to the park at Gardiner, Montana. From the north entrance, proceed south to Mammoth and then east via the all-season road connecting Mammoth and Cooke City. All other routes are closed to automobile traffic from November to April.
Camping, Lodging, and Groceries Near the Lamar Buffalo Ranch Field Campus in the Winter
Within the park, the only services accessible to the Buffalo Ranch are in Mammoth, 29 miles to the west. There, a National Park Service campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is open mid-December to early March (call Xanterra Parks & Resorts at 307-344-7311 for reservations), and a limited supply of groceries is available year-round at the General Store in Mammoth Hot Springs.
Additional services are available in the gateway communities of Gardiner, Montana, (34 miles west) and Silver Gate/Cooke City, Montana, (23 miles east). Gardiner is a larger town, with year-round motels, restaurants, gas stations, a laundromat, and a grocery store. Silver Gate and Cooke City are somewhat smaller and more seasonal, with motels, restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores.
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