Winter in Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at historic Union Station and board Amtrak's Empire Builder for an afternoon departure. Whether you stay in your seat or head to the Sightseer Lounge, watch the scenery change as we round Lake Michigan and start our journey through Wisconsin and Minnesota. Travelers may elect to travel from Seattle or points in-between and meet your Tour Manager in Whitefish. Overnight train. 

Sights of wide-open plains surround as the sun peeks over the horizon. Today brings a full day of travel aboard the Empire Builder as we press forth through Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana toward the city of Whitefish. As the train follows its course, you may wish to socialize with your fellow travelers in the Sightseer Lounge's swiveling chairs or the Dining Car over a meal. Sleeper Car guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the trip. We arrive in Whitefish, MT, late this evening and transfer to our hotel, Grouse Mountain Lodge. Overnight Whitefish.

Today, your first look at Montana's picturesque landscapes lies ahead as we explore Glacier National Park. Covered in snow, these protected lands take on a whole new level of ambiance. Sweeping valleys under thick snow and towering mountains capped in white make for genuinely tranquil surroundings. We begin our tour in West Glacier and leisurely travel along Going-to-the-Sun to Lake McDonald Lodge. Your guide recounts interesting facts and stories about the park and points out wildlife along the way. You have some time to get out and walk around the lake before returning to the West entrance and heading back to the hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure in Whitefish. There are well-maintained cross-country skiing paths surrounding Grouse Mountain Lodge. Downtown Whitefish is also brimming with things to see and do. You may wish to pop in some of the small boutique stores or grab a drink in any of the numerous breweries. Tonight, join the group for dinner. Overnight Whitefish.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the Lodge, we board our deluxe motorcoach for a road trip through Montana. Our drive takes us south through protected forest lands and beautiful mountain towns to Yellowstone's West Gate. After checking into our hotel near the park, the rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel's amenities, such as the indoor pool, or to explore the nearby offerings. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is within walking distance of our hotel and is a great place to learn more about the region's apex predators. Further downtown, there are numerous shops for art and souvenirs and restaurants that highlight the region's flavors. Overnight West Yellowstone. 

• Breakfast

The best way to explore Yellowstone National Park in the winter is aboard a Snowcoach. These climate-controlled buses traverse the rugged landscape on oversized off-road tires and provide beautiful views of the park's most stunning scenes. Today's Snowcoach excursion takes us to Yellowstone's Upper Loop. This tour is known as the Canyon Explorer and sets out atop the snow to unveil the beauty of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon. Look upon waterfalls, such as Upper and Lower Falls and Gibbon Falls. Beryl Spring, a natural hot spring, and the Madison River are other features. The cold weather and snow keep many tourists out of the park, and, as such, wildlife roams more freely; keep your eyes peeled for wolves, bison, elk, and moose. Snowy evergreen forests and frozen waterways add to the natural splendor. Enjoy a boxed lunch while you soak in the pristine vistas. Return to the hotel following the tour with the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight West Yellowstone. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

Yellowstone transforms into a true winter wonderland during the cold months, and even more of its marvelous attractions await your discovery on today's Lower Loop Snowcoach tour. Our Lower Loop exploration is dubbed the Old Faithful Explorer for its most notable sight: the king of all the geysers, Old Faithful. While we drive along the snowy road of this part of the park, we enjoy glimpses at Madison Junction, Black Sand and Biscuit Basins, and the Fountain Paint Pot. The bus makes plenty of stops for animal spotting and photographs, and a boxed lunch is served. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure upon return. Overnight West Yellowstone. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

We leave Yellowstone behind this morning and drive from Montana through Idaho and into Wyoming, where we land at our next destination, Jackson. This town is beloved as the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and embodies the West's adventurous spirit. We arrive in Jackson after just under three hours of driving and have the rest of the day to enjoy this cowboy town at leisure. A picture under the Antler Arch in Jackson Town Square is a must, and during the winter months, it is illuminated with holiday lights. Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art to see artwork inspired by local mammals or any of the bountiful art galleries to peruse lovely pieces of all mediums. Downtown Jackson houses a plethora of boutique stores and relaxing spas. There are plenty of diverse eateries to choose from, as well. If it is an adventure you seek, dogsledding, tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are great ways to experience the wintry landscape. Overnight Jackson. 

• Breakfast

The gorgeous scenery of Grand Teton National is yours to behold on today's scenic drive. Take breakfast at the hotel in Jackson, then join the group on a deluxe motorcoach for a ride along highway 191 from Jackson to Flagg Ranch. The roads inside the park are closed during the winter months; however, some of the most impressive sights remain visible from the highway - even with snow topping them. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, including a stop to take a picture with the Grand Teton National Park sign. Several overlooks - Jackson Lake, Willow Flats, and Snake River - and visitors centers, such as Colter Bay and Craig Thomas, make wonderful photo stops. We also marvel at the Chapel of Transfiguration and Oxbow Bend before returning to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing as you please. Join the group for dinner tonight at a local establishment. Overnight Jackson. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Surrounded by some of the most ethereal winter scenes the country has to offer, we conclude our wintertime national park sampler after breakfast. A group transfer to the Jackson Hole International Airport will accommodate flights departing after 11:00 a.m.