About
When I planned our trip to Yellowstone, I knew I wanted it to be a fantastic experience that we wanted to do fully. To do that, I decided to book the local guides from Yellowstone Alpen Guides, and it turn out to be a wonderful decision!
The organization has been in the area since 1970, and I knew they would have the experience and insight that I wanted to really get a feel for this massive and marvelous place. You can book a trip with them at any time of the year, but I did book early to make sure we did not miss out.
I found out that the guides are super experienced and very well trained. At the same time, they are also very nice people. We were able to ask a lot of questions and get some great insight.
You can choose from a range of experiences, and we did the Upper Yellowstone Tour. This tour took us to Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley.
We were able to experience the Norris Geyser Basin and watched the water change levels in front of us. We also got to see bison and elk in the Lamar Valley. It was nice to get to ask questions to the guides about the animals here.
Finally, we checked out Mammoth Hot Springs, and it was so beautiful. It took us all day, about eight hours, to do this tour—but it did include lunch.
If you have the time, booking a tour with Yellowstone Alpen Guides is a definite must during your Yellowstone vacation!
Fun Facts About Yellowstone Alpen Guides
The location was founded by Clyde Seeley, who was one of the first people in the region to offer a guided snowmobile tour.
He did that 40 years ago, and they have been continuing to grow the experience and service since then. And the people that operate it now seem to be just as passionate about what they are doing too.
You can use their website to plan your trip like I did. This makes it super easy and ensures you get the adventure you’re wanting. Their online tools are simple to navigate, but if you prefer, you can book over the phone.
And since we went during the summer, I can’t wait to go back this winter for another adventure—this time in their 1950s-era snow coach.
Getting There
The Yellowstone Alpen Guides headquarters is right in the heart of West Yellowstone. We stayed at the Yellowstone West Gate Hotel, which was just about across the street. As a tour, you will meet at the location and then visit the various locations on a snowmobile or with the other vehicles they have available. It’s easy to access the location from I-191 or I-20.
Cost
The costs depend on a lot of things, including the type of tour you take and the time of the year.
The best option is to book the vacation package, which changes in price each year. Some of them include your stay, various tours of the area’s best experiences, and a hot breakfast in the morning. You can also get dinner with some of the packages.
They don’t publicize the pricing, so you’ll want to call for package prices and details.
Local Tips
- In speaking to the guides, I learned that even though a lot of people use their service because they do not know the area, a lot of others do so every year because they love the experience.
- Everyone that is a guide at Yellowstone Alpen Guides is a local resident. That is important because it means they know not just the park but the entire region.
- Make sure you tip the guides!
- I recommend trying out more than one of the tours if you get the time and have room in your budget. Each one is different, and they all seem to be fantastic.