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fees
(max of 8 people)

One night, Friday or Saturday	$295
One night on Holidays	$295
One night: Sunday through Thursday	$240
Two nights, Friday and Saturday	$435
Two nights on Holidays	$435
Two nights: Sunday through Thursday	$345
Above fees are the same whether for 2 people or 8. Split between 8 friends on a Friday or Saturday night = $36.86 per person.

Yurt Rent Guide (required for first time users)	$75
Yurt Rent Guide skis in prior, waits for and greets guests at the yurt with fire in the wood stove, hot drinks, and hors d'oeuvres, then shows group how everything works. After orientation, guide skis away, leaving group alone at the yurt. Guests get the benefit of seeing the way to the yurt and skiing in on a broken trail.

Discounts offered for Educational and Outdoor Programs

reservation and cancellation policy

• Reservations are first come, first served.
• 50% deposit due to hold your reservation. Balance due 2 weeks prior to start.
• There are no refunds for cancellations, including for poor weather or injury. However, deposits may be used as a credit toward another trip within the calendar year.

faq

Will my cell phone work at the yurt? No. However, with Verizon, there is service within a 5 minute walk. A map showing the location/s is posted inside the yurt.

Is the route to the yurt maintained or marked? The mountain bike route receives little maintenance but is on a clearly visible dirt road. The winter route can be completely hidden by snow and is not marked. A Yurt Rental Guide is required for first time visitors.

Can I take my dog? As an animal lover, and one who understands pets as family, I'd love to say "yes". However, during the winter months, we rely on melting snow for our water. So, in consideration of subsequent guests, unless your little buddy is trained to use an outhouse, the answer is a very apologetic "no". During the warmer months, we also have to say "no" due to concerns for the safety of your canine friend and that of various wildlife. Very sorry!

Touring extraordinaire, Tim Tuttle, enroute to Yellowstone after a night at the Yipping Coyote.

How do I get my stuff to the yurt with a bicycle?
This can be achieved in several different ways. If you already have bikepacking bags, you know what to do. If not, carrying your gear in a backpack is the simplest way, requiring no specialized bikepacking gear. While not ideal for a longer trip, a backpack will work fine given the short distance to the yurt and the small amount of needed gear. Other options are panniers, or a combination of panniers and a smaller backpack... or a single-wheeled trailer.

What kind of bike do I need?
If your interest is simply getting to the yurt and back, any kind of bike capable of riding on bumpy dirt roads will work (see Tim's touring bike in the pic above). If you plan to explore after you've arrived at the yurt, a more dedicated mountain bike is advisable. A cross country oriented mountain bike would be ideal.

Lunch time!

Will my "cross country" or "nordic" skis with scales get me to the yurt?
No, not without climbing skins.

itinerary ideas

Low-key weekend spring trip. Bike in mid Saturday morning. Have lunch, get acquainted with the yurt, and relax. Prepare dinner and eat outside under the aspens while enjoying the views. Gaze at the milky way and listen for the coyotes. Leave late Sunday morning, taking a shortcut by traversing to a saddle which affords nice views of the cones and buttes within the monument. Have lunch here then ride downhill through a small valley with aspens, reconnecting to the original route.

Ambitious weekend spring trip. Bike in mid Saturday morning, get acquainted with the yurt and have lunch. Hike to the nearby ridge enjoying huge views of the Craters of the Moon and the Great Rift, Blizzard Mountain and its drainages, and Big Southern Butte, one of the largest volcanic domes on earth. On a clear day, look for the Raft River, Black Pine, and Sublett mountain ranges along the Idaho/Utah border and the Tetons to the east. Have dinner back at the yurt then enjoy the star show and symphony of coyotes in the outside seating area. Leave the next morning, taking a shortcut on single track leading to a saddle with views of Grassy and Silent Cones as well as Big Cinder Butte. Descend the steep single track through aspens then ride up an old mining road to the ridge overlooking Little Cottonwood and Leach Creeks, the only perennial streams in the park. Have lunch while enjoying the excellent views of the volcanism then descend to the route you came in on. Soak those tired muscles in the hotsprings on the way home.

Looking towards the Craters of the Moon, a few minute hike from the yurt.

Overnight winter weekend trip. Ski in mid Saturday morning, arriving mid afternoon. Explore the yurt then prepare and eat dinner while the sauna or hot tub is warming. Relax in the sauna or hot tub. Bed down, enjoying the flames from the wood fire and the galaxy through the skylight. On the way out late Sunday morning, take a short detour to gain additional elevation and enjoy the views before making some turns down to the original route.

Two night winter weekend trip. Ski in Friday afternoon and relax in the sauna. Prepare and eat dinner then study the maps and make a game plan for Saturday before bedding down. Ascend to one of the nearby ridges and enjoy the vast and varying views of the Craters of the Moon and the Great Rift, Blizzard Mountain and its drainages, and Big Southern Butte, one of the largest volcanic domes on earth. On a clear day, the Raft River, Black Pine, and Sublett mountain ranges along the Idaho/Utah border can be seen as well as the Tetons to the east! When done enjoying the views, carve some turns down to the yurt or go back up for more. If you're looking for mellower terrain, ski the gentle slope into the flats below and explore the Aspen groves and hills jutting out into the lava fields. Either way, once you've made it back to the yurt for the day, browse the guestbook then prepare and eat dinner while the hot tub is warming. Enjoy the Milky Way while soaking. Sleep well. Ski out late Sunday morning carving a few turns to the side, soaking in the hotsprings on the way home.

A variety of ski terrain from cross country exploration to steep downhill.