Five Fun Winter Activities Inside Yosemite National Park
Almost everyone who visits Yosemite National Park does so in the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall. However, for those who don't mind the cold, a winter visit to Yosemite National Park is an amazing opportunity to explore the park without the crowds. Here are five fun winter activities you can do inside the park over the winter months.
Snowshoe Among the Giant Sequoias. Snow on the ground at Yosemite National Park is a good excuse to see the park's famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias without the summer crowds. Seeing the beloved park giants covered in snow is a magical experience.
Spend the Night in a Ski Hut. Cross country skiers at Yosemite National Park are able to take advantage of a unique park feature. During the winter, ski huts at Glacier Point and Ostrander Lake allow cross country skiers to spend a night in comfortable lodging far from the main parts of the park that remain open in the winter.
See the Yosemite Firefall. Every February, given the right conditions, Horsetail Falls appears to be a waterfall made out of fire. The phenomenon is reminiscent of a tradition that ended in the 1960s, in which the burning coals of a fire were tipped into Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point. Check out our blog post to learn more about both the traditional Yosemite Firefall and the new, natural version of the Yosemite Firefall.
Ski Badger Pass. Yosemite National Park is home to one of the few downhill ski areas in an American national park. In 1933, the first ski lift was built at Badger Pass Ski Area and today, Badger Pass continues to be a popular park attraction (though the first ski lift was replaced long ago).
Ice Skate the Curry Village Ice Rink. In 1929, Yosemite National Park was considered as a location for the 1932 Winter Olympics. Although it didn't host the games, the park did build an ice rink in Curry Village. Although that original rink is no longer open (it is now the Curry Village parking lot), a new Curry Village Ice Rink continues the tradition of ice skating with views of Glacier Point and Half Dome above.
Want to learn more about Yosemite National Park and winter activities in the park? Check out 101 Travel Bits: Yosemite National Park.
