Join us as we enter the world of the winter buffalo for an escape into wilderness solitude and silence.

Our winter private vacations, like those in the summer, are all-inclusive, although some of the activities are different. Whether it's "playing with the buffalo", indulging in the mysteries of the sweat lodge, cooking s'mores over the campfire in the tipi, soaking in the wood-fired "hot tub", or dragging out the snowshoes to learn how to cross snow-packed land, you'll enjoy a combination of unique experiences that you will be unable to find anywhere else.

The opportunity to live surrounded by a bison herd in the middle of a winter wonderland is fascinating and exciting. Here at Wild Echo, not only will you live with the bison, but you'll be close enough to enjoy a "hands on" experience. We are quite proud of our shaggy friends and are thrilled to introduce you to them, not just as the largest land animals in North America, but as individuals who you will get to know "up close and personal".

In the winter, our Bison Quest camp undergoes a transformation to accommodate our snowy Montana weather. Since an outfitter cook tent doesn't stand up well (in fact, doesn't stand up at all) to our tough mountain snows, we have outfitted one of the cabins to make a snug kitchen and dining room for the winter, where we whip up wholesome and delicious ranch fare for your meals. We will pick you up at the airport (Bozeman or Helena) and get you into camp one way or the other (maybe by 4 wheel drive, maybe by snowmobile - it will all depend on our snowfall). But however we get you here, it is probably one of the few times (or maybe the first time) in your life that you will enjoy a unique experience of a few days isolated from your fast-paced and hectic outside world. No computer, no TV, no interruptions from the outside world - just you and your loved ones as our guests.

 

Because winter weather is more unpredictable, and thus more dramatic, our guests have found that they are moved further away from today's world and closer to the world of the early people who settled this land. Experience the flickering campfire light against the inside wall of the tipi as we talk about the world of the past tribes who inhabited this land. Or wake to the gentle grunts of the bison and open your cabin door to see their massive shaggy forms moving through a snow covered world. Immerse yourself in a world that brings you face to face with the wilderness of yesterday, where peace, solitude and silence are your companions.

Winters in Montana can be variable, but even the Los Angeles film crew, from Big Ideas for a Small Planet with the Sundance Channel, found that the snow added extra drama to their filming (it also kept fogging up their camera lenses, but that didn't slow them down - much).

Of course, there really isn't any weather that will prevent us from giving you a fascinating and exciting visit. While we humans think of winter as cold and harsh, bison are a leftover from the Ice Age and shrug off snow and ice and cold temperatures as we might shrug off a cool breeze. No matter what the weather, they will be happy to see us arrive in our 4 wheel drive and will give all of you the chance to slide your hand through a half foot of wool to touch the top of their heads It's easy to see why they laugh at the cold!

In fact, the hardest part of your Bison Quest vacation will be trying to soak up all of the unusual and "once in a lifetime" experiences that are here at Wild Echo Bison Reserve. For those of you who are going to be in Montana for a week or more, we can help you set up an itinerary to complement your Winter Bison and Wilderness Escape with us. There are several ski areas near us, including Big Sky Resort, Bridger Bowl, and Moonlight Basin, among others. Or visit Yellowstone National Park winter-style and take a snowcoach (we recommend Yellowstone Vacations. Feel free to contact us for more details.

And for those of you who want to experience a one-of-a-kind private holiday with your loved ones, be they friends or family, join us for a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years celebration. This is limited to one group, family or friends of no more than six individuals (only one cabin will be available since the other is being used as your kitchen/dining room).