Yellowstone House is the real deal, better than described. Our family of 6 (4 sons ages 16-21) enjoyed a great winter week. We would have had plenty of room with just the house but also rented the fisherman’s cabin. It was so cozy and charming - my youngest son loved sleeping there. Paradise Valley is amazing- big sky views, mountains and also views eagles, massive elk, delicate deer, thick-coated cattle and shaggy horses on ranches throughout the river valley. The area doesn’t have a lot of the glitz of the western ski resorts but has more a feel of old time ranching Montana, rugged, and authentic. I was concerned about the 45 minute drive to Yellowstone, but the beauty of the drive is such that it was a special part of each day’s outing.

The house itself has the feel of an old log cabin (actually built of old logs, beams, old boards for the floor, solid slab of wood for the bar, rough cut floor boards on the stairs) but with total comfort. The heat works great and there are no drafts. Views out the plentiful windows are nothing short of majestic. The master is upstairs, windows on all sides, very spacious and “cool”, and is a sleeping loft, open to downstairs, with only a half bath. If we went to bed early the boys went to the spacious basement to watch the nice tv or play games. The kitchen is well equipped (including a fabulous espresso machine) having everything we needed for feeding our crew many meals while here. The microwave is small and weak but all the other appliances are new and nice. The rock fireplace is even better than the pictures and turns on with the push of a button and looks real. Everything is well designed and decorated, nothing cheesy or fake.

We went in to the park 4 days: 2 days driving Lamar Valley seeing wolves, otter, eagles, fox, Big horn sheep, pronghorns, elk, bison and coyotes; one day snowmobiling 100 miles to Old Faithful at temps as low as 12 below; one day exploring Mammoth Hot Springs area. We skied Bridger Bowl another day (cheap, close, no crowdsand visited Bozeman downtown shops. We loved Chico Hot Springs restaurant- surprisingly fine food and great old west atmosphere.

The owner, Tom, made us feel we had a friend in Montana letting us use his very special home.

The only problem we have is knowing when we will ever be able to plan a return trip during the summer!