Guided Winter Tours in Yosemite Mariposa County

The sounds of winter in Yosemite Mariposa County weave together in a rousing symphony set against a dramatic stage.  From the whoosh of skis and crunch of snowshoes to thunder echoing off granite walls and the flutter of snowflakes between the pines, winter melodies are as timeless as the mountains themselves.

For visitors, there’s no better way to experience Yosemite’s majestic winter season than with a guided tour. Group or custom, half day, full day or overnight, the choices abound whether your lean is outdoor adventure or indoor culture.  Add lodging-included tours offered by many outfitters and your winter getaway becomes as cozy as fuzzy socks around a crackling fire.

10 Reasons to Book a Yosemite Winter Tour

Before zooming in on the guided adventures that await, let’s discuss the “why”.  Here are the top ten reasons to book a Yosemite winter tour…

•   Yosemite in winter = tranquil beauty, with fewer visitors.
•   Certain outfitters are happy to create custom tours that suit your personal interests.
•   Many tours provide lunch, taking daytime meal-planning out of the equation.
•   Depending on the tour, gear is provided such as skis, snowshoes and bikes.
•   By leaving the winter driving to the experts, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery!
•   The opportunity to spot winter wildlife in Yosemite.
•   Many tours leaves directly from hotels such as Tenaya at Yosemite or Yosemite View Lodge.
•   Foothill excursions in nearby historic Gold Rush towns pair perfectly with alpine adventures.
•   There is a wealth of tour companies to choose from!
•   With sun-kissed granite walls, ice-streaked waterfalls and year-round amenities, there’s no place like Yosemite in winter!

Winter Sightseeing & Photography Tours

Having a trusted guide show you the icons of Yosemite as you travel in a heated bus or van is an unforgettable way to experience the Park in the winter. With convenient pick-up spots and the option to create your own private tour, your photo gallery will burst with beauty as the clouds dance with the winter sun to create an unmistakable mood.

The 2-hour Yosemite Valley Floor Tour is a year-round staple for any visit to Yosemite Valley.  Come winter, from the comfort of a heated motor coach with panoramic windows, park rangers regale guests with tales of Yosemite history and information on native plants, wildlife and geology. Ice melting down the face of El Capitan, long shadows across the Merced River, Half Dome ready for its close-up — the tour hits all the essential stops. Tours depart daily from the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

Offered by Tenaya at Yosemite, Yosemite 360 Tours leave directly from the property and provide guests with a variety of ways to experience the Park.  Whether it’s a winter sightseeing tour of Wawona and Yosemite Valley, a custom private tour or hiring a step-on guide to join you in your own vehicle, the depth of knowledge is matched only by the comfort and convenience of a full-service resort.  Better yet? Park entry fees are included.

When it comes to guided tours that are thoughtfully curated, Yosemite Conservancy does the work. Its outdoor programs range from naturalist walks such as Winter Wonderland in Yosemite Valley to group outings and custom adventures, all while covering a range of interests from art to birding and stargazing. Be sure to check their Events calendar to see what’s on the docket, or create your own tour just how you like it. Pro Tip: Holiday giving gets easier with a Yosemite Conservancy Outdoor Adventures Gift Card.

Open to photo enthusiasts of all experience levels, YExplore Yosemite Adventures offers year-round photography workshops with its Landscape Classes, Icons of Yosemite Classes, and  Photography Hiking outings. Winter in Yosemite provides dramatic cloud-play and big rocks to fill the frame.  YExplore Yosemite also boasts a solid lineup of winter action tours (see below).

Winter Action Tours

With the unrivaled landscapes of Yosemite National Park as the backdrop for your winter sports, it feels good to take in such rarefied air.  From downhill to cross-county and snow camping to snowshoeing, there’s a tour for all interests and experience levels.  Having that trusted guide makes all the difference.

Guided snowshoe adventures are the ultimate way to immerse yourself in Yosemite winters, whether that’s big trees or breathtaking overlooks. Outfitters such as Lasting Adventures offer snowshoe hikes into Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, day trips to Dewey Point, or even their Yosemite Overnight Snowshoe with the option of hotel pickup for an extra fee. All tours are private ensuring you’ll get the undivided attention you need!

YExplore Yosemite Adventures also expands its winter repertoire with snowshoe outings for individuals or groups. The half-day Beginner Snowshoe Adventure teaches basic techniques on gentle trails in Yosemite Valley (or other lesser known trails) and tailors the program to your experience level, while the Extended Snowshoe Adventure will travel 6-8 miles (approximately 6 hours) with more dramatic elevation gains in both the Valley and the High Country.  Discounts kick in when more than one person joins a tour, so bring the friends & family!

As one of the three national parks with a designated ski area, Yosemite pairs unrivaled winter scenery with the art of downhill skiing and snowboarding at Badger Pass Ski Area. Founded in 1935, the Badger Pass Ski School offer several beginner packages for kids (age 7 or older) and adults, all taught by certified pros with gear included.  The Next Step package takes skiers and boarders to new heights with an all-mountain lift ticket, while private lessons (1-4 people) and adaptive alpine ski lessons provide personalized instruction for your unforgettable day on the slopes.

For more rugged excursions, Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service is expert at leading backcountry ski tours into untouched terrain. Their Custom Tour (1-7 people) can be tailored to your sightseeing needs and range from several hours to several days, with overnights adding to the Park’s mystique. Experienced cross-country skiers can book the 21-mile (round-trip) guided trip from Badger Pass to Glacier Point, where Yosemite’s most iconic views of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley can be found.

Winter Foothill Tours

Sometimes you need a brief respite from the snow no matter how beautiful the setting.  The Gold Rush towns located in the Sierra foothills along Yosemite’s western flank are close enough to toggle back and forth between “milder” winter tours and the alpine splendor at higher elevations.  With All-Season Highway 140 connecting the town of Mariposa to Yosemite Valley, the journey becomes that much easier!

The mild winter temperatures and green, oak-dotted foothills provide the perfect stage for Yosemite E-Biking tours. Based in the town of Mariposa, these full-day tours take you on the country backgrounds where your guide shares local knowledge on everything from gold mining history to Yosemite rock climbing and best coffee shops. Bikes, safety equipment and snacks are provided, with a break for lunch.

With Mariposa’s famed Gold Rush history, there’s nothing more on-point than a gold panning tour by Yosemite Crystals. This gem, crystal and gold panning supply shop in downtown Mariposa also arranges tours where you can learn how to hit pay dirt.  Gold panning/sluicing tours and Crystal Mountain tours are available, with owner Daniel suggesting you contact him the old-fashioned way, by phone at 209-347-7058, to arrange a fun and educational outing for the whole family.

Taking a break from the chill can be a welcome diversion, while sometimes the weather just demands it. Fortunately, there is a constellation of nearby museums in Yosemite Mariposa County to warm you up. In the town of Mariposa, there are three museums covering a range of topics:  the Mariposa Museum & History Center for unlimited local lore; the California State Mining & Mineral Museum for a jeweler’s loupe view; and the Yosemite Climbing Association Museum & Gallery for all those big, granite walls. The town of Coulterville provides a lunch & learn two-fer by visiting the Northern Mariposa County History Center then popping into the Coulter Cafe & General Store for tasty bites. Pro Tip: Contact the museums directly for winter hours and docent-led tours.

While in Mariposa, a winter tasting tour feels like the right pace.  Whether that’s local juice at Casto Oaks Fine Wine & Art, hard cider in the orchard tasting room at Sierra Cider Farm & Cidery or hop-scotching the offerings from 1850 Restaurant & Brewery, the sips just keep coming.  Mariposa also offers the most dining options in the county, so making a full day of your foothill tour is easy as coffee & pie.

Winter Travel Tips

Winter travel in Yosemite can be an unforgettable experience with the help of these seasonal tips:

• Always check current road conditions for connecting highways as well as current conditions inside Yosemite National Park.
• Get an up-to-date weather forecast for Yosemite and the surrounding gateway communities.  With varied elevations within Mariposa County, weather conditions differ from location to location.
• Contact Yosemite tour operators directly to ask about custom experiences.  Many are eager to work with you, especially during the quieter winter months.
• Give the gift of winter with a Yosemite Mariposa County gift card for everything from tours to hotels and restaurants to shopping.
• Always gear up in winter and pack warm, waterproof layers, gloves and caps, not to mention water, food, blankets and tire chains in case of emergency.
• Consider public transportation such as YARTS if you prefer to let someone else do the driving.
• Check our Special Offers page for up-to-date deals on winter lodging.