For release: September 9, 2009
Contacts: Chuck Coon, 307-777-2831, chuck.coon@visitwyo.gov
Lori Hogan, 307-777-2889, lori.hogan@visitwyo.gov

Nowhere else comes close to Yellowstone National Park as a unique winter vacation destination.One snowcoach trip and a short drive last winter proved that statement beyond any shade of doubt. This adventure included a comment from famed documentarian Ken Burns who was completing his first winter trip to Yellowstone in January. Play the video below to experience the world’s first national park in all its winter wonder:

To plan your Yellowstone winter visit go to: www.travelyellowstone.com and click on “things to do.” General Yellowstone information: www.nps.gov/yell

Wyoming's two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, will figure prominently in Ken Burns’ new twelve-hour documentary series, The National Parks - America’s Best Idea –premiering on PBS, September 27.One of the most alluring attributes of a visit to Yellowstone in winter is its southern neighbor, Grand Teton National Park. Moose are often visible, although sometimes nearly not so when it’s snowing, and prove themselves very capable of keeping cameras clicking. The Teton Mountain Range is likely to provide countless chills even if you don’t exit your vehicle. www.nps.gov/grte

As if the two national parks aren’t enough, you can build an entire winter vacation around the town of Jackson and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Downtown is chockfull of art centers, shopping and dining opportunities. The mountain’s new aerial tram, dubbed “Big Red,” is fired up and ready for the winter season beginning November 28. www.jacksonhole.com

NEW!! Sleeping Giant Ski Area, slumbering and unopened since 2004, is springing back to life this snow season. Located just outside the East Entrance to Yellowstone, the Giant’s renovation is complete with a new terrain park constructed of materials almost all of which were found on the hill. Skiable terrain of 180 acres is four times what was available. Snowmaking equipment has also been added. Location is about 50 minutes west of Cody. Designed with families in mind. Contact: Hamilton Bryan or Andy Quick, PH: 307. 527.8986. Prices and more information: www.skisg.com

Fashion, Furniture & Fine Art

A fall event that is part of what’s called “Rendezvous Royale,” Cody High Style, is becoming known as a captivating Western fashion show as well as a gathering of the best western furniture artisans in the world. The weeklong celebration also includes an art show and auction. Most activities are staged at the renowned Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Sept. 22-26, where the Whitney Gallery of Western Art was recently re-opened after extensive renovation and reinterpretation. You can learn all about the popular rendezvousat: www.rendezvousroyale.org & the vast Buffalo Bill Historical Center’s vault of western history is open to preview here: www.bbhc.org

Live music shows, by topnotch entertainers, have been added to Cody’s winter offerings.The fall and winter season of the “Wild West Show Concert Series” opens September 26 with a performance by award-winning singer Gary Morris. The Texas native began his paid singing career on bar stages in Colorado. His country music recording career skyrocketed with the 1983 release of an album that included the ballad “Wind Beneath my Wings” - preceding Bette Midler’s version. Morris’ is one of the most enthralling renditions you’ll ever hear. A few bars lilt below for your listening pleasure: Morris would go on to record many Top Ten hits and his powerful talent also gained him the part of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway. Cody’s “Wild West Show Concert Series” runs through April and you get more information at: www.codywildwestshow.com

In a Time of Ten-Day Instant Messaging

Cody’s namesake, the multi-skilled Buffalo Bill, was one of about 80 young men who rode for the Pony Express carrying mail between St. Joseph, MO and Sacramento, CA for a sixteen-month period beginning in 1860. Cody was just 14 at the time. The riders would hurry their horses in ten to twelve mile stretches between relay stations and often spent ten hours a day in the saddle. The mail made it in ten days which was considerably faster than stagecoaches handled the task previously. In the end, the telegraph displaced Pony Express as the IMs of the latter half of America’s nineteenth century. Re-riders trotted through Wyoming this summer and found they could actually be on, or near, the trail in several locations. Many historic trail sites are preserved and protected in Wyoming and a good starting point to discover them all is the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper. A number of events are planned for the Express’ 150th anniversary in 2010.