By: Liana Lozada
THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES JACKSON HOLE’S PRIVATE LUXURY EXCURSION GIVES GUESTS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO YELLOWSTONE’S MOST ELUSIVE PREDATOR — WOLVES.
Before the sun breaks the horizon behind Jackson Hole’s famed ski slopes, a small group gathers inside the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole’s lobby. Ready to face Wyoming’s winter, they’ll soon huddle into a co-branded, Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari Rivian R1S for a pre-dawn ride to their private chartered aircraft.
A light breakfast awaits on board. Then, they’ll take off around morning’s magic hour, the creeping daylight framing the snow-capped mountains with kaleidoscopic hues that would tickle even the most amateur photographer.
After takeoff, the group will be en route to Yellowstone National Park to spend the day with a naturalist tracking gray wolves—the stars of the Four Seasons’ “A Day with the Wolves” experience. They’ll also aim to encounter moose, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and eagles.
Once they land in Livingston, Montana, the immersive sightseeing expedition into Yellowstone begins.
The flight into Montana is impactful in itself. The Jackson Hole Airport is the only U.S. commercial airport entirely within a National Park. Arriving or departing from it unveils spectacular views of Grand Teton National Park. Furthermore, aerial sightseeing tours are forbidden to fly directly over Yellowstone National Park, but private planes traveling between airports can fly over (from a specific height). This gives the Four Seasons experience a unique Big Sky vantage point: Throughout the flight, the onboard guide signals passengers to the majestic landmarks below them, including waterfalls, thermal pools, and geysers.
“A Day with the Wolves” marries the resort brand’s hospitable reputation with the region’s thirst for adventure. After a year of sorting logistics, the tour launched in 2022 as a partnership between the Four Seasons and sister operators Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris and Yellowstone Safari Company.
“It’s a spotless experience,” describes Francisco, an Argentinian guest who booked an excursion to celebrate his aunt’s birthday. “It’s impeccable from start to finish. The guide found animals in the most unexpected places.”
The full day is intimate, seating up to eight people, and customizable. Once groups reach Montana, they can opt for pre-booked activities like photography lessons or snow treks.
On the ground, guests use Swarovski optics for distance viewing, which is considered the best on the market. Each person carries Swarovski CL Companion 10×30 binoculars and can zoom in on the packs and herds through shared Swarovski 95mm ATX spotting scopes.
Lunch is pre-packed picnic-style practicality meets chef-driven fare, beginning with a charcuterie board featuring local artisanal foods like elk salami and huckleberry preserves.
During Francisco’s trip, the team snuck a birthday cake on board for his aunt. When they returned to the hotel at the end of the outing, they found a printed picture from their adventure waiting for them in their rooms. The two thoughtful details left a priceless impression.
“Without a doubt, it was a bucket-list trip,” Francisco emphasizes.
“A Day with the Wolves” is available annually from October through May for $16,750, all-inclusive. A portion of the proceeds from each trip is donated to the Yellowstone Wolf Project and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to help preserve and protect Yellowstone’s gray wolf population and habitat.
For more information visit: https://www.fourseasons.com/jacksonhole/experiences or to book, email [email protected].
