Going Places: Yellowstone in Winter

Somewhere between the visits to Bubba's BBQ and the Jackson Hole Hat Co. late in this hour long program, I checked Yellowstone in Winter off my list of potential travel destinations. Hosted and narrated by James Avery (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), this 3rd-season episode from the popular public television series points out that Yellowstone attracts some 3 million visitors in summer, but only 300,000 in winter. Not surprising, considering the park's travel (snowmobile) and lodging (a handful of tents) options during the snowbound periods (which is what's available to Valerie and Nancy, a pair of not-terribly-insightful travelers whom we follow as they snap photos of bison, or--in Nancy's case--travel by ambulance to a nearby hospital for severe hydration). Since Yellowstone essentially offers Slim Pickens in winter to both beast and visitor, a good percentage of the video looks at things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (such as buy a hat or eat ribs at Bubba's). On the plus side, Valerie and Nancy do hookup with a guide who provides some insight into the flora and fauna of Yellowstone ecology during the off season, and powder buffs will enjoy the footage of extreme snowboarders tackling the Tetons. Although Yellowstone in Winter (which is, by definition, probably not the best example from the Going Places library) is an optional purchase, we strongly recommend considering the other titles in the series (series price: $59.98), given the constant search for new travel videos: Bali, Madrid, New York City, Santa Fe & Taos, and Turkey, as well as the first two seasons (8 videos/$79.98 and 6 videos/$59.98, respectively). Aud: P. (R. Pitman)