Need a dose of wild winter wonder? Head to Yellowstone National Park to take part in a wintertime field seminar with Yellowstone Forever, the park’s official non-profit partner. Led by instructors who rank as experts in their assorted fields, winter programs are based at Lamar Buffalo Ranch in Lamar Valley, part of Yellowstone’s northern zone. Participants lodge in shared cabins, and accommodations include entrance to a heated bathhouse with private showers. Classes and meal preparation are located in a community building, with group size limited for an optimal immersive experience.

Jan. 20–22, discover the world of the park’s big cats in Cougars: Yellowstone’s Seldom-Seen Carnivore. Along with classroom presentations, participants will snowshoe and ski up to eight miles per day to access the wilderness and cougar habitat. Led by wildlife biologist Colby Anton, this seminar is an active experience with changing snow conditions and the possibility of having to break trail. Seminar price is $360 per person.

In February, it’s Learning to Ski in Wonderland, Feb. 8–11. Julianne Baker, M.A., will instruct participants in basic cross-country skiing techniques before embarking on groomed and backcountry trails with small hills and flat terrain. Along the way, there’s time for photography, wildlife viewing and learning about the park’s fascinating history. Baker is an expert in Yellowstone’s ski terrain, and has skied in this area for more than a decade. Seminar price is $425 per person. The Yellowstone Forever website also includes details of other programs and seminars, including the Lodging & Learning programs offered in partnership with Yellowstone National Park Lodges.