r/yellowstone

We stayed in Yellowstone this summer. Ever since we've stayed, I've been curious about something: what actually happens when all of the seasonal lodging shuts down for the winter?

It seems like it must be a massive operation. Do they completely winterize the hotels/cabins - drain plumbing, shut off water, remove food and supplies, etc.? What happens to furniture, linens, kitchens, and everything else when some of these places are sitting under snow for months?

I’m equally curious about the spring. How far in advance do employees arrive to get everything back up and running before the first guests show up? Is there a huge opening crew that goes through all the buildings and basically brings a small town back to life?

I looked around Reddit and the internet and couldn't find anything! I know this is super random but I would especially love to hear from anyone who has worked at one of the Yellowstone lodges or has been involved in either the fall shutdown or spring reopening. It seems like quite the operation!

I'll be in Billings during the last week of October/first week of November and have a free day and a half (2 nights) during which I'd love to see some of Yellowstone. I understand seasonal road closures (Beartooth, Sylvan Pass) would limit what's accessible. I know I can't cover much in such little time, but would appreciate any realistic recs!

It was a spectacle. I was lucky enough to watch wolves take down a bison in Lamar Valley today through my binoculars. I could make everything out, but it was still hard to see it with my binoculars and definitely did not get any content. Was anyone else there to get pictures or a video of this?! PLS SHARE!