Lower-angle, early season XCD ski tour options

Depending on the winter it will be tough to check all boxes.

Yellowstone has mellow terrain, and usually has enough snow by mid-Nov, but the probability of temps below 0 is high.

Some places in Washington will have enough snow, and warmish weather, but finding snow in mellow terrain will be hit or miss.

Might be a few mellower spots in CO, but you’ll be at altitude.

Thanks @davec, I’ll consider Yellowstone. I imagine there will be enough snow most places for making a trench to warm things up a bit.

The fattest skis I own are 200cm Glittertinds, 55cm waist, NNN-BC bindings, no-name synthetic lace up boots that have done fine in mellow stuff into the teens. I’ll be about 200lbs loaded. I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to bring a fatter ski/more robust binding/boots for this kind of trip. A removable liner would definitely be nice. Those Objective BCs look promising, if pricey for now. I suppose I could go with annums or fisher 98s etc.

Any suggestions for put-in points coming down from Bozeman?

If the snow is there the canyons in the NW corner of the park are great skiing. Higher elevation there than the northern valleys, but you still want enough snow to cover the logs and brush. A few Grizz still out and about in late Nov most years, too. If that area is too thin the roads and XC ski trails down in West Yellowstone are a good option.

Don’t plan this trip too far in advance, good snow in Nov is very hit or miss.