NCUR 2020 Excursions
Bozeman is renowned for easy access to outdoor adventure as well as charming college-town atmosphere. Whether you are interested in an overnight educational expedition to Yellowstone National Park, an exciting outing in the surrounding mountains, or just exploring downtown shops and museums, we invite you to join us on one of the NCUR 2020 excursions. All excursions begin after the conference at noon on Saturday, 28 March. Return times vary. See descriptions below for details.
- Most excursions require pre-registration. Purchase your tickets in advance on the Extras Store.
- Transportation for excursions departs form and returns to campus unless otherwise noted. You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to your hotel.
- Refunds are not available for excursions or transportation.
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Trip Summary:
- Departure: Saturday, 28 March, 12:00 pm from MSU Campus, NCUR 2020 transportation hub
- Return: Sunday, 29 March, 7:00 pm. Microtel by Windham hotel. Bozeman
- Preregistration: Required
- Cost: $250
- Included: Transportation, lodging (1 night), meals (2 lunches, 1 dinner), snacks, and guided inquiry.
- Note: We are currently accepting names for the waitlist for Excursion 1. We expect that up to 40 additional spots will be added to the trip. Please add your name to the waitlist to reserve your spot.
 
This overnight educational adventure highlights geothermal features and wildlife viewing in the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. Join expert researchers from Montana State University (aka University of the YellowstoneTM) for a rare glimpse of Yellowstone emerging from winter. We will examine geothermal features at Mammoth Hot Springs and explore Lamar Valley, home to elk, bison, bears, and wolves. During March, much of the Park is still snowbound and inaccessible to tourists. This is the prime time to see wildlife including the four packs of wolves that roam the Lamar Valley. Transportation. meals and lodging are provided. Bring warm clothing, good walking shoes, a swimsuit, and plenty of curiosity for this unique adventure. Transportation, lodging, three meals, and snacks are included.
Tentative Itinerary:
- Saturday, 28 March
- 12:30 - Depart MSU campus
- Guided tour of geology and history of Paradise Valley, Montana
- 3:00 - Arrive Gardiner, Montana. Check in to hotel
- 4:00 - Swim in natural geothermal waters, Yellowstone Hot Springs (optional)
- 7:00 - Dinner
- Sunday, 29 March
- 7:30-8:30 - Breakfast
- 8:30-2:30 - Wildlife viewing and ecology of Yellowstone tour, Lamar Valley and environs (w/Lunch)
- 2:30-5:00 - Tour of Mammoth Hot Spring terrace. Geology of Yellowstone and the northern Rocky Mountains
- 7:00 - Arrive back in Bozeman, Microtel hotel*
- Sunday evening: on your own for dinner and lodging
* Bus will stop at Microtel by Wyndham, Bozeman. Excursion price does not include lodging on Sunday night. Participants should make advance reservations at the Microtel or arrange transportation to a hotel of their choice. A block of rooms has been reserved for participants (Code: NCUR2020). We recommend that participants plan return trip for Monday, 30 March.
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Trip Summary:
- Departure: 12:00 p.m., Saturday, 28 March from MSU campus, NCUR 2020 Transportation Hub
- Return Time: 5:00 p.m., Saturday, 28 March
- Pre-Registration: Required
- Cost: $45
- Includes equipment, snack, instruction & transportation
- This excursion is FULL.
In March, it’s still winter in the Montana mountains and this all-abilities excursion is a great opportunity to experience Montana’s best season. Ski or snowshoe along the beautiful groomed and marked trails at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. When you make it to The Meadow you’ll be blown away by the wide-open views of the Bridger Mountains and Bangtail Hills. Join the group for a hearty fireside snack and hot beverages in the Meadow Cabin. Beginners are more than welcome. Ski and snowshoe instruction for all levels will be available. Equipment rental and snacks are included in the price.
Photo credit: ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program
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Trip Summary:
- Departure: 12:00 p.m., Saturday, 28 March from MSU campus, NCUR 2020 Transportation Hub
- Return Time: 5:00 p.m., Saturday, 28 March
- Pre-Registration: Required
- Cost: $5 (Transportation only)
- Lift ticket, rental equipment extra.
Bridger Bowl consistently ranks among the best small ski areas in the country and it’s only 16 miles from Bozeman. NCUR 2020 will offer a shuttle to get you to the hill in time for a good half-day of skiing. The rest is up to you. Be sure to pre-arrange rental gear and lessons (optional) to ensure that you have plenty of time to ski.
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Trip Summary:
- Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 28th
- Departure Location: Not Applicable
- Pre-Registration: Not Required
- Cost: $2 for rental shoes
Bouldering is rock climbing stripped down to its raw essentials. Attendees were invited to learn how to climb short, but tricky, routes using balance, technique, strength, and their own brain power – all without the need of ropes and harnesses. All that was required was climbing shoes, chalk, and safety mats. Attendees were able to experience climbs that are high enough to be exciting, but not so high that they are intimidating.
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Trip Summary:
- Departure: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, 28 March from MSU campus, NCUR 2020 Transportation Hub
- Pre-Registration: Not Required
Join us for a visit to two world-class museums within walking distance of campus. Explore both, or devote your time to just one. Groups will depart the transportation hub for both museums at 1:00 pm.
- Museum of the Rockies. If you missed Friday Night at the Museum or didn’t have a chance to see all the fascinating exhibits, come along for a visit to MOR. The museum has one of the most extensive collections of dinosaur collections in the country and also boasts the state-of-the-art Taylor planetarium, extensive historical artifacts from the northern Rocky Mountain region, and - for spring 2020 - a unique exhibit of live reptiles - Reptiles: the Beautiful and the Deadly. MOR is offering all NCUR Attendees tickets at the MSU Student price of $10.
- American Computer and Robotics Museum. Dubbed “Inch for inch, the best museum in the world” by none-other than world-famous biologist E.O. Wilson, this museum offers a unique perspective on the development of the technologies that shape our world. ACRM is offering FREE admittance to all NCUR attendees!
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Trip Summary:
- Time: Flexible
- Pre-Registration: Not Required
Bozeman, Montana is a treasure trove of fun, exciting, and unique opportunities. The following is a list of some of the most popular attractions Bozeman has to offer that attendees who do not want to attend an excursion may be interested in. These would be self-guided activities that attendees would need to arrange on their own. Please note some of the listed activities are dependent upon weather. Watch this space for a detailed walking guide to Bozeman attractions.
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