This work evaluated the ability of strains representing six species ofBifidobacteriumwith probiotic potential to survive and maintainβ‐galactosidase activity through a two‐step, low‐temperature storage period. Cultures were also evaluated for their ability to ferment skim milk and retain viability during storage at 4°C.Bifidobacterium longumATCC 15707,B. breve15700, andB. bifidum29521 maintained the greatest viabilities at > 1 x 107CFU/mL, andB. infantis15702 maintained the highestβ‐galactosidase activity at > 1 U/ml (with < 1 × 105CFU/mL) after ‐60 to 4°C storage. In fermented skim milk,B. breve15700,B. bifidum29521, andB. animalis25527 tolerated a final product pH of 4.75 with > 1 × 108CFU/mL remaining after 14 days of storage at 4°C. Overall, it was found that highest levels of β‐galactosidase activities did not necessarily correlate to the highest plate‐count populations.