- Grand Targhee Base Station
If I told you than just 45 minutes drive from ever-popular Jackson Hole you could find an even better ski resort would you be interested? Grand Targhee would be my answer, because it has better snow, better views, better kids facilities, less crowded slopes and a more friendly atmosphere. (Though admittedly it doesn’t have the amazing selection of awesome terrain of Jackson). Grand Targhee is a smal ski area situated on the western slopes of the impressive Grand Teton mountains. Skiing first started here in the late 60s, mainly thanks to the enthusiasm of local Idaho residents. Since then the ski area has changed ownership several times – the latest owners are the Gilletts, who purchased the resort in 1997. They have plans to develop the resort further, and these are currently in review.
The skiing at Grand Targhee is spread between two mountains, Fred’s Mountain (9862′) and Peaked Mountain (9830′). Each mountain is served by a high-speed quad chair, Dreamcatcher for Fred’s and Sacajawea for Peaked.
Grand Targhee is great for beginners, as a week is all a novice skier needs to make a great start on the slopes. The ski school has a range of classes suitable for all age groups. The magic carpet lift is just next to the school, making the organisation of beginners lessons simple and straightforward. When you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be taken up to the large beginners area at the top of the Shoshone chair – this is easily angled terrain perfect for practicing your snowplough turns. By the end of your first week you should be ready for the best beginner’s outing in the whole of North America – the brilliant 2.7 mile long Tetons Vista Traverse. This winds down from the very top of Fred’s mountain. It’s very easy (the cats servicing Fred’s hut use it), and offers spectacular views of the Grand Tetons.
GT is great for intermediates, as you’re presented with a great opportunity to get to grips with the basics of powder skiing. Much of the terrain is perfectly angled to safely hold deep powder, and perfectly angled for stress-free skiing/riding. The large amount of terrain, and the uncrowded slopes means decent powder is not hard to find.
And GT is also a hit with dare-devil advanced skiers. Peaked Moutain offers some great lines down the west facing bowl, including Reliable, Toilet Bowl and Das Boat. If you don’t mind a hike, the long climb to Mary’s Nipple is rewarded with even better views of the Tetons, and loads of ’good stuff’ to ski.
Kids have a separate area set aside for them under the Shoshone lift. They can enter the Bat Cave, skate past the Gremlin, and shoot through Giant Ants. The kids ski school which is based at Powder Scouts HQ is welcoming and well run. There’s also a tubing zone at the side of the magic carpet.
There’s a small amount of accommodation available at the base station. More is available back down the valley towards Driggs.
Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 3-expert,4-intermediate, 4-beginner.
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