What’s Groomed in Jackson Hole/Teton Valley?
See real-time grooming in the Jackson Hole/Teton Valley region. Find all the latest grooming & fresh groomed tracks. Plan your next Nordic Adventure with ease.
JH NORDIC HEADLINES
There have been some significant posts this week on JH Nordic but you might have missed one or some and we don’t want you to miss a thing! Today’s email is a recap of some of this week’s JH Nordic trail report highlights. Enjoy so that you can be fully informed as you head out on your next winter trail or off piste adventure!
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Profiles in Nordic: Scott Sanchez of JD High Country Outfitters
JD High Country Outfitters’s Store Manager, Scott Sanchez, has been skiing in the Tetons since ‘84. Nearly 40 years later, he’s rarely missed a ski day.
Scott’s place of business came about years ago when two existing storefronts merged. Jack Dennis Sports, established in 1972, and High Country Flies, established in 1974. Since its fusion, JD High Country Outfitters has been helping outdoor recreators get outfitted for all kinds of adventures in and around the Tetons from fishing, hunting, and camping, to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Ven a esquí conmigo, “Ski with me”
Local organization Camina Conmigo translating to ‘walk with me’ aims to get more Latinx residents outside the Tetons. This winter the Camina Conmigo team got outside on the snow with JH Nordic and Nancy Leon.
The First Grizzly Bear was Spotted in Yellowstone 2023 Winter
The first grizzly bear spotted out of hibernation in Yellowstone for 2023
Time to get out your bear spray and bring it on your cross country, fat bike, snowshoe outings on backcountry trails, especially GTNP and Togwotee Pass areas!
Her Turn: Women to Race First-Ever 50k Race at the Holmenkollen
History is about to be made in Oslo, Norway over the weekend. For the first time ever, the women will race the 50k Holmenkollen – the same distance as the men – on the World Cup circuit.
Based off the historic equal-distance vote by the Federation of International Skiing (FIS) in 2022, a notion was put forward to have both men and women race the same distance on the World Cup circuit. Following a vote during the FIS Cross Country committee meeting in May of 2022, the decision passed, allowing both genders to race the same distances in the 10k, 20k, skiathlon and 50k.
Now, with the end of the World Cup season around the corner, the highly anticipated 50k Holmenkollen for both men and women is on deck.
The Holmenkollen 50k cross country ski race dates back to 1888. Traditionally, the men who lined up on the start line would smoke pipes to increase their lung capacity to give them a better chance of finishing the grueling 31 mile race.
Set up in the city of Oslo, the Holmenkollen is one of the oldest and hardest ski races in the world. With tens of thousands of fans lining the course, many camping out for days to capture a good spot, the course is far from easy. Skiers will climb over 6,000 feet of elevation throughout the 50k; the course has the most vertical gain of any Olympic or World Cup course in history.
As the former Oslo sport director said in 2011, “Everyone in cross country skiing community will see the winner of the 50k as the toughest skier of the season.”
This year, four women will represent the United States on the start line and make history in doing so. 2023 World Champion and three-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins will lead the team, along with teammates Rosie Brennan, Hailey Swirbul and Alayna Sonnesyn.
“I am so so excited to finally get to ski a 50k race!” said Diggins. “I have been waiting my entire career for this race and we finally get a chance at the Holmenkollen. I am just so excited to ski my heart out and finally get a chance to ski this incredible and iconic race.”
Earning two medals in the 2023 World Championships, including a historic gold in the 10k skate and team bronze with Julia Kern, Diggins has had a very successful 2022-23 season. Since November, Diggins has been on the podium seven times and after her 14th World Cup win in Davos, Switzerland, she became the most decorated U.S. cross country skier of all time.
With Diggins are teammates Brennan, Swirbul and Sonnesyn. Brennan is a two-time Olympian, secured a career-best fourth place in the 2022-23 Tour de Ski, has represented her country at five World Championships and just days ago secured a World Championships fifth place in the 30k classic.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the first women’s 50k on the World Cup this weekend. It definitely is a little intimidating – 50k is far but it’s also a great challenge,” said Brennan. “I am really excited to have the journey out there with the whole women’s pack and I think it will be a really exciting race. Equal distance has been such a cool experience to be a part of and so has been showing all the young girls out there that we are as capable as all the boys. I can’t wait to give it a go this weekend!”
Swirbul, who is coming fresh off her best-ever World Championships result with an 18th place finish in the 30k, swept all three races at the 2022-23 National Championships and represented the USA at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games.
“Guess who gets to race the Holmenkollen 50k in just a few days?! The women!” said Swirbul. “I am so stoked to be a part of it, our team is going to slay and it will be such a memorable experience to be a part of the first 50k for women on the World Cup. Let’s go!”
Sonnesyn rounds the four U.S. athletes competing on Sunday. Sonnesyn had her first World Cup start in 2019 and has raced in several since. This season, Sonnesyn skied to her career-best result in the 20k skate pursuit, finishing fifth place based off of time, at the Tour de Ski and will enter her last World Cup of the season by first making history on the 50k start line.
Be a part of the history and tune in on Sunday, March 12, at 4:15 a.m. ET on skiandsnowboard.live with commentary by former U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete and Olympic champion Kikkan Randall and NBC’s Chad Salmela.
Saturday WYDAHO Race at Trail Creek
Saturday, March 11th is the finale of the Skinny Skis WYDAHO Nordic Race Series at Trail Creek Nordic Center!
JHSC coaches will be on hand to support athletes. There will be short distance options (~0.5 km or 2.5km) for the younger kids. Race day registration only at 9am. This is a fun-focused race with emphasis on nordic shenanigans – costumes, crazy socks, glitter, vintage gear – whatever fills your Nordic spirit cup! Raffle to follow the race. BYO grill-ables, pot luck style lunch & laps on Nordic X.
GTNP Spring snow removal operations begin
Winter grooming of the 14-mile section of Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain parking area ended yesterday, March 10. The road will remain open for winter activities until March 20 when snow removal operations begin.
For safety reasons, visitors may not access the Teton Park Road once snow removal operations are underway. Rotary equipment and plows may be working at any time, and the roadway will be closed to all users until the snow removal operations are completed. Skiers and those on snowshoes using areas adjacent to the roadway are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow blown from the equipment because pieces of ice and gravel may be thrown great distances.
The Teton Park Road is anticipated to be accessible to activities such as cycling, roller skating, skateboarding, roller skiing, walking, jogging and leashed pet walking in early April, depending on weather conditions.
The Teton Park Road is expected to be open to motor vehicles May 1, depending on weather conditions.
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/10
Champagne
If you’ve never tried champagne before, it is truly a marvelous substance. Light, airy, filling the heart with joyful ebullience, and best of all, it’s free! That’s right, there is free champagne at Trail Creek! The groomer is referring, of course, to champagne powder, of which almost a foot fell last night, blanketing all the trails in a soft, fluffy coating. A surprising event for this time of year, but a welcome one.
Today’s grooming was a triple pass of tomorrow’s race course, as we prepare for the final major skiing event of the season. While the grooming was working nicely, the softness of the powder did lead to a certain degree of smooshing, and accordingly some berms mid-trail, that are basically inevitable with conditions like these. Hopefully, when trails harden up, they’ll go away before tomorrow’s race, but keep your fingers crossed.
Groomer’s Choice is a lap of the race course!
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Emily’s Pond Levee, High School Fields, Stilson Loop, Wilson Centennial Trail
Last Update: 3/10
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in good shape. Be aware avalanche danger is moderate at low elevations but over the years many avalanches have crossed the game creek trail. Game creek is groomed and in decent shape although it will be soft.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Update: 3/10
Singletrack groomed 3/10.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Since it looks like the snow is never going away, come get some new ski gear to get through the next round of winter! We still have most sizes available in everything in the shop including: skate skis, classic skis, bc touring skis, boots, poles, gloves, jackets, pants, and hats.
Closing day for the shop is Sunday March 19 (which happens to be Cody’s 50th birthday!) We are planning to groom until the 26th—conditions permitting. Due to Golf Operations beginning their spring work immediately after closing the nordic facilities, the course is closed beginning March 31.
The last day to drop off skis for waxing is Wednesday March 15. The last day for lessons is Saturday March 18.
We are open daily to the public for skiing. Click here for our current trails grooming and conditions: https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/US/WY/Teton-Pines-Nordic-Center. We offer private skate and classic skiing lessons daily, skate/classic ski rental packages, and bc xc rentals for the park. We are open 9am-4pm. Please call to book lessons and with any other questions.
Note—We have a new shop phone number this season: (307) 732-4130
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/8
We finished the black sand application today and will switch back to morning grooming tomorrow (Thursday 3/9). Look for unsettled weather through the weekend, as a warmer winter weather system pushes through with Friday being the most turbulent day bosting high winds, rain, and snow. Calmer conditions should return midday Saturday and Sunday. We’ll continue to do our best each day with grooming… Skiers should be aware that during rain/snow events combined with temperatures around the freeze/thaw range, grooming becomes very difficult as the profile turns gummy/sticky and the snow tends to smear or clump due to it not being pliable from it transitioning in and out of a liquid to solid state. Typically, after a rain/snow event, the trails will groom out better once the wet moisture has had a chance to set up overnight with below freezing temperatures. Keep up with the forecast and enjoy! Reminder no walking, trail running, and snowshoeing. Thanks!
Please help support trail grooming in GTNP by donating to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. It’s easy and encouraged. All you need to do is visit: GTNPF.org/donate/ and leave the comment “Nordic” in the designation section. There is the opportunity to leave a one time gift or reoccurring monthly donations in any amount.
Grand Teton National Park
Grooming: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Update: 3/10
Grooming Taggart Lake to Jenny Lake. Today is our final day of grooming in GTNP.
Lots of fresh corduroy from Taggart to Signal, thanks to GTNP grooming! Check out JHNordic.com/Grooming/ to find other fresh grooming in our new real-time map, thanks to our partner, Nordic-Pulse.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/10
The ski trails will be reset with the pisten bully Saturday morning and the single track will be groomed as well. Tomorrow is closing day so get up here and enjoy!
Turpin Meadow Ranch is open to all for skiing, lodging, dining, Nordic lessons, and tours! Closing day (March 12, 2022) is tomorrow so if you’re going to take a trip to Turpin, don’t wait another minute! Call the office (307) 543-2000 or visit our website to book your adventure and/or meal!
Please support TVTAP winter trail grooming on your favorite TV winter trails by purchasing a TVTAP Trail sticker Please remember to manage your dogs and respect dog and wildlife closures. Buy a dog trail sticker, too!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/10
Classic Track: Set | Fat Bike Trails: Closed | Snowshoe Trails: Open
2 inches of new snow accumulated overnight with more on the way today. Expect heavy snowfall throughout the day with great storm skiing conditions. High temperatures will be in the high thirties and lows will remain in the teens.
Remember, singletracks will be closed when there is more than 3 inches of snow in a 24 hour period.
Alta Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday
Last Updated: 3/9
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Set a full-width skate lane and classic with the ginzu. Conditions are very nice for both.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 3/10
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
It’s warming up and a wet snow, possibly mixing with some rain, is predicted. I’ll wait to groom late today or early tomorrow.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 3/10
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Going to hold off on grooming till later this afternoon or tomorrow morning with the warm up and moisture and strong winds in the forecast.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/10
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Mark says: I fractured my tibial just under my knee yesterday while alpine skiing, so surgery next week, and unfortunately I’m done grooming and skiing for remainder of the season. I’m sure we’ll have volunteers grooming canyon going forward.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 3/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Everything is set and good to go. Snow is coming down hard so don’t know how long it will last. Saw some moose struggling in the deep snow. This winter’s snowfall is going to make it tough for them to conserve calories so give them a wide berth or consider just turning around and letting them be. Hope everyone is enjoying the abundant snowfall and gliding and sliding into spring!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/9
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Thursday morning I was able to reset the skate and classic track. Enjoy the glide.
No dogs allowed. Please stay on the groomed trails at all times.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/8
Singletrack: Set
Wednesday evening groomed Nemo with multiple passes. Tuesday volunteers groomed groomed upper & lower Ladyslipper and Hillbender’s. PLEASE try to ride when the snow is firm. Please DON’T ride when it’s near or above freezing, leaving a rut, having to walk or push. It’s ruins everyone else’s experience. Practice and enjoy good ethics.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/9
Groomed 3/9.
Rammell Mountain
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/8
Groomed 2/24.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/9
Groomed 3/9.
Pinnacle Trail
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/8
Groomed 3/3.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on all the wonderful events coming up! Explore the highlighted events below or find more events on our website at https://jhnordic.com/events/
Skinny Skis Season Finale – Freestyle
Saturday March 11th
Location: JHSC Trail Creek Training Facility
2.5, 5, & 10km Skate or Classic
Get your Nordie Nerd on this season with a skate or classic race. All races are open to everyone with no cut off times. Or ski the course after the race to try it out. There is something for every level of skier including the kids!
Registration: 9am day of race. Race start time: 10am all races
Suggested entry – $20 for 5 & 10km. $10 for JHSC Junior Nordic athletes. $5 for 2.5km
Cash or check ONLY! Please make checks out to JHSC.
Annual Sunny Korfanta Race
Sunday, March 12
White Pine Wyoming Ski Resort
This is an event to honor of one of Pinedale’s most notable skiers, Albert “Sunny” Korfanta. His contributions and pioneering spirit is celebrated annually at this event as he was instrumental in opening the ski hill in 1940. This is a fun race for all abilities, beginner to expert. Skiers and boarders of all ages are welcome. COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!
[Rescheduled 3/16]
Women’s Nordic Series
Saturday, March 16
5:30PM | Alta Track
Due to the inclement weather the Women’s Nordic Series is rescheduled for Thursday, March 16th at 5:30 pm at the Alta Track.
Annual Spring Fling
Cardboard Race and Pond Skim
Saturday, March 25
Whitepine Wyoming Ski Resort
It’s almost time for our annual closing weekend shenanigans! Cardboard Race and Pond Skim, Saturday, March 25, 2023. Contingent upon snow conditions. If needed, we’ve got plenty of cardboard. Just ask!
Crazy Costumes, Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26, 2023. All and any! Just keep it clean
We’d love to hear about your outdoor adventures, what your doing to stay healthy, safe, respectful of community health guidelines – send pictures or post on FB and Insta – #JHNordic
