TRAIL SPOTLIGHT: Phelps Lake
Easy access, peaceful surroundings, friendly community vibes, friends from Jackson Hole’s Silicon Couloir in Grand Teton National Park. Great way to spend a weekend on a skier tracked trail to Phelps Lake! The immensity of skiing across the frozen lake to Death Canyon is quite remarkable ( spot the skiers in one photo!)
Observations
There are lots of interesting observations to make out on our winter trails if we take the time to pay attention to our senses and be present. The photos above are old grizzly claw marks in Game Creek. What interesting things have you observed on your Nordic adventures? “To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.” -Marilyn vos Savant
NEW ON THE BLOG: Why Gen Z Should be on Skinny Skis
Not many people are lucky enough to grow up cross country skiing. Or even lucky enough to grow up in a place where skiing is easily accessible. But Jackson has it all, there is way more than just steep and deep if you get on some skinny skis! Here are 10 reasons Why Gen Z should be on Skinny Skis: It’s a great workout, easy adventure, dogs can usually come, après ski, no lines, being present, etc. Spoiler alert: this article is written from the perspective of a Gen Zer, but it is applicable to all generations.
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/15
JNQ#1 is Racing!
As this report is being posted, racing is ongoing at the Intermountain Nordic Division Junior National Qualifier #1 hosted by the Sun Valley Ski Foundation in Ketchum, Idaho. While no live streaming link is apparent, you can follow results closely; they will be posted as they come in on the event website. Racing continues and concludes tomorrow. Looking to the future, JHSC and Trail Creek will be hosting JNQ #3 Friday, February 11 & Saturday, February 12; a great opportunity to watch or help out, more information is available on our website.
Nordic skiing in the here and now at Trail Creek is also a grand opportunity for a cracking good outing. Our fantastic Prinoth Husky was hard at it this morning, making the rounds reconditioning our long lasting snow. Yet again no new snow has fallen, but also the temps have remained very favorable for Nordic endeavors, resulting in continued seriously nice skiing. The field section of the grooming was primarily touching up the skate lanes; some sections in the woods received skate only passes with others receiving skate/classic passes. While there are a few gaps in the classic tracks here and there in the woods, all in all skiing is great and should be even greater when the fog burns off and temps warm later in the day.
Groomer’s choice for today is to check out the new routing in the Armin’s area.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Monday-Saturday
Last Update: 1/15
The Levee, School Fields and Stilson were groomed and in good shape Saturday.
Cache Creek Fat Bike Trails
Last Update: 1/15
I touched up the trails in Cache Friday night so they should be good to go for the weekend.
Grooming by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/14
The skiing conditions have been incredible at Teton Pines! The cold temps and clear skies are great for our track. Our track is immaculately groomed every morning so come on out and check it out!
We groom 13km+ daily for both skate and classic with our new snowcat.
Our trails and shop are open to the public 9am-4pm daily. Please call us in advance to book lessons at: (307) 733-1733. You do not need a reservation for skiing and we do not take reservations for rentals. Please contact us in advance to check availability for off-site rentals.
We still have a great selection of classic skis, skate skis, boots, jackets, pants, gloves, and hats. We have a full tuning shop so drop off your skis for a nordic wax done by our great wax techs who are all nordic skiers!
Visit our website for pricing and other information: www.tetonpinesnordiccenter.com
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/14
It looks to be a great weekend for skiing as the trails are smooth and the skies will be sunny! Conditions have been favorable for snowmobile grooming on the yellow loop and the track should provide enjoyable conditions through Monday. Watch out for Moose… and reminder that we’ll continue to only groom the Yellow Loop via snowmobile until our Pistenbully/Snowcat is back from repairs. Next update will be Tuesday (1/18).
TRAIL STATUS
- YELLOW LOOP OPEN
- SLED HILL GROOMED on 1/10 (Grooming will occur again when Snowcat is back from Repairs)
- CLASSIC TRACKS NOT SET (Will be set once Snowcat is Repaired)
- SNOWSHOEING CLOSED (Will be open once Snowcat is Repaired)
- ORANGE LOOP, CLOSED (Will be open once Snowcat is Repaired)
- WALKING, NOT ALLOWED
Snake River Sporting Club
Daily Nordic grooming for both “Front Nine” (south side) and “Back Nine” (North side) Nordic Trails
Public access to the groomed Nordic trails is $50 per person per day, with no season passes available. Ski rentals are available at the Sports Shop. Guests must check in at the Sports Shop to sign a waiver and make payment before heading out. The daily pass does not allow access to the Restaurant this season. The clinics that are being offered are for members and lodging guests only.
Please call the Sports Shop with any questions you may have at 307-200-3093
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 1/14
It is super nice to see the sun shining on the Tetons today. Brandon was grooming from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Friday morning. The track is looking good for the weekend.
Grooming is sponsored by the GTNP Foundation and generous donations from our community.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/15
WE ARE OPEN and it is going to be a beautiful Sunday at Turpin! Come on up, ski with your kids, your dogs, and follow it up with a delicious lunch in our lodge. Take in those stunning Teton views and be aware of moose in the area. Please sign waivers and pay for trail passes online ahead of your visit. Call the front office (307) 543-2000 ahead of your visit for booking equipment rentals and Nordic adventures (lessons and tours).
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Last Updated: 1/12
Cross Country 15k: XC OPEN
Fat Bike Trails : Open
Snowshoe Trails: Open
Targhee’s Nordic trails are groomed Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sat/Sundays. Fat bike/snowshoe trails are groomed regularly but not on a set schedule – the groomer usually waits until after a storm cycle to groom the single track.
Trail day passes are $20 this winter.
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: 1/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
All loops were ginzued full width and classic track set, including two north inner loops. Alta is now at 100% – firm and fast. Thanks to Nick and Mark for their extra effort in getting the north loops in under difficult conditions.
Please do not park in the library parking lot. Please be sure to keep your dogs on a leash and to clean up after them.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 1/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
It’s a beautiful morning for grooming the Driggs Track! Broken equipment occupied my attention Friday, so will be grooming Saturday instead. Get out and enjoy the frosty sunshine.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 1/14
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
I used to drag to the skate track and get rid of the ruts and post holes. I did not set a classic track. It should set up really well with his cooler temperatures. Enjoy the glide.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Saturday: Plan to reset skate track this morning. The current weather pattern has firmed the track nicely. Both classic tracks have remained in good shape all week. Skating has been excellent.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 1/14
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Ran the ginzu over the skate to refresh it. Classic was still very nice, so I left it alone. Now… does anyone have the number of that track-leaving moose?
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Skate track and classic track were set Friday night. It should set up well overnight with the cold temperatures. Enjoy.
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/12
Singletrack: Set
The entire singletrack system has been groomed. Happy hour, upper and lower hillbender, Nemo, Lady slippers, Grumpy connector and Powerline all the way to Pole Canyon. Enjoy the ride.
Happy Hour (aka Mike Harris to ID/WY state line)
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/13
Grooming to summer trail head 1/13
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
The USFS is continuing to monitor snow levels on our roads and will close them to wheeled motorized vehicles when there is enough snow to groom
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/11
Groomed 1/11
JH Nordic Masters Classic & Skate Ski Clinics
CLASSIC SKI CLINIC THURSDAY JANUARY 20, 2022
11am – 12:30pm
Hosted by Scott Horn and JH Ski Club Nordic Team Coaches
There will be 10 clinics running every Thursday in January and February from 11am-12:30pm. The Nordic Masters clinics will focus on skate ski and classic cross country skiing every other week.
Joining all 10 clinics is your best approach to developing your full Nordic skiing technique, balance, stride, stamina, and overall fitness while having fun in a small group. For those who only wish to focus on one technique, we are offering a Skate Ski Clinic series of 5 clinics or a Classic Cross country series of 5 clinics.
January Women’s Skate Skiing Clinics
Dates: Friday January 21
Time: 11am-12:30pm
Teton Pines Nordic Center
If you’d like to improve your skate technique and fitness, come join us for three Skate lessons at Teton Pines. We’ll improve our glide on skate skis and learn to be more efficient uphill, downhill, and review the different skating strides. These clinics are for those with some skate skiing experience who would like to improve. We will cover more than the basics to get you skating longer distances with ease and going up and down hills with proficiency and confidence. Each session will be part instruction with plenty of time to ski and practice. $50/Clinic or $135 for all 3 ($45/Clinic for Teton Pines Nordic Center season pass holders). Rentals available for $35. Trail pass is included.
Instructor: Kim Springer Kim grew up warming her fingers in the Octagon on Mt. Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont. After college she discovered the warm world of Nordic skiing and has been passionate about all aspects of the sport ever since. She loves sharing that passion with others and has taught in and around Jackson Hole for many years.
Questions or to register: Call Teton Pines Nordic Center at: (307) 733-1733
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
