10 Activities that Aren’t Skiing
Jackson Hole Magazine – Winter Edition
We’re excited to be featured in Jackson Hole Magazine’s winter edition alongside our friends at the Hole Hiking Experience and JH Ecotour Adventures! While everyone knows Jackson Hole has amazing alpine skiing, this article dives beyond the downhill and provides insight into cross-country adventures, snowshoeing tours, wildlife spotting opportunities and more.
Masters Recreational Skate Ski Clinic Postponed
Regrettably, the groomed trails at Teton Pines and Trail Creek are both too shallow for skate skiing at this time. We will postpone the skate ski clinic to Thursday Dec 30th 11a-12:30p at Teton Pines Nordic Center. Thank you for your understanding and patience for our trails to become Nordic ski ready.
In the meantime, both Grand Targhee and Teton Canyon in Teton Valley have groomed trails open right now and good coverage. For trail grooming, as they all come online in the next few days or week, continue to check the JHNordic Trail Report at jhnordic.com/trail-reports/
There’s still time to sign up for the skate and/or classic xc clinics. Our first classic ski clinic will be on Thursday, Dec 23rd at Teton Pines Nordic Center. We look forward to seeing you there!
Nature Update – December 15, 2021
Provided by Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was
nothing more
than prettiness
-Mary Oliver
| Jackson Hole needs snow. I know it is rare to have brown hills in early December. I have called Jackson home since the mid-eighties. Current snow level is below average and everyone is doing the snow dance. Fortunately, storms are now tracking here from the Pacific Northwest. Overnight we received eight inches of snow with a snowy forecast to come. Fingers crossed with holiday skiers on the way. When days shorten, wildlife in Jackson Hole either migrate, hibernate or adapt to the season of winter. Most birds migrate. Bears hibernate while many animals adapt and remain active in the winter. They seek a suitable territory to conserve energy and wait the return of spring. Many winter near the town of Jackson so be alert for wildlife sightings and animals on the roadways. With low snow levels, animals continue to move throughout the valley. Wildlife closures began on December 1 to protect wildlife and minimize stress from people. Closures continue until May 1, 2022. It’s important for us all to tread lightly and minimize our disturbance of the natural world. Most hills near town are closed. Links below – Bridger-Teton National Forest- https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5403045.pdf Grand Teton National Park- https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/management/wildlife-closures.htm Lack of snow changes options. Northern parts of Grand Teton Park and Jackson are fun to explore. Both Hermitage Point and the Signal Mountain in the Park and Togwotee pass, north of Jackson, have more snow. Remember it’s still early season, so be cautious. The Hole Hiking Experience leads tours in Grand Teton National Park (snowshoe/xc ski), Bridger-Teton National Forest (snowshoe), and Caribou-Targhee National Forest/Teton Canyon (snowshoe/xc ski). We have an option for all conditions. Keep us in mind if you would like to join a naturalist to interact with nature and learn about winter, wildlife, and much more. Have fun and be safe. The Hole Hiking Experience / 307.690.4453 / www.holehike.com Catherine E. Shill The Hole Hiking Experience, Inc. Bhutan Himalayan Experience 307.690.4453 |
Trail Creek
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
Currently minimal snow, but as everyone is aware, a balmy fall can turn to full winter in a matter of days if a big storm system moves in, so make sure you get your passes purchased and are ready to go! Passes can be purchased at the Trail Creek page.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 12/16
Cache and Game were packed with the snowmobile this morning. Expect thin coverage with possible rocks and dirt just below the surface. Valley trails sI went up Cache with the snowmobile again today. The base is very thin with lots of rocks and dirt showing or just below the surface. I hit quite a few of them! It is skiable but caution is needed. Lets hope we get some snow out of todays storm.
Cache Creek
Grooming coming soon
Pending snowfall and a groomable base, more updates to follow. Fat bike trails are groomed by Friends of Pathways; main trail is groomed by Parks & Rec (see above).
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 12/16
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
Contact Teton Pines Nordic Center for the latest info on groomed trail opening. When trails do open to the public, it will be for classic cross country skiing only. The trails still need more packing and density before they are skate ski ready. Call Teton Pines Nordic at 307 733-1733 for more info.
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 12/14
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
NEW for 2021-22:
*ACCESS: Non-members may access the Nordic ski trails and rental gear from 12pm-5pm only.
*EXCEPTIONS:
– Purchase of a Season Pass allows Full-Access 9am-5pm
– A non-member may book a lesson with a Shooting Star Nordic Instructor during any normal operating hours.
* TRAIL FEES:
-Member Guest: $15
– Adult non-member: $40
-Jr. non-member-13+ $20
-Junior 12 and under Free
*Season Passes – $450 (December); $350 (January); $300 February.
RENTALS AND LESSONS:
A wide range of rental classic cross country, skate skis and snowshoes are available .
Nordic Instruction is available for individual and group lessons. Rentals not included.
Call Shooting Star Nordic Shop to reserve: 307 739 3270
Grand Teton National Park
Grooming coming soon
Skiing is becoming more and more available in GTNP! Official grooming has not yet begun, and snow can be patchy in places, but there should be enough snow for ungroomed classic skiing on carefully selected routes. Cross country skiing, skate skiing, walking, and snowshoeing are permitted on the groomed trail on Teton Park Road, but recreationists are reminded to use the designated tracks for the appropriate uses. Dogs on leash are only permitted in the multi-use lane (west side).
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 12/14
I went out to roll the flats today and our cover is thin. Thankfully the flurries are flying and we are hoping to have some of our trails open when we open the lodge, of course this is dependent on snow conditions.
Grooming scheduled to begin mid December. The ranch opens for lodging December 18, we hope to open trails December 19 snow conditions permitting.
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, Sunday & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/16
Cross Country 15k: XC OPEN
Fat Bike and Snowshoe: Jolly Green Giant and Roundabout OPEN
Remember, singletracks will be closed when there is more than 3 inches of snow in a 24 hour period. With substantial snowfall predicted this week, be sure to check ahead to make sure trails are open!
Alta Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
The Library loop and play field are groomed and looking pretty good, just a little bit of grass sticking out. The rest of the track is going to take a lot of snow to fill in the aggressively tilled farm fields.
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: 12/15
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Caution – Very thin snowpack. Many hazards exist! Just finished rolling out the 5” of snow on the Driggs track to stare establishing a base. We need more snow to hide all the rocks, grass and twigs. I’d recommend walking along the edges of the groom, or use your rock skis with caution. LET IT SNOW!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/13
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
We need a bit more snow, but the weekly forecast looks promising.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Thursday am: Rolled foot new snow on Wednesday, used Ginzu this morning to reset both skate and classic, with good results. Everything covered well.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
Last Updated: 12/13
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
The snow is slowly starting to accumulate. We will begin compacting the trails this week, but ski conditions will not be very good till a bit more snow falls.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
Last Updated: 12/13
It’s good to see some snow on the ground, but we need quite a bit more before grooming around the golf course. It won’t be long!
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
Singletrack: Set
Woohoo. It’s starting to pile up. Happy hour was rolled and packed down today. All other trails are getting rider packed. I hope to get more of them rolled and packed down tomorrow 12/16. Keep pedaling.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
CLOSED TO WHEELED MOTORIZED TRAVEL. Groomed 12/15 to summer TH
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
Grooming coming soon
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: 12/16
Grooming coming soon
Groomed 12/16. South Leigh is now closed to wheeled motorized vehicles for the winter.
JH Nordic Masters Classic & Skate Ski Clinics
Hosted by Scott Horn and JH Ski Club Nordic Team Coaches
FIRST CLASSIC SKI CLINIC THURSDAY DECEMBER 23, 2021
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.
The groomed trails at Teton Pines and Trail Creek are both too shallow for skate skiing at this time so we will postpone the first skate ski clinic to Thursday Dec 30th 11a-12:30p at Teton Pines Nordic Center. Thank you for your understanding and patience for our trails to become Nordic ski ready.
There’s still time to sign up for the skate and/or classic xc clinics. Our first classic ski clinic will be on Thursday, Dec 23rd at Teton Pines Nordic Center. We look forward to seeing you there!
JHNordic 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day at Turpin Meadow Ranch
SPONSORED BY THE JH NORDIC ALLIANCE MEMBERS
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2022
Turpin Meadow Ranch – 1 hr north of Jackson- Buffalo Valley Road (off Hwy 287/26) – Parking onsite/carpooling encouraged.
Fun, Free Community Day – with Raffle benefiting a local Nordic Alliance non-profit:
Free trail pass and demo gear, though it is encouraged that folks bring their own equipment to maximize time on the snow!
Family, friends, visitors, dogs (on leash) welcome: please register in advance to secure your spot!
Bringing your own skis recommended to use between free demos and tours .
Email : Info@JHNordic.com for more info
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
