Nordic Staycation Ideas
Updated Blog! Read on for some of our favorite local winter getaways within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
There comes a point in the winter when our routines begin to feel a bit mundane and our restlessness urges us to explore something new. Fortunately for those in the Jackson area, you don’t need to leave the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for a new cross-country ski adventure. Miles of trails await in any direction, each offering something unique.
So if you feel the urge to ski some new terrain but are not compelled to buy a plane ticket, glide through our list of regional getaways. Some might only warrant a day trip, but other trails might compel you to make it a true weekend getaway and stay the night next to a cozy fire.
Registration for the 2022 Betty Classic is now open!
Please click THIS LINK to directly register for the race. The races kick off at 10 AM on 12/26. Everybody is welcome to come out to Trail Creek to be a part of the Nordic community and participate in a fun event.
This community event offers distances for every age and ability in a mass start classic format. There will be 10k, 5k, 3k, and 0.5k options available for everyone. All event details and times can be found HERE on the event website.
This event commemorates Betty Woolsey, a ski racing Olympian and the founder of Trail Creek Ranch. During her lifetime Betty Woolsey pioneered backcountry skiing on Teton Pass, opened Trail Creek to Nordic skiing for JHSC in 1967, and helped the JHSC nordic and biathlon programs get off the ground.
Meet Charlie Von Maur-Newcomb, of the Junior Nordic team!
When I asked him how he got started in Nordic, Charlie shared that his parents rented ski packages from Skinny Skis for him when he was younger, and he started skiing around in their yard. Like many in our valley, he learned to love the sport from an early age in a fairly informal setting; pretty soon, though, his parents decided to sign him up for the JHSC Nordic Program. (His brother Bowen is in the program, too, and his dad, Mark, coaches!)
Fast forward to the present, and Charlie is a leading member of the Junior Nordic Hybrid team, in which select participants train one extra day every week, with the Prep/Comp teams. Charlie has been working hard through Summer and Fall, and last weekend in Sun Valley, he placed 2nd in the U14 3k classic mass start and won the U14 skate individual start distance!
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/15
Off To Pinedale!
Today’s grooming at Trail Creek was with the Ginzu groomer and covered most every trail. The weather has been mostly stable with cool temps and just a little drifting in the fields. The fields did receive multiple passes with classic track touch ups where needed while most woods trails received a best line Ginzu skate pass.
Stable cool weather is forecast to continue through the weekend which should help to keep the snow in good condition.
You won’t find many high school age skiers around Trail Creek today as most of them are off to Pinedale for a Wyoming High School Nordic race. Racing is ongoing at White Pine ski area today and tomorrow. As soon as results are available, they will be posted on this grooming report, the entire IMD/High School schedule for the year is below. Go Jackson skiers!
Groomer’s choice for today would be a road trip to the meet in Pinedale or perhaps the East Fields.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Emily’s Pond Levee, High School Fields, Stilson Loop, Wilson Centennial Trail
Last Update: 12/16
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in good shape. They should be firm and fast. Game creek is finished and in good shape.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Update: 12/14
12/14: Cache Creek Road Groomed
12/12: I smoothed all the trails out in Cache last night so they would be good for the week. Here are some suggestions for exploring the groomed trails:
Bikers – Go up Hagen Highway and down lower Ferrins, both the Lloyd’s Cut and Sink or Swim connectors are groomed for a shorter or longer loop option.
Hikers – Check out the Sidewalk trail near the trailhead, I am trying to keep the first 3 entrances groomed for short dog walking loops.
Skiers – Explore off of the Cache Road over to Hagen, all of the connectors at bridges 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are groomed.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/16
Our trail conditions are incredible right now and should remain perfect throughout the upcoming sunny days! We have a shop full of gear for the xc skier on your holiday gift list. We are fully open to the public from 9am-4pm daily.
Click here for our current trails grooming and conditions: https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/US/WY/Teton-Pines-Nordic-Center We offer private lessons, skate and classic ski rental packages, and bc xc rentals for the park. Please call to book lessons and with any other questions. Our shop phone number is: (307) 732-4130
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/15
Trails are in great shape and conditions should continue to be very enjoyable through Monday. Look for weather to take a big change beginning Tuesday (12/20), as our next storm cycle is forecasted to arrive, potentially bringing substantial accumulations during the holidays. Enjoy the calm conditions and we’ll send the next update on Tuesday (12/20) morning. Also, anticipate more frequent updates next week throughout the next storm.
Ongoing Trail Notes
- No Walking Allowed
- Early Season Conditions Exists (Thin/Bare Spots)
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 12/16
Fresh tracks Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal. Have a great weekend everyone!
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Updated: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
We are excited to announce that Turpin Meadow Ranch is open for skiing, lodging, dining, Nordic lessons, and tours! Ours is a short season so be sure to plan a visit this winter between now and March 13, 2022. Call the office (307) 543-2000 or visit our website to book your adventure and/or meal!
Due to issues with grooming equipment early season conditions exist in some areas.
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: 12/15
Classic Track: Not Set | Fat Bike Trails: Open | Snowshoe Trails: Open
Nordic Groomed 12/13, Fat Bike Groomed 12/3.
A wave of new snow blew in yesterday bringing five inches of fresh powder. Colder temperatures are expected to move in from the north. High temperatures reaching the mid twenties and lows reaching single digits through Saturday. Enjoy the fresh powder!
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: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Nick is out setting the classic track now, and I will try to get the skate track grooming started at 10, finishing around noon.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Rolled the fresh snow and made excellent corduroy for skate skiing. The classic track is set and ready. Enjoy!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/14
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Took three passes Wednesday morning. Tricky light, but the track set up nicely. It was lightly snowing, so I suspect the track will have 1 cm of fluff on top. Groomers choice – the Northern loop
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Friday: Plan to reset both classic and skate tracks this morning. Cold nights and sunny days make for good Nordic skiing.
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: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Finished up around eight thirty last night. Classic set on Yeti and CG. Get out and ski before it gets covered with fresh stuff!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Thursday morning I groomed a significant amount of new snow with the roller. Reset the skate and classic track. Expect soft conditions. Enjoy the glide.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/16
Singletrack: Set
The entire single track system has been groomed and is riding well. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 12/15
Groomed 12/14, enjoy.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 12/13
Groomed 12/13. Enjoy.
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/
Nordic Masters Clinic
Thursdays – from Mid December to late February
UPDATE: December 22nd clinic is full and they will not be taking drop ins.
Join us this winter season to increase your ski speed, stamina, and strength. Work on your technique and form with professional tips and exercises from USSA certified coaches. Stay and ski all day with your clinic ski pass at Teton Pines Nordic Center or Trail Creek Nordic Center (we will ski at both locations through out the winter to provide a variety of terrain and technique).
Betty Woolsey Classic Race
December 26, 2022
Trail Creek Nordic Center
Registration now Open!
Come work off your Christmas feast in style! This community event offers distances for every age and ability, 10 AM start time with a mass start classic format.
Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options.
JH Nordic Alliance 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day
Sunday, January 8th, 2023 | 9:30AM – 3:00PM
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Fun, Free Community Day – with Raffle benefiting local Nordic Alliance non-profit. Free trail pass, Free skate & classic XC ski demo gear, Free fat bike demos, free Nordic ski lessons, Free BackCountry Nordic Ski & Snowshoe tours, Kids Corral (2-5 yr olds), Bridger-Teton USFS wildlife and wilderness info, Kates Bars, Lunch, snacks, hot & cold drinks.
Sponsored by the JH Nordic Alliance members. Family. Friends, visitors, dogs (on leash) welcome. Bring your own skis and bikes recommended to use between free demos and tours.
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
