Best Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Trips in Grand Teton National Park
It is winter in Jackson Hole! As snow covers the valley of Grand Teton National Park, a winter wonderland has emerged, providing ample opportunities for exploration on cross country skis or snowshoes.
The guides at Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures , Hole Hiking Experience and Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools have been out exploring Grand Teton National Park on ski and snowshoe tours.
Check out some of our favorite spots!
You can also find GPS trail maps, elevation profiles, directions, and follow your live location on the map for each trail on JHNordic.com/trails/
Masters Recreational Clinic Will Be On Wednesday Dec 23rd This Week
Skate Ski technique, tips, fitness, fun… Meet dressed to ski at the Teton PInes Nordic Center trailhead – Clubhouse south side.
TIME: 11am – 12:30 pm
LOCATION: TETON PINES NORDIC CENTER – Moose-Wilson Road, Wilson
Please RSVP unless you are signed up with a Masters Clinic season pass.
- Please arrive -dressed and booted up, ready to ski. Bring skate ski gear this week. Feel free to arrive with a warm outer jacket, which you can leave in your day pack or bag outside at the Nordic Center. Due to the current health guidelines , we will remain outside for the full lessons. There are indoor bathrooms, but there is no indoor warming space.
- Come at 10:50am to Teton Pines, to meet the coaches and to divide into small groups.We will meet on the snow, on the south side of the Teton Pines Clubhouse, in front of the Nordic Center lower level retail shop. Rental skis, hot waxing, Nordic clothing and accessories are available at the shop. If you need rental equipment, we recommend you plan ahead -contact Cody – tetonpinesxc@gmail.com or (307) 733-1733.
- Please wear a mask so that we can #RecreateResponsibly. We will divide into small groups based on ability, and maintain 6 feet + distance at all times. If you do not feel well, please stay home.
- Please bring your own water and a snack.
- We have 3 coaches per clinic. To keep groups small, please spread out during personal instruction.
Weekend Highlight
Your update on all things JH Nordic from this week, in one place.
Turpin Meadow Ranch – NOW OPEN
Turpin Meadow Ranch Opens its groomed trails, historic main Lodge, and overnight cabins TODAY, Saturday Dec 19th
Here’s what you need to know!
We can’t wait to escape up to Turpin Meadow Ranch for a day or overnight of Nordic skate and classic skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing on 12 miles of groomed trails.
Changes and Updates for Winter Season 2021
As a result of Turpin Meadow Ranch’s commitment to keeping all of our guests and staff safe, and to provide an excellent opportunity for guests to winter recreate, we have implemented a few changes to enhance our operation:
1. Trail and Season Pass available Online
Guests can now purchase their Trails Passes online in advance and we strongly encourage them to do so. This will aid in reduced time for guests to check-in at the lodge and minimize the number of guests in the lobby at any one time. (Guests will still need to check-in before hitting the trails but it will be a concise, and simple process.) This includes the daily pass and season pass for Adults and Youth. Buy Day Passes Here | Buy Season Passes Here
2. Online Advance Acknowledgment of Risk
In addition to being able to purchase trial passes online. Guest will receive a confirmation email with a link to sign in advance of their “Acknowledgement of Risk”, again speeding up the check-in process upon
arrival. Sign the document online.
3. Rental Equipment
Rental equipment will be on a first come first serve basis. As a result, rental equipment will not be available for reservations. Guests can call ahead and see what may be available before they arrive. 307.543.2000
4. Reservations Required for Lunch & Dinner
Guests will need to call in advance or day-of to make a lunch or dinner reservation. We will have limited seating this season so we encourage everyone to book a reservation early. Reservations will be every 30
minutes starting at 11:30 am through 2:30 pm for Lunch. Dinner will be 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Monday through Sunday. Guests can call 307.543.2000 to make a reservation in the Lodge.
5. COVID-19 Protocol
Guest will be required to wear a face-covering when entering the lodge. This includes when guests are using the restroom facilities, check-in upon arrival, shopping in the retail area, and entering the restaurant. Face coverings can be removed when actively dining but must be worn to move about the restaurant or when departing. Guests should practice proper social distancing when in the lodge and restaurant, and not enter the facility if they are displaying any COVID like symptoms. Only one (1) guest per party will need to check-in at the front desk prior to using the trail system if they have purchased trail passes and signed their “Acknowledgment of Risk” in advance. Turpin Meadow Ranch will adhere to all the current and future recommendations put in place by the Teton County Health Department and we ask that our guests do the same.
6. LIVE Trail & Weather Conditions
View the LIVE stream Ranch Cam to see current conditions and
weather in real-time.
See you at Turpin Meadow Ranch this winter!
Banff Film Festival Goes Virtual
| Skinny Skis has been Jackson’s local host for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour for over 20 years and for the first year ever the festival has been made available online! While the format is new we are still your local host so please use the links below to rent through us. We will be back to the full, in person, screenings in future years as sharing these amazing mountain stories with our community has been a privilege over these many years. So please enjoy the 2021 edition of the Banff Mountain Film Festival from the comfort and safety of your own home this season as presented by your friends over at Skinny Skis by tapping the links below. Thank you for your support and enjoy the show! |
Trip Report: Taggart to Signal Mountain
Grand Teton National Park – Taggart to Signal Mountain groomed trail -Friday December 18th. Good to know before you go!
Park conditions: Skate – extremely rough because of walkers for the first 5k+. At this time, there is no walking lane yet. There is a narrow skate lane from Jenny Lake to the north. Classic tracks were excellent. Lots of wind north of Jenny Lake as well.
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 12/19
9:45 AM The course is set, the volunteers have arrived, and the race will soon be starting. Don’t forget that the course is closed until the race clears out around 4 PM and no spectators are allowed at the race. While there was enough time to do some limited grooming on the Forest Service trails this morning, word is that there is very limited parking at the end of the Old Pass Road due to turn arounds for the school busses so it might be a good day to head elsewhere.
Groomer’s choice for today is to ski the course!
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 12/19
The levee is groomed and in good shape. Stilson will be done around 9:30. The school fields will be groomed today with the snowmobile because of a thin base.
Stilson is groomed. Skate lanes and classic tracks are in good shape. I will be done at the school fields around 10:30 with the snowmobile. Grooming will resume on Monday with cache creek up to noker mine draw.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 12/19
We are open daily 9am-4pm (closed Christmas Day). We groom 16km of track each morning for both skate and classic skiing. The conditions are great right now and will continue to improve as we get more snow this week.
Please come ready to ski as we do not have an indoor area for getting ready this year. We have lots of covid protocols to keep everyone safe and healthy this season. Please check in with us at our outside window/intercom located on the southside of the Teton Pines Clubhouse. The main Clubhouse upper level/front door is closed to the public. The restaurant is closed to the public this winter as well.
We still have lots of nordic gear in our shop if you need to pick up some last minute gifts for the nordic skiers on your list! We currently have a good selection of sizes in skate gear ( skis/boots/poles) but our classic gear is currently in short supply. We are expecting a small shipment of classic skis around Jan 1. We have a great selection and supply of hats, jackets, pants, socks and gloves by Daehlie, Skida, and Swix. If you want to explore Grand Teton NP and the Jackson Hole area on xc skis, we carry the must have xc ski trail guidebook for our region in the shop: https://www.facebook.com/SkiYellowstone
Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 12/19
The Windy Mile decided to wake up this morning and our site is currently experiencing drifty conditions. Skiing today may be more enjoyable with a classic or touring set up. The trails were leveled out and groomed multiple times this morning, but may likely have drifts form throughout the day. Ski with caution and please stay on the trails. Thanks and we’ll do our best to smooth out the track again tomorrow.
Please see the following Restrictions:
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop OPEN
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
- Early Season & Drifty Conditions
- Grooming is currently via snowmobile and Pistenbully
**SKI W/Caution!!… Current Depths and Coverage are Very Deceiving
Next Update Will be 12/21 or whenever conditions dramatically change. Enjoy!
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 12/ 19
Early season conditions persist but all trails were enjoyed on day one by hardy adventurers, will you be the next? The lodge and gift shop are open, be sure to check out all of the new Turpin gear this season (hello last minute gifts!!)!
To help with social distancing and to get you on the trails faster please purchase your trail passes and sign your waivers online in advance. As always, remember to recreate responsibly. Bring a mask as it is required to enter the lodge. Lunch and dinner are both by reservation only.
To keep an eye on live conditions, check out the webcams here.
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 12/19
XC OPEN (Last groomed 12/19/2020, Fat Bike CLOSED.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Alta Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I rolled three passes everywhere this morning, except the two inner northern loops, Wheel Line and Vertigo. The coverage is nearly complete now, with a minimum of grass showing. Everything except the northern loop had a good base following Tristan’s heroic efforts Monday night and should provide a reasonably decent skating surface. The northern loop had a lot of fresh snow and will take a few more grooms to get firm. The classic track is set everywhere and may be the best option at Alta today. Enjoy!
Please do not park in the library parking lot.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/18
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Groomed Driggs trails Friday at 5:30 pm. Early season conditions exist. Good conditions for classic skiing. More snow needed to set proper skate track. Let it snow!!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 12/19
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
The warming trend and new snow have made for a bit of a mess. We hope to groom again by Monday am.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 12/19
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Saturday: After a night with no snow, plan to use Ginzu to reset both skate and classic tracks this morning. Both should turn out well. Finish by 9am.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 12/19
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
We’ll groom Yeti’s and Campground loops in the am and set the skate and classic track before 9am.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/19
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
The warming trend and new snow have made for some messy conditions. We hope to groom again by Monday am.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/17
Singletrack: Set
Late Thursday – Twas a week before Christmas when all through the 5th St. the ditches were filled and checked off his list, so St. Nick took his sled and gave us a groom. Then I in my post work haze did arise and rode in laps until the demise of my thighs. On Friday go ski out some powder then go grab your bike! It’s the best that it’s been before the Holidays strike!
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/19
Singletrack: Set
With the high/low temperatures hovering at 39/31 until after Monday, we won’t plan to groom anything right now. If you must ride, deflate your tires to 3 psi (3 crinkles) and turn around if you’re create a rut greater than 1″.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
JH Nordic Recreation Masters Clinics
THURSDAYS, DEC 10TH – MARCH 18TH | TETON PINES
8 clinics every other week from 11am-12:30pm, starting on December 10th -March 18th, alternating skate skiing and classic cross-country.
Betty Woolsey Classic Nordic Race- 2k, 5k, 12k (* Sandbag series)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26th | TRAIL CREEK
Register with the JH Ski Club. A community favorite, honoring Betty Woolsey of Trail Creek Ranch. All ages welcome, interval start. Come dressed to ski and wear a mask!
CANCELLED
JH Nordic Alliance Annual Free Nordic Ski, Fat Bike, Snowshoe Event
Based on our goal to Recreate Responsibly, the JH Nordic Alliance has decided to cancel this season’s Annual Free Winter Trails Nordic, Fat Bike and Snowshoe Event. Stay tuned for January 2022! In the meantime, we encourage you to get out safely, responsibly, wear a mask, keep your groups small, and space out!
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
