Today’s Avalanche Forecast
Nordic and winter trail users are urged to use caution when recreating on trails and terrain below steep slopes. The BTAC reports and their website is a valuable local resource for planning your outing. Visit their forecast page for the most up-to-date information.
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.
Peak Performance Ski Education Expands Services
Local Ski Education Business Granted Permit to Offer Cross-Country Ski Instruction and Guiding on the Bridger-Teton National Forest Blackrock Ranger District
Peak Performance, a Jackson-based leading ski education business, is thrilled to announce that it has been granted a new permit to provide cross-country ski guiding and instruction in the breathtaking Bridger-Teton National Forest. This expansion of services will allow outdoor enthusiasts to explore miles of ungroomed cross-country ski trails as a permittee of the Bridger-Teton National Forest/Blackrock Ranger District.
With this new permit, Peak Performance will offer expert-guided tours and personalized instruction for individuals and groups of all skill levels. Our team of trained instructor/guides is dedicated to providing safe and unforgettable experiences, tailored to the interests and physical abilities of our guests. “We are excited to be able to share the splendor and the solitude of the Bridger-Teton National Forest through our guided cross-country ski tours,” said Scotty McGee, Founder and CEO of Peak Performance, LLC. “I have loved all of my forays into this ‘wildest corner’ of Jackson Hole. This permit allows us to further our mission of providing exceptional outdoor education and adventure experiences for our community and visitors.”
For more information about our cross-country ski guiding and instruction services, please visit our website or contact us directly.
Contact:
Scotty McGee
Peak Performance
Phone: 307 413 6552
Email: scottmcgee@wyom.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/pkperf
About Peak Performance: Peak Performance is a locally owned and operated ski education business that has been providing high-quality outdoor experiences and education for over 14 years. Our team of experienced guides and instructors is dedicated to promoting safety, skill development, and a love for the outdoors. What we do best:
Providing top quality Cross Country Ski and Light Touring Instruction and Guiding, Efficient techniques for ascent and descent on Classic, Skate and XC Touring (metal edged waxless skis)
- Wide array of routes and terrain, from forested roads and scenic trails to gradual meadows and gladed descents
- Tour Selection Routefinding, Navigation and Avalanche avoidance – Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Winter and Spring through mid-June – specializing in skate ski crust cruising spring corn adventures
Peak Performance is a permittee of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and an equal opportunity service provider.
Lots of Options to Enjoy Winter Trails Tomorrow
Alta Vista Skiathlon
Don’t miss out, the online registration ends tomorrow. There is an option to register day of for an additional $10. A Skiathlon is a race where you classic your 1st lap and skate your 2nd. You may also sign up as a team. There will be hot cocoa and the possibility of PRs.
Fun fact: This race format originated in Norway in the 1920s and has been an Olympic race competition since 1924.
Reminder: There is a Free Teton Pass Shuttle Every Saturday.
Since many Nordic skiers are also backcountry alpine skiers and BC Nordic skiers here is some helpful information about accessing Teton Pass. Thanks to Teton Backcountry Alliance, you can leave your car, ride the shuttle, and shred! No reservations needed. See here for schedule and other details.
Saturday 2/24: The Last Night Ski at Turpin Meadow Ranch
Celebrate February’s full moon, aka the snow moon, by skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking under it on the snow covered winter trails of Turpin. Mythical creatures get a free trail pass on Saturday night (iykyk). There is also a cabin available February 22-25 so you can come play AND stay! Call the office (307)543-2000 for more information.
WILD NATURE
by Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” -William Blake
It finally feels like winter. Recent stormy weather created piles of snow, a white landscape, slippery roads, and powder days. We are currently at 90% of average mountain snowfall and it seems both town and the mountains may surpass the average for February. La Nina keeps the temperatures a bit warm but it’s OK, it feels like winter. Mid-February also brings more light to the valley as days begin to lengthen.
As we look at the landscape, it seems asleep underneath the blanket of winter snow except life continues to be quite busy.
“This place beneath the snows of winter is called the subnivean zone, and in this zone, small mammals can move about freely searching for food, still under the matted dry grasses and protected by a roof of ice and snow. This roof is created as the heat from the earth melts the snow and water vapor is created in the resulting space between snow and earth. This vapor rises to the roof of snowpack and condenses, forming a thin layer of protective ice that stops sub-zero winds from getting in from above and slows heat loss from below. The subnivean zone temperatures are just a degree or two above or below freezing for the whole winter–even into early spring when the outside air temperature above the snowpack warms considerably.” https://friendsofreadwildlifesanctuary.org/beneath-the-snows-of-winter-the-subnivian-zone/
The subnivean world is amazing. Small mammals create dens and group together for warmth. Voles and shrews will mass together and they are in different mammalian families. Small weasels tunnel in the snow to hunt. They also sleep in the snow since it is warmer. Plants provide food and some grow as light increases.
For me, the joy of being outside in the winter is the solitude and the story left on the snow. Tunnels left by small mammals, the cone litter of the Red Squirrel, the bed of a Ruffed Grouse, all leave an imprint. You can’t beat Jackson and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to provide endless options. It is always fun to connect more deeply with the natural world.
Join our naturalists on the trail to discover winter, wildlife, and the beauty of Jackson Hole. With ample tour options, The Hole Hiking Experience can adjust locations and adapt each day to the current conditions.
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Updated: 2/22
Bamboo Forest Obstacle Course!
The Teewinots were at it again yesterday, creating a challenging obstacle course around the stadium with a forest of bamboo poles. Lots of fun to ski, and hones those Nordic skills that allows for a lifetime of fun, not to mention the chance to ski really fast as these young skiers move into the older racing groups. Thanks Coach Libby and crew!
If you can make it out to Trail Creek today, there is no obstacle to having a great ski. Temps didn’t get too high yesterday or too low last night, which resulted in the Husky being able to do a good job of combing out the snow. Pretty much every trail received at least a single pass with the fields receiving multiple passes. Classic tracks were reset in the fields but mainly only on the narrow sections in the woods as the existing tracks were pretty nice with the dusting of snow we’ve received and also, today’s master class’s technique is skate skiing.
The forecast calls for moderate temps and sun over the weekend with heavy snow returning on Monday. High school racers are in Casper on Friday and Saturday and many IMD racers will be in Bozeman Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the National Tune Up.
Groomer’s choice for today is the sunny and snowy (at the same time) fields.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Update: 2/22
Stilson, Wilson Centennial Trail and Emily’s Pond Levee groomed 2/22.
Game Creek and May Park were last groomed 2/21.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming As Needed
Last Update: 2/21
Single track groomed the evening of 2/20.
Please help support trail grooming for the Cache Creek Single track trails by donating to the Friends of Pathways. Visit: friendsofpathways.org/donate/ and leave the comment “Grooming” in the campaign section.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/21
Ski early for a perfectly groomed track and colder temps(firmer/better track). 30% off all clothing and 20% off skis, boots and poles. We have demo gear available for purchase too!
We groom approximately 16km of track for both skate and classic daily. We have a full retail and rental shop. We offer lessons daily. Call us with questions and to book lessons: (307) 732-4130. To keep our track in pristine shape for skiing we do not allow dogs, walking, snowshoeing, or fatbikes.
Teton Village Trails
Groomed Periodically
Last Update: 2/20
Pretty morning. Gray’s Meadow and Teton Village Trail groomed 2/20.
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/19
It looks to be a great week for Nordic skiing as calmer weather is forecasted through Friday. Over 4 feet of snow has fallen during the last several weeks, making for good trail coverage and a great winter backdrop. Enjoy!
- Walking is not allowed.
- Sled Hill is Open.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/22
TMR is open to the public daily for skiing, meals, Nordic lessons, and tours! Call the office (307) 543-2000 or visit our website to book your adventure! Check out our live webcam for current conditions.
Support grooming in GTNP by donating to GTNPF.org/donate/ and leaving “Nordic” in the designation section. We encourage skiers to support all of our grooming teams.
Grand Teton National Park
Grooming: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 2/20
When will the osprey return to his nest? Happy skiing GTNP grooming today -Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain.
Grand Targhee
Grooming: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Last Updated: 2/19
GTR grooms Rick’s Basin area trails Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun. Trails are in good condition. The Nordic Classic Track will not be set due to a mechanical issue.
Please remember no dogs on the Nordic trails and be alert for dog sledding traffic at intersections along the Nordic Connector. GTR is no longer grooming for fat biking or snowshoeing, however fat biking is permitted on the groomed Nordic trails.
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!
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 2/21
Wednesday: Plan to reset skate track and the north classic this morning. Should be good.
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: 2/22
I will start grooming around 5 pm this evening. I will work on the campground loop first and then Yeti’s loop. It should freeze up well overnight and provide some great skiing. 2/22 Centennial pathway update: groomed and should glide and ride well! Enjoy!
Singletrack: 2/22
Buffed out Ladyslippers, Nemo, and BPA. Some ruts and holes remain but in great shape overall. Don’t be silly, ride when chilly! And Centennial Pathway has been groomed. Enjoy the snow!
Please note the USFS dog closure policy Dec 1st – April 15th at this venue.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Last Updated: 2/22
All skate lanes on all trails groomed and ready for carving. Classic tracks are in good condition. Make it a great day.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 2/21
Wednesday morning: Reset and tried to improve the skate lanes as there had been a lot of foot traffic on them. Just as a reminder, when pups (and their humans) walk on the skate and classic lanes when conditions are soft, it ruins the tracks and can be challenging to erase. We have a footpath groomed and the perimeter pathway is plowed. Left the classic track as it. Enjoy yourselves!
Driggs School Loops
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 2/20
Reset skate and classic Tuesday evening. Skate should be really fast Wednesday morning, before it gets warm.
Please pick up your trash and dog pop with the supplied Mutt Mitt station.
Alta Nordic Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Last Updated: 2/22
The Alta Vista Skiathlon is this Saturday! Check out TVTAP.org for more information. I am heading out with the Rabbit to prepare the trail for the race. Not all of the Southern loops will be groomed. Planning to Rabbit groom again on Friday night.
Darby Canyon
Grooming As Needed
Last Updated: 2/22
Grooming this morning 2/22.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming As Needed
Last Updated: 1/24
Groomed today 1/24.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
South Leigh Road
Grooming As Needed
Last Updated: 2/20
Grooming this morning, 2/20.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Pinnacle Trail
Grooming As Needed
Last Updated: 2/22
Grooming this morning 2/22.
Winter Trails Day with Friends of Pathways
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
9 a.m
Winter trails day kicks off on the top of Teton Pass with free backcountry demos offered by Hoback Sports until noon.
Friends of Pathways grooms over 12 miles of winter singletrack in Cache Creek; come ride it Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. with free fat bike demos from Wheel Wranglers and Teton Mountain Bike Tours. It’s a great opportunity to try out a new bike or try fat biking for the first time.
Want to skate ski or classic Nordic ski? Skinny Skis and JD High Country Outfitters will have their Nordic demo fleets available for free! PAWS and JH Nordic will also be there to answer questions about responsible recreation on our public lands.
Night Ski at Turpin
Saturday, February 24th
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Celebrate February’s full moon, aka the snow moon, by skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking under it on the snow covered winter trails of Turpin.
Afterwards warm up by the fire in the lodge and enjoy a delicious meal and drink specials in the restaurant.
Reservations required, call 307-543-2000 to save your spot under the snow moon!
2024 Backcountry Film Festival
Saturday, March 2nd
Old Wilson Schoolhouse
Tickets for at-home streaming coming soon. Films from 7pm-9:30pm. Beverages served; food available.
Fundraiser raffle to support Teton Pass Shuttle. LOTS of great gear and other stuff to give away.
General Admission: $15.
Buy online.
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/
