Will Ski For Lunch
Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the trails
Skiers, hikers, and bikers let out leisurely exhales
Off they went, in search of good views
With a small group of friends, to enjoy a quick cruise
The Will Ski For Lunch band of friends is all about searching out hidden snowy trails in and around Jackson Hole. Even though many of them love to backcountry ski — which requires avalanche know-how and special gear — each Thursday they leave their beacons, shovels and probes behind, heading out no matter the weather, usually with a pack of four-legged friends in tow.
The WSFL pace is more leisurely, the terrain more accessible. Their skis are skinny and light, and their packs are full of snacks. It’s the slightly less extreme, softer side of experiencing Jackson Hole on skis. And there is always, always a plan to après ski with a proper sit-down lunch!
For more inspiration on slowing down, or to gain some tricks and tips on the perfect lunch spot, check out the full write up from Annie Fenn.
Betty Woolsey Today!
Come out today, Saturday Dec 26th, for a community favorite event. The race is a mellow tour of the trails at Trail Creek in a fun, supportive environment – a perfect addition to your holiday weekend.
This event offers distances for every age and ability, 10 AM start time with 30 second interval start format. Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options. There will be no laps or repeating loops to minimize racer overlap.
MASKS must be worn whenever 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained while not actively racing, and at all times when around the Cabin area. DO NOT COME to Trail Creek if you or a member of your household is feeling sick.
There will be no day-of registration!
TVTAP Winter Trails Challenge
Teton Valley Trails and Pathways are challenging YOU–the community of winter trail users–to log more than 2000 miles on Teton Valley Winter Trails in January and February.
Sign up here as an individual or team and start logging your miles on January 1, 2021. You’ll get a cool buff designed by local artist, Cy Whitling and a chance to win prizes from Yostmark and Fitzgerald’s Bicycles.
Prizes Awarded to:
- Top Individual Mileage
- Top Individual Fundraiser
- Top Team Mileage
- Top Team Fundraiser
- Milestones throughout the challenge like top weekly mileage, fundraising goals and more!
This challenge is here to encourage you to get out and enjoy winter, our groomed trails with a little hint of that Teton Valley competitiveness. Sign up today and start logging miles on New Year’s Day!
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 12/26
Betty Woolsey Race Today!
Who’d a Thunk? Here we are in the middle of a pandemic and we have 102 people signed up for the 2020 Betty Woolsey Classic race. This race will be unlike any before, and hopefully any after for a long time. The big thing is that COVID procedures are in place with interval starts. The start list and times are available here. As long as everybody does what they’re supposed to, it should be a great day. The course map is here.
Coach Will’s instructions are as follows:
There were an impressive number of entries! Make sure to socially distance and wear masks whenever not racing. Bib pickup will be outside the Cabin starting at 9:15 am. There will be no day-of registration.
Prizes will be given to the male and female winners of each category.
Please plan on arriving no earlier than 1 hour before your start time and leaving 30 minutes after your finish to reduce crowding.
Steve will set classic tracks as wide as possible to spread people out while passing or on course. Starts will be at 30 second intervals.
The course itself is kind of a new creation in an attempt to make things as safe as possible. In past years we have set two parallel tracks on the final grooming pass but the limit of spacing is slightly over a meter. This year our creative response to the pandemic was on the second to last pass to set a classic track about a half meter from skiers right with the final pass setting a second classic track that was nearly two meters from the first pass. There are pinch points and the tracks do disappear from place to place as Trail Creek is such an amazingly diverse place, but mostly you’ll find two widely spaced sets of classic tracks.
In general the skiers left track will be the most continuous track although there are places where skier’s right will be faster. In order to get your best time you’ll have to use your brain to make some split second decisions; but it should be fun!
And if you’re totally confused by all this discussion, just follow the classic tracks, choose the ½, 3, 5, or 10 K options and you will have a great time!
Groomer’s choice for today is to ski the Betty Woolsey course, to be safe, and to have a normal Betty Woolsey 2021.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 12/24
The levee is groomed and will be firm and fast. Stilson will be done around 10:00. The school fields have too shallow of a base so it will not be groomed today. There will be no grooming tomorrow because of the holiday and grooming will resume on Saturday.
Friends of Pathways groomed Cache up to Noker Mine, upper Hagen, Sidewalk, and lower Ferrins and most everything else between the Cache and Nelson trailheads is user packed. Merry Christmas!
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: 12/23
After an eventful week of humbling weather, it appears that conditions have finally calmed and should bring plenty of holiday joy through Friday. The surfaces are mostly smooth, but skiers may encounter icy & soft sections due to currently thin and unusual snowpack. Lastly, the Sled Hill was groomed today and we hope to touch it up again after the next snow event, which the forecast is calling for more accumulations this Saturday.
Please see the Following Nordic Restrictions:
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN (Will be Groomed Again once more Snow Returns)
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop CLOSED UNTIL MORE SNOW
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
- Early Season Conditions
- Grooming is currently via snowmobile and Pistenbully
- **SKI W/Caution!!… Current Depths and Coverage are Very Deceiving
Next Update will be this Saturday 12/26. Soak up the sunshine and Enjoy!
Teton Village Pathway
Last Updated: 12/23
Teton village pathway – from Lake Creek Bridge north to the end of bike path/GTNP south entrance groomed today. Thanks to JHMR for the grooming and Teton Village Association for making it happen!
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 12/23
Due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Friday this year, Grand Teton Park Foundation has provided the following modifications to the grooming schedule for Teton Park Road:
Friday 12/25 — No grooming
Sunday 12/27 — Grooming to 4 passes x4 miles Taggart to south Jenny
Tuesday 12/29 — Grooming to Signal Mountain AND 4x to South Jenny
Friday 1/1 — No grooming.
Sunday 1/3 — Grooming 4x to South Jenny
Tuesday 1/5 Grooming to Signal Mountain AND 4x to South Jenny
[Back to regular schedule after 1/5]
Remember that dogs must be on leash, and are only allowed on the groomed trail in the section of GTNP.Please consider making a donation to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation for funding winter grooming -one of our most iconic trails. Note “Nordic grooming” on your donation.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 12/25
No new snow the past few days but the cold temps have really set the tracks up nicely, the skiing has been phenomenal! Come try it out for yourselves! 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 help with social distancing and to get you on the trails faster please purchase your trail passes and sign your waivers online in advance. To keep an eye on live conditions, check out the webcams here.
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 12/25
XC OPEN (Last groomed 12/22/2020) 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: 12/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I smoothed out the skate lanes after yesterday’s wind and drifting. There was about 1″ of drifted snow which I packed down with the ginzu. I tried to set the classic track, but with mixed results. In some spots it looked good, in others there wasn’t enough new snow over the crust to reset it.
Please do not park in the library parking lot.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/25
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Cold temperatures made it possible to drag groom Driggs track. Track has early season conditions good for classic
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 12/25
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Enjoy your holiday with a little skate, classic, walk or bike on the reset tracks. The classic track is (sort of) set. Lots of weeds showing through. 🤞🏼 for the the coming storm.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 12/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Thursday afternoon: Made a couple passes over skate track. Unable to improve classic, still in decent shape from Wednesday.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 12/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Getting out early this AM. Starting at 6:30 and grooming Yeti’s loop first, then Campground loop. Hope everyone gets a chance for a great holiday ski!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Packed and groomed the skate track; turned out pretty good and widened it a little. Whoever groomed the classic track this morning, and I won’t mention their name (Eric), tried his best. Please have some Christmas 🎄 time mercy on this poor soul. The track is good in some spots, and… not so good in others. Should be fun though either way. Enjoy!
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/25
Singletrack: Set
Friday, Christmas night — 5th Street’s firm, 5th Street’s fast, 5th Street’s super firm. A little bumpy by the parking lot, but all else pretty buff. Merry Christmas everybody!
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/25
Singletrack: Set
Happy Hour, Nemo, Hillbender, lower Lady Slipper and Pole Canyon Connector are riding really well and are rider packed. Upper lady slipper is in need of more snow and good grooming. Unfortunately, hikers continue to post hole the heck out of it and are not choosing to wear snowshoes. It’s a bumpy ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Betty Woolsey Classic Nordic Race- 0.5k, 3k, 5k, 10k
TODAY, 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!
JH Nordic Recreation Masters Clinics
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th | TETON PINES
The third of eight in the clinic series featuring classic XC ski. Sessions run bi-weekly from 11:00am – 12:30pm through March 18th, alternating between skate skiing and classic cross-country.
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
