Daily Trail Report Spring Schedule
As winter trail grooming is wrapping up, the JH Nordic Daily Trail Report will be transitioning towards a spring schedule which means beginning Monday, April 3 updates will happen a little less frequently. You can expect emails Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until April 15 (which will be the final winter trail post of the 2022/23 winter season). You can still stay up to date on opened groomed trails and last grooming dates anytime by checking the grooming page. On May 6th we will shift to monthly JH Nordic Trail Reports delivered on the 1st Saturday of each month until late November when snow covered trails return!
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.
Stressed Moose at Southern Valley Nordic
Both trail updates from Southern Valley Nordic and Southern Valley Single-track mention a stressed out moose. This winter has been long and hard on everybody, especially the wildlife. The following excerpts were pulled from a JH Nordic article about Renee Seidler (exec. director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation), published in February of 2021. While the article is a couple of years old, the messaging about wildlife is relevant today.
For wildlife in the winter specifically, an apt description of their state is: survival. In the “slippery slope portion of their life,” as Renee called it, these animals–namely ungulates–spend all spring and summer trying to put as much fat on their bodies as possible. When the vegetation starts dying back in the winter, the animals themselves begin dying back in some sense as well. Their fat starts decreasing and they lose body condition throughout the entire winter, making them extremely vulnerable to disturbance, especially from recreation.
Though the balance between outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation is tricky, Renee thinks that the 100-yard rule is an easy way to be a responsible winter recreationalist. “I’m right there with everybody: if I see a moose when I’m on a trail or in the backcountry, I’m gonna stop and watch it, but you can do that from a distance where it’s clearly not disturbing the animal,” Renee said. “That 100-yard pledge is a great rule of thumb. I would say if possible, give them more than 100 yards.”
Calling All Nordic Masters
In their 4th season, the JH Ski Club Nordic Masters Skate and Classic Ski clinics continue to be a popular way to improve one’s technique, meet fellow skiers, receive some personal ski coaching.
If you attended the Clinics this winter, in previous winters, or are interested for next year, the JH Ski Club Nordic Masters coaches would value your input.
Will, Scott H, and fellow coaches would greatly appreciate hearing your feedback, so they can continue to deliver high quality, fun Nordic Masters clinics and improve every year. Please fill out this survey. They will randomly select 20 surveys to win a JH Ski Club or JH Nordic buff.
April Ski Service Specials at Skinny Skis
With winter still going strong we’ve extended our service specials until April 30th! Take advantage of great savings and having fast skis while the snow lasts!
Nordic Stonegrind and Wax $80 – save $35
Nordic Wax $10 – save $10
Metal Edge sharpen & wax $20 – save $10
Check out our complete list of shop services here https://skinnyskis.com/shop-services/
Reminiscing About The Sunny Days
Looking back, March 11 felt like spring! Thanks to everyone who participated in the Skinny Skis Wydaho Nordic Race Series Season Finale on that sunny day! Racers took advantage of the bluebird day, great snow, and perfect grooming (thanks Gannett Swan!) Here’s a few images of some of the very serious competitors crossing the finish line!
Remarkable
Congratulations again to coach Will and the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Clubs Nordic athletes who competed at the US Junior Nordic Nationals in Fairbanks, Alaska March 13th – 16th.
The remarkable performances of our young local athletes elevated JHSC Nordic to 3rd in the nation in club rankings. This is a BIG DEAL and took years of focus, determination, and effort to achieve! Skinny Skis is proud to be a sponsor of Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club and we look forward to years of continued support.
Wanna Find A Great Trail? Try North Fork of Fall Creek Road
While grooming ops have ended for a lot of beloved Nordic areas winter is still hanging on. This means more opportunity to get out on your BCXC skis, snowshoes, or crust cruise if your timing is right. The options are kind of endless right now, but where does one go? Short answer: anywhere the snow covers. We recommend that you start by heading to the JH Nordic website where there are over 100 trails mapped and described on the trails section! From there you can choose your own adventure; you might even surprise yourself by finding a new place to explore.
How about trying North Fork Fall Creek Road. This National Forest service road is used by occasional snowmobiles in winter, and offers an easy, well-marked trail for classic cross-country skiing into the Palisades Wilderness Study zone of the Snake River Range. Similar to Mosquito Creek, 5 miles north, this trail runs east-west deep into the range and provide a beautiful, sheltered track into wilderness not commonly frequented in winter. Most of the trail is in open forestland, so protected from the wind, with a few stretches 3 mile in where the road follows the contour of the creek valley, and may be exposed to a strong westerly on occasion.
No matter what trail you choose to explore don’t forget to share your adventure!
Updated Trip Report: Phelps Lake, The Harder Way
“The route we call “Phelps Lake the Harder Way” starts at the Granite Canyon Trailhead. Simply take an azimuth just west of due north and stay roughly on that, weaving through the trees, until you hit the lake, or the trail up from Moose Wilson road. Return on the road, or back through the woods. Two hours up, one hour down. These are photos from different years.” -C&C
One of the delights of traveling over snow in winter is that it is truly leave no trace. Once the snow melts or when more snow falls (as the current forecast is predicting) your tracks disappear. Please be sure to recreate responsibly by making sure that you are prepared and somewhere it is lawful to be (stay out of wildlife closure areas and private land). With all of the public land we are surrounded by you can even make your own trail as C&C and NL, the intrepid adventurers shared with us.
Someone responded to our trip report with a good reminder as to why you need to be prepared in both knowledge and skill when you go off piste: “I did something like this with a friend early one winter. We ended up on the Valley Trail, which did not take us to the lake. So we reoriented and had to cross and descend ( switch back/ kick turns) steep gullies, climb over a few down trees.. quite the adventure.” -NL
Trail Creek
Grooming has Ended for the Season
Last Update: 3/31
Thanks For A Beautiful Season!
It’s been a beautiful day, and a beautiful season. Near-record snows have kept us going in perfect condition far beyond the average, making every day a gift we should truly stop and take a moment to appreciate. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and today, Trail Creek had its final grooming of the season. The last of the signs and markers were pulled last night, leaving Trail Creek clean and unblemished. A few signs were lost under the snow, so if any start to pop out later in the season, please bring them back up to the cabin; it would be much appreciated!
Today’s grooming was a near-total double pass over all the trails in the system, the Husky doing its utmost to bring every single trail to perfection before entering its long hibernation over the summer. This includes Woolsey Woods, Moose Poop Loop, Moose Loop, Déjà vu, Animal Farm, Black Hole, Boiler, Mugs Meadow, the East Fields, and the Close Fields. Take advantage of it while you can, there’s an unbelievable amount of new snow on the way!
A massive thank you to the many, many people who help make grooming at Trail Creek possible!
- The Coaches, who help introduce new generations to the joys of Nordic skiing.
- The ski teams, who put in enormous effort to be the best they can be.
- The people who work behind the scenes, building the framework we need to function.
- The donors, who provide the resources needed to make Trail Creek a success.
- The landowners, who generously allow us to use their property.
- The volunteers, who offer up priceless time to keep Jackson Hole the skiing treasure it is.
- And most importantly: You! Without the skiers, none of this would be possible.
- A special thanks to Groomer 1; without your constant advice and guidance, this season could never have been as good as it was.
- Thanks to all of you, and we hope to see you next season!
Signing off, Groomer 2(and, by proxy, Groomer 1).
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Cache Creek
Last Update: 4/1
Stilson and the levee are groomed and are in decent shape although a bit soft because of several new inches of new snow. The school fields will be done by 9:30.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Update: 4/2
Singletrack groomed 4/1.
Teton Pines Nordic
Closed for the Season
Teton Pines Nordic Center and trails are closed for the season. The golf crew is getting things ready for summer and we ask that everyone stay off the track until we open next December. Thanks for a great season!
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 4/2
Update 4/2: Grooming will be ongoing through 10am this morning. Overnight winds created large drifts, making for a slower groom this morning.
Also, reminder that we will continue to groom the Nordic Course until Sunday, April 9th. After this date the course will be closed as GCM will begin removing snow from the cart paths and commence spring golf course preparations once conditions allow. Thanks.
Please help support trail grooming in GTNP by donating to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. It’s easy and encouraged. All you need to do is visit: GTNPF.org/donate/ and leave the comment “Nordic” in the designation section. There is the opportunity to leave a one time gift or reoccurring monthly donations in any amount.
Grand Teton National Park
Grooming Has Ended For The Season
Winter grooming of the 14-mile section of Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain parking area ended March 10. The road will remain open for winter activities until March 20 when snow removal operations begin.
While grooming in GTNP has come to an end for the season, there are other great options of where you can track ski. Check out JHNordic.com/Grooming/ to find other fresh grooming in our new real-time map, thanks to our partner, Nordic-Pulse.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Closed For The Season
Thank you all for a wonderful winter season at Turpin Meadow Ranch! While our trails are on the Bridger-Teton National Forest (meaning you can still come enjoy them on your own) they are no longer being maintained. If you do make the drive, bring your bear spray and remember: the lodge and all services are closed for the season, please respect that all buildings on the resort are private.
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: 4/2
Classic Track: Set | Fat Bike Trails: Closed | Snowshoe Trails: Open
8″ in the past 24 hours, 4″ overnight. Expect to see overcast skies and more snow with comfortable temperatures throughout most of the day. Winds are predicted to pick up in the early afternoon.
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: 4/2
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Sunday AM: Plan to set the classic track and make a couple of passes on the skating track.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 3/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Rolled the 2” of fresh snow, which helped to fill in the footprints, and set the classic track.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 4/2
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
We are dealing with some equipment issues and having to juggle snowmobiles for a bit. Hopefully we can get a track set later this week.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 4/2
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Will groom this afternoon if it doesn’t get too sticky. Two of our grooming machines are down with engine problems, so we will be juggling equipment and grooming on an abbreviated schedule for a bit. Stay tuned…
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: 4/2
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Sunday morning groomed and reset the skate and classic track on campground in yetis loops. Warning: please be aware of the moose in many areas and try to give them space. They’re really stressed. The entrance into the parking area is very rugged. High clearance vehicles are mandatory. Enjoy the glide.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed Friday night, only completed 2 laps before going off-track and getting stuck early in the 3rd lap. Reset the classic track and half the skate lane so should be good skiing until the next storm comes in. Will be out there tomorrow to dig out the lost groomer.
No dogs allowed. Please stay on the groomed trails at all times.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 4/2
Singletrack: Set
Sunday morning groomed happy hour, powerline to Teton Springs and Sherman Springs access. encounter a moose on happy hour please give it space and turn around. It’s absolutely stressed. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/31
Groomed 3/29
Rammell Mountain
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/8
Groomed 2/24.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/23
Groomed 3/23.
Pinnacle Trail
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 3/31
Groomed 3/29
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/
Save the Date
JH Nordic Alliance 6th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day
Sunday, January 7th, 2024
Turpin Meadow Ranch
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
