JHSC Club and Community Nordic Update:
Happenings of the JHSC Nordic Program, Trail Creek Nordic Center, and Local Nordic Community
Welcome to the January edition of “What’s Going On” for the 2020-2021 season!
We are in the heart of winter and JHSC Nordic is fully mobilized! With over 190 athletes registered for our programs and 270 more kids involved in our Winter Sports sessions, JHSC Nordic is on track to reach well over 400 local children and youth with high-quality programming this winter!
Since the last newsletter our Lollipopper, Teewinot, and Winter Sports programs have all gotten off the ground and have seen record participation. Any given day at Trail Creek you will find dozens of local kids exploring the woods and learning valuable skills under the close supervision of our coaches. While many of our youngest athletes don’t participate in racing, our Junior and Prep & Comp programs have all been in the thick of race season! There will be multiple opportunities for racing the rest of the winter, including Winter Carnival February 20 and Western Youth Championships March 6-7!
Finally, thank you, JHSC Nordic community, for your continued diligence in regard to public health measures, such as social distancing and masking at Trail Creek and elsewhere. Hope is on the horizon with increasing vaccination, but I implore everybody to continue to mask, distance, and make safe choices outside of practice for the rest of the winter season. Stay healthy, ski fast, have fun!
With snow coming down and more snow in the future, we are looking forward to another awesome month in February. This weekend a handful of Junior Nordic athletes will venture their way through the blizzard to Bozeman, MT in order to compete against other athletes from around the region. Good luck to all!!
-Will Wicherski, Head Coach and Nordic Program Director
Lots of Powder Snow- How to Choose the Perfect Trail
With over 3 feet of fresh snow in the last 4 days falling in the valley of Jackson Hole, choosing the right trail is key- depending on your interest/ goal for getting out. Breaking trail in 3 feet of snow, when the temps are warm (29 f +) can be heavy, hard work. Remember that groomed trails will have a lot more slide and glide! Groomed trails will be soft so classic cross country skis could be a better choice than skate skis, until the weather is cold to set the snow into a firm base.
If you’re looking to fat bike, look for a snowy road or snowmobile packed trail, with a firm surface. Most shared nordic trails will be too soft for a bike for a few days. Snowshoers will have an easier time on a packed trail or the side of a groomed trail. It’s a winter wonderland out there! Have fun this weekend enjoying the snowy, white beauty of nature!
New Grand Teton National Park Camera
Thinking of heading up to the Taggart trailhead in Grand Teton National Park, to ski the groomed Teton Park Road trail? Want to check out the weather, visibility, and trail grooming conditions before you drive out there? We highly recommend checking out the JH Nordic – GTNP web cam, set a hundred yards north of the new ski track trailhead (just north of Cottonwood Creek Bridge). The webcam image captures the groomed track as well as the Grand Teton and adjacent slopes, and is refreshed every 30 minutes, from dawn to dusk.
The webcam is a joint effort by JH Nordic, Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Grand Teton National Park, and See JH. Grand Teton National Park will eventually be adding the webcam to their website for visitors to see in the summer as well.
Located on the home page of our JH nordic website you will find the updated camera photos to make it easier to plan your park days.
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 1/30
Catching Up!
It’s nothing short of a winter wonderland today at Trail Creek with the recent days of snowfall blanketing the landscape with feet of the fresh white glorious snow so important to our beloved form of recreation called skiing. While feet of powder is not necessarily a positive thing for the Nordic version of skiing, the Pisten Bully has been chewing away at the recent bounty of snow with the result being that Nordic skiing will work quite well today.
As of mid-day the wind was picking up a bit so the fields might be drifting this afternoon, and about an inch of snow did fall since the early morning commencement of grooming, but almost every trail got multiple passes today for the first time since the recent heavy snows began to fall. Skate lanes will still be a bit soft although skaters seemed to be moving pretty well. Classic tracks were ripping along nicely.
Racing continues in Bozeman today, reports indicate that our recent bounty of snow hasn’t blessed Bozeman in a similar way, but skiing is going pretty well. The results of today’s racing will be posted later in the day at the event website.
Groomer’s choice for today is Moose Loop.
Courtesy of Brad Boner -JH News & Guide
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 1/29
Game creek, May park and three creek pathway are groomed and in good shape. Both trails will be a bit soft for walkers.
On 1/28 Friends of Pathways groomed cache hagen sidewalk and hagen highway this evening and will start snowshoeing the trails near the trailhead tomorrow. Big storm cycle!
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 1/27
| New snow and the new groomer snow cat are making for excellent skiing at Teton Pines. The groomer has been out at sunrise, and tracks – classic and skate – are skiing well all day long. Friendly reminder, please no snowshoeing or dogs! (there’s plenty of snowshoe and dog friendly trails just down the road at Stilson, Wilson Centennial, and Emily’s Pond). Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com |
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 1/27
After an unusually dry start to winter, it appears plenty of snow is finally headed our way. If the forecast comes true, expect 2-4” of snow to accumulate on the trails during the daylight hours each day through Saturday. The heaviest of snow appears to be on Thursday. We’ll do our best to smooth the track out each morning, but anticipate storm style skiing with potential drifting (if windy) until Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed for lots of snow! Enjoy! Next Update Monday 2/1. 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
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 1/29
Visibility is a little poor in GTNP. Grooming to Signal Mountain today. Have a great day everyone. @jhnordic @grandtetonfoundation #gtnpgrooming
Trip Report: It was a deep powder day in GTNP. Granite trailhead to LSR Preserve via Moose-wilson Road and untracked meadow. We appreciated the snowshoe snd xc skier track after breaking trail in knee deep snow across the meadow. Serene, winter beauty.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 1/29
Got just the right amount of snow to make the skate lane groom great! Around an inch of fresh snow and temps around 20 should make for great skiing today, come on down!. If you’re new to skiing or wanting to refine your skills, book a ski lesson with our professional ski instructor Elee (she also does guided tours)! She is a wealth of knowledge and can help take your Nordic skiing, whether it be skate or classic, to the next level! 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 (see link below). 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.
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/adventures/winter-adventures/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000, office
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 1/30
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed
1/30/2021, 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: 1/30
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Saturday AM: did three passes with the roller on all loops, then 1 pass with the ginzu and set classic tracks on the southern loops. Skate should be decent on all loops but expect an inch or so over the track from the snow squall that came through in the middle of the grooming. Classic on southern loops should be visible and fairly good. Mark will hopefully clean things up later today. Nice dump!!
Please do not park in the library parking lot. Please be sure to keep your dogs on a leash and to clean up after them.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 1/30
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Driggs track was groomed Saturday at 5pm. Trails are in great shape. Enjoy skiing in town.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 1/29
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I groomed the skate track, singletrack and reset the classic track this morning. The snow is a bit soft but it should still be good. Come get your glide on before more snow falls.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 1/30
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Saturday: Plan to reset both skate and classic tracks this morning. Looks like a few inches of new snow overnight, so track may be a bit soft today. Finish grooming by 10am.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 1/30
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I rolled out campground and yetis loops with multiple passes. I was able to reset the classic track with the Ginzu Groomer as well. If temperatures get cold enough it should set up well and be super awesome. Enjoy the glide!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/30
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set | Singletrack: Set
With all the new snow I had to roll the Nordic and singletrack. I did not reset the classic track as it was still snowing heavily. Next Monday’s groom will likely reset the classic track. Until then, enjoy the powder.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/25
Singletrack: Set
Did a few laps around the park with the sled and tire drag this afternoon. It will be firm and ready for action as soon as the snow sets up a bit.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/24
Singletrack: Set
Saturday morning I was able to groom happy hour and Pole Canyon connector. SkyLiners Groomed Powerline from Mike Harris to Pine Creek. Sunday morning I groomed Nemo and lower Lady slipper. Hillbender and grumpy connector a rider packed and riding well. Enjoy the ride! Warning, there’s a downed Aspen on lower Lady slipper. The trail is rider packed.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/27
Grooming to summer TH 1/27 PM
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/21
Grooming on 1/21
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/27
Grooming 1/27 AM
JH Nordic Recreational Masters – Classic Ski Clinic
TETON PINES
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
All welcome (no beginners)
Drop-in $35 (includes clinic & Teton Pines Nordic all day ski pass)
or $30 (if you already have a Teton Pines Nordic pass or membership).
Pinedale Stampede
WHITE PINE NORDIC SKI TRAILS | PINEDALE, WY
FEBRUARY 27, 2021
6k, 10k, 20k and races. Races will all be mass start, freestyle race. Prizes and giveaways!
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
