Profiles in Nordic: In Their Own Words -Sean O’Malley
Even growing up in western Massachusetts, in an alpine ski-oriented family, I was aware of cross-country skiing. When I was seven, my grandfather removed the screwed-in metal edges on a pair of well-loved Erhbacher wooden alpine skis and then trimmed them with a circular saw to an acceptable width. We added beartrap bindings and I clucked around in the woods that surrounded our house. They were great – I did not know any better!
A few years later, my father learned of a math teacher at the Putney School in Vermont, named John Caldwell, who also sold Nordic gear on the side. We visited his shop and my father bought enough pairs of skis and boots to outfit all of us kids still at home. I was focused on alpine racing into my teens and my Nordic career remained casual.
Last Call!
March 11 was the last day of grooming in Grand Teton National Park, it is also the last weekend of grooming operations at Turpin Meadow Ranch (3/13). So get out there and enjoy YOUR public lands! As always, please recreate responsibly!
Spring Plowing Operations Begin Monday
Over-snow access on Teton Park Road ends this weekend
A media release from Grand Teton National Park:
MOOSE, WY— Spring plowing will begin in Grand Teton National Park on Monday, March 14. The plowing operations mark the end of over-snow access on the 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and the Signal Mountain area.
For safety reasons, visitors may not access the Teton Park Road once plowing operations are underway. Rotary snow removal equipment and plows may be working at any time, and the roadway will be closed to all users at all times until further notice. Skiers and those on snowshoes using areas adjacent to the roadway are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel can be thrown great distances.
The Teton Park Road is anticipated to be accessible to activities such as cycling, roller skating, skateboarding, roller skiing, walking, jogging and leashed pet walking on April 1. There may be non-motorized access from Taggart Lake Trailhead to the Jenny Lake parking area earlier, if conditions allow. Grand Teton will provide updates via the park’s Facebook and Twitter.
The Teton Park Road will open to motor vehicles May 1.
Other park roads such as the Moose-Wilson Road, Signal Mountain Summit Road, Antelope Flats Road, East Boundary Road, Mormon Row Road, Two Ocean Road and Grassy Lake Road remain closed to vehicle traffic when posted or gated in the spring. These roads may close temporarily to accommodate snow removal operations. The opening dates of these roads vary from year to year and are dependent on weather, snow conditions, plowing progress, wildlife activity and road conditions.
The paved multi-pathways in the park are open to use when they are predominantly free of snow and ice.
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/11
An Amazing Crew!
While the image above is quite impressive, it still isn’t all the participants in this year’s JHSC’s Nordic programs. It is truly amazing to picture the entire spectrum of the program, from Lollipoppers to Competition skiers, and see the progression in action. It not only takes a great crew to shepherd these skiers along, it also takes a Nordic Village to provide the means for this to happen.
After a training day yesterday, a good number of those competition skiers are skiing as fast as they can in the Loppet Foundation Junior National Championships classic distance day. The live stream is active as of report time. Tomorrow is the final day with freestyle relays. The link above will take you to all the action.
Closer to home you can find some simply great skiing at Trail Creek today. This last blast of winter has allowed our snow to maintain midwinter pristine conditions throughout the week. The Husky ventured forth once again today, making passes on nearly every trail. Most of the trails received a fresh classic track on that pass and Moose Loop, Animal Farm, and the fields received multiple passes.
Groomer’s choice for today is the close field.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Monday-Saturday
Last Update: 3/11
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in good shape. Game creek will be done by 10:45.
Saturday Grooming Schedule: High School Fields, Emily’s Pond Levee, Wilson Centennial Pathway
Cache Creek Fat Bike Trails
Last Update: 3/10
We groomed all the trails over the last two days in Cache and things should have set up with the cold temps over night.
Grooming by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/9
Winter is back! The snowcat was out this morning and the track is perfect! Conditions should be awesome through the weekend. Wax for today: am Swix green, pm Swix blue. Our retail shop is still well-stocked with gear and clothing so come on out and see us!
Our trails and shop are fully open to the public 9am-4pm daily. Please call us in advance to book lessons at: (307) 733-1733. You do not need a reservation for skiing and we do not take reservations for rentals. Please contact us in advance to check availability for off-site rentals.
In our retail shop we still have a small size selection of skate skis and BC skis, but have lots of boots, poles, jackets, pants, gloves, and hats. We also have a good selection of used skate gear available. Call or come by to see if we have your sizes! We have a full tuning shop so drop off your skis for a wax done by our great wax techs! Visit our website for pricing and other information: www.tetonpinesnordiccenter.com
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/11
What a difference a week makes! Over the last 7 days we’ve experienced record high temperatures near 60*F and then yesterday a record low temperature of -23*F at our site! Luckily, this recent cold blast delivered 8”-10”+ of much needed snowfall and the trails have been skiing great! Warmer temperatures are forecasted this weekend through Tuesday, bringing the possibility for more snow or rain showers. Looking way ahead, if the temperatures remain “normal”, I would anticipate we can continue to groom the majority of trails through all of March, but this optimism may quickly change if unseasonable warm weather returns. Keep your fingers crossed that mother nature continues to cooperate and we’ll continue to do our best for keeping the trails open as long as possible. Enjoy the skiing this weekend! Next update will be Tuesday (3/15).
TRAIL STATUS
- YELLOW LOOP OPEN
- SLED HILL GROOMED on 3/10 (Grooming will occur as needed)
- CLASSIC TRACKS SET
- SNOWSHOEING OPEN (BLUE LOOP ONLY, STAY ON THE EDGE OF THE TRAIL OR IMMEDIEDATEY NEXT TO TRAIL)
- ORANGE LOOP OPEN
- WALKING, NOT ALLOWED
Snake River Sporting Club
Daily Nordic grooming for both “Front Nine” (south side) and “Back Nine” (North side) Nordic Trails
Public access to the groomed Nordic trails is $50 per person per day, with no season passes available. Ski rentals are available at the Sports Shop. Guests must check in at the Sports Shop to sign a waiver and make payment before heading out. The daily pass does not allow access to the Restaurant this season. The clinics that are being offered are for members and lodging guests only.
Please call the Sports Shop with any questions you may have at 307-200-3093
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 3/11
Today is Brandon’s last day of grooming for the season. Thank you Brandon for all the many miles of tracks you have set this winter. Grooming from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal today. It is also the last day of grooming in GTNP. We hope you all are able to get out and enjoy the fresh tracks today and over the weekend!
Grooming is sponsored by the GTNP Foundation and generous donations from our community.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 3/10
This is the best skiing of the season! Come on up and enjoy the ride and/or glide. Our fat bike trails are also in prime condition. You can literally just get in the car and drive up to the ranch. We’ve got all the things you might need: gear rentals, food, après beverages, stunning views, etc.
Please sign acknowledgment of risk forms and pay for trail passes online ahead of your visit. Call the front office (307) 543-2000 ahead of your visit for booking equipment rentals and Nordic adventures (lessons and tours).
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Last Updated: 3/11
Cross Country 15k: XC OPEN
Fat Bike Trails : Closed
Snowshoe Trails: Open
Targhee’s Nordic trails are groomed Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sat/Sundays. Fat bike/snowshoe trails are groomed regularly but not on a set schedule – the groomer usually waits until after a storm cycle to groom the single track.
Trail day passes are $20 this winter.
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: 3/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Both skate and classic tracks reset nicely after fresh snow. Get out and enjoy!
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: 3/9
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Driggs track was set today. South trails have classic and skate set. North track was rolled multiple passes in order to pack snow and increase our base. Enjoy the sun and snow!!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 3/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Left the classic track as is. It’s mostly in good shape and I didn’t think trying to reset it would be an improvement. Single and skate tracks are reset and in good shape.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/11
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Reset skate and classic tracks Thursday afternoon. Both turned out well. The road and parking lot have been plowed and in good shape.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 3/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Campground and yeti’s are good to go. No classic track but the skate conditions should be great going into the weekend. Enjoy!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/11
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Friday evening I’ll head out and start to groom by 6:30 PM. I plan to try and reset the skate and classic track. Please be aware of the grooming equipment.
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/1
Singletrack: Not Set
With warm Temps any exposed trail will be soft by midday. Please try to ride before 10am or after 6pm. Thanks
Happy Hour (aka Mike Harris to ID/WY state line)
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/18
Groomed to summer TH 2/16
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/10
Groomed 1/14
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/10
Groomed 3/10.
JHTTB Announces Community Engagement Meetings
March 15 -16
We encourage everyone in the Greater Jackson Hole community, including Teton Valley and Star Valley, to add their voice and thoughts to drive the future of life and tourism (one of our largest economic drivers). You can participate in the Sustainable Tourism Survey, as well as join in the Community Engagement Meetings on March 15 and 16 to learn more and contribute your thoughts and ideas. This is important that everyone actively participates to determine the future of Greater Jackson Hole!
See locations and links for virtual participation below:
Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 6:30-8:00 pm,
Grand Teton Ballroom, Snow King Resort, 400 E. Snow King Ave, Jackson
Tuesday, March 16, 2022, 6:30-8:00 pm,
Driggs Senior Center, 60 S Main St Driggs
For those who want to attend virtually, the event will also be broadcast via Facebook Live:https://www.facebook.com/jacksonholettb
This is a free public event, open to all members of the greater Teton County community
Rendezvous River Sports – Karen Oatey Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP)
March 26, 2022
More details coming soon!
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
