Nordic Staycation Ideas
Updated Blog! Read on for some of our favorite local winter getaways within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
There comes a point in the winter when our routines begin to feel a bit mundane and our restlessness urges us to explore something new. Fortunately for those in the Jackson area, you don’t need to leave the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for a new cross-country ski adventure. Miles of trails await in any direction, each offering something unique.
So if you feel the urge to ski some new terrain but are not compelled to buy a plane ticket, glide through our list of regional getaways. Some might only warrant a day trip, but other trails might compel you to make it a true weekend getaway and stay the night next to a cozy fire.
December 7, 2022 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” -Ursula LeGuin
Snowy weather continues and during this past week, about 30 inches of new mountain snow. Some clear skies ahead so the town of Jackson and road crews will do their best to move snow piles to prepare for the next storm cycle. If this weather trend continues, we could receive ALOT of snow this winter which puts pressure on all the crews.
Animals are reacting to this snowy start of the season. Last year about 500 elk were on the National Elk Refuge in early December and this year, numbers are closer to 4000. As snow falls and stormy weather begins, animals move to lower elevations to find a suitable habitat.
Animals sense weather changes. Being a guide, I watched a squirrel midden (territory) for years while hiking in the fall. The number of stored cones always mirrored the severity of the upcoming winter. Elk have the ability to sense changes in barometric pressure so they know to move prior to big storms. As they travel, they look for a territory that offers prime food and the feeding grounds in our valley are a preferred spot.
Short, cold days ahead so make sure to be prepared for your excursion. Teton County Search and Rescue has an app that you can load on your smartphone to call for help if needed. It is called Backcountry SOS (https://www.backcountrysos.com/ ) and a great tool to have. Remember to always tell someone where you are going and stick to your plan. Make sure your pack has the essentials- water, food, headlamp with good batteries, sunglasses, first aid kit, extra layers, matches, fire starter, cell phone, hand warmers and a map. Plan properly to ensure a successful, fun adventure.
A great start to the season with lots of happy clients. Join us on the trail! www.holehike.com 307.690.4453
Meet Charlie Von Maur-Newcomb, of the Junior Nordic team!
When I asked him how he got started in Nordic, Charlie shared that his parents rented ski packages from Skinny Skis for him when he was younger, and he started skiing around in their yard. Like many in our valley, he learned to love the sport from an early age in a fairly informal setting; pretty soon, though, his parents decided to sign him up for the JHSC Nordic Program. (His brother Bowen is in the program, too, and his dad, Mark, coaches!)
Fast forward to the present, and Charlie is a leading member of the Junior Nordic Hybrid team, in which select participants train one extra day every week, with the Prep/Comp teams. Charlie has been working hard through Summer and Fall, and last weekend in Sun Valley, he placed 2nd in the U14 3k classic mass start and won the U14 skate individual start distance!
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/15
What is an Engine Drivetrain?!
If you’re one of our valued skiers and/or you’ve been reading this report, you’ve heard mentioned that the engine drivetrain specifically has had a problem in our Husky. If you are like most people, you’ve probably never thought much about engine drivetrains. The image above shows the myriad of green gears, kind of like those fun toys for kids, which transfer power from the crankshaft to the various components needing power including very important things like camshafts. It is easy to imagine how one of those most likely failed in our Husky. Today it is in the Mercedes engine shop in Rock Springs where hopefully a speedy diagnosis and return to duty will happen.
Today at Trail Creek lots of Ginzu grooming did happen. Nearly every trail received fresh classic tracks as well as double Ginzu skate passes for extra wide skate lanes. The recent snow was nearly perfect for this tool and the results were some quite nice conditions. Thanks to our loaner Husky yesterday, we were also able to widen the East Fields trails and bring Gutflop in for the first time of the year.
There have been some interesting critter sightings today, a cow and calf moose pair was hanging out around the cabin with the cow sporting the latest fashion in Game and Fish neck attire. Also sighted in the Moose Loop area was the biggest 6 point bull elk ever seen in the Trail Creek system. Both elk and moose were quite unfazed by activity around them and will most likely afford future viewing opportunities for lucky skiers.
Groomer’s choice for today is to enjoy the nice snow and carefully check out the “early season condition” Gutflop.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Cache Creek, Wayne May Park, Game Creek, South Park Pathway
Last Update: 12/15
The school fields and the levee are groomed and in good shape. Stilson will be done around 10:30.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Update: 12/14
12/14: Cache Creek Road Groomed
12/12: I smoothed all the trails out in Cache last night so they would be good for the week. Here are some suggestions for exploring the groomed trails:
Bikers – Go up Hagen Highway and down lower Ferrins, both the Lloyd’s Cut and Sink or Swim connectors are groomed for a shorter or longer loop option.
Hikers – Check out the Sidewalk trail near the trailhead, I am trying to keep the first 3 entrances groomed for short dog walking loops.
Skiers – Explore off of the Cache Road over to Hagen, all of the connectors at bridges 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are groomed.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/12
We are open daily to the public for skiing. Click here for our current trails grooming and conditions: https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/US/WY/Teton-Pines-Nordic-Center We offer private lessons daily, skate and classic ski rental packages, and bc xc rentals for the park. We are open 9am-4pm. Please call to book lessons and with any other questions.
Note—We have a new shop phone number this season: (307) 732-4130
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/15
Trails are in great shape and conditions should continue to be very enjoyable through Monday. Look for weather to take a big change beginning Tuesday (12/20), as our next storm cycle is forecasted to arrive, potentially bringing substantial accumulations during the holidays. Enjoy the calm conditions and we’ll send the next update on Tuesday (12/20) morning. Also, anticipate more frequent updates next week throughout the next storm.
Ongoing Trail Notes
- No Walking Allowed
- Early Season Conditions Exists (Thin/Bare Spots)
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 12/13
After some technical difficulties this morning grooming commenced about an hour later than usual from Taggart to Signal.
Granite canyon Moose-Wilson road closed until Dec 16th
The portion of the Moose-Wilson Road, south of Death Canyon junction and including Granite Canyon Trailhead, remains closed due to construction activities. The road and trailhead will open to over-snow winter recreation December 16. The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road remains open.
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: 12/15
Classic Track: Not Set | Fat Bike Trails: Open | Snowshoe Trails: Open
Nordic Groomed 12/13, Fat Bike Groomed 12/3.
A wave of new snow blew in yesterday bringing five inches of fresh powder. Colder temperatures are expected to move in from the north. High temperatures reaching the mid twenties and lows reaching single digits through Saturday. Enjoy the fresh powder!
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: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Nick is out setting the classic track now, and I will try to get the skate track grooming started at 10, finishing around noon.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I rolled out the new snow from the last day and reset the classic track. Enjoy the fluff!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/14
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Took three passes Wednesday morning. Tricky light, but the track set up nicely. It was lightly snowing, so I suspect the track will have 1 cm of fluff on top. Groomers choice – the Northern loop
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
A couple 2-3 inches new snow since Wednesday groom. Today, plan to make at least a pass in and out, set one classic and skate.
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: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Will begin grooming around 430 this afternoon. Should set up nicely for tomorrow AM.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/15
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Thursday morning I groomed a significant amount of new snow with the roller. Reset the skate and classic track. Expect soft conditions. Enjoy the glide.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/13
Singletrack: Set
Groomed powerline Mike Harris to Teton Springs plus the Sherman Springs access Road. Lady slipper was last groomed on December 8 with three passes. All other trails have fresh new snow and are rider packed. Currently trails are quite soft. If you must walk, please walk to the side of the trail. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 12/15
Groomed 12/14, enjoy.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 12/13
Groomed 12/13. Enjoy.
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/
Nordic Masters Clinic
Thursdays – from Mid December to late February
First two clinics at Teton Pines Nordic Center
UPDATE: December 22nd clinic is full and they will not be taking drop ins.
Join us this winter season to increase your ski speed, stamina, and strength. Work on your technique and form with professional tips and exercises from USSA certified coaches. Stay and ski all day with your clinic ski pass at Teton Pines Nordic Center or Trail Creek Nordic Center (we will ski at both locations through out the winter to provide a variety of terrain and technique).
Betty Woolsey Classic Race
December 26, 2022
Trail Creek Nordic Center
Registration now Open!
Come work off your Christmas feast in style! This community event offers distances for every age and ability, 10 AM start time with a mass start classic format.
Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options.
JH Nordic Alliance 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day
Sunday, January 8th, 2023 | 9:30AM – 3:00PM
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Fun, Free Community Day – with Raffle benefiting local Nordic Alliance non-profit. Free trail pass, Free skate & classic XC ski demo gear, Free fat bike demos, free Nordic ski lessons, Free BackCountry Nordic Ski & Snowshoe tours, Kids Corral (2-5 yr olds), Bridger-Teton USFS wildlife and wilderness info, Kates Bars, Lunch, snacks, hot & cold drinks.
Sponsored by the JH Nordic Alliance members. Family. Friends, visitors, dogs (on leash) welcome. Bring your own skis and bikes recommended to use between free demos and tours.
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
