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.
February 1, 2023 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
“It is the life of the crystal,
the architect of the flake,
the fire of the frost,
the soul of the sunbeam,
This crisp winter air is full of it.”
-John Burroughs
January is the coldest month in Jackson Hole. Cold temperatures produce light snow so now is the time to enjoy Teton powder. It’s a winter wonderland with deep snowbanks, cold temperatures, wind chill and short days. The last couple of days have been extremely cold because of artic air blowing into the valley but weather is changing with warmer temperatures ahead.
When it’s this cold outside, you can’t help but consider all the wildlife. The characteristics of winter make it hard to survive. Right now, everything in Jackson Hole is affected by these characteristics. The vectors of winter- snow, cold, radiation, energy and wind require consideration for us all to survive this time of year.
In simple terms, animals have three strategies to survive the winter: hibernate, migrate or tolerate. Bears hibernate. Many birds and pronghorn migrate out of the valley. While bison and members of the deer family tolerate winter by migrating to a suitable habitat to survive until spring. It’s a hard time of the year and winter is the season that favors predators.
Each season our team of naturalists’ train to increase interpretive knowledge, focus on safety and skills. This year, we joined Teton Pines for a refresher on ski technique and skills. Wonderful staff and a great track. We share the natural world and teach people ski techniques, safety tips and the joys of nature. Always fun to gather and learn.
www.holehike.com | 307.690.4453
JH Ski Club Nordic Ski Youth Programs – February Nordic Newsletter
We delight in seeing how our local kids excel in teamwork, skill development, sportsmanship, fun thanks to the JH Ski Club’s Nordic programs ages 5-19. Here’s what the kids and wonderful, dedicated coaches have been up to!
Today! Masters Nordic Clinic – Classic Technique
Note: location is Trail Creek Nordic – on Trail Creek road, off Hwy 22, west of downtown Wilson.
Drop-in space available – open to all levels from advanced beginner (no first time skiers) to intermediate to advanced.
Join us 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 Trail Creek Nordic Center.
Beers & Banter This Thursday!
Join Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum and the JH Nordic Alliance to explore the tradition of Nordic skiing in Jackson Hole – the past, present and future. Panelists for the in-person program include Nancy Johnstone, Linda Merigliano, Sean O’Malley, and Gwenn Wadsworth.
Beers & Banter guests will talk about their personal experiences ranging from competing and winning medals as Nordic skiers to enjoying and actively supporting the sport in the valley.
Beers and Banter will be moderated by JHHSM Executive Director Morgan Jaouen, following an informal, conversational format. At the end, an audience Q&A will complete the evening.
The program can also be viewed live online using the link: bit.ly/kicknglide.
Image: Al Austin on skis with one long pole which was typical type used by early setters. Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum Collection #1958.1762.001.
New START Bus Transit App -Trail Access Without a Car!
We love using the START Bus to access winter trails, town of Jackson, Teton village, Stilson, and JHMR. Did you know you can get to all these trails via START Bus (within a few hundred yards)?
Stilson stop: Stilson Loop, Wilson Centennial Trail , Emily’s Pond Snake River Dike (via tunnel and R park trail), South-west Dike
Westbank Center/Aspens: Teton Pines Nordic
Teton Village: Teton village to Lake Creek Pathway
Smith’s/JH Highschool: Schools Loop
East Jackson: May Park
Download the new Transit app to easily find the best schedule for where you want to go. If you have a JHMR season pass, the bus is free!
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/1
A Moose Chasing Head Start!
While the Moose Chase isn’t for another 10 days, the moose didn’t seem to know that today, and were having a grand old time stomping all over the trails and running hither and yon. Fortunately, they mostly moved off the trails eventually, and the groomer was eventually able to smooth out their distinctive tracks. If you, too, want to get a head start on the Moose Chase, sign up online at https://jhskiclub.org/moosechase!
It was substantially warmer today, but the cold doesn’t seem to have bothered the Teewinots any! They kept moving and stayed in the sunlight to keep warm, and had a great time, judging by these photos; thanks to Libby Hall and Coach Maddy for sharing!
Today’s grooming was an overlapping loop over most trails in the system; some trails received double passes if they’d had significant moose or elk traffic, others received a single best-line pass to clean up damage and wipe out skate tracks, and some seemed fine and were left alone. You’ll just have to take a look to see which is which!
Groomer’s choice for today is Black Hole/Boiler.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Emily’s Pond Levee, High School Fields, Wilson Centennial Trail
Last Update: 2/1
Game creek is groomed and in good shape. It may be a bit soft until it sets up in an hour or two. Three creek pathway will be done around 1.
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in good shape. Game creek will be done around 11.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Update: 1/30
Cache Creek Trailhead to Noker Mine groomed this afternoon.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Used ski sale!! We are currently selling our classic rentals/demos. Price for Skis, bindings, boots: $215. We still have most boot sizes available but only 163cm skis remaining. We have plenty of new classic skis to pair with used boots.
Our retail shop will be having a great spring sale on softgoods and hardgoods soon—stay tuned!!!
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 skate and classic skiing lessons daily, skate/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: 1/30
A high-pressure system has moved in over the valley providing bright sunshine after the weekend storms bringing an estimate 2 feet of fresh snow. Expect colder temperatures through Wednesday evening and a return to more regular temperatures Thursday. Colder temperatures continue to make the snow abrasive and there maybe a crumble like texture in certain areas. Overall the trails are in good shape and should ski well throughout the week. Next update will be Friday 2/3.
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: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Update: 1/31
No grooming today due to cold temps.
Lots of fresh corduroy from Taggart to Signal, thanks to GTNP grooming! 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
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/1
All trails were groomed with the pistenbully Tuesday late afternoon. We got a nice dusting of light fluffy snow overnight which covered the trails but the skiing is still great. The plan will be to reset trails with the pistenbully Thursday morning.
Turpin Meadow Ranch is open to all for skiing, lodging, dining, Nordic lessons, and tours! Ours is a short season so be sure to plan a visit this winter between now and March 13, 2022. Call the office (307) 543-2000 or visit our website to book your adventure and/or meal!
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: 2/1
Classic Track: Set | Fat Bike Trails: Closed | Snowshoe Trails: Open
Partly cloudy with highs in then mid teens today. We are finally warming up after a significant cold snap. Conditions on the mountain are fast and fun following the significant storm cycle that rolled through this past weekend. Come out and get some turns before the next weather event ramps up towards the end of the week. Happy February!
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: 1/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday Noon: Randy set skate track Monday evening. I plan to set classic currently. Should be done by 1pm.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 1/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Did a couple passes with the drag today. Skate should be smooth, firm, and fast. Wasn’t planning on resetting the classic track, but heck, I was there, so it is new as well. Should be some good skiing now that all that great, wonderful, new snow is packed down. Thanks to Pete and Peter for putting in so much work with the roller.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 2/1
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Re-set the walking path and freshened up the skate track with the ginzu groomer. Left the classic tracks since they looked great. Warmer temps are here. Happy skiing.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday afternoon: Made a couple passes over the skate track this afternoon. Finally starting to firm up, after 2 feet of snow last week. Left classic alone, as was for most part, untouched since yesterday afternoon. 60 inches at the snow stake. Road and parking lot in decent shape.
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: 1/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday: Skate and classic tracks are all set on Campground and Yeti loops. Turned out great, except for the spot where I hit a soft shoulder and got sucked off the trail. Sorry about that. Enjoy the sliding!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/31
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday afternoon I reset the skate and classic track with the roller and track setter. Expect soft conditions until it sets up overnight. It should be really good by Wednesday morning. Enjoy the glide.
No dogs allowed. Please stay on the groomed trails at all times.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/31
Singletrack: Set
Low pressure please! 1/31 Happy Hour & Sherman Springs Access. 1/30 Upper Ladyslipper and BPA to Lower Ladyslipper. 1/29 Nemo, BPA, Hillbenders, and Grumpy! Trails are soft so low pressure is key. Thanks and have fun!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 2/1
Groomed to end of road 2/1
Rammell Mountain
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 1/12
Groomed 1/12 PM.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 1/24
Groomed 1/24 in the afternoon.
Pinnacle Trail
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 2/1
Groomed 2/1
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
Thursday, February 2 – Classic Ski | Trail Creek
Thursday, February 9 – Skate Ski | Trail Creek
The JHSC would like to encourage participants to pre-register/pre-pay for the clinics, including 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).
Banff Film Festival
February 10th and 11th, 2023
Jackson Hole High School
Skinny Skis presents two showings of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. The showings will be a fundraiser for the Friends of the Bridger Teton. Tickets now on sale at Skinny Skis!
28th Annual Skinny Skis Moose Chase Nordic Ski Race
Saturday, February 11th, 2023 | 10:00AM
Trail Creek Nordic Center
THE MOOSE CHASE PRESENTED BY SKINNY SKIS IS BACK! After a four year hiatus, we are bringing back this community nordic event at Trail Creek on Saturday, February 11th. We would love to see all families, club athletes, and nordic community members on the start line to celebrate cross-country skiing in Jackson Hole. Parents are encouraged to race or volunteer, and we will be sending out volunteer shifts to sign up for shortly. We will have 20k, 10k, 5k, 3k, and free 0.5k options that accommodate all ages and abilities. Every athlete from Lollipoppers to Devos to Prep/Comp should plan on attending this event! We will have a food and awards following race completion at Trail Creek.
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
