General Weather – Cloudy today, sunny tomorrow, cold everyday
Mountain Weather is forecasting a mostly cloudy day today, sunshine returning for the start of the week, and cold cold temps and wind chills. For a detailed daily forecast check out mountainweather.com.
What’s Groomed Today?
Every Day
- Turpin Meadow Ranch
- Trail Creek Nordic
- Teton Pines Nordic
- Shooting Star Nordic – season pass required
Sunday
Be sure to check the real-time grooming situation of your chosen trail by clicking the links above as trail grooming is dependent on conditions. Thank you groomers!
Update from Trail Creek Ranch: The day started off a bit on the chilly side this morning with temperatures in the negative Fahrenheit zone as the sun was rising. Today’s grooming did encounter some pretty hard snow conditions. While skiers will see a few grouser tracks showing through, skiing still should be pretty good, especially as temps warm in the afternoon. Groomer’s choice for today is Outward Bound.
Featured Trail: Emily’s Pond Levee
Emily’s Pond Levee, also known as the Dike, is a popular local trail located on the shore of the Snake River. It’s easily accessible and worth the consideration for exploring when temperatures are so low. The trail is flat and well-maintained, except for the first 80 yards which have a slight slope towards the river. It’s a great spot for a quick workout with lots of views. Whether you prefer skate skiing, classic skiing, fat biking, or winter walking Teton Co/Jackson Parks & Rec maintains the trail and keeps it in excellent condition – it was freshly groomed yesterday! Parking is available on-site with public restroom access.
But don’t just take my word for it, Jenna H. left a 5 star review of the Emily’s Pond Trail: “I’ve always wanted to stop here and it did not disappoint. It’s a beautiful flat trail along the river with lots of opportunities for bird viewing. We saw trumpeter swans, common mergansers, lots of mallards, two types of golden eye, and a bald eagle. Even if you aren’t a birder, the views of the mountain and river make it a peaceful ski, walk, run, or bike out and back. There were lots of people at the beginning but the further you go, the more peaceful it is.”
The snow tells a story, prints offer clues to wildlife behavior
The following has been adapted from an article by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, read the whole story here.
Who goes there? Winter is a great time to find out. The snow tells secrets about the natural world. The movements of many shy creatures can be revealed in a fresh cover of snow. Even if an animal stays out of sight, you can find clear signs of its presence through its snow tracks and imprints. Snow prints may reveal clues to an animal’s size, diet, gait and habits. Some prints even tell stories of resourcefulness and struggle. Bottom line, interpreting snow tracks can be a source of wonder and fun.
Next time you are out enjoying winter trails pay attention to the snowscape that surrounds you, can you see who has been there and what they might have been up to? Common tracks to identify in our area are that of the ermine bounding across the snow, moose tracks (deep and plunging), and the domestic dog (paw prints on trail and lunging belly flops through the deep snow). When you’re looking at tracks can you imagine the critter as they moved and “read” the story they are leaving behind?
Many of our partners are in the business of guided wildlife tours, and while the wildlife doesn’t always show themselves, when there is a pristine canvas of snow the evidence is there to explore. If you’re looking for a guided experience check out these members of the JH Nordic Alliance:
- Hole Hiking Experience
- JH EcoTour Adventures
- Turpin Meadow Ranch Guided Cross-Country Ski Tours
- Grand Teton National Park Ranger led Snowshoe Tours
- Peak Performance, Guided Cross-Country Ski Tours
Events
WITT Cross Country Ski Meet Up
Wednesday, January 22
Join Women in the Tetons at the Stilson lot on Wednesday, January 22 at 4:30PM. They will have a skate ski instructor for tips, a classic leader for a tour, and tailgating afterwards!
Zion’s Bank – Boulder Mountain Tour
Saturday, February 1
The Tour is staged on the historic Harriman Trail located in the pristine Sawtooth National Forest Area.
Saturday, February 15
This premier Nordic race includes distances for all ages and ability levels, with a 20K, 10K, 5K, 3K, and a free 1/2K. This is a skate or freestyle Nordic skiing event.
Bringing in the new year with great cheer!
Thank you to our platinum sponsors and community supporters.
JH Ecotour Adventures
Skinny Skis
WYldlife for Tomorrow
Jim and Mary Speyer
Scott Horn
Nancy Leon and Charlie Thomson
Nina Berlin Rubin and Shaena Ulissi
Chris and Gretchen Sebald
Michael and Trish Spain
The Storer Foundation
The Bitzer Family Fund
JH Travel and Tourism Board
