General Weather – Storm Skiing
Mountain Weather is forecasting lots of snow and wind this weekend with warm temperatures. For those of you using patterned cross country skis be sure to carry your glide wax this weekend as things may get sticky out there. For a detailed daily forecast check out mountainweather.com.
Groomer notes from Friends of Pathways on Cache single track: The trails have been super compact and fast! When it’s high and dry, the trails stay good but show up red or black on Nordic Pulse. Friends of Pathways will probably be back to grooming this weekend given the snowy forecast.
What’s Groomed Today?
Every Day
- Turpin Meadow Ranch
- Trail Creek Nordic
- Teton Pines Nordic
- Shooting Star Nordic – season pass required
Saturday
- Teton Canyon
- Grand Targhee Nordic
- Alta Nordic Track
- Teton Reserves
- Stilson Loop / Emily’s Pond / Wilson-Centennial Trail
- School Fields Loop (Jackson)
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!
An applicable to most winter trails in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley update from Tyler S. at Shooting Star: A severe winter weather system is expected to push through bringing wet/heavy snow, rain, and winds. Skiers should anticipate storm skiing to persist through the weekend. We’ll continue to do our best with grooming the trails each morning, but the quality may vary pending the weather. Keep up with the forecast and enjoy the new snow!
What a Winter Storm Warning Means for Winter Trail Enthusiasts
The wisdom “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” encourages us all to prepare ourselves for our adventures by adapting our clothing choices to the current elements.
In addition to bundling appropriately during a winter storm, we should choose the right activity as well. Knowing that skiing will be great in the days to come, remember while it is incredibly beautiful to be out in a huge dump, fresh snow is always a bit softer and slower. With that said, fat biking and winter walking/running was great while the weather was dry and the trails were firm; during a storm cycle it is likely that wheels and feet will leave ruts in the trail, please consider other modes of winter trail travel until the trails harden up again.
The following has been adapted from Teton Valley Trails and Pathways “Winter Trail Ettiquette“
- Know and comply with local leash laws and always have your pet under voice control. LEASH YOUR DOG IN THE PARKING AREAS AND TRAILHEADS.
- Pick up after your dog. No one likes brown snow.
- Please don’t walk or ride over classic-set tracks.
- Know where fat biking, snowshoeing, and winter walking is allowed – some Nordic trails are strictly for skiing only
- Only ride your fat bike when/where snow is firm. Groomed tracks can be variable.
- Walkers and snowshoers should yield trail to skiers.
- Skiers- keep speed under control when others are around.
- Remember, trails are common ground and everyone out there is just trying to enjoy themselves. Keep calm and ski/walk/bike onward!
TVTAP Updates
Can any one argue that January was amazing for Winter Trails? Here’s a quick update on what’s been happening this season in Teton Valley:
- STAFF HOURS GROOMING TO DATE: 312
- VOLUNTEER GROOMER HOURS TO DATE:255
- DRIGGS TRACK PER DAY AVERAGE VISITOR COUNT:93!
- VENUES OPEN BY THE NEW YEAR: 6
- NUMBER OF HOURS THE RABBIT HAS GROOMED: 62
The numbers from January are not complete yet, but we can confidently state that those hours will increase and the smiles per mile will absolutely be high!
Some venue announcements:
- DRIGGS TRACK: Thank you to dog owners for cleaning up brown snow. This is the best year yet. Keep it up!
- ALTA: Please park at the Community Park on Targhee Towne Road Mon-Fri 8:30-3:30. Limit the number of well behaved dogs to two per person. Parking at these times is reserved for school staff and business ONLY during that time.
- CENTENNIAL PATHWAY: We have been grooming this every Thursday this year. Updates can be found in the Southern Valley section on the grooming report.
- TETON RESERVE: Enter the track passing by the kiosk. We’d like to know user counts! Also, please stay on the groomed trail to respect the underlying golf course.
Sunshine, vitamin D, and endorphins are a great combo for trails whether your riding or skiing. When we get many days in a row, however, it creates different challenges for grooming. Specifically, it becomes harder to reset a new/better classic track. Thankfully, we may be getting a refresh this weekend!
What can you expect from TVTAP the rest of season:
- Consistent, quality grooming from staff and volunteer groomers.
- Open venues until March 15, weather permitting.
- Creative and casual events that let you enjoy a new venue and eat chocolate with staff.
Report Cow Moose Sightings!
From January 30 – February 2, Wyoming Game and Fish Department is leading an important effort to protect our local moose population. They will deploy radio collars on adult cow moose to study how they use the new wildlife underpasses and fencing near the Highway 22/390 intersection.
The team is focusing on areas within about 1 ½ miles of the Hwy 22/390 intersection. If you are recreating at the R Park, Stilson Ranch Road, or Emily Stevens Park/levee and you spot cow moose in these areas, please report them to Aly Courtemanch, WGFD Wildlife Biologist, at 307-730-2806. Text is preferred or you may leave a voice message.
How to identify adult cow moose: Look for moose without antlers and with a distinctive white vulva patch under the tail. Reporting accurate sightings will help the team collar these animals to gather vital data on the health and movement of moose in the region.
Events
POSTPONED until Saturday, February 8
Due to too much snow… Join Wheel Wranglers and Mountain Bike the Tetons on Feb. 8 to ride bikes, chat trails, and meet fellow riders. A limited number of free fat bike demos available if you need a ride! Pastries and pocket snacks provided!
SheJumps – Teton Nordic Ski School – Women’s Nordic Series
Monday, February 10
Join SheJumps and the ladies of Teton Nordic Ski School for a fun and social Nordic Ski Series in the Teton Valley! Skate and classic skiing is welcome.
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
