3 April 20 – Spring Report

Thank you for continually sharing your photos with us of Nordic skiing in Jackson Hole and for recreating responsibly.

Good Times at Game Creek

Game Creek – Family xc ski outing and picnic. Snow was still firm at 1pm, however classic track was smooth and sights abound. Notice the beautiful icicles in Game Creek above as the spring melt begins!

Remember Friday is the last day for Parks & Rec grooming for both Game and Cache.

March Nature News from Hole Hiking Experience

March began sunny and blue and the familiar song of the Cassin’s Finch filled the air once again. The start of Spring brought bears out of hibernation and the return of many birds to nest and breed: Red-Winged Blackbirds, Red Tail Hawks, Great Blue Herons, Robins, Cassin’s Finch and Juncos, just to name a few.  I spotted a neighborhood pair of ravens cleaning house and tidying their nest and some green shoots emerging in the sunny, southern spots. Learn how to identify the Cassin’s Finch at Audubon.org »

Grooming Comes to a Close but Outside is Not Cancelled

A week ago, we thought our Winter Trails we were at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Due to the Idaho statewide Stay-Home order, we have made the difficult decision to cease grooming. It feels irresponsible and in direct opposition to the order to have staff or volunteers engaging in travel related to something that is not listed as essential. We care deeply about providing healthy recreation options for our community and need to balance this with staff, volunteer and community safety.

Teton Mountain Bike Tours this Spring

Teton Mountain Bike Tours is offering Guided Fat Bike Tours and Bike Rentals for the Spring Season! They have Guided Fat Bike Tours in the BTNF and Bike Rentals – Pathway Bikes, Mountain Bikes and Fat Bikes to ride on Local Paved Pathways/Roads and the Local Groomed Trails/ Snowmobile Routes!

The Bike Rental Rates are Fat Bikes – $50.00 and Pathway and Mountain Bikes are $40.00 plus WY Sales Tax. There will not b Regular Office Hours during the Spring Season – so best to call or text @ 307-690-0712 for Guided Fat Bike Tour or Bike Rentals and set up a time to meet @ TMBT Shop – 545 North Cache St – Jackson, WY  Next to Creekside Market!

Fatbikes for Sale! – TMBT is selling their Fatback Rhino FLT Fat Bikes – Black – 16” (1) & 18” (2) and Sky Blue – 16” & 20” – $1200.00/Fat Bike plus WY Sales Tax ! If you have always wanted to own a Fat Bike – NOW is the Time to Buy a Fat Bike – can ride a Fat Bike All Seasons of the Year – Great Alternative Activity to Skiing in the Winter Season!

Fat Biking Update

The above video is of the CD trail, near Moran. Good condition for fat biking, XC skiing. Right now it’s all about getting out while the snow is frozen and firm. And don’t forget to bring your bear spray! Video Courtesy of Dave H. Teton Mountain Bike Tours.

Need a daily dose of happiness in these crazy times? Stephan C. Abrams hosts the “Daily Happy Connect” at 4pm MST daily via Zoom. Join him—and bring the family—to share some smiles and your happy outdoor social distancing stories. Join here at 4pm MST!

Skinny Skis Remains Closed

Winter Trails & Pathways Survey from Teton County Parks & Rec

Teton County/Jackson Parks & Recreation would like you take a few minutes and participate in an annual survey related to winter service levels in Teton County and the Town of Jackson. They want to hear your thoughts on ice rinks, grooming, pathway maintenance and sidewalk plowing. Your feedback is very important and will help Parks and Rec provide service levels consistent with community need.

Grooming Updates and Closures

As things are changing by the day, we want to update our community on grooming schedules and closures.

• Teton County Parks & Rec- Grooming ended for valley locations with the exception of Game and Cache Creek, which have been extended until April 3rd.
• Trail Creek – The last day of grooming was March 31st
• Snow King is closed for the season but allowing uphill travel
• Shooting Star – Grooming continues for classic and skate skiers, however, NO SNOWSHOEING for the remainder of the season due to snow conditions and supervision. Please, note many trail restrictions will begin to appear as the season begins to winds down and the snow profile diminishes. The Nordic Shop will be closed until further notice.
• Teton Pines Nordic Center is closed for the season. Teton Pines Nordic Shop and Clubhouse are also closed.
• Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis – Nordic track closed for the season.
• TVTAP groomed trails – Based on the order today by Governor Little, grooming operations have ceased for the season since it’s not considered an essential service.
• Snake River Sporting Club – Nordic Trails closed for the season.
• Grand Targhee – will be closed for the rest of the 2019/20 winter season, with no further grooming for the Nordic and fat bike trails. However, skiers and cyclist may use the trails.

Uphill Closures:
-Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has closed for the season joining the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19

Trail Creek Nordic

Last Updated: 3/31

 Final Edition!
The time has come . . . the permit expires . . . even though the snow is resisting the season, we need to put things away today and bring an end to a Nordic season that none of us will ever forget.  Think back to the big Thanksgiving storm that started the season in grand style, allowing us to bypass rolling and Ginzu’ing, with instead Pisten Bullying first passes everywhere.  The snowy Betty Woolsey and incredibly busy Junior National Qualifier seem like another world from today’s perspective.  The season has ended in a way no one could have imagined, with amazing crowds of people skiing, yet sheltering in place

One of my greatest desires and prayers is that, sometime around seven months from now, the next grooming report can be posted and all of you and your loved ones will be willingly subjected to more rambling tales of skiing, moose, and all the happenings of the great people who make up our local Nordic community, and that all will have survived this whole ordeal in the best way possible.

For today the Ginzu groomer was once again called to action on most major trails.  Most classic tracks were reset and skate lanes received multiple passes.  Although private property sections of Trail Creek are officially closed after today, and the Forest permit expires for grooming, the National Forest portion of the trails will hopefully have good skiing conditions for several weeks.

While requests to keep grooming have been heard and much appreciated, the turning of seasons cannot be ignored, and farm, gardens, water, and bikes are calling this groomer on to trails elsewhere.  Never fear!   This day is still a great day for an awesome Nordic ski.

Groomer’s choice, as always, is Trail Creek.

Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec

Last Day of Grooming Today: Cache Creek and Game Creek

Last Updated: 4/1

Cache is groomed and in Ok shape. Game is also groomed but four horses started up the trail as soon as I finished. It’s going to be in rough shape for anyone who follows them.

Shooting Star Nordic 

Last Updated: 3/30
Grooming Daily

Warmer springtime weather conditions will continue to make our Nordic Track icy in the AM and slushy in the PM. We have switched to our Spring PM grooming schedule for the Nordic Track which commences at 5:30pm.

* Due to this schedule and for the safety of all, we ask that everyone be off the trails by 6:00pm.

Pinedale

Last Updated: 4/1

Nordic:Most trails have been groomed this morning. There’s 2 to 3 inches of new snow on the trails. 22F degrees at the Nordic Equipment Building. Use caution, the road has not been plowed yet and is slick. There are lots of deer along the road to above. Also use caution on the trails especially on the downhill parts, may encounter some icy conditions. There are lots of deer stacked up around the CCC Ponds trails – try to avoid going there.

Fat Bike 2/13: All Lower Kelly Park is groomed with a great riding base. Should be perfect conditions for the next 3-5 days due to high pressure system. For more information contact Geared Up, 307-399-5539 c.307-760-1912, www.gearedupbikes.com

Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club

Update: 3/24

Closed for the season.

Turpin Meadow Ranch

Last Updated: 3/8
Grooming Finished for the Season 

TMR nordic and fat bikes trails are no longer groomed, however, are open for access thanks to Bridger-Teton USFS public lands. Bring bear spray as bears are starting to emerge from winter hibernation.

Grand Teton National Park
Teton Park Road

Last Updated: 3/25
Grooming Has Ended

Effective immediately, Grand Teton national park is closed to all park visitors until further notice. There will be no visitor access permitted. State highways and/or roads that transcend park/state boundaries and facilities that support life safety and commerce will remain open.

Teton Pines Nordic

Last Updated: 3/16
Grooming has Ended for the Season 

Grand Targhee Nordic & Fat Biking

Last Updated: 3/15
Grooming Finished for the Season

Grand Targhee will be closed for the rest of the 2019/20 winter season, with no further grooming for the Nordic and fat bike trails. However, skiers and cyclists may use the trails.

Grooming is finished for Teton Valley Trails and Pathways due to Governor Little’s order to cease operations of non-essential services. Read more here.

A note from TVTAP: We are honoring the shelter in place order from the state. It has been a great season. Thank you for supporting our winter grooming program. Ski you next year!

Alta Track

Last Day Groomed: 3/24

Grooming has ceased for the season due to a statewide closure on non-essential services. Trails remain open for use – please respect health guidelines.

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