Thank you for continually sharing your photos with us of Nordic skiing in Jackson Hole and for recreating responsibly.
Ditch Creek Update
We’ve received updates from local Ditch Creek residents:
1/ Active bears NOW! There has been DAILY grizzly activity and sightings in Ditch Creek this month, thus, a big warning about late season hungry spring bears. Be sure to bring bear spray, travel in a small group, make noise, be alert, give wildlife plenty of space, turn around if needed.
2/ Parking: In the winter and spring , parking for the public is provided in the large pullout on the North side of the Ditch Creek Rd (Teton Science School road) about 1/4 mi BEFORE the Teton Science School, not at the end where the road is CLOSED to full sized vehicles. When the public jams in their cars at the end of the road, they block access to to local resident’s homes. Sometimes it’s so bad that residents can barely squeeze their cars by them. They effectively block all emergency services to homes as they make it so there is no space for an ambulance or fire engine to get by.
A local Ditch resident noted that “We are not trying at all to block public access to the USFS land in Ditch Creek. Public users just need to walk or ski or ride a bike up the road past the Teton Science School instead of trying to park at the end.
Thank to all for respecting parking and wildlife, stay safe.
Check Out these Spots for Spring Skiing and Fat Biking
Trail Creek – B-T forest service trails only – please respect the end-of season closure for the JH Ski Club Trail Creek trails. Enter from the Old Pass Road parking lot, follow the summer trail toward Black Canyon. Last grooming of these trails was March 31st, so expect rough conditions. with the right timing, snow can be just soft enough, without being too soft.
Cache Creek
Game Creek
Teton Canyon
Yeti Loop
Ditch Creek
CD Trail
Togwotee Pass
Remember to bring bear spray, ski in a small group (with appropriate social distancing, face mask or buff), check temps for snow quality, do not venture on or under steep slopes as avalanche danger is still a serious risk as temperatures rise).
Cache Creek users should expect a one-day closure soon
The Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is planning road maintenance for the approach from the Forest boundary and parking area at Cache Creek trailhead. The dirt road and parking area will be closed for approximately one day to perform road grading and repair. The timing of this closure will be dependent upon spring weather, as the roadbed will need to dry out some before work can be completed.
Fantasy in the background and reality in the foreground
Local JH long time Nordic skiers dreaming of the ocean…but kindly making face masks with Hawaiian fabric. They send a giant THANKS to all the guys and gals on the front lines!
JH Nordic Neck Gaiter (Buff) Contest
Find yourself with extra time on your hands these days? We challenge you to take your best nordic or fat bike photo and submit it for our buff contest!
The first place winner’s photo will be featured on next season’s buff, receive 10 of the new buffs, and a prize pack from JH Nordic Alliance. Second place will receive 4 new buffs and a JH Alliance prize pack. Third place winner will receive 2 new buffs and a JH Alliance prize pack.
The deadline for contest entry is April 30th, 2020. Email your photos to info@jhnordic.com or show them off on social media tagging #jhnordicbuff and @jhnordic to be considered. You must be the owner of the image being submitted.
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.
Donate to TVTAP
Enjoy freshly groomed trails in Teton Valley? Like to bike and walk on the trails in the summer? Show your appreciation for the Teton Valley pathway system and the hard working groomers by donating to Teton Valley Trails and Pathways.
JH Ecotours – Signs of Spring
| Slowly but surely, spring is coming to Jackson Hole. For some, April is a time to leave the valley and skip “mud season,” but our current situation may mean you are staying in the valley this year. This is an opportunity to observe the arrival of spring. Mountain bluebirds have returned to the valley, and we’ve heard the beautiful call of sandhill cranes soaring over the Wilson Bridge of the Snake River. Prairie falcons are back, preparing to nest in the cliff bands of Miller Butte on the National Elk Refuge. |
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 finished for the season.
- Trail Creek – The last day of grooming was March 31st.
- Snow King is closed for the season but allowing uphill travel
- Shooting Star – Closed for the season on Monday, April 6th.
- 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 – Grooming operations have ceased for the season.
- 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
Grooming finished for the season.
Last Updated: 4/3
Cache creek is groomed and I good shape except for one bare spot and a shallow classic track. Game Creek will be finished by 11.
Shooting Star Nordic
Last Updated: 4/6
Closed for the season.
Pinedale
Last Updated: 4/3
Nordic: Most trails have been groomed this morning. About 1 inch of new snow from yesterday. Chilly, -3F degrees at the Nordic Equipment Building and -10F at the Warming Hut. Use caution on the downhills, may encounter some icy spots. As the week progresses due to warming afternoon temperatures and cold mornings, the crust skiing should improve. This will be the last grooming for the season. Thanks to all the folks who use the trails and especially the ones who pick up after their pets.
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.
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!
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