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Averages over 500” annual snowfall, ranks in top 5 in USA for % powder days. Yet still doesn’t get the visitors of the ‘bigger’ resorts. Why you should head there and get the powder to yourself:
I’ve heard a lot about Grand Targhee’s incredible snowfalls. With an average of over 500 inches annually, Grand Targhee is the 5th snowiest resort in the USA. Amazingly however, lift lines are small and the pow remains untouched all day!
Grand Targhee is fortuitously located on the western edge of the Teton Range receiving the first dump of snow that results as weather systems move up and over the mountains. The resort lies beyond the Snake River Plain, which is aligned with a gap between the West coast’s Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada. This means that humid air travels from the ocean and finds its way all the way inland to the Tetons and dumps all over Grand Targhee!
Although there is a lot of snow to go around, here are 5 tips to get to the goods first.
Grand Targhee has one of the lowest ratios of skiers to off-trail powder acres in the US. But if you want even more pow all to yourself, book 12,000-18,000 vertical feet a day of catskiing on Peaked Mountain. Grand Targhee Cat Skiing offers 602 acres and 2400 vertical feet of off-piste advanced riding (including discounts for seasons pass holders!). Or check out Yostmark Backcountry tours for guided sidecountry adventures right off the resort!
When it does eventually stop snowing, extra attention is paid to Grand Targhee’s groomed trails and 2 terrain parks. The views of the surrounding Teton Range are spectacular.
If you want your kids to learn about the culture of skiing at a mountain that’s like the hill you grew up on, Grand Targhee is one of the few remaining family owned ski resorts. It has all the soul shredding you are looking for but it’s not just a small hill! It has over 2600 acres of skiable terrain, 2270 feet of vertical, 4 quad chairlifts and a magic carpet. You can go get faceshots while the rest of the fam is in good hands.
Kids 5 and under ski for free every day and kids 12 and under ski for free when you book 3 or more nights of lodging. Teach the kids how to shred on your own or drop them off at a lesson while you head out to some of Grand Targhee’s more advanced terrain. With 75% intermediate terrain, 10% beginner and 15% expert terrain, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
Because not everyone gets to enjoy perfect pow every day, maybe you haven’t quite mastered what to do when it gets this deep. While the kids are in lessons why not take advantage of Grand Targhee’s Max 3 Powder Up program? Instructors will coach you through off piste riding in a 2.5 hour morning session. This semi-private session is meant to level up your pow turns getting you ready to teach everyone else a thing or two by the afternoon.
Grand Targhee will also be host to the International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association (IFSA) North American Junior Freeskiing National competition from February 21-25th. Freeride competitions are a judged event that considers the skiers line choice, fluidity, technique, control and style while skiing steeps, jumping features and showcasing creativity. If you need inspiration to go big in challenging terrain, check out this competition located on Bobcat and Reliable off of Peaked Mountain.
There truly is something for everyone at Grand Targhee Resort. If you are waiting for the next big storm before testing it out, one may be rolling in a lot sooner than you think!
