Surfs Up at Grand Targhee Resort

You never know what you may get when it comes to the mountains at the end of March. But do not loose hope for a great time up high when its drizzling in the valley or the sun beckons for the bike or the river.

All that drizzle is snow at 8,000′ and Grand Targhee is positioned to collect the late season storms. Including the intriguing 8″ day storms followed by sunshine. 2pm is locally known as the VIP hour and is often the best time to ride the entire mountain almost lonely.

This weekend was a double headed of events as Saturday held the Rubber Legs Banked Slalom down the Ladies Waist followed by the first annual Teton Surf Classic at the North Pole (Shore) terrain park. Both of these events encourage dynamic performance in reading and riding the featured terrain- and as Targhee is full of high altitude wave features- the Surf was Up!

Local legend Rob Kingwell held the lowest time at 1:47 in the Masters Division through the Rubber Legs Bank Slalom, while Aaron Lebowitz held the highest line. Everyone enjoyed the storm filled day bu harvesting powder laps with the other competitors.

Sunday presented sunshine for the Teton Surf Classic and mountain surfers from all over the world, including the first and only snowboarder Aleph from Sierra Leon.

The music was pumping and the organized competition quickly gave way to an all out party wave jam format- where riders dropped in as they pleased, rode with friends, sessioned particular features, and mobbed around as radical as possible.

This event is not timed, judging is subjectively seeking the most flow from one section to the next, radical maneuvers such a carving, slashing, rail-work and creative line selection. Also those with most stoke were recognized for their charisma.