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Grand Targhee Resort
A Season of Ledgendary Ski Days
Set in the heart of the
Tetons, Grand Targhee Resort has been dubbed by Ski magazine as a
"place that dumps." Small wonder, too: an average annual snowfall of
500 inches makes it easy to understand why skiers, snowboarders, and
writers rave about Grand Targhee. The resort even tops the "greatest
snow on earth" category.
The big news recently,
though, may be the new Sacajawea Chair Lift on Peaked Mountain. The
high-speed detachable quad added 500 acres of glades and bowls to
the already famous 1,500 acres of terrain served by Dreamcatcher (a
high-speed, detachable quad chair lift), Blackfoot (a double chair
lift), and Shoshone (a quad chair lift).
Cat-skiing aficionados
haven’t been forgotten, either. The upper reaches of Peaked Mountain
still have 1,000 acres set aside exclusively for cat skiing with
Snowcat Powder Adventures.
Backcountry enthusiasts can
access Grand Targhee’s vast terrain beyond the boundary with a short
hike up Mary’s Nipple. Take a mellow powder run back into the ski
area or leap off the backside with airs from 30 feet to truly huge.
A daily Jackson Hole/Targhee
round-trip shuttle, with pick-up points at many hotels in Jackson
and Teton Village, is available from Alltrans. Reservations are
required by 9 p.m. the day before travel. Call 733-9SKI.
 Grand
Targhee Loves Kids
Targhee was voted among the "Top
10 Getaways for Tiny Travelers for 1999" by the Family Travel Forum,
and with good reason.
For one, the Magic Carpet lift
whisks young skiers to the top of the beginner area gently and
quickly. And once they graduate to the big mountain, kids and
parents enjoy the "most elbow room in North America," which makes
for a safe and comfortable learning environment.
Then there’s the Kid’s Club, a
state-certified child-care facility conveniently located in the base
area. Trained, professional staffers care for children from two
months to five years old and provide a full plate of fun, creative
activities designed to keep children happy and entertained.
Sledding, hot chocolate breaks, sleigh rides, tubing, scouting for
animal tracks, snowball fights, and swimming in the outdoor heated
pool help round out the menu of things to do.
Kids 6-14 have big appetites for
fun, too. Powder Scouts is a super-fun ski and snowboard adventure
that gives youngsters moguls of mountain time with kids their own
age and ability. Young skiers and ‘boarders can team up with some of
the mountain’s best guides and tackle some of Grand Targhee’s
famous runs, like the Bobsled, Humpback Forest, and the Bat Cave.
Clinics/Festivities:
X-Team Advanced Ski Clinic,
Dec. 12-16
Extreme-skiing gurus Dan and John
Egan, Eric and Rob DesLauriers, and Dean Decas teach advanced
techniques for handling the steeps, bumps, trees, crud, and
couloirs. Clinic includes lodging, cat skiing, and workshops. For
more info call 800-XTEAM70.
North American Ski Training
Center (NASTC) Powder Clinic, March 1-3
Professional and friendly
coaching by Professional Ski Instructors of America, with group
sizes of six or fewer gives skiers personalized, professional
instruction. Video sessions, meals, and lectures included. Two
half-days on Targhee’s Powder Snowcats plus one day on the chair
lifts.
Chicks Rule Snowboard Clinic,
March 7-9
A friendly learning environment
that stresses women-only camaraderie over competition in a nurturing
group setting, this clinic includes a wine and cheese ice breaker,
three nights lodging (longer stays available at clinic rates), two
full days of on-mountain instruction, tuning and equipment clinic,
spa treatment/sports massage, daily video analysis of technique, and
an awards party. Call 307-353-2300 ext.1318.
23rd Annual Nordic Festival,
March 22
Freeheelers unite at the best
Telemark party and race of the year. Held annually in Dry Creek
Basin, the celebration includes great music, an outdoor BBQ, and
gear raffles throughout the festival.
Teton Telephoria March 1-3
A national gathering with an
all-star cast of free-heel skiers and clinicians. Three days of
workshops, guided tours, demos, and evening entertainment.
Sponsored by Free Heels. Call 800-227-2054.
Third Annual Grand Targhee
Cardboard Box Derby, April 12
After two successful years,
derby riders won’t be denied another race. Participants build a
craft to ride down the mountain, using only cardboard, paper, glue,
tape, and string! Will they make it to the bottom? Come join the
fun! - FPI
Drive over or take the daily shuttle bus. 1-800-TARGHEE
www.grandtarghee.com
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