Alta, WY – Just in time for what could be a big winter in the Tetons courtesy of La Niña, Grand Targhee’s new on-mountain weather station will provide real time snow data for skiing and riding on terrain that will include two new intermediate runs at the Wyoming resort this winter.nA new Chief Joe Bowl weather station is the result of a joint effort between the ski resort and the Bridger Teton National Forest Avalanche Center. The weather station is located just below the Midway cat track, on skier’s left of The Ugly run. This site was chosen because it is geographically representative of the majority of avalanche zones at Grand Targhee, is not in a slide path and is protected from wind and skier traffic.
The station features instruments that measure total snow depth, interval snow depth (a daily board that is swept once a day), air temperature at the site, and precipitation, which weighs fresh snow to help patrol determine snow density and water content. This data is recorded every 15 minutes and is available to the public on the BTNF Avalanche Center website at either www-wwrc.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/snowprec/snowprec.html or wxstns.net/wxstns/jhnet.
“We are extremely grateful to the Bridger Teton National Forest Avalanche Lab for their support in getting us this weather station,” said Joe Calder, ski patrol director at Grand Targhee. “For the first time, the Bridger Teton Avalanche Lab will have regular snow data from the western side of the Tetons, which will help them in their avalanche forecasting for the region. It will be very helpful for us to use the data throughout the day in our avalanche hazard reduction work, as well as allow the public an independent way to access real time snowfall information.”
This winter Grand Targhee Resort will also introduce two new intermediate runs off of the Sacajawea Chairlift. Powwow will be accessed from the top of Dreamweaver and end at the lift line. Wampum will also begin at Dreamweaver and cross through Quiver, a section of gladed trees, before intersecting the lift line. Both of these new runs will be groomed regularly.
The location of backcountry access into the Jedediah Smith Wilderness off the backside of the resort will change slightly this winter offer more consistent access to skiers and riders. A new gate will be located at the bottom of the Mary’s Nipple bootpack, in front of the Mary’s Nipple gate. The Mary’s Nipple gate will move further south to allow for the backcountry access gate.
“In the past, access to the backside of the resort was dependent on whether or not Mary’s Nipple was open – skiers and riders exited the resort boundary into the backcountry from an area beyond the Mary’s Nipple gate,” said Calder. “The new gate location provides consistent access to the backcountry, allowing experienced guests to exit our boundary at any time, independent of patrol operations on Mary’s Nipple.”
The Kids Zone/Beginner Area at Grand Targhee Resort has also been enhanced with new terrain features for the winter season including the “Mouse House” and “Sacred Forest.”
“The Kids Zone is designed to emphasize our natural environment and to creatively engage kids in the learning process,” said Mark Hanson, Targhee’s ski school director. “Although the terrain is designed to focus on specific skills, like edge pressure, speed control and balance, kids just think they are having fun exploring areas like Eyeball Forest and Wacky Weasel Way.”