Grand Targhee, WY 02/01/08

[jamesdeluxe]

Oink.

Day 7 was the best one of the entire week. They only claimed seven inches mid-mountain, but it sure felt like a lot more. According to locals, under-reporting is standard operating procedure there. At the summit, we had to navigate through, what else, vertigo-inducing fog and stiff wind-hammered crust, but the lower 1,200 feet were near perfect... especially in the aspen groves and pines, where it was often knee-deep or more.

So that's it. Five powder days out of seven. Always great to nail the goods on a trip booked four months in advance.

 

[Tony Crocker]

always cool to nail the goods on a trip booked four months in advance

Keep coming out here for a couple of these trips every season, and over time you'll get your share. Like Sharon hopefully next week.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Keep coming out here for a couple of these trips every season, and over time you'll get your share.

 

[riverc0il]

Is that a picture of a.... oh, damn, it is.

 

[Admin]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[gdg]

With Jackson Hole becoming crowded and to expensive Grand Targhee and the Driggs area seem to be getting the overflow of real estate speculators by the way the raw land values have been going thru the roof in the last 2--3 years. I like Targhee because it still very mom and pop and Driggs is still a very cool laid back town. I believe that is all going to change real soon, the way Big Sky changed.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I should actually compliment jamesdeluxe on his choice of trip this year. Jackson/Targhee in late January is about as good as you can do for odds on powder booked far ahead.

 

[sszycher]

Notice how - on a mid-Winter Friday in excellent conditions - there is not one other skier in any of the pics. Apparently Targhee is still by invitation only.

I think that point lends itself to the recent "Alta vs. Solitude" discussion. For us Easterners, getting away from crowds is really quite a treat, and can raise an already good vibe.

 

[icelanticskier]

targhee was truly an excellent choice as would snowking or white pine. fortunately for us easterners we have so many places to go to avoid crowds as the east fortunately is not a destination for those living west of pa. utah last week was surely a treat with all the snow and such but, solitude was certainly not the same quiet place of even a few years back. still easy to find top to bottom untracked all day but, sometimes to see a couple of others on the same run fairly often was a bit busy for my taste.
good skiing
rog

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I like Targhee because it still very mom and pop and Driggs is still a very cool laid back town. I believe that is all going to change real soon, the way Big Sky changed.

Yep, GT feels like it's run by your cool uncle. We're big fans and love the tiny base village, the lack of a "scene," the elbow room, etc. That said, the resort isn't exactly printing money, so even though I'd prefer that nothing changes, I can understand why they need to expand. Next Wednesday, we'll find out how much:
http://www.jacksonholenews.com/article.php?art_id=2697

Since our last trip there four years ago, we couldn't believe how many McMansions have been built on the access road from Driggs. Apparently, the potato farmers are retiring and cashing out by selling to developers.

Non sequitur: while checking in for our 7 am flight this morning from Jackson to SLC, I turned around to see -- standing directly behind us in line in his trademark floor-length fur coat -- legal superstar Gerry Spence, keepin' it real with a pair of 25-year-old Salomon rear-entry boots hanging from his shoulder.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

From the press release:

After more than three years of planning, public input, and hearings, the Teton County, Wyoming Board of County Commissioners on Monday, February 4th gave final approval to Grand Targhee Resort’s expansion proposal. Grand Targhee is now poised to expand from their current 96 lodging units to 450 units by rezoning 120 acres at the base of Fred’s Mountain from its current “rural” status to “resort” designation.

With the conditions of the expansion now approved, Grand Targhee Resort will move forward with the development of a land-use plan. Resort officials estimate that this process could take 3 to 6 months to complete. 45 single family units and 45 cabins or townhomes are allowed.

 

[catskills]

James - excellent photos. I skied GT a few years back. I liked GT but I have not been back. I would much rather ski Jackson Hole.

Thursday Feb 7th was probably one of the best days at JH I have skied in the last 7 years. The new snow was underreported so all the locals didn't get all crazy and call in sick. I had a number of first tracks early in the day. The snow was awesome due to little to no water content and it wasn't packed down by the wind yet. Visibility was marginal with high winds. Hey you got to take what your are given.