11-28-12
The Tetons received nearly a foot of snow at mid to high elevations on Saturday into Sunday. The coming weekend holds some promise of additional precipitation, which we could surely use. It is still early in the season here, this is typical. It seems to me that most years a spares coverage at varied elevations and aspects exists until sometime around December 22nd. Some years get an early snowfall, the majority seem to start much like this one. Grand Targhee benefits from a great location and seems to always open by Thanksgiving weekend under natural snow conditions offering limited terrain. Remember, until about 4 years ago lift serviced skiing did not start until the first weekend in December for the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It would seem with the collective firing of the guns a little earlier this year that the riding public should benefit from the efforts to get you swinging chairs a little earlier.
11-22-12
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Lift served skiing hits Teton County tomorrow with the opening of Grand Targhee Resort. Touring on Teton pass today did provide some promising results, a base seems to be developing! There was some additional snow overnight which, combined with winds managed to fill in tracks left by the previous few days of skier and boarder traffic. By mid-day the pass was bustling with those eager to enjoy the gorgeous weather and fresh snow.
Grand Targhee should be able to open a fair amount of terrain, exactly how much remains to be told.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is scheduled to open on Saturday November 23, 2012. It seems as thought terrain will be limited to some manmade snow on Apres Vous. Get ready to “Rip the Strip”, wear your helmet. The lower elevations in Teton Village have little coverage at this time. Snowmaking efforts have been stymied by warmer temperatures, which is additionally effecting Snow King Resort.
11-19-12
People are getting after it here in the Tetons. The above skiers are skinning up after riding the shrubbery in the foreground. This weekend’s storm produced about 4″-6″ of precipitation in the mountains. Teton Pass saw heavy skier/boarder traffic over the weekend. In all honesty it looked more like deadfall and rock dodging combined with some bush whacking. Snow depths in most areas on the South side of the pass are 18″ or less. Be careful if you should decide to hike the N. side of the Pass. People are riding all over the place on a fairly low snow depth, so be very aware if you should decide to point it downhill. There is a fairly airy/ice chunkish layer sitting near or on the ground on most aspects that held snow from the late October storm cycle. This weekend’s snow was wet and fairly heavy. Be aware and be safe, early season conditions are prevalent on all aspects.
We are less than a week away from the opening of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s 2012/2013 season, the community has their collective fingers crossed for some natural snow and/or accommodating temperatures for the guys out there running the guns.
11-12-12
The storm over the weekend produced little precipitation in the Tetons. The mountains picked up a few more inches with less than an inch falling in the valley. Snow has been falling under fairly warm temps.
The above photo shows how well Summer grooming in the Casper lift area worked out. The terrain looks quite smooth and currently holding snow in many areas that normally would not be holding snow.
Temperatures did remain cold and Snow King has also jumped in to the snow making race.
Many wonder if we will see the return of Snow King making an effort to open by Thanksgiving which had been the case until the last few years. If so, it looks like “Townee’s” will be in for a treat having lifts open a little earlier right out the back door.
11-8-12
After a beautiful Summer and Fall here in the Tetons, it seems as though Winter will be taking its time. The first storm cycle to hit the valley in October did provide a taste of what is to come and has left the surrounding peaks with a white cap. Some higher areas of the Tetons saw total accumulations nearing 2′. With more snow predicted over the next few days riders are wanting to wet their appetite. It does look like it will be a typical cycle of mountain snow and valley rain.
As the above picture shows, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is putting the hoses to work on Apres Vous in an effort to get a jump on Mother Nature. The snow patches are edging closer. We do appreciate the time snowmakers are putting in when the currently finicky conditions allow. Their efforts help to ensure that there is adequate coverage for opening terrain upon the lower mountain during the early season. In the photo you can additionally make out some of the areas that saw Summer trail maintenance in the Casper area. The resort will be debuting the much anticipated new Casper Chairlift and its associated terrain enhancements this season.
