Grand Targhee Resort
{{Short description|Ski resort in Wyoming, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox ski area
| name = Grand Targhee Resort
| picture =
| caption =
| location = Alta, Wyoming, U.S.
| nearest_city = Driggs, Idaho
| pushpin_map = Wyoming#United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|43.789|N|110.957|W|type:landmark_scale:50000|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position =
| map_caption = Location in Wyoming
| top_elevation = {{convert|9862|ft|abbr=on}}
| base_elevation = {{convert|7408|ft|abbr=on}}
| vertical = {{convert|2454|ft|abbr=on}}
| skiable_area = {{convert|3000|acre|km2|1}}
({{convert|1000|acre|km2|0}}
reserved for cat skiing)
| number_trails =93
| longest_run = {{convert|2.7|mi}}
| liftsystem = 6 (1 surface):
- 2 High-Speed Quads
- 1 High-Speed Six Pack
- 2 Quads
- 1 Magic carpet
| terrainparks = 2
| snowfall = {{convert|500|in|cm|-1}}
| snowmaking = 5%
| nightskiing = none
| external_link = [http://www.grandtarghee.com grandtarghee.com]
|}}
Grand Targhee Resort is a ski resort in the western United States, located in western Wyoming in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, near Alta, the closest town to the resort. It is {{convert|42|mi}} northwest of Jackson and is accessible only from the west, through Driggs, Idaho. The border with Idaho is less than five miles (8 km) due west.
The resort has lodging, a spa, retail stores, and conference facilities. On the west side of the famous Teton Range, it is located {{convert|8|mi|spell=in}} northwest of the Grand Teton, and the majority of the slopes at Grand Targhee face west.
Activities
The ski resort has one high-speed six-pack, two high-speed quads, two fixed-grip quads, and one magic carpet. Its base is located at {{Convert|7,851|ft|m}}, with its vertical drop being {{convert|2,270|ft}}. Its 2,602 acres of terrain is rated 10% beginner, 70% intermediate, 15% advanced, and 5% expert. There are also Nordic skiing trails, snowshoeing, snowcat adventures, and other activities. The longest trail at the resort is Teton Vista Traverse at {{convert|2.7|mi}}.{{Cite web |title=Mountain Stats {{!}} Grand Targhee |url=https://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/mountain-information/mountain-stats |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.grandtarghee.com |language=en}}
It averages over {{convert|500|in|ft m|1}}[http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/stats/index.php Grand Targhee Resort - Quick Facts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512150743/http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/stats/index.php |date=2008-05-12 }}, GrandTarghee.com, April 10, 2008 of snowfall per season, which ranks it among the top five ski resorts in North America. It is located {{convert|670|mi}} inland and the snow that falls is nearly always powder snow. The reason for the abundant snowfall is twofold. First, the area is on the west slope or "wet" side of the Teton Range, topped by Grand Teton at {{convert|13775|ft}} and, second, because there is a moisture channel through the Rocky Mountains formed by the Snake River Plain in Idaho that channels moisture from the Pacific Ocean to the west slope of the Tetons.
The resort has two terrain parks as of January 2016.
Summertime offers scenic chairlift rides, kids camps, music festivals, a bluegrass festival, and 70+ miles of cross-country and downhill bike trails. Grand Targhee is also in close proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
History
The original inhabitants of this area were the Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot, and Crow tribes. The Teton Range was called the Tee-Win-At by the Shoshone Indians, meaning "high pinnacles".
Targhee or Chief Targhee by 1867, was known as, “the great head chief of all the Bannock people.” He led his people through what may have been the grimmest period of their history as they were forced from their traditional nomadic ways and into a life of hard labor and farming on the newly created Fort Hall Reservation. Chief Targhee was truly a great chief admired for his strong character and integrity. He was honored by euro-Americans and Native-Americans alike. He held the peace while his people suffered from starvation and abuse resulting from the shameful acts of both the United States and Idaho Territorial governments. He was killed while hunting for food by the Crow in the winter of 1871/72. Upon his death, the Bannock fractured into several bands bent on war with the euro-Americans that eventually led to the demise of a significant proportion of the Bannock.
Grand Targhee Resort's name includes both a reference to Grand Teton Mountain and Chief Targhee. A national forest, a mountain pass, a creek, a dog and the resort commemorate Chief Targhee's integrity and the memory of the Native American contribution to this country.
=Ski resort=
The locals of Teton Valley were instrumental in establishing Grand Targhee Resort. In 1966, Grand Targhee, Inc. was formed by east Idahoans. One of the goals of the 900+ members was to benefit the community and the economy of the region. The resort opened {{Years or months ago|1969|6}} on December 26, 1969, with the Bannock and Shoshone lifts, Targhee Lodge, and day lodge. The resort was officially dedicated by Idaho Governor Don Samuelson six weeks later on February 2, 1970.
The Sioux Lodge opened in 1971 and the original Master Plan under the Special Use Permit called for eventually developing the resort to a 6,000 skiers per day lift capacity, 475 accommodation units, including buildings up to five stories and included plans for a trailer park, golf courses, and snowmobile trails over {{convert|1200|acre|km2}}. The original plan never materialized.
Prior to its fourth ski season, Grand Targhee was purchased in October 1973 by Bill Robinson, a plastics manufacturer from Cincinnati.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z-IkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ABIGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2504%2C2357442 |newspaper=Aberdeen Times |location=(Idaho)|title=Grand Targhee changes hands |date=November 8, 1973 |agency=Winter Recreation edition |page=9 }} Though primarily an absentee owner, Robinson and his family loved the area, bought a home in Driggs, and visited frequently throughout the years.
In 1987, Grand Targhee Resort was purchased and operated by Mory and Carol Bergmeyer.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=evBHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2505%2C5170789 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah)|title=Ski company to buy Grand Targhee resort |agency=Associated Press |date=December 31, 1996 |page=B7 }} The Bergmeyers improved the resort facilities, added new guest activities and expanded the reputation of Targhee while continuing its dedication to family, quality and the sensitive balance between people and the great outdoors. In 1988, the Bergmeyers changed the resort's policy to allow snowboards on the hill. In March 1990, the Rendezvous day lodge was destroyed by fire.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fk4tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6556%2C3484717|newspaper=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |agency=Associated Press |title=Fire destroys Grand Targhee ski resort |date=March 26, 1990 |page=5A}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GIsnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x4QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6893%2C1931929 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |agency=Associated Press |title=Fire was likely arson, owner of lodge at Targhee resort says |date=April 3, 1990 |page=B5 }}
Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc., a corporation run by CEO George Gillett, Jr., purchased Grand Targhee in March 1997. In June 2000, George and Rose Gillett, along with their four sons, purchased Grand Targhee from Booth Creek Ski Holdings.
In 1997, the resort's first high-speed detachable quad chair, Dreamcatcher, replaced Bannock, and the Shoshone double chair was replaced with a fixed-grip quad. Through a land exchange in 2004, the Gilletts acquired ownership of Grand Targhee's base area. Planning has begun for the future development of Grand Targhee Resort including an expansion of Peaked Mountain facilities and a proposed expanded base area with more lodging units. In the summer of 2016, the Blackfoot double chair was torn down to make way for the new Blackfoot highspeed quad chairlift.
File:Grand-teton-from-grand-targhee.jpg
File:Dreamcatcher-grand-targhee-march-2024.jpg
= Stick of Truth =
File:Stick of truth 2019-01-04 06-41-50.png
The Stick of Truth is a snow depth indicator at the resort, first installed in November 2018.
Unlike snow condition data from SNOTEL, the Truth gauge is simple and non-electronic—except for night lighting. It consists of a {{convert|18|inch|cm|adj=on}} measuring stick (calibrated in inches) on a platform to accumulate snowfall, and a webcam. The platform is cleared of snow and ice daily so that the gauge shows snow depth delivered in the last (up to) 24 hours.{{cite web
| url = https://www.tetonvalleynews.net/news/the-truth-shall-set-you-free/article_c30f9282-0864-519c-9e01-b386b25fdaaa.html
| title = The truth shall set you free
| author = Hope Strong
| work = Teton Valley News
| date = March 4, 2020
| accessdate = December 6, 2020
}}
Since its inception, the platform often has few whimsical plastic figurines from a collection of hundreds.
The webcam shows a live view and is available on the resort's Snow Report page,{{cite web
| url = https://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/snow-report/
| title = Grand Targhee Snow Report
| publisher = Grand Targhee Resort
| accessdate = December 6, 2020
}}
the See Jackson Hole website, as well as on YouTube.{{cite web
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-5kXgDhDM8
| title = Grand Targhee Resort Stick of Truth
| publisher = See Jackson Hole
| accessdate = December 6, 2020
}}
Climate
{{Weather box
|location = Grand Targhee, Wyoming, 2007–2020 normals: 9260ft (2822m)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 55
|Feb record high F = 50
|Mar record high F = 53
|Apr record high F = 64
|May record high F = 69
|Jun record high F = 76
|Jul record high F = 82
|Aug record high F = 77
|Sep record high F = 73
|Oct record high F = 65
|Nov record high F = 54
|Dec record high F = 46
|year record high F =
|Jan avg record high F = 41.6
|Feb avg record high F = 40.9
|Mar avg record high F = 45.9
|Apr avg record high F = 55.8
|May avg record high F = 63.6
|Jun avg record high F = 70.0
|Jul avg record high F = 73.6
|Aug avg record high F = 72.9
|Sep avg record high F = 67.9
|Oct avg record high F = 57.1
|Nov avg record high F = 48.2
|Dec avg record high F = 38.9
|year avg record high F = 74.2
|Jan high F = 26.7
|Feb high F = 26.6
|Mar high F = 33.3
|Apr high F = 39.5
|May high F = 49.5
|Jun high F = 56.8
|Jul high F = 65.6
|Aug high F = 64.0
|Sep high F = 55.8
|Oct high F = 41.5
|Nov high F = 32.1
|Dec high F = 23.8
|year high F =
|Jan mean F = 19.7
|Feb mean F = 19.7
|Mar mean F = 25.9
|Apr mean F = 31.1
|May mean F = 40.6
|Jun mean F = 48.5
|Jul mean F = 57.7
|Aug mean F = 56.3
|Sep mean F = 48.5
|Oct mean F = 35.0
|Nov mean F = 25.7
|Dec mean F = 17.5
|year mean F =
|Jan low F = 12.7
|Feb low F = 12.8
|Mar low F = 18.5
|Apr low F = 22.6
|May low F = 31.8
|Jun low F = 40.3
|Jul low F = 49.8
|Aug low F = 48.5
|Sep low F = 41.2
|Oct low F = 28.6
|Nov low F = 19.3
|Dec low F = 11.2
|year low F =
|Jan avg record low F = -7.1
|Feb avg record low F = -3.6
|Mar avg record low F = 1.9
|Apr avg record low F = 7.3
|May avg record low F = 16.4
|Jun avg record low F = 27.1
|Jul avg record low F = 39.6
|Aug avg record low F = 37.1
|Sep avg record low F = 26.1
|Oct avg record low F = 12.5
|Nov avg record low F = 1.1
|Dec avg record low F = -8.0
|year avg record low F = -10.9
|Jan record low F = −19
|Feb record low F = −15
|Mar record low F = -5
|Apr record low F = -3
|May record low F = 9
|Jun record low F = 22
|Jul record low F = 30
|Aug record low F = 29
|Sep record low F = 20
|Oct record low F = -1
|Nov record low F = -15
|Dec record low F = −21
|year record low F =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 6.53
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.08
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.60
|Apr precipitation inch = 5.50
|May precipitation inch = 4.53
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.33
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.13
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.75
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.18
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.67
|Nov precipitation inch = 5.28
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.15
|year precipitation inch =
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = November 19, 2023
}}
|source 2 = NOAA (Precipitation)
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USS0010F30S&format=pdf
|title= Grand Targhee, Wyoming 1991-2020 Monthly Normals
|access-date = November 19, 2023
}}
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.grandtarghee.com}}
- [http://www.travelwyoming.com/listing/alta/grand-targhee-resort Travel Wyoming] - official site - Grand Targhee Resort
- [https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/alpine-skiing-snowboarding/grand-targhee-resort/ Visit Idaho] - official site - Grand Targhee
- [http://www.firsttracksonline.com/?s=Grand+Targhee First Tracks Online.com] - Grand Targhee
Category:Ski areas and resorts in Wyoming
Category:Golf clubs and courses in Wyoming