Patience is key with Grand Targhee Resort summer activities
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DRIGGS — Grand Targhee will begin summer operations on Friday, but the resort still looks completely white from the valley and more snow has fallen this week.
The glacier-like remnants of Danny Davis’ Peace Park loom over the trails of Lightning Ridge and the webcam reveals patches of snow from top to bottom.
What is Grand Targhee’s game plan? This isn’t the first year that the resort’s summer opening has seen lingering snow.
“We’re still digging out and evaluating,” said Marketing Manager Jennie White.
Dreamcatcher Lift will definitely begin spinning on Friday. The disc golf course, the summit nature center, and all the food and beverage outlets will be open. Depending on this week’s weather, lifties may or may not be loading bikes on opening weekend.
“It’ll be a staggered opening,” said White. “We are hoping to have at least one trail open from the top.”
Scenic lift ride tickets are $15 for a single ride, while bike tickets are $40. The cross country trails are free to ride, although they still need some time to dry out.
Shoshone will spin in the summer for the first time this year. The lift will provide access to the flowy and beginner-friendly mountain bike trails lower down on the mountain, which Andy Williams and his trail crew will be improving and adding to this summer. Grand Targhee just received new bike trays to install on the lift. Shoshone is slated to be ready some time in July.
While Grand Targhee sees high visitation numbers for events like Targhee Fest and Wydaho Rendezvous, special precautions are being taken for the week of the eclipse in August.
“We’re trying to control the number of people on the mountain, for safety concerns,” said White.
Scenic lift rides on the 21st are already sold out, but there is plenty of RV parking and camping still available. The Rick’s Basin trails will be open as a good eclipse viewing option. Downhill mountain bike trails will be closed on that Monday, season and pool passes will be blacked out, and parking will be available only by permit, but for the rest of the week it’ll be operations as normal.
For conditions updates go to www.grandtarghee.com or stop by the activity center.
This article was originally published in the Teton Valley News. It is used here with permission.