Grand Targhee may get knocked for not having the steeps of Jackson Hole, but the western Wyoming ski and snowboard area has a character all it’s own (an awesome one at that). The locals here are more than happy to stay in the shadows of Jackson Hole anyways, it keeps the the crowds away, and Targhee gets more snow. Grand Targhee is a very fun ski and snowboard area, with great terrain, deep powder, and very few crowds. The mountain has 2,602 acres of skiable terrain with a vertical drop of 2,270’. Off the hill, there isn’t a huge village area, which keeps the vibes of the resort laid-back; Driggs, Idaho and Teton village are close enough, with plenty of lodging options, however. The proximity to Jackson Hole also makes Targhee a perfect spot to check out on a longer Wyoming ski and snowboard vacation.
Grand Targhee is split across two peaks, Fred’s Mountain and Peaked Mountain. Beginner skiers and snowboarders will want to head to the Shoshone Lift at the base of Fred’s. Here there is a solid variety of runs to keep beginners entertained. There is no more beginner terrain at Grand Targhee.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders have options on both peaks. The Dreamcatcher lift on Fred’s Mountain is a good place to start, with a selection of groomers and off piste runs to choose from. Riding down the Headwall traverse there are also some glades that are fun for intermediates. Over on Peaked Mountain the Sacajawea lift accesses more intermediate groomers and glades.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders will find a wealth of great glade and tree skiing and snowboarding all ov Grand Targhee. Mary’s Nipple is a small hike from the top of Fred’s and accesses some of the best bowls glades at Targhee. This is an epic spot to head on a powder day. Hiking up from the Sacajawea lift there are some more gnarly lines, and nice cliff hucks to scope out. On this side of the resort there is also cat skiing available for those skiers and snowboarders looking for their of private powder stashes. There is also some good skiing and snowboarding far to the skier’s right side of the mountain off of the Blackfoot lift. The runs here are short, but sweet.
Mountain Stats & Grand Targhee Trail Map
Total Skiable Acres
2,602
Beginner Terrain
10%
Base Elevation
7,851'
Intermeidate Terrain
70%
Summit Elevation
10,121'
Advanced Terrain
20%
Vertical Drop
2.270'
Average Annual Snowfall
500"+
Total Lifts
5
Travel Information & Directions
Grand Targhee is located in western central Wyoming, just over the border with Idaho, and just outside of Grand Teton National Park. The Jackson Hole Airport is about a 90 minute drive from Grand Targhe. There are shuttles and taxis available from the airport. The Jackson Hole Airport is served by several major airlines that fly from cities all over the United States, coast to coast.
There are a handful of lodging options at Grand Targhee, broken down into three categories, slopeside, townhomes & condos, and vacation homes. A 20 minute drive down the mountain, Driggs, Idaho has more options, including some very affordable lodging. The town of Jackson ia about a 60 minute drive away for those skiers and snowboarders looking to hit multiple resorts in one trip.
Grand Targhee has some pretty standard ski and snowboard area dining options, from breakfast at Snorkel’s, to lunch at The Branding Iron. One place Targhee stands out is the apres scene, the Trap Bar is a top-notch apres bar. The Wydaho nachos are just about perfect after a long day skiing and snowboarding deep pow (they’re nachos with the chips replaced by waffle fries, thank us later). Down in Driggs there are more options for dinner, Teton Thai is a favorite.
Overall, Grand Targhee ski and snowboard lift tickets are very affordable, especially compared to neighbor Jackson Hole. Seniors and junior receive discount Targhee lift tickets, which are pretty hefty, making it more affordable to get the family on the slopes.
Grand Targhee sees a huge 500”+ of average annual snowfall, over 41’ of snow in total. This is more than Jackson Hole, and one of the biggest snowfalls in the Rockies. A high base area elevation of over 7,800’ means that the powder at Grand Targhee is nice and light, making for crazy fun powder days. There is a lot of great tree skiing and snowboard at Targhee, which is perfect for those stormy days with low visibility.
Grand Targhee is an awesome ski and snowboard resort that is a bit off the beaten path, which means that there are seldom crowds to share the powder with. An insane 500” of average annual snowfall brings plenty of powder to the great bowls, glades, and trees spread across Targhee two peaks. Grand Targhee is a great ski and snowboard resort to consider while on a longer trip to Jackson Hole, or as a destination in its own right.