Located in Wyoming, but accessed from the Idaho side of Teton Pass, Grand Targhee Resort boasts a laid back mom-and-pop vibe—a stark contrast from the glitz and glamor of Teton Village. With all the hubbub swirling around Jackson Hole, “Ghee” often gets overlooked by visitors and locals alike, which makes the wait in line rarely longer than a minute or two
From Targhee, you can access some great intermediate backcountry terrain from the top of the Dreamcatcher or Sacajawea Lifts. Mary’s Nipple, accessed from the top of Dreamcatcher, starts with a short 650-foot bootpack with opportunities to ski back into the resort or down into Teton Canyon. Noodle Ridge is a fun, mellow tour, with options to ski multiple short laps before re-entering back into the resort.
Get your fill of powder in the Steve Baugh Bowl
Located just outside of the Grand Targhee Resort, east of Mary’s Nipple, is the Steve Baugh Bowl, an area popular among backcountry skiers hungry for sweet powder laps. If it’s skiing in the trees you’re after, you’ll find that on the bowl’s east ridge.
A lot of local skiers like to do the 2-3-hour tour to Little Mary’s, which might lack exciting descents, but still has plenty of charm to make up for it. You’ll also see folks going back into resort boundaries to drop down into Teton Canyon, but that should be done with caution as many lines there end in cliffs.
Go for loops in Teton Canyon
From Driggs, drive east on Ski Hill Road towards Grand Targhee Resort, then turn right onto Teton Canyon Road, where you’ll find the trailhead and parking area. From there, a ski trail heads south-east towards Teton Canyon, offering incredible views of the Grand, Middle and South Teton.
This 10-mile out-and-back trail offers excellent skiing on almost level terrain before culminating in a cul-de-sac at the parking lot and trailhead for the Alaska Basin. For variety’s sake, you can find some fun loops off the main road just a half-mile away.
If you wish to explore the upper valley, a tracked trail will take you from the end of the groomed past a waterfall and through a forested meadow. The route soon rises through a forest and goes into the back of the Canyon, bringing increased risk of avalanche.
Alternative Grand Targhee backcountry adventures
If you’re ever in the mood for ditching your skis and trying out something different, you have some cool options at your disposal. With 600 acres, 20,000 vertical feet, and exceptional views of the Grand Teton, a snowcat ride in Grand Targhee is one of the more exciting options. Another popular activity is heli-skiing, which allows you to access the remotest corners of the Teton backcountry.