Grand Targhee Resort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Targhee Resort |
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 Grand Targhee Resort
Location in Wyoming
Grand Targhee Resort
Location in the United States
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| Location | Alta, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Driggs, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°47′20″N 110°57′25″W / 43.789°N 110.957°W |
| Vertical | 2,454 ft (748 m) |
| Top elevation | 9,862 ft (3,006 m) |
| Base elevation | 7,408 ft (2,258 m) |
| Skiable area | 3,000 acres (12.1 km2) (1,000 acres (4 km2) reserved for cat skiing) |
| Runs | 93 |
| Longest run | 2.7 miles (4.3 km) |
| Lift system | 5 (1 surface): - 2 High-Speed Quads - 2 Quads - 1 Magic carpet |
| Terrain parks | 2 |
| Snowfall | 500 inches (1,270 cm) |
| Snowmaking | 5% |
| Night skiing | none |
| Website | grandtarghee.com |
Grand Targhee Resort is a fun ski resort in Wyoming, United States. It's located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, near the town of Alta. You can usually get there from the west, through Driggs, Idaho. The resort is very close to the Idaho border.
Grand Targhee has places to stay, shops, and even a spa. It sits on the west side of the famous Teton Range. Most of its ski slopes face west, giving you amazing views!
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Fun Things to Do at Grand Targhee
What can you do at Grand Targhee? The ski resort has four chairlifts, including two super-fast ones, and one conveyor belt lift. The biggest drop you can ski down is about 2,419 feet (737 m)! Most of the trails are for experienced skiers, but there are still plenty of runs for everyone.
You can also try Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or go on exciting snowcat adventures. The longest trail at the resort is called Teton Vista Traverse, which is about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) long.
Amazing Snowfall
Grand Targhee gets a lot of snow! It averages over 500 inches (13,000 mm) of snow each winter. This makes it one of the top five ski resorts in North America for snowfall. Even though it's far from the ocean, the snow is almost always light and fluffy powder.
Why so much snow? First, the resort is on the west side of the Teton Range, which catches a lot of moisture. Second, there's a special "moisture channel" through the Rocky Mountains. This channel, formed by the Snake River Plain in Idaho, brings moisture from the Pacific Ocean right to the Tetons.
Terrain Parks and Summer Fun
The resort has two cool terrain parks where skiers and snowboarders can do tricks.
When summer arrives, Grand Targhee offers different kinds of fun! You can take scenic chairlift rides, join kids' camps, and enjoy music festivals, including a bluegrass festival. There are also over 70 miles of trails for cross-country and downhill biking. Plus, Grand Targhee is close to Yellowstone National Park, a famous place to visit!
History of Grand Targhee
The land where Grand Targhee Resort stands was once home to Native American tribes. These included the Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot, and Crow tribes. The Teton Range was called "Tee-Win-At" by the Shoshone, which means "high pinnacles."
Chief Targhee
The resort's name, Grand Targhee, honors both the Grand Teton Mountain and Chief Targhee. Chief Targhee was a very important leader of the Bannock people around 1867. He was known for his strong character and honesty. He tried to keep peace even when his people faced hard times. Many places, like a national forest, a mountain pass, and a creek, are named after him to remember his integrity and the contributions of Native Americans.
How the Ski Resort Started
Local people from Teton Valley helped create Grand Targhee Resort. In 1966, a group called Grand Targhee, Inc. was formed by people from Eastern Idaho. Their goal was to help the community and the local economy.
The resort officially opened on December 26, 1969. It had the Bannock and Shoshone lifts, along with the Targhee Lodge and a day lodge. Idaho Governor Don Samuelson dedicated the resort a few weeks later.
Over the years, the resort changed owners and grew. In 1988, Grand Targhee became one of the first resorts to allow snowboards on its slopes! In 1997, new, faster chairlifts like Dreamcatcher were added. The resort continues to plan for future improvements and expansions.
The Stick of Truth
The Stick of Truth is a cool way to measure how much snow has fallen at the resort. It was first put in place in November 2018.
It's a simple, non-electronic measuring stick that shows the snow depth. Resort staff clear the platform every day. This way, the stick shows how much new snow has fallen in the last 24 hours. Sometimes, you might even see small plastic figurines on the platform, making it a bit whimsical!
There's a webcam that shows a live view of the Stick of Truth. You can see it on the resort's website or on YouTube.
