2007-2008 Wyoming Ski Season Preview
Snow predictions for this winter? Don't even think about it.
Don't want to jinx it, do you?
Some early snowfall in the Teton Range was an auspicious start to the ski season. But let's not get overly excited just yet.
Most Wyoming ski resorts plan to open on or around Thanksgiving, but that's always subject to the weather.
But so far, this winter is looking like it should be, could be, might be…
Oh, let's not jinx it.
Just dust off your skis and pray for more snow. Then turn the page to find out what's new and what's happening at Wyoming's ski and snowboard resorts for the 2007-2008 season with a rundown of lift ticket prices and everything else you need to know before hitting the slopes.
Also inside:
* The Best of the Best: Wyoming's top snowmobile destinations
* Get in Shape: Tips for tuning up your bod for ski season
* Gear Junkie: The latest and greatest in skiing and snowboarding equipment
* Road Trips: Idaho, Montana and Utah's winter sports hot spots.
HED: Ski Wyoming: Where to go, things to know
La Nina. It's one of those weather things.
A phenomenon, they say.
And it's happening this year.
La Nina - the counterpart to El Nino - is a cooling of the waters of the Pacific Ocean. While that usually brings drought to the southern half of the United States, it can bring wetter conditions to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.
Wet means snow in these here parts, cowboy.
With any weather prediction, nothing's guaranteed. But a La Nina brewing in the waters of the Pacific sure fills skiers and snowboarders of the Cowboy State with hope.
The snowmaking machines sure help too.
Here's where to go and what to know for Wyoming's upcoming skiing and snowboarding season - prices are subject to change, dates of operation are based on favorable snow conditions:
Grand Targhee Resort
(800) 827-4433
Open through April 13.
Known for its plentiful snowfall - more than 500 inches per year - Grand Targhee Resort is on the western slope of the Teton Range about 40 miles from Jackson Hole.
The sizable but somehow still cozy resort has two mountain peaks - Fred's Mountain and Peak Mountain - that together have more than 3,000 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain. About 2,000 acres are serviced by lifts with 1,000 acres of backcountry terrain reserved exclusively for small groups embarking on SnowCat Adventures.
A dozen people can have 1,000 acres of backcountry all to themselves.
"The Cat skiing is definitely a hallmark of the experience here. There's nothing like it," says Targhee spokeswoman Susie Barnett-Bushong. "This is the year to do it. We've carved out 10 new runs in the SnowCat skiing areas. There are views of the Tetons on an entire run. They say it's going to be some of the best skiing in the world."
What's new: A third terrain park called Middle Earth. The resort also remodeled its hotel suites, a bar, several stores and its rental shops.
Full-day tickets: Adults, $59. Children age 6-12, $36.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily.
Base: 8,000 feet at Fred's Mountain, 7408 feet at Peaked Mountain
Summit: 10,000 feet on Fred's Mountain, 9,827 feet on Peaked Mountain
Lifts: 4 chairlifts, 1 surface lift
Trails: 63 on Fred's Mountain, 9 on Peaked Mountain.
Average annual snowfall: More than 500 inches.
Other mountain details: Three freestyle terrain parks, groomed Nordic ski trails, tubing park, snowshoe and dog sled tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides, tandem paragliding, SnowCat Adventures.
Lodging: Hotel, motel and suites at the resort; condos and homes nearby.
Food: Fine-dining restaurant, bistro, cafeteria, and full-service bar with nightly entertainment.
Other facilities: Rentals, ski and snowboard school, shopping, spa and massage, fitness center, outdoor heated pool, two hot tubs, daycare.
Hot Deal: Until Dec. 21, receive three days lodging, three days of lift tickets and one free day on a SnowCat Adventure for $349 per person, double occupancy.
Getting there: From Jackson, take Hwy. 22 west over Teton Pass into Idaho where the road turns into Hwy. 33. Follow Hwy 33 to Driggs and turn right on Ski Hill Road, which takes you back into Wyoming and dead ends at the ski resort.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
(888) DEEP-SNO
Open Dec. 1 to April 6.
Be brave. Shuffle your ski tips up to the edge and look down.
Feeling a little woozy?
OK, don't look down. Just wipe the frozen snot that's hanging from your nose and slowly back away…
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on the east slope of the Tetons is definitely known for its steep, intimidating terrain and expert runs, especially the notorious Corbet's Couliour, which by reputation alone is one of the scariest runs in the West.
But don't be scared. If blue intermediate cruisers are more your cup of tea, Jackson Hole has a lot more of those to offer now.
"The last few years we've seen a huge investment in our intermediate terrain," said Jackson Hole spokeswoman Anna Olson. "While we definitely appeal to the hard-core skiers, we do have the best terrain in the Lower 48. There is a mixed selection here - 2,500 acres is a big mountain. You can access all of it now very effectively."
Half of Jackson Hole's runs are for experts, with 40 percent for intermediate skiers and 10 percent for beginners.
Crews have cut new links between several runs and added an East Ridge chairlift to the summit to improve access to the slopes. They're also building a new tram to the top that is scheduled for completion in December 2008.
Jackson Hole is the biggest and most visited ski resort in Wyoming, recording an average of 402,000 skier-days. It's ranked as the No. 2 ski resort in North America by Skiing Magazine's readers for its snow, terrain, affordability, and nightlife. Speaking of nightlife, the mag also rates Jackson Hole as the No. 6 party town in the west.
What's new: Three $10 million restaurants at the summit of the Bridger Gondola; Hotel Terra, an "eco-boutique" hotel of environmentally sustainable design; three-year commitment by the resort to being completely powered by renewable energy sources.
Full-day tickets: Early season (Dec. 1-21) and Mountain Festival (March 23-April 6) are $55 for adults, $45 for young adults (15-21), and $28 for youths 14 and under. Holiday season rates (Dec. 22-Jan 1) are $81 for adults, $66 for young adults and $41 for youths. From Jan. 2 to March 23, full-day lift tickets are $77 for adults, $63 for young adults and $39 for youths.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Base: 6,311 feet
Summit: 10,450 feet
Lifts: 1 gondola, 10 chairlifts, 1 surface lift.
Trails: 116
Average annual snowfall: 459 inches
Other mountain details: Comprised of the two mountains Rendezvous and Apres Vous; 2,500 acres of lift-accessed terrain plus 3,000 backcountry acres, two freestyle terrain parks and a superpipe with a rope tow, groomed cross country trails, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobile tours, backcountry guides.
Lodging: Several inns, condos, homes and suites on the resort and in the nearby town of Jackson.
Food: 10 restaurants, cafes and snack stands.
Other facilities: Rentals, ski school, shopping, spa and massage, daycare, Kid's Ranch.
Hot Deal: Get a room and lift ticket for $75 per person Dec. 1-21, Jan 6-14, and March 21-April 7. Based on quadruple occupancy of a one-bedroom unit at the Village Center Inn.
Getting there: The ski resort is in Teton Village 12 miles northwest of Jackson, via Hwy 22 west to Hwy. 390 north.
Big Horn Ski Resort
(888) BIG-HORN
Dec. 20 through early April
Heavenly light powder is the trademark of the Big Horn Ski Resort, located between Ten Sleep and Buffalo at the base of High Park Peak. Ski over a variety of terrain, including the cliffs overlooking scenic Meadowlark Lake.
Big Horn Ski Resort has expanded its terrain park and sometime this winter, snow conditions permitting, it will become home to the longest half-pipe in the United States, said the ski resort's owner Jim McCotter.
What's new: Terrain park and half-pipe, improved snowmaking.
Full-day tickets: Adults, $40. Students with ID, $35. Kids under 16, $30.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Base: 8,300 feet.
Lifts: Two chairlifts, 1 surface lift.
Trails: 14
Other mountain details: Terrain park and half-pipe, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice climbing.
Lodging: Available across the lake at the Meadowlark Lake Resort and Deer Haven Resort.
Food: Three restaurants, three bars.
Other facilities: Rentals, ski school, shopping.
Hot Deal: Group season passes, if purchased before opening day. Team up with five friends and each of your season passes will cost only $150. Team up with 10 friends and your passes are only $99 each.
Getting there: Big Horn Resort is located on Hwy. 16 between Buffalo and Ten Sleep.
Hogadon Ski Area
235-8499
www.casperwy.gov
Friday through April 6
Affordable and family-oriented Hogadon is an unusual ski area for two reasons.
First, it's owned by the City of Casper so it's not a destination resort for tourists. It's the place where locals ski. The second strange (but cool) thing about Hogadon is that it's one of only three ski areas in the country where you park at the top of the mountain and ski down to the lifts.
"That's not saying we're more difficult to get to or anything," said Gary Vantrease, ski area manager. "It's a very easy drive."
Full-day tickets: Adults, $35. Youths 13-18, $30. Children, $20.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and on some holidays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Christmas Day and President's Day.
Lifts: 3 chairlifts
Trails: 15
Other mountain details: 600 vertical feet over and more than 60 acres of skiable terrain, terrain park, groomed cross country and snowmobiling trails nearby.
Lodging: Bed and breakfast nearby.
Food: Grill.
Other facilities: Rentals, ski school.
Hot deal: Preseason pass $175 if bought with three other purchasers. First-time season pass buyers can get one for $129 before Dec. 2.
Getting there: On Casper Mountain, minutes from downtown Casper.
Pine Creek Ski Resort
(307) 279-3201
Friday through early April
One chairlift does all the work at the Pine Creek Ski Resort in the Wyoming Range of southwest Wyoming near Cokeville. But lift lines are rare and the chair lift gets you to 30 nice trails. The mountain has a vertical drop of 1,400 feet and a nice variety of terrain.
Full-day tickets: Adults, $30. Children, $25.
Hours: 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Lifts: 1 chairlift
Trails: 30
Other mountain details: Rentals, ski school, ski shop, snowmobile trail access to the Wyoming Range.
Food: Grill.
Getting there:From Hwy. 30 in Cokeville, head east on Hwy. 232 and veer onto Pine Creek County Road 204 to the resort.
Snow King
Main, (307) 734-3136. Snow report, 734-2020
Today through March 30.
Jackson's in-town ski area is known for its great racing runs, night skiing and the morning half-day lift ticket. The small ski area will host 12 race events this winter.
Full-day tickets: Adults $39. Juniors and seniors, $29.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays and Mondays.
Base: 6,237 feet
Summit: 7,808 feet
Lifts: 3 chairlifts, 1 surface lift.
Trails: 400 acres of skiable terrain.
Other mountain details: Rentals, ski school, terrain park, snow tubing park, guided backcountry tours.
Lodging: Hotels, cabins, condos.
Food: Two restaurants.
Other facilities: Indoor skating rink.
Hot Deal: Two-hour morning half-day ticket for $19.
Getting there: In Jackson, six blocks from the Jackson Town Square on the Bridger Teton National Forest.
Snowy Range Ski Area
(800) GO-2-SNOW
(307) 745-5750
Saturday through early April.
Snowy. The name says it all. These mountains are hardly ever short on white stuff. The Snowy Range Ski Area in the Medicine Bow National Forest has four lifts and a good variety of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain.
Full-day tickets: Adults $41. Children (6-12), $26.
Hours: Open weekends through Dec. 21, then daily through Jan.1. Open Thursday through Monday during February, then daily during March.
Lifts: 4
Trails: 27
Food: Cafeteria.
Other facilities: Rentals, ski school, gift shop.
Getting there: From Laramie, take Hwy. 130 through Centennial to reach the ski area.
White Pine
(307) 367-6066
Today through mid-April
At 8,400 feet, White Pine has the highest base elevation of any ski resort in Wyoming.
"We have a really good mix of beginner to expert runs but the focus is more on families and competition than extreme skiing," said general manager Stuart Thompson.
White Pine has Wyoming's only competition air site, a freestyle aerial jump hill. You'll love the great powder runs too.
What's new: In recent years, the resort has added cabins at the lodge, more expert runs, improvements to existing trails and a competition aerial jump hill.
Tickets: Full-day all lifts, $36; Half-day all lifts, $25; beginner lift only, $14.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Base: 8,400 feet
Summit: 9,500 feet
Lifts: 2 chairlifts
Trails: 25
Other mountain details: Rentals, ski school, terrain park, jump hill, groomed Nordic trails, access to backcountry skiing.
Lodging: Cabins at the resort, motels in Pinedale.
Food: Grill, restaurant, lounge.
Getting there: Located 10 miles west of Pinedale on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
CROSS COUNTRY TRAILS
If striding and gliding is more your speed than crashing downhill on alpine skis, Wyoming's options for venturers on skinny skis are virtually unlimited.
Here's a rundown of some of the best cross country ski trails in the state:
Casper Nordic Center
On Casper Mountain near Hogadon Ski Area is the Casper Nordic Center and its 42 kilometers of groomed trails for both classic and skating styles. The trails are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. One 1.2-kilometer lighted loop is open for evening skiing.
The trails are maintained by the Natrona County Roads, Bridges and Parks Department. Trail passes are $5 per day or $25 for a season. A Family Pass for up to four people is available for $60 (additional $5 per person after four people).
(307) 235-931, 235-4772, www.caspernordic.com
Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Wyoming's two national parks have hundreds of cross country trails. Most are not groomed. A couple of the more popular trails are at Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs. Be aware of avalanche dangers and road closures. Park entrance fees are required.
YNP: (307) 344-7381, www.nps.gov/yell
GTNP: (307) 739-3300, www.nps.gov/grte
Pashaka Teepee Resort
Outside Cody at the Pashaka Teepee Resort alongside Yellowstone Highway are 25 kilometers of groomed trails, maintained by the Park County Nordic Ski Association.
(800) 628-7791, www.pashaka.com
Sheridan and the Big Horns
Several kilometers of cross country trails are groomed by local clubs in the Big Horn Mountains near Sheridan, including Antelope Butte, Pole Creek, Sibley Lake and Willow Park. Many more ungroomed trails meander through the public lands of the Bighorn National Forest. Go online to the Black Mountain Nordic Ski Club's Web site at www.geocities.com/bmnsc2002/classic_blue.html or call Big Horn Mountain Sports in Sheridan at (307) 672-6866.
Snowy Range
The Snowy Range of southeast Wyoming on the Medicine Bow National Forest has dozens of cross country trails and tons of breathtaking scenery to explore. The Medicine Bow Nordic Association grooms about 12 kilometers of trails at Pole Mountain on the Medicine Bow between Cheyenne and Laramie.
www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/recreation/trails, www.medbownordic.org
Sundance
The Carson Draw Cross Country Ski Area in the Black Hills near Sundance has 6 miles of groomed trails, accessible from the Reuter Campground Snopark. Between Sundance and Newcastle you can ski to South Dakota on the groomed trails of Beaver Creek Nordic Skiing.
Carson: (307) 283-1361, Beaver Creek: (307) 746-2782
Wood River Valley
On the Shoshone National Forest near Meeteetse are 25 kilometers of groomed trails at the Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park. Rentals are available. No trail fee, but donations are accepted. The park is managed by the Meeteetse Recreation District.
(307) 868-2603, www.meetrec.org
Wyoming Range
The Viva Naughton Cross Country Ski Trail system northwest of Kemmerer has 4 miles of groomed trails and access to the Wyoming Range.
(307) 828-4500
Posted in Recreation on Thursday, November 22, 2007 12:00 am
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