Jackson Hole may be synonymous with phenomenal downhill skiing, but cross-country skiing in the Tetons is not only growing in popularity, it’s a downright game changer. Gliding through a famous national park with soaring jaggedy peaks as a background and various two- and four-legged wildlife sharing the space with you? Yes, please!
Snowshoeing and riding a fat bike in Grand Teton National Park and/or within the Bridger-Teton National Forest are two other ways to add dimension to your winter wonderland getaway with more than 200 trails calling your name.
Read on to learn about Nordic skiing in Jackson Hole.
Quick Facts
What type of activities: cross-country and skate skiing, plus snowshoeing and fat biking
Where: Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest
Cost: Nordic ski rentals average $30; snowshoes, $20; fat bikes, $65
Highlights: The spectacular scenery and the calories burned
What Are My Options?
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are two of the best ways to experience the exhilaration of winter travel. You have numerous choices of trails to access via Grand Teton National Park and/or the Bridger-Teton National Forest. From November 1st to April 30th, the Teton Park Road from the Taggart Lake trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge is open for non-motorized use only. You can ski or snowshoe on this road, which is intermittently groomed to provide a packed surface for snowshoeing and cross-country touring. Colter Bay, Antelope Flats Road, Taggart Lake and Flagg Ranch are other areas to explore. If you plan to ski or snowshoe the Moose-Wilson Road, park at the Granite Canyon Trailhead or at the junction to the Death Canyon Road.
Nordic adventures can also be had in Bridger-Teton's Gros Ventre range, Granite Hot Springs, Game Creek, the Togwotee Pass area, Emily's Pond Levee/Snake River Dike and the National Elk Refuge Road, among many other locations, including the Teton Pines Nordic Center, Shooting Star Nordic Trails and the Teton Village Trail.
RELATED STORY: See Grand Teton National Park on Snowshoes
JH Nordic: The Premier Source For Winter Trail Info
The Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance (or JH Nordic as its known) is the go-to, premier source for Jackson Hole winter trails information, such as where dogs are allowed, which trails are handicapped accessible, easy, intermediate and advanced trails, where to fat bike and more. This valuable nonprofit organization's website provides GPS maps, real-time grooming schedules and the latest winter trail reports as well as local winter trail events, tours, rentals, lessons, news and more.
One of the JH Nordic's most popular annual winter events is the "Free Ski, Fat Bike and Snowshoe Day" which in 2024 will occur on Sunday, January 7th at Turpin Meadow Ranch in Moran (WY) from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free, fun community day held within the Bridger-Teton National Forest will feature numerous activities for all while you are enjoying our area’s winter trails. For visitors to Jackson Hole, this event is the ideal way to be introduced to all things Nordic out here in the Tetons and spend a day frolicking and adventuring in the snow off the slopes.
Are Nordic Tours Available?
The short answer to this question is: "Yes—in abundance."
Grand Teton National Park ranger-led snowshoe tours—"Snowshoe with a Ranger"—are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays, January 3rd through March 15th, 2024. Call 307-739-3399 Monday through Friday to make a reservation.
The following businesses are licensed by the National Park Service to provide cross-country ski or snowshoe tours and services in the park during the winter season:
• Eco Tour Adventures: jhecotouradventures
• The Hole Hiking Experience: holehike.com
• Teton Backpacking Guides: skithetetons.com
• Backcountry Safaris: backcountrysafarisjh.com
• Teton Mountain Bike Tours: (afternoon snowshoe tours) tetonmtbike.com
In addition, you may want to avail yourself of backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering or avalanche courses with Exum Mountain Guides, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, or Teton Backcountry Guides.
RELATED STORY: Thrills Beyond the Slopes With Snowshoeing
Winter Fat Biking
Fat biking has gained a lot of traction over the past few years, not just nationally but locally here in Jackson Hole. Teton Mountain Bike Tours is the only outfitter offering half- and full-day winter guided fat bike tours of the valley so you can experience Jackson Hole in a new way. The company also offers a combination fat biking-wildlife tour.
New for this 2023-24 winter season, Teton Mountain Bike Tours will be offering guided afternoon snowshoe tours.
Where To Rent Equipment
Cross-country skis, snowshoe and fat bike rentals can be found at the following businesses: JD Highcountry Outfitters; Skinny Skis; Teton Mountaineering: REI Co-op; Dornan’s Trading Post; JH Sports; Teton Pines Nordic Center; Teton Backcountry Rentals; Turpin Meadow Ranch, and Black Tie Ski Rentals (delivery or in store). Fat bikes can be found at Teton Mountain Bike Tours.
RELATED STORY: Finding Rental Gear in Jackson Hole
The Last Word
In addition to world-renowned downhill skiing and snowboarding, Jackson Hole is also a mecca for Nordic skiing. No doubt about it. We encourage you to get out onto the winter trails that wind through the Hole and add a new and special dimension to your winter sojourn. The more memories you can pack up of your visit here, the more you'll long to come back, no matter what the season.
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