Nordic Skiing In Grand Teton National Park
A list of great nordic skiing opportunities in Grand Teton National Park.
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Topo Map: Moose or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Drive 12 miles north from Jackson to the Moose Junction, and take a left, driving three more miles to the parking area on the left.
Trail description: A six to 10 mile round trip, this tour heads north along the unplowed road. Just before the bridge over Cottonwood Creek, bear left and follow the trail along the creek through several large meadows. Eventually you will cross the covered creekbed, but generally continue to follow the drainage to Jenny Lake. This is a popular trail and there will often be ski tracks to follow. Spectacular views of the Teton Range are seen all through the trip. Another option is to follow the unplowed road to Jenny Lake.
Avalanche risk: None
Taggart Lake–Beaver Creek Loop
Topo Map: Moose and Grand Teton or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Follow the same directions as the preceding ski tour to Jenny Lake.
Trail description: Starting from the same parking area, this tour heads west toward the mountains. A three to four mile roundtrip, this tour features a variety of terrain from flat to moderately steep trails. After heading in toward the Tetons, turn north and follow the trail as it climbs above the moraine. After about one mile the trail forks. If you veer right another mile of climbing takes you to a view above Taggart Lake. Going left takes you directly to the lake itself. Return via the same route or turn south, cross the lake’s outlet, and follow another trail that climbs the moraine to the lake. This trail leads out along Beaver Creek to the parking area. Both return trips involve descending the moraine, where the track can at times be icy. Use care on the descent.
Avalanche risk: Low
Two Ocean Lake
Topo Map: Two Ocean Lake or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Drive about two miles west from Moran Junction to the Pacific Creek Road Junction. Take a right and park in plowed area one mile from the highway at the unplowed Two Ocean Lake Road.
Trail description: Like Jenny Lake, this is a great tour for beginners, but you’ll see a lot fewer people. It’s a four-mile round trip east to the lake along the unplowed road. A mostly flat and rolling tour in a great setting.
Avalanche risk: Low
Signal Mountain
Topo Map: Moran or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Drive north to Moran Junction and go left to the turnoff with the northern park of the Grand Teton Park Road. Take another left and drive to the end of the plowed road near Signal Mountain Lodge.
Trail description: A good tour to get away from the crowds. Ski south on the unplowed road about a mile until reaching the also unplowed road heading east to Signal Mountain’s summit. Stay on the road through pine forests all the way to the top. Occasional breaks in the trees allow great views of the mountains. Roughly a 10-mile round trip. Warming room available at the lodge.
Avalanche risk: Low to moderate
Blacktail Butte
Topo Map: Blacktail Butte or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Drive north from Jackson to the Gros Ventre Junction and take a right toward Kelly. Start the tour two miles west (before) Kelly at the Mormon Row intersection. Park in plowed out area on the north side of the main road.
Trail description:A 5.5-mile round trip to the summit, this tour tackles some steeper terrain. Ski west for about a mile before turning northeast up a wide canyon. Follow a meandering old roadbed to the ridgetop and eventually the summit at the south end of the butte. Unique views of the Tetons. Avoid steep gullies. Wind often keeps some of these slopes and parts of ridgelines clear of snow.
Avalanche risk: Moderate to high
Phelps Lake Overlook
Topo Map: Grand Teton or GTNP
Directions/Parking: From Moose take a left on the Moose-Wilson Road and drive 3.1 miles to a small parking area on the right.
Trail description: A five-mile round trip, this tour follows the unplowed road to the Death Canyon trailhead for the first 1.5 miles. The ski trail then climbs south through lodgepole forest, roughly following the summer trail, to an overlook of Phelps Lake. Return via the same route, which is all gradual downhill.
Avalanche risk: Low to moderate
Granite Canyon
Topo Maps: Teton Village or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Drive past the Teton Village turnoff on the Village Road and park one mile to the north.
Trail description: Ski north on the unplowed Moose-Wilson Road a mile or a little less until reaching the summer Granite Canyon trailhead. From here the trail follows blazes as it climbs over the moraine. There is a variety of good ski terrain up along this moraine, offering great views of the range. To head for the canyon, keep following blazes, cross a bridge over a creek, and continue toward the obvious canyon mouth. Avoid skiing into the canyon itself due to avalanche danger.
Avalanche risk: Low on the moraine, high in the canyon.
Shadow Mountain
Shadow Mountain Topo Map: Shadow Mt. or GTNP
Directions/Parking: From Jackson drive north on 191 to the Gros Ventre Junction and turn right. Drive through Kelly and then five miles north to the end of the plowed road.
Trail description: One of the classic Jackson Hole ski tours, this seven-mile round trip is mellow with gentle slopes and wonderful views of the Tetons across the valley. Ski north on the flats along the edge of the woods. Turn east on the Forest Service road that winds up Shadow Mountain. There is a gentle ridge which climbs 1500 feet above the valley floor. Be alert for snowmobilers. Return via the road or through open meadows on the southwest flank of the mountain.
Avalanche risk: Low to moderate
Ditch Creek
Topo Map: Shadow Mt. or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Follow the directions on the preceding ski tour to Kelly. From Kelly drive two miles north, and turn right on the road to the Teton Science School. Park in the plowed out area a quarter mile before the school. No public parking at the school.
Trail description: Another tour where you can go as long or short as you like, anywhere from two to 10 miles. Sunny ridges and wide open views of the Teton and Gros Ventre ranges. Ski up the road past the Science School and continue out northeast on a Forest Service road. Another option is turning south behind the Science School barn and climbing for several hundred yards to an open meadow. Cross the meadow to the east and climb a trail through an aspen grove. At the top of the draw, bear right along the ridge to Coyote Rock. This track is almost always skier packed. Return down the open meadows and through aspen groves. Watch for wildlife, especially moose.
Avalanche risk: Low to moderate
Swan Lake/Heron Pond
Topo Map: Colter Bay and Jenny Lake or GTNP
Directions/Parking: Follow directions for preceding tour but rather than turning left onto the park road keep going straight until you see signs for Colter Bay. Park in plowed areas there.
Trail description:Ski south from parking area to the summer trailhead and then follow an old roadbed for the first half mile. This easy three-mile roundtrip then forks, offering a short loop by both Swan Lake and Heron Pond. If you’re looking for a longer tour you can continue out along Hermitage Point, a peninsula on Jackson Lake.
Avalanche risk: None
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