Grand Teton National Park Just Opened Its Longest Nordic Ski Trail. We Talked to a Local Guide About How to Visit.

Article Summary:

• Earlier this month, Grand Teton National Park opened a 15-mile road to Nordic skiers, which will be groomed through March. 
• A local tour guide thinks this stretch is best suited for beginners and shares advice on how to have a positive first-time experience.  
• She recommends other Nordic ski trails in Grand Teton National Park, including options for those with intermediate and advanced skills. 

Grand Teton sees more than 3 million annual visitors, making it one of the most popular national parks in the nation. But the large majority make their way to Wyoming in the summer. 

Winter, on the other hand, is quiet and peaceful — even unparalleled, according to one expert. 

“Cross-country skiing in Grand Teton really is an experience like nowhere else on the planet,” says Tenley Thompson. “The thing about the Teton Range is that it has no foothills. You have this flat valley floor and then boom, these mountains just rise right out of the plain.”

Even flat, easy trails offer spectacular views of the Teton Range (photo: Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures)  

Thompson is the general manager at Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures. It’s one of two permitted companies that offer cross-country ski programs in the national park.  

“We’re free to operate in a bunch of different areas in Grand Teton,” comments Thompson. She explains that its half-day Nordic ski tours vary by groups’ goals and the current weather conditions. 

“Is it a windy day? We might want to be more in the trees. Is it a beautiful, sunny bluebird day? We may want to be more out in the open. Do we have [experienced] folks who are looking to have a more aggressive program? We’re going to do a little bit more distance,” says Thompson.

Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures also has programs for those completely new to cross-country skiing. If you fall in the novice category, here’s where Thompson recommends you go:

Where Beginners Should Cross-Country Ski in Grand Teton National Park

“Teton Park Road [is] a great place to start. It’s an established track and gives you an opportunity to get your feet from under you,” explains Thompson. 

In the winter, Teton Park Road closes to vehicle traffic. But earlier this month, it opened to cross-country skiers. The 15-mile groomed section appears between the Taggart Lake parking lot and Signal Mountain Lodge. Weather permitting, it will be groomed Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays through mid-March. 

Sidebar: if you’re new to cross-country skiing, here are a few key tips: 

• Rent wider, touring-style skis which offer greater stability than narrow race skis 
• Ensure your boots are comfortable and properly fitted 
• Dress in layers and have a backpack to hold any layers you shed during the day  

Thompson shares that Colter Bay is another great option for beginners. Visitors can park right on the edge of Jackson Lake, then ski directly on the frozen lake and around the bays. Though ungroomed, the trails are fairly flat and offer incredible views of the Teton Range. 

There’s a similar, but more challenging option for those with some experience…

Here’s Where to Nordic Ski If You Have Intermediate Skills

“Taggart Lake is a mile-and-a-half loop [with] some great opportunities. It’s more low, rolling hills and a good family-friendly adventure,” says Thompson. In her opinion, it’s suitable for advanced beginners and those with intermediate skills. 

Thompson also enjoys the eastern side of the park’s vast, open plains which are easier to navigate in the winter. She explains, “The snow rises above the sagebrush and we can ski right over the top. I like to go out there and just point at something and go.” 

She continues, “The backcountry of Grand Teton in the winter sounds incredibly intimidating — but it’s really not.” In fact, even some expert trails are easily accessible… 

Finally, This Is Where Expert Cross-Country Skiers Will Be Wowed in Grand Teton

Thompson recommends that advanced Nordic skiers make their way into the Tetons’ canyons. She comments, “Death Canyon is a real favorite of ours. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but you’re just half a mile from the lake.” 

Experts can reach this area via Moose-Wilson Road. Like Teton Park Road, it’s closed to vehicle traffic during the winter. Head southwest once you reach the Death Canyon Trailhead and you’ll reach the Phelps Lake Overlook in less than a mile. Round-trip, this route is 5.2 miles and gains 730 feet of elevation.  

“The best part is how quiet it is,” says Thompson. Though, keep an eye out for the wildlife that’s migrated south from Yellowstone. An abundance of moose, elk, bison, and other creatures add to the winter magic in Grand Teton National Park. 

📚 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

(Featured Image Credit: Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures)