Grand Teton National Park Open For Winter Season

By Chris Hansen, 12-21-07

	Caption: The new Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose in Grand Teton National Park just before snowfall.

Winter season in Jackson Hole means more than just skiing at the resorts. We also have wonderful winter access to public lands, including Grand Teton National Park. Whether you’re interested in peak-bagging and skiing some fantastic alpine lines or just getting out and about for some kicking and gliding or snowshoeing, “the park,” as its known to locals, offers a great variety. As of Wednesday, December 19, Grand Teton National Park is officially open for the winter season.

Backcountry skiing and snowboarding are allowed throughout the park, except in winter wildlife closure areas. You can find out about those areas by visiting http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/maps.htm. And other than the standard park entrance fee, no further permit is required for skiing, unless your trip involves an over-nighter. If so, you’ll need to obtain a non-fee permit at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.

Those seeking some easy and enjoyable cross-country skiing in the park will find the inner loop road, or the Teton Park Road (TPR), from the Bradley-Taggart Lakes parking area to Signal Mountain closed and intermittently groomed for cross country skiing and skating. Grooming of this road is a relatively recent occurrence (within the last couple of years) and this groomed track offers some of the most scenic Nordic skiing in the valley, with in-your-face views of the Tetons that are unsurpassed by any other Nordic trails in the valley. Skiers will find other trails within the park skier tracked but not groomed. And, of course, snowshoers are welcome on the groomed trail but asked to walk adjacent to and not on top of cross country ski tracks.

Your dog is welcome in the park…to a point. Dogs can be on established roads and turnouts but not on any trails—groomed or otherwise—and not in the backcountry; and they must always be leashed. Take it from a local, you dog is best left at home during your tour in the park.

Most locals who venture regularly into the park are hardly aware of the official open status; to us it’s always open, but now is when winter services become available. Grand Teton in winter is an entirely different experience than summer, and often quite a treat. Snow makes the park, its peaks and its lakes much more dramatic. It is usually a different breed of visitor who utilizes the park in winter, but there is truly something for everyone.

Ranger-led snowshoe hikes begin December 26 at the new Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. According to a release from the Park Service,

“This 2-hour activity is offered every day at 2 p.m. and previous experience is not necessary. Snowshoes are provided for a requested donation of $5 for adults and $2 for kids aged 8 years and older. Reservations are required and can be made at 307.739.3399.”

Should you find yourself in the proximity of Jackson Hole, the new visitor center at Moose in Grand Teton National Park is worth a visit any time of the year. Not having much else to do over the Thanksgiving holiday (besides go skating), we took the kids there for the morning just to check it out, and we were quite impressed. The newest visitor center within the entire Park Service system, it is well worth the visit. It is also the only visitor center open in Grand Teton National Park during winter. However, the Visitor Center will close December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.

You’ll need a pass to get into most areas of the park. Pass prices are as follows:

• $15 One-day Pass valid for snowmobile entry to Grand Teton and the JDR Parkway
• $20 Seven-day Pass valid for snowmobile entry to Grand Teton and the JDR Parkway
• $25 Seven-day Pass valid for single vehicle entry into Grand Teton and Yellowstone
• $50 Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one year entry into both parks
• $80 Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all federal land management fee areas.

I say “most places” because you won’t need one to get to the visitor’s center and, because of the way they currently have the kiosks situated at the southern entrances of the park, you won’t need one if you access backcountry areas to the south of Moose along the Moose-Wilson Road. This includes skiing up Albright, Wimpy’s, Maverick’s or any other backcountry areas you may want to access from the Death Canyon Trailhead (or as close as you can get in winter).

For any information about venturing into the park, you should contact the Park Service at 307.739.3399 or visit their Web site at http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/winter.htm.

If you are venturing into the backcountry in the park or anywhere in the Tetons or Gros Ventres, you are well advised to check avalanche conditions locally by calling the avalanche hotline at 307-733-2664 or visiting www.jhavalanche.org.