Wydaho — It’s been years of fervent debate between locals, Grand Targhee Resort, and the U.S. Forest Service. The latest step in the process was dropped yesterday, signaling a major victory for the Wydaho ski resort.
Jackson Hole News & Guide reports that the U.S. Forest Service has released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and draft Record of Decision on Grand Targhee’s master plan. They preliminarily approved the few terrain expansions that made it through the wringer, a new restaurant near the summit of Fred’s Mountain, and other upgrades. Overall, the US Forest Service is approving the expansion of Grand Targhee’s Special Use Permit by 694 acres. While this is short of the 866 acres requested by Grand Targhee in their updated proposal, it doesn’t appear to affect the terrain they want to expand onto.
However, the battle over this is far from over. Two public comment objection periods for various portions of the process have begun.
Proposed Expansions
Grand Targhee is eyeing an expansion of its Special Use Permit (SUP) into two areas.
The South Bowl area has been scaled back from its original ambitions, with only one lift proposed there. The original plan was a vast expansion that included three new lifts and terrain pods in the South Bowl area. However, due to pushback, Grand Targhee Resort scaled back its expansion plans in the South Bowl.
It was reduced again by this decision, with the 266-acre expansion cut to 235 acres. Around 60 acres would be developed for ski trails. This terrain is described as advanced bowl skiing. The new lift serving this terrain would be 3,211 feet long and have a capacity of around 1,800 passengers per hour.
The new Mono Trees expansion would be situated between the Sacagawea and Colter terrain pods. The Mono Trees expansion has been cut from 600 acres to 455 acres. This SUP expansion would add approximately 97 acres of intermediate and advanced-intermediate terrain. It would be served by a chairlift with a length of 4,222 feet and a capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour.
New Lifts & Other Upgrades
Several new lifts are also being proposed. Next to the North Boundary would be a new fixed-grip triple chairlift, making lapping this terrain easier. This area would feature a few new trails plus several run extensions, all of which are in the current skiable boundary.
The Dreamcatcher high-speed quad would be replaced with a chondola (a mix of gondola cabins and six-person chairs). On Fred’s Mountain, a new detachable chairlift, Crazy Horse, is also planned to make it easier to lap the upper mountain. Over in the beginner area, the Shoshone Quad lift would be replaced with a detachable chairlift. Also worth noting, a platter pull lift and lights would be added to the Palmer’s Raceway trail to allow athletes to get more laps. Finally, a magic carpet is planned for the beginner area.
Other portions of this plan include new ski trails across the existing terrain network, a 57-acre snowmaking expansion, two new on-mountain lodges, other new facilities (such as buildings for bathrooms and ski patrol), an expansion of their Nordic/snowshoeing/fat bike trail offerings, new hiking/biking routes, adding a snow tubing park, new summer attractions, and more.
Ultimately, it seems like a good compromise. Targhee originally planned a large-scale terrain expansion, but toned it down after local feedback. The Forest Service has found further areas to cut out.
You’d have to imagine the opposition, led by groups like Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance and No Grand Targhee Expansion, will be as vocal as ever. Their concerns are valid given the region’s environmental significance. Teton County, Idaho, which people must pass through to reach Grand Targhee, also feels it isn’t getting a fair share from the ski resort and wants a revenue-sharing model established. Taxes generated by Grand Targhee go towards Teton County, Wyoming.
TLDR: This is a big win for Grand Targhee, but this situation is far from over.
Image/Video Credits: Grand Targhee Resort
