Grand Targhee
97 runs across 2,602 acres on the Tetons' west side. 464in average snowfall. Mountain Collective access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
20 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
149
Annual snow
464in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Grand Targhee's summit reaches 9,918 feet, dropping 2,067 vertical feet to a base at 7,851 feet across 97 runs spread over 2,602 acres in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Terrain splits 33 per cent beginner, 37 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent advanced and 5 per cent expert. Average annual snowfall reaches 464 inches, among the highest totals of any resort on the Wyoming-Idaho border. The resort operates on the Mountain Collective pass, giving members two days of access alongside more than 20 other partner resorts.
The mountain sits on the western, leeward side of the Teton Range, catching storms that Jackson Hole's eastern slopes miss, which explains its outsized snowfall relative to its modest 2,067-foot vertical drop. Intermediate terrain dominates at 37 per cent, spread across groomed runs on the mountain's two main peaks. Advanced skiers get access to glade skiing and steeper pitches, while the five per cent expert terrain sits near the summit. The 97-run count is spread wide rather than steep, favouring cruising over technical descents.
Grand Targhee opened on 26 December 1969 as a joint venture of east Idaho investors trading under Grand Targhee, Inc., formed in 1966. The resort takes its name from Chief Targhee, a 19th-century leader of the Bannock people. Idaho Governor Don Samuelson formally dedicated the resort on 2 February 1970, six weeks after its opening lifts began running. The base village remains small and low-key compared with Jackson Hole, an hour and a half away by road.
Mountain Collective pass holders receive two days at Grand Targhee as part of a network spanning more than 20 resorts worldwide. Full-day adult tickets range from 103 to 110 US dollars depending on date, with a season pass priced at 849 dollars. The resort suits skiers prioritising snow quantity and a quieter base area over Jackson Hole's steeper terrain and larger crowds. Its position on the far side of the Tetons from Jackson keeps visitor numbers lower despite the exceptional snowfall.
2,067ft
Vertical
97
Runs
2,602 acres
Skiable
464in
Annual snow
Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
97 runs across 2,602 acres skiable
Grand Targhee spreads across 2,602 acres (1,053 hectares) on the western side of the Tetons, making it one of the larger ski areas in Wyoming. Elevations run from 7,850 ft (2,393 m) at the base to 9,920 ft (3,023 m) at the top, a vertical of 2,070 ft (630 m), and the 97 runs split 33% beginner, 37% intermediate, 25% advanced and 5% expert. That balance suits mixed groups well. Snowfall is the real draw, averaging about 464 inches a year, and four quad chairs, a six-pack and a surface lift keep the skiing uncomplicated.
Terrain is split between Fred's Mountain and Peaked Mountain. The Dreamcatcher lift near the summit of Fred's gives confident beginners a way up high, while Dreamcatcher and Sacajawea serve wide, groomed intermediate cruising. Some of the toughest skiing is on the north face of Peaked Mountain, and the hike-to terrain on Mary's Nipple offers untouched snow with real alpine exposure. Open bowls, glades and ridgelines fill the gaps between. Grand Targhee suits powder-minded skiers of every level who prefer deep snow and short lift lines over steep vertical, and it is best planned around the weather forecast.
Terrain split
97
runs
97 runs across 4 grades
Beginner32 runs · 33%
Intermediate36 runs · 37%
Advanced24 runs · 25%
Expert5 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Grand Targhee
The 2025-26 season at Grand Targhee ran from 22 November 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly twenty-week window that ranks among the longer seasons in Wyoming. The resort's high base elevation of 7,851 feet supports an extended operating window compared with lower Wyoming ski areas. Opening and closing dates shift slightly year to year based on early and late-season snowpack. The nearly five-month season reflects the mountain's position as one of the higher-elevation resorts in the region.
Average annual snowfall of 464 inches ranks Grand Targhee among the snowiest resorts in the Rocky Mountain region, a product of its exposure to Pacific storm systems crossing the Snake River Plain before hitting the Tetons' western slopes. This orographic position gives Targhee notably more snow than Jackson Hole, roughly 40 miles away on the range's drier eastern side. Base depths build steadily through midwinter given the volume of natural snowfall. Snowmaking plays a secondary role compared with resorts reliant on machine-made cover.
January and February typically deliver the deepest natural snowpack, consistent with the broader Rocky Mountain storm pattern. March and early April often extend the season with spring storms layered on a deep base, a pattern the 12 April 2026 close date reflects. Early season conditions in late November can be thinner before the snowpack builds. Midweek visits generally carry lighter crowds than weekends, given the resort's reliance on destination rather than day-trip visitors from Jackson.
Grand Targhee does not compete on event programming to the extent some larger resorts do, with its calendar centred on reliable powder skiing rather than festivals. The resort's position 42 miles from Jackson by road, but accessible only via Driggs, Idaho, limits casual day-trip crowds relative to Jackson Hole. Mountain Collective pass holders add to visitor numbers during their two allotted days per season. The base area's smaller scale, relative to Jackson Hole's Teton Village, keeps the atmosphere quieter despite the resort's snowfall reputation drawing visitors from further afield.
Season 2026 - 2027
20 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
149
Days open
464 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Grand Targhee
Daily snow reports at Grand Targhee go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
19 in
Snowiest day
25 Feb 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
186 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Grand Targhee, and where to stay
Grand Targhee sits in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest on the western slope of the Teton Range, in Alta, Wyoming, though the resort is reachable only from the Idaho side of the mountains. Base elevation is 7,851 feet, with the summit reaching 9,918 feet. The resort lies 42 miles northwest of Jackson as measured directly, but no through road crosses the mountains in winter, making the practical route far longer. Its position on the leeward side of the Tetons defines both its access and its snowfall.
Driggs, Idaho, sits just 12 miles from the resort and serves as the nearest town of any size, with Idaho Falls a further hour's drive beyond that. Jackson, Wyoming, lies on the opposite side of the range and is reached via a roughly 90-minute drive around the mountains rather than the shorter direct distance. The Teton Valley on the Idaho side has a quieter, more agricultural character than the tourist-driven town of Jackson. Both valleys share the Teton Range as a backdrop but differ substantially in development and visitor infrastructure.
Idaho State Highway 33 and local roads provide the main access route from Driggs, climbing into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to reach the resort. Reaching Grand Targhee from Jackson typically means driving via Teton Pass to Victor and Driggs on the Idaho side, rather than a direct route across the range. The drive from Jackson takes roughly 90 minutes under normal winter conditions. Winter driving on the approach roads can include snowpack and icy sections, standard for a high-elevation forest route in the Tetons.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), inside Grand Teton National Park, is the nearest airport with scheduled commercial service, roughly 90 minutes from the resort by road. Idaho Falls Regional Airport offers an alternative roughly 83 miles away, often with more affordable fares than Jackson's seasonal-driven pricing. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana sits within four hours' drive for visitors combining multiple destinations. No rail or scheduled bus service reaches Alta, Wyoming, or Driggs, Idaho, making a rental car the standard way to arrive.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Grand Targhee, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Grand Targhee's ski season?
Grand Targhee's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 20 through April 18. That window is roughly 149 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Wyoming, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Grand Targhee have?
Grand Targhee lists about 2,602 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 97 named runs (1,053 hectares alongside 2,602 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Grand Targhee?
Trail grading at Grand Targhee breaks down roughly as 33% beginner, 37% intermediate, 25% advanced, 5% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Grand Targhee have?
Grand Targhee operates 6 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 1 6-person chair, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Grand Targhee?
Base elevation at Grand Targhee is about 7,851 ft (2,393 m), with the summit around 9,918 ft (3,023 m), giving roughly 2,067 ft (630 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Grand Targhee get each season?
Grand Targhee averages about 464 inches (1,179 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Grand Targhee accept the Mountain Collective?
Grand Targhee is affiliated with the Mountain Collective. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Mountain Collective, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Grand Targhee lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$125 to US$180, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Grand Targhee before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 6 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Grand Targhee so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Grand Targhee have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Grand Targhee. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Grand Targhee located?
Grand Targhee sits in Wyoming, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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