Targhee to open this weekend - ValleyCitizen - Teton Valley's Local News Source

Targhee to open this weekend - ValleyCitizen - Teton Valley's Local News Source

November 17, 2010
By Hope Strong

A week full of storms allows resort to offer lift service early.

Accumulation.

That’s five syllables sure to put a smile on the face of any valley resident who has been anxiously awaiting opening of the local ski hill.

After a series of storms blanketed the region over the past week, the valley floor was scoured by winds, but snowpack was bolstered up at Grand Targhee Resort to the point that early opening became a reality Wednesday after mountain operations gave their thumb’s up.

Reporting a mere inch Thursday and Friday of last week, accumulation increased over the weekend, adding another six inches to the already decent snowpack. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week saw an average of six inches a day fall, enough to fl ip the switch on both the Shoshone and Dreamcatcher lifts by Saturday. A total of 72 inches of snow has fallen at Grand Targhee Resort this season, with a base depth of 38 inches reported as of Wednesday.

In order to accommodate those in search of a first chair, the Teewinot Lodge will be available Friday night prior to the opening of Fred’s Mountain. That’s 46 rooms with a pair of queen-sized beds apiece. Do the math, and there are around one hundred folks who won’t have to play cat and mouse on the road up to Targhee for their spot in the lift line.

In addition to Shoshone and Dreamcatcher, Ricks Basin will be open and groomed for cross-country skiing. Rental and retail shops will also be open, as well as limited food and beverage options, though the Trap Bar will be open throughout the weekend.

All skiers and riders are advised that early season conditions still exist on the north face of Fred’s Mountain.

This is the first time Grand Targhee Resort has opened early in the memory of most on the mountain.

Jackson Hole Daily | Park logs another record

Jackson Hole Daily | Park logs another record

By Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

November 9, 2010

Yellowstone National Park broke yet another visitation record last month, probably thanks in part to unseasonably mild and sunny weather, officials announced Monday.

The park saw 189,072 recreation visitors in October, up nearly 53 percent from the same month last year, which saw 123,867 visitors.

October marks the fifth month in a row of record visitation numbers.

In September, Yellowstone broke its all-time annual visitation record. The number continued to increase through October to 3,605,977 recreation visits to date this year, an increase of more than 10 percent over 2009.

The previous October record came after the fires of 1988, Yellowstone public affairs assistant Linda Miller said. Miller said that year’s bump in visitation was likely due to people’s curiosity in the aftermath of the huge blazes.

This year’s October was probably bolstered by the good weather, she said.

“We’ve had a few little squalls blow through, but overall it has been incredibly mild and beautiful,” Miller said. “I’ve lived here 30-some years, and I don’t remember ever having a fall this long with the temperatures we’ve been having. I’ve still got tomatoes in my little greenhouse that haven’t frosted.

“I think a lot of people who came were regional folks who were watching the weather,” Miller said.

Another possible factor in the substantial jump in October visitation over last year could be road construction.

“Last year, the road between Madison and Norris was closed. That affected things pretty significantly,” Miller said, adding that last year it was cold in early October.

This year’s mild fall lasted right up until many of the park’s roads closed for the season Monday, Miller said.

“It just happened that the weather stayed nice through the weekend,” she said.

Yellowstone’s roads are closed for the season at the South, West and East entrances. The road from Gardiner, Montana, through the North Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction, the Lamar Valley and Cooke City, Montana, is open to wheeled vehicles through the winter.

At Mammoth Hot Springs, the Yellowstone General Store, post office, medical clinic and Albright Visitor Center remain open all year.

Fuel is available 24 hours a day all year at the Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction service stations.

On Dec. 15, most unplowed roads in the park open to oversnow travel.

The park’s East Entrance road opens to oversnow travel Dec. 22.