In honor of the United States’s National Park Services 100th anniversary on August 25th, Exodus Travels asked me to write about one of my most unique National Park experiences.

I’ve been to my share of national parks. (I also have some great photos from Glacier National Park here).

It was easy to choose what to write about. My winter visit to Yellowstone National Park was one of the most unique outdoors experiences I’ve had.

Yellowstone National Park receives far fewer visitors in the winter than in the summer. I guess that kind of makes sense. The snow makes it less accessible and most families take their vacations in the summer.

Yellowstone National Park in the winter is, however, in my humble opinion, way more spectacular when the hills are blanketed in snow webbed with mineral-rich rivers and the famous springs and geysers are gushing thick pillars of steam into the freezing blue sky.

Here’s what I saw during my winter trip to Yellowstone National Park.

The Drive Into Yellowstone

Visiting Yellowstone National Park in winter consists mainly of exploring by various means of transportation, such as snowshoes, cross-country skis, or good old-fashioned hiking.

First mode of transport is the snowcoach, or as I like to call it the bumblebee snowcrusher machine.

Even just the drive to the Yellowstone Lodge is a tour in itself. Here are some of the stops we made.

The Walkways Around Yellowstone’s Springs

The walkways around the most active springs and geysers are the most popular and visually stunning way to explore the park.

X-Country Skiing in Yellowstone National Park

My personal favourite way to see the park was on cross-country skis, but I love cross-country skiing in general, so I’m probably a bit biased.

Leaving Yellowstone

Even the drive out of the park is beautiful — especially if you leave into Wyoming the way we did. This is a shot of the Tetons I took from the side of the road.

Have you ever visited Yellowstone National Park in winter?

What was your favorite part?

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I have to admit, I’m a bit biased because I had such a fantastic time at Grand Targhee. Emilie and I met some fantastic people there. Our hosts, local ski pros Max and Gary Mackenzie, and their friends were super hospitable and easy to work with. The snow was great. The food was good. And the people (it’s our job to interview strangers on the hill, so we meet a lot of people) were the friendliest we’ve met on the tour.

That’s all fine and dandy, you might say, but how does it stack up to bigger, better-known hills like Jackson Hole and Squaw Valley?

Here’s how it compares.  

Grand Targhee isn’t as massive as Vail or Heavenly Valley, but at 2,600 acres it has more in-bounds terrain than Jackson Hole or Telluride.  There’s also some amazing backcountry terrain off-piste. Receiving 500+ inches of snow each year, Grand Targhee has one of the largest annual snowfalls in the entire country (which is why it’s considered by some to be the best resort of early season skiing around).

Despite this, Grand Targhee remains relatively unknown to mainstream ski vacationers. Most times of year the hill barely sees enough skiers and boarders there to scrape the powder off the hill before it dumps again.

Grand Targhee is truly one of the great undiscovered American ski resorts.

Riding conditions, however, only paint part of the picture of a good resort. Convenience, amenities, and value are also important.

Grand Targhee isn’t the most convenient place to visit. Tucked away on the western side of the Tetons, the mountain is about a 1.5 hour drive from the nearest airports in Jackson Hole and in Idaho Falls and even farther from the closest major city.

Grand Targhee also lacks the highly-developed amenities of other world-class resorts. The food on the mountain is very good and well-priced, but you can’t eat there all the time. Although Driggs has it’s charm, the restaurant selection there is pretty much what you’d expect for a small town in Idaho. The culinary scene certainly doesn’t have the flare of a developed resort town like Jackson or Telluride.

The skiing and snowboarding at Grand Targhee are amazing, the food is good, and the people are some of the friendliest I’ve met in North America, but where Grand Targhee really shines is value.

At the right time of year, you can rent a slopeside room where you can ski to  your door for as little as $99 night. Their website boasts specials for lodging with lift tickets starting at $55 per person per night.

I’ve never heard of any other hill in North America that offers the same deep snow and vast terrain and such amazing deals on rooms and lift tickets. (If you know of one let me know because I want to visit it!)

Is Grand Targhee the best ski resort in the western United States? I can’t say for sure. I still have many hills to visit. But if I had to pick an underdog that has a fighting chance, it’s Grand Targhee.

No mountain provides a bigger bang for your buck.

Whether or not Grand Targhee wins the Best in the West, it’s always going to be one of my favourites.

Do Grand Targhee’s great snow, terrain, and value make it the Best in the West?  Cast your vote now!

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In our quest to visit some of the best ski resorts in the western U.S. to decipher which will provide the best vacation experience for skiers and snowboarders like you, we’ve learned a lot. We’ve been interviewing locals, taking photos of local skiers and boarders tearing up their hometown hill, and then stuffing all the information we gather into these multi-media micro guides.  The video contains the core information, which is expanded on below with a written summary and location addresses and maps.

The best way to use this guide is to bookmark it on your phone, so you can get to it when you’re out and about, and really need to use it.

TIP: Discount Grand Targhee lift tickets can often be found here.

Grand Targhee Micro Guide Part 1: The Hill

Whenever I show up at a new hill, even with a map, I never know where to go.  I always wish I had a local to show me. So, I’ve made this annotated map of Grand Targhee that includes suggestions made by locals about where to go

DOWNLOAD A FULL-SIZED VERSION OF THIS MAP TO YOUR DESKTOP OR PHONE (1.2MB)

For the Hardcore:

If you’re looking for steeps and powder, there are three spots on Grand Targhee you have to visit. First, take the Dreamcatcher Chair to the top and then head left to the Medicines (the Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Eastwoods). Alternatively, you can traverse right and then hike up Mary’s Nipple, or hit the double-black diamond pitches off the left of the Sacajawea Chair.

For the Park Rats:

Grand Targhee’s park is not as big as it has been in years past. What there is can be found beneath the lower section of the Dreamcatcher Chair.

For the Groomer Cruisers:

You’ll want to take the Dreamcatcher Chair to the top and then go right to Crazy Horse or left to Wild Turkey. Both will get you down the hill fast.

For the Snowplowers:

Grand Targhee has one of the best learning areas I’ve seen. The Shoshone Chair offers access to an large area of slow, well-groomed runs as well as easy tree runs filled with fun decorations for the kids.

Grand Targhee Micro Guide Part 2: Where to Eat

On the Hill

The Trap
Great beer, food, people, and live music most days at the base of the hill. Adults only.
3300 Ski Hill Rd
Alta, WY
(307) 353-2300
View a Map

Off the Hill

Teton Thai
The best Thai food in Driggs. Definitely holds it’s own against restaurants in larger cities.
18 N Main St.
Driggs, ID
(307) 733-0022
View a Map

Wildlife Brewery
Great local micro brews and pub food.
145 S. Main St.
Victor, ID
(208) 787-2623
View a Map

O’Rourkes
Highly recommended pizza, great for families.
42 E Little Ave.
Driggs, ID
(208) 354-8115
View a Map

Grand Targhee Micro Guide Part 3: What to do Off the Hill

Grand Targhee is not a huge tourist destination like many resorts. However, for the adventurous, there are lots of excellent off-hill activities, like snowmobiling, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting — and there are much smaller crowds to share them with. The area also has some excellent local music and an abundance of friendly locals to enjoy it with.

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Snowmobiling is big business in the United States, with $23 billion being spent on the sport annually. Wyoming is a mecca for enthusiasts and first-timers alike. There are numeroustour operators in Jackson who offer snowmobile tours that range from a few hours to several days. The most enjoyable one-day tour for beginners is likely the popular Granite Springs Hot Springs Tour.

Read the whole post on the Tourism Wyoming Roundup Blog

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Grand Targhee has amazing snow. The hill receives more than 500 inches of dry, light, Teton snow every year. If you don’t believe me, just ask a local.

I met up with a few local pros: snowboarder Amber Nelson and free skiers (and brothers) Gary and Max Mackenzie. They were awesome. They showed me the hill, took me hiking to some awesome hard-to-reach spots, and did some amazing riding for me to shoot. They even shot a few photos of me riding.

It was an epic two days. Good snow and great people. This is one hill I’ll be returning to soon.

The post Grand Targhee Powder Porn appeared first on XpatMatt.

We interviewed a bunch of skiers and snowboarders at Grand Targhee to find out why they keep coming back year after year.

As you’ll see in the video. The snow is good– very good. And deep. And consistent. Did I mention that it’s deep?

They also appreciated the value they got for their dollar there, and the music scene on the hill is said to be amazing!

(Although Grand Targhee’s lift tickets are inexpensive, you can find them even cheaper here).

Grand Targhee has some of best snow in the United States (perhaps even THE best). That, combined with the excellent value of the resort make it a good contender for a top spot in Best in the West.

What do you think? Does Grand Targhee deserve the title of Best Resort in the Western USA?

Cast your vote here!

The post Sh*t People Say About Grand Targhee appeared first on XpatMatt.

If one thing can be said of Wyoming’s hotels, it’s that they have a character that can’t be found anywhere else. Although they vary greatly in style and price, most of Wyoming’s hotels have a homey western atmosphere. The hotels included in this review are no exception.

Read the whole post on the Tourism Wyoming Roundup Blog

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Jackson Hole is an epic mountain, there’s no question about it. It was even crowned the best ski resort in the USA two years in a row by Christopher Steiner in his top five list for Forbes. Not being trusting of lists that are based purely on statistics (as Steiner’s is), Emilie and I visited Jackson Hole in mid-December to test out our new gear judge for ourselves whether the hill actually offers the best skiing experience in America.

Our Jackson Hole Research

During our visit, Jackson Hole was buried in powder. On our second day, a large portion of the hill was even closed by the enormous snowstorm that was dumping champagne powder on the mountain.

We spent our time there exploring the mountain with locals (and photographing them tearing up the powder), talking to people about their feelings about Jackson Hole, and studying the unique qualities that both the mountain and the town of Jackson offer to visitors.

This is what we learned.

**Note: Jackson Hole works with online vendor (and our sponsor) Liftopia to provide discount lift tickets**

Our Jackson Hole Findings

We’ve been interviewing skiers and snowboarders, not only about the qualities of their local ski areas, but also about the qualities they like in a ski resort and ski town.

We’ve learned that, although snow and terrain are important, people feel very strongly about many other aspects of the ski resort experience as well. Almost everyone mentioned the atmosphere (or vibe) of the resort as being very important. The friendliness of the locals, must therefore be considered. Many people also talked about wanting a wide range of terrain for their family to enjoy, affordable accommodations near the hill, and good places to eat.

Jackson Hole is certainly friendly. Although Teton Village is a fairly run-of-the-mill manufactured village of condos and shops for visitors, the town of Jackson is a real western small town with a wonderful neighbourly feel to it. When our only car key snapped because of the cold, about seven different random strangers helped us in the space of 24 hours to get the car moved to our hotel and a new key made.

Jackson Hole’s 2500 acres certainly contain a wide variety of terrain. However, with 50% expert terrain and 40% intermediate, Jackson Hole is definitely a hill better suited to experienced skiers and snowboarders.

The restaurants in Jackson are world class. I had the best steak of my life in The Cellar and the Mangy Moose on the hill is well-known for it’s awesome apres ski activities. In fact, nearly every meal we ate there was surprising in one way or another.

We only found two things that may negatively impact visitor experience: price and convenience.

Located in western Wyoming, far from any major centre, Jackson Hole is in a very inconvenient location. The isolation adds to it’s charm, but also increases the hassle of visiting. And, although there are budget options, most of the restaurants and hotels cater to visitors with a lot of money to blow on their vacation. People visiting Jackson Hole with limited funds will find themselves… well…limited.

Is Jackson Hole the Best Ski Resort in the USA?

Since it was the first stop of our tour, and we still have weeks of research ahead of us, it’s impossible for Emilie and I to say whether Christopher Steiner was right, and Jackson Hole is the best ski resort in the USA.

There is no doubt, though, that it’s a top contender.

What do you think? Is Jackson Hole really the best ski resort in the USA?

Tell us in the comments below or vote for your favorite resort!

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I’d heard of Jackson’s legendary dining scene long before I arrived, so I was eager to try the best that the town had to offer. I got recommendations from a few knowledgable locals including Liz Gibbs, who works for Fine Dining Jackson Hole, so I knew the advice was solid.

Jackson Hole has a varied dining scene and an unnaturally high density of talented chefs, so it was difficult to pick only three restaurants to write about. But, when push came to shove, I had to choose The Q Roadhouse, the Rendezvous Bistro, and The Cellar for blends of unique atmosphere with interesting twists on traditional dishes.

Read the whole post on the Tourism Wyoming Roundup Blog

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We’re traveling to ski resorts in the western U.S. trying to decipher which will provide the best vacation experience for skiers and snowboarders like you.  Along the way we’re interviewing locals, taking photos of local skiers and boarders tearing up their hometown hill, and using everything we learn from the locals to create these micro guides. This guide comes in video and written form. Both can be found below.

The video above contains lots of useful information, but, if you want to carry have this information on the hill where it will really come in handy, bookmark this guide on your phone.

Jackson Hole Micro Guide Part 1: The Hill

Whenever I show up at a hill, I never know where to go. The map doesn’t tell you enough. So, we’re created annotated maps of each hill explaining the terrain, so that you know where to go. Here’s our annotated map of Jackson Hole.

DOWNLOAD A FULL-SIZED VERSION OF THE MAP TO YOUR DESKTOP OR PHONE (1.3mb)

Here are the highlights:

For the Hardcore:

The tram is your best friend. It will carry you up 4,139 feet of steep powder-laden expert-only terrain in less than 10 minutes.

It’s glorious.

From the top of the tram you can access the infamous Corbet’s Couloir (known as the most extreme in-bounds run in North America), numerous steeps, cliffs, and bowl, and 3000+ acres of backcountry.

If excitement is what you’re looking for, you’ll never need another lift.

For the Park Rats:

Jackson Hole has one superpipe and four terrain parks, including two Burton Stash Parks. They may not all be open at all times and they vary in terrain and style, so it’s best to either ask a liftie for the lowdown or grab a map and go check them out to see which one you like best.

For the Groomer Cruisers:

It used to be that you’d spend most of your day on the Bridger Gondola, but Jackson Hole recently installed the Caspar Quad Chair, which opened up a whole new range of intermediate terrain. If you like the blue squares, you’ll want to spend your day exploring the areas around these two lifts.

For the Snowplowers:

If you’re a beginner, the areas around the Eagle’s Rest and Teewinot chairlifts are perfect for you. Basically all the runs are green circles, so you won’t accidentally end up on a steep pitch if you make a wrong turn, and you’ll never be far from the warmth of the lodge.

**Bonus Tip**

Liftopia sometimes carries lift tickets for Jackson Hole at a significant discount. Check their Jackson Hole page for cheap tickets.

Jackson Hole Micro Guide Part II: Where to Eat

The following restaurants came highly recommended by locals in Jackson Hole:

ON THE HILL / TETON VILLAGE

Osteria

A very classy and relaxed little Italian bistro with a warm atmosphere and wine bar.

3335 Village Drive, Teton Village, WY 83025

(307) 739-4100

View Larger Map

Mangy Moose

A western saloon with electric decor, good prices, and locally sources fare.

3295 Village Drive, Teton Village, WY

(307) 733-4913

View Larger Map

Village Cafe (known locally as ‘VC’)

Great value on the hill with espresso, pizza by the slice, soup, and sandwiches.

3275 McCollister Drive, Teton Village, WY

(307) 732-2233

View Larger Map

IN JACKSON

Upscale

Rendevous Bistro

Quirky takes on traditional dishes in a upscale casual atmosphere. Extremely busy. Reservations strongly recommended.

380 S US Highway 89, Jackson, WY

(307) 733-5010

View Larger Map

Trio

A locally-owned casual American bistro. Very popular with locals.

45 South Glenwood Street, Jackson, WY

(307) 734-8038

View Larger Map

The Gunbarrel

A western style eatery known for succulent steak and exotic game dishes.

862 West Broadway, Jackson, WY

(307) 733-3287

View Larger Map

Casual

The Snake River Brewpub

Sometimes referred to as Jackson’s “living room”, this brewery serves excellent locally-made brews and pub fare.

265 South Millward Street, Jackson, WY

(307) 739-2337

View Larger Map

The Q Brewpub

Eclectic decor and a passionate brewmaster make this brewpub a one-of-a-kind experience. A must see for beer lovers.

2550 Moose Wilson Road, Wilson, WY

(307) 739-0700

View Larger Map

Pinky G’s Pizza

Pizza by the pie and by the slice. Loved by locals.

50 West Broadway, Jackson, WY

(307) 734-7465

View Larger Map

Jackson Hole Micro Guide Part III: What to do Off the Hill

Jackson Hole is an outdoors-lovers paradise for everyone from the ultra-hardcore spam-eating dirtbag to the vacationing family with young children. Here are some of the most highly-recommended activities around Jackson categorized by the degree of discomfort or physical exertion required.

SWEATING AND CURSING

Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding

The Jackson Hole ski area offers access to over 3000 acres of backcountry, and that’s before you even get far from the mountain. Possibilities here are limitless.

Find your limits with one of Jackson Hole’s official backcountry guides.

Ice climbing

The area around Jackson has been referred to as “one of the riches ice-climbing treasures in the continental United States. With programs for everyone from beginners to serious peak baggers, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides can show you the ropes.

A GOOD DAY’S WORK

Snowmobiling

Wyoming is world-renowned among snowmobile enthusiasts. Find out why on one of the many day, half-day, and mulit-day tours offered by Togwotee Snomobile Adventures.

Dogsledding

An honoured tradition of snowbound country. Learn about, and experience, local history on a dogsled tour with the award-winning Iditarod Sled Dog Tours.

EASY AS PIE

Elk Reserve Sleigh Ride

Just outside of Jackson is the National Elk Refuge. Bundle up the family and take a wildlife viewing sleigh tour. Tickets are available from the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center in Jackson.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoing is like a walk in the park — a beautiful snowy Teton-backed park. It’s also nice and easy on the wallet. Snowshoe rentals about in Jackson. Several options can be found here.

Looking for more local recommendations for places to eat and things to do around Jackson Hole? Then I recommend you check out AFAR’s user-created suggestions for Jackson. I use them while traveling, and contribute some myself.

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