JACKSON, Wyo. — Grand Targhee Resort (GTR) has submitted plans to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in the hopes of expanding its recreational opportunities and footprint.
The resort, owned and managed by Geordie Gillett, says it has “identified a need to improve the recreational experience and address shortcomings in [our] terrain offerings and operations in order to remain viable in the competitive destination skier/rider market.”
To address the growth in the Idaho and Wyoming skier markets and to meet increasing guest expectations, GTR says it “must continue to develop and improve its terrain and guest services offerings.”
The resort’s master development plan includes terrain expansions, ski terrain enhancements, skier circulation improvements, on-mountain facilities and service improvements, and year-round recreation opportunities.
The CTNF is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider and disclose the anticipated environmental effects of implementing the Grand Targhee Master Development Plan (MDP) Projects. According to the CTNF, most of the expansion projects would occur within the resort’s existing Special Use Permit (SUP) area, with the exception of two areas along the southeast and southwest border of the SUP area (Mono Trees and South Bowl) where Grand Targhee Resort is proposing a boundary adjustment.
Interested parties may submit comments about the proposed projects online.
The proposed project consists of four primary project components (summarized here). Full details for each of these project components can be found in the Scoping Letter.
- Special Use Permit (SUP)/Operational Boundary Adjustments for the South Bowl and Mono Trees Areas, including required Forest Plan Amendments.
- Lift Additions, Replacements, and Realignments (within the existing SUP area), including: (1) the new Crazy Horse and North Boundary Lifts, (2) upgrading and realignment of the Shoshone Lift, (3) the new Palmer Platter Surface Lift, and (4) two new teaching carpets and the realignment of the existing Papoose carpet.
- Terrain and On-Mountain Infrastructure (within the existing SUP area), including: (1) terrain development, glading and grading, (2) elimination of old and unnecessary roads and the construction of new ones, (3) installation of 57 acres of additional snowmaking coverage, and (4) the construction of two new restaurants, a yurt, two warming cabins and one basic warming hut.
- Non-Winter and Alternative Activities, including: (1) the construction of summer recreation trails (hiking, downhill mountain biking and multi-use trails), (2) other summer activities like a canopy tour/fly line, zip line, aerial adventure course and re-location of the disc golf course, and (3) alternative winter activities like a snowtubing facility and expansion of existing Nordic, snowshoeing and fat biking offerings.
