JACKSON, Wyo. — Winter is right around the corner in Jackson Hole and the Teton County/Jackson Parks & Recreation staff is getting ready for another season of winter trail grooming following approval to purchase a new 2024 PistenBully groomer.

On Monday, the Teton County Board of County Commissioners approved Parks & Rec’s request to purchase a $248,000 2024 Pisten Bully 100, and accepted a $271,000 grant, administered through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, to fund the new groomer.

The winter trail program offers groomed, packed trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking, fat biking and snow machines (in approved areas). Seasonal grooming usually begins in early to mid-December and runs through mid-March each year with Parks and Rec grooming trails Tuesday through Saturday. Trail systems serviced include the High School Fields, Emily Stevens’ Pond Levee, Wilson Centennial Pathway, May Park, Game Creek, South Park Loop, Cache Creek and Teton Canyon. The 2024/25 schedule has not been released yet but the grooming schedule will be posted here. 

According to Parks & Rec staff, the current groomer, a 2008 PistenBully 100, has reached a point of diminishing returns due to maintenance and lack of reliability. 

“The frame has been welded several times due to age and use, creating a less than dependable scenario as it relates to winter grooming and dependability,” the county’s staff report notes. 

Out with the old, in with the new. The 2008 PistenBully 100, pictured here. Photo: Nick Sulzer // Buckrail 

Notably it was out of service last winter from Dec. 31 through Jan. 24 after breaking down mid-groom. 

The new PistenBully will come from Utah-based company Peterson Equipment and is expected to arrive in three to four weeks, just in time for winter grooming to kick off. 

According to Parks & Rec, winter trail grooming is funded in part by the Recreational Trails Program Grant. It is administered by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails, with funds provided through the Federal Highway Administration from federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in off-highway vehicles. Parks & Rec works with JH Nordic Alliance, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Friends of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Friends of Pathways and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to support grooming efforts across the valley. 

Lindsay is a contributing reporter covering a little bit of everything; with an interest in local policies and politics, the environment and amplifying community voices. She's curious about uncovering the "whys" of our region and aims to inform the community about the issues that matter. In her free time, you can find her snowboarding, cooking or planning the next surf trip.