Nordic Skiing Around Jackson

A summery of great nordic skiing opportunities near Jackson.

Cross Country Skiing
While cross country skiing is all about being out in nature and relaxing, surprisingly, some of the best places to do it are right near the town of Jackson.

The Parks and Recreation Department grooms more than 30 kilometers of pathways each week, all free to the public. Some popular options include the Snake River Levy, on Highway 22 between Jackson and Wilson, which offers a flat, out-and-back trail with great views of the range. Cache Creek (in east Jackson) and Game Creek (six miles south of Jackson on Highway 189/191) are also good bets, though much hillier than the Levy. They each offer wooded trails and the chance to see wildlife. Call (307) 739-6789 for current grooming conditions.

Skate Skiing
Skate skiing – a cross between ice skating and skiing – works more muscles, including the heart, than nearly any other sport. It is a calorie-burner par excellence. And even though most skate skiing areas in Jackson Hole are relatively flat, don’t let that fool you: it’s still going to be a vigorous workout.

While cross country skiing doesn’t require trails, skate skiing involves “skating” on skis, which means you need a packed, groomed surface. Skate skiing tracks are found at the Nordic Centers in Teton Pines, Spring Creek Ranch, Trail Creek Ranch, Grand Targhee and Teton Village. Each offers beautifully groomed surfaces, equipment rentals and instruction. A day pass to each costs about $10.

Additionally, the Grand Teton Park Loop Road, which in winter is closed to cars from Taggart/Bradley Lakes trailhead to Signal Mountain, is groomed regularly for miles of easy skate skiing terrain.

For more information on skate and cross country skiing, including grooming schedules, visit the following websites: Grand Teton National Park, www.nps.gov/grte; Jackson/Teton County Parks and Recreation department, www.tetonwy.org; and Jackson Hole Nordic Center, www.jacksonhole.com.