The latest and greatest gear is all on sale at Skinny Skis now through thru Monday!

Head over to their shop right off the square on Deloney Ave. to get yourself ready for this winter before the sale ends.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Our 44TH Anniversary Sale has begun! You have to see the Winterwear we have at killer prices!

A post shared by Skinny Skis (@skinnyskis) on Oct 25, 2018 at 9:29am PDT

For those looking to potentially purchase some new actual skinny skis at the sale here is some info about what they have in stock at the moment:

Madshus IGS and Fischer Twin Skins

For performance and race minded XC types Skinny Skis offers a selection of “skin” skis from Madshus and Fischer.  Skin skis provide the performance of a waxable ski with the convenience of a waxless ski. The “skin” is similar to climbing skins used for backcountry skis – short synthetic hairs provide solid grip during kick phase and then lay flat while gliding

The Fischer Twin Skin Cruiser ($229.95) is ideal for the fitness minded skier looking for a “grab & go” performance ski. Perfect for a quick lunchtime ski workout or an all day outing on any groomed track system.  The Fischer Twin Skin Cruiser is a great choice for runners looking for winter cross-over sport or for anyone that wants an outdoor gym alternative.

For the racer types the Madshus Redline IGS ($774.95) and Nanosonic IGS ($599.95) classic skis should be a consideration for any race-day “quiver”. The skins on these skis are shorter with lower profile hairs to provide a grip wax-like kick. Combined with the Move Switch binding system the skis can be fine-tuned to provide the ideal combination of grip and glide for tricky snow conditions. Just like all race skis the Madhsus IGS skis come in a variety flexes so you can be certain of proper fit and performance.

These Skis are currently in stock and demo’s should be available at the Turpin Free Ski Day event. Skis are priced without bindings and no special boots for these, multiple classic or touring boots will work.

The JH Nordic Alliance is looking for a Jackson Hole -Teton iconic image for next season’s neck gaiter (a.k.a. “buff) design

We’re running a competition – open until May 1st. You may submit as many images as you like… ideally, with a Nordic skier, fat biker, and/or iconic mountain (i.e. Grand Teton (east or west side), Sleeping Indian, Mtn Moran) – photos or illustrations are welcome.

Email your image(s) to: info@jhnordic.com (with your name, email, contact tel.) by May 1st.

You must be the owner of the image.

Winners will have their image featured on the JHNordic 2018-2019 neck gaiter, manufactured by local company Avalon 7. The final image will be selected by the JH Nordic Alliance, and may be graphically enhanced to add to a creative look.

Winner will receive 10 of the new 2018-19 neck gaiters (value $200), and gives the JH Nordic Alliance full rights to use this image.

Questions? Contact info@JHNordic.com

Examples of our 2017 and 2018 season Buffs:

It’s 7:00AM. You are enjoying your first cup of joe, glancing out the window at the quiet, snow-filled forest that surrounds, pondering the day. Your morning playlist plays softly in the background. All the possibilities of Jackson Hole, what is it that you want to do today?

Checking the weather report at MountainWeather.com, your hopes are confirmed. Another beautiful spring day in Jackson Hole. You take another sip of coffee and a thought comes to mind. You quickly check your email for JH Nordic’s daily report of snow conditions in the Park, and it’s reaffirmed. BRILLIANT!!!! Time to go crust-cruising in Grand Teton National Park!

Knowing there’s a delicate balance to this short-timed sport, you quickly get dressed, finish your coffee and head out to the Park. After all, the upper layer of the snow needs to be warmed just gently to allow for a good corn snow glide and a 9-12 noon time-frame is all you have to enjoy this freedom. If you go too late, you lose the firmness of the snow base, and potentially sink into the snow and if you go to early, the glide may be too slick to truly enjoy it. If you time it just right though, WOW! Like gliding along on velvet!

Upon parking at Bradley and Taggart, you head out on the firm snow next to the Inner Park Road for a ways and you spot it….the open field that has your name written all over it. You could glide for hours (or at least until 11AM, maybe even noon!). You decide to commit and the excitement overtakes you. It’s time to go crust-cruising in Grand Teton National Park.

The sense of freedom feed you…there is nothing to stop you. Endless fields of snow. A sunny, blue-bird day. The Grand Teton towering above. All you can hear is your breath and the sound of the skis gently gliding over the snow. You are in the ZONE. Farther. Faster. Must keep going.

Crust-cruising in Grand Teton National Park is a perfect activity in any open meadow. Local’s favorites include starting at Taggart trailhead, heading north -then west up the meadows behind the Climber’s Ranch and Lucas Fabian cabins to Jenny lake, or north-east around Timbered Island and back. Other favorites are starting at the Signal Mountain (north end) of the Inner Park Road. Since the road is closed to vehicular traffic until May 1st, yet plowed after March 20th, you may need to walk down the pavement for a ½ mile until the snow opens up enough to ski. Or bring your bike, and bike into the wide open meadows heading south . Your efforts will be rewarded with wide open views of Mt Moran and the Teton Range.There are plenty of open fields to enjoy and you can easily access the groomed road if the crust gets too warm.

Don’t forget to bring a friend or two (and leave Fido at home)..

The five-leg race starts on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and finishes at Astoria Hot Springs Park in Snake River Canyon. The race, where contestants compete either individually or in teams, consists of an alpine ski/snowboard leg, a short running leg, a cross-country ski leg, a bicycle leg, and a boating leg. The PPP is the third and final event in JHSC’s  Triple Crown Series and a one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.  JHSC, the town of Jackson’s oldest non-profit, is dedicated to providing attainable alpine, Nordic, and freeride (snowboard & freeski) programs to Jackson’s youth.

Don’t let the warm weather fool you, there is plenty of skiing to be had on the West side of the Tetons!

Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (TVTAP), the nonprofit winter trail grooming organization in Teton Valley, will continue to maintain winter groomed trails as long as there is snow on the ground.  TVTAP wants to continue to provide you with quality ski trails in Teton Valley. Your support for our organization allows us to keep these trails groomed regularly and without fees. If you are enjoying any of our trails, please consider donating at https://tvtap.org/shop/.

This winter TVTAP has been machine grooming seven different trail areas throughout Teton Valley.  This includes about 10 miles of groomed singletrack fat bike/multi-use trails, and 25 miles of Nordic trail.  

TVTAP’s philosophy is that we will continue to groom till it doesn’t make sense.  This means as long as there is snow on the ground and the trails are getting used we will groom them.

Spring Grooming Plan

Teton Springs Trails:  We will stop grooming at the Springs once the golf course crew starts clearing the greens and tee boxes.  This won’t be till sometime in April. If the temperature remains below freezing at night we should be able to groom the Springs for a couple more weeks.
The singletrack trails are difficult to maintain with springtime melt/freeze cycles.  We will continue grooming these trails if fresh snow falls on them. Please use the trails in the morning when they are frozen and firm.  If you are leaving ruts or footprints you are damaging the trails.

Sherman Park Nordic and singletrack:  These trails will be the first to melt out on the South end of the valley.  Once the “bottom falls out”, meaning the compacted base turns to mush, we will stop grooming.  It’s not likely we will make it to April, but it’s possible.

Mike Harris Singletrack:  This area includes the Nemo trail and the Pole Canyon Connector trail.  Both these trails are in the trees and see less sunlight, so they should be good for a while.  Once they do start melting out please avoid using them when muddy. We recommend parking at Teton Springs and accessing these trails via the Sherman Springs (click here for map)

Teton Canyon:  Historically, we usually stop grooming the Canyon the first week in April.  If the weather stays cold, we will continue grooming till gravel starts showing.  

Alta Nordic Trail:  There is not a lot of protection out there and the South-facing hills are already starting to show some thin spots.  Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of snow and conditions will be good for another couple weeks.

Driggs Nordic Trail:  We finally got enough snow to groom the whole trail last week, but it is melting fast.  Go enjoy before its gone.

Driggs singletrack:  This is located behind the Driggs skate park off of 5th street.  It’s only one mile long, but is a sweet loop and worth doing a few laps on.  We will continue maintaining this trail as long as there is snow on the ground and the night temperature are below freezing.

Springtime Trail Etiquette

TVTAP strives to constantly provide quality groomed trails for you to enjoy.  The weather this time of year provides a significant challenge with dramatic melt/freeze cycles, rain, and potentially heavy snowfall.  You can help us save some time and energy by not contributing to more trail damage.
Walkers- If you must walk on the groomed trail, please do so along the edge, not up the middle.  If your fat bike is leaving a rut or punching through the hard pack it will become a frozen rutted hazard that we will not likely be able to erase anytime soon.  Ride in the morning when the trails are firm.
Dogs- if you must poop on the trail, please tell your owner to clean it up.  This doesn’t mean putting it in a bag and leaving it trailside for someone else to deal with.  
Crust Cruising- Know where you are.  TVTAP has worked hard to establish access for our winter trail corridors.  Please avoid big game winter range areas (Teton Canyon off trail) and respect private property.  Many of our groomed trails are located on private property and skiing off trail could be considered trespassing.    

TVTAP wants to continue to provide you with quality ski trails in Teton Valley.  Your support for our organization allows us to keep these trails groomed regularly and without fees.  If you are enjoying any of our trails, please consider donating at https://tvtap.org/shop/.

Moose continue to be the stars of the show in Grand Teton National Park.  Guide Mike Vanian’s video perfectly showcased the moose strutting under the beautiful view of the Tetons, you can check it out here.

A video of a moose in a snowstorm from last week by guide Laura Krusheski shows off the resilience of these beasts even through the blinding snow.

Finally, content for the week includes photos from a recent cross country ski tour (6 mile loop in the Granite Canyon area!), a snowy bison, and a moose walking through town.

 We’ve also been observing tons of bear sign all over trees on our cross country and snowshoe tours, check out the

photo of claw marks all the way up an aspen tree!  Though we usually don’t start seeing bears until April or May, it is possible some grizzlies could emerge if we get a warm spell in March.  

March marks a shift towards spring in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, we can expect to start seeing our first returning songbirds like mountain bluebirds and redwing blackbirds.  Canada geese will be preparing to nest soon, and many bald eagles may already be nesting!

To read more from Ecotour Adventures, check out their latest blogs on their website here.

Guide, Beverly Charette, loves to share her knowledge about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and each day is new and different! A client photographed this wolf walking down the Gros Ventre Road and what a sight it was!

Recent temperatures are great for touring! This latest cold snap has solidified the snowpack so we are able to easily xc ski or snowshoe.  New snow has helped refresh the landscape so check out the tour suggestions at JH Nordic!

– Cathy, nature guide, www.holehike.com