Grand Targhee Backcountry & Off Piste
Grand Targhee is one of a handful of resorts in the United States which offers an in-bounds powder cat experience. After a snowfall, it’s an experience which is not to be missed.No visit to Grand Targhee would be complete without powder cat skiing. The resort offers full and half day packages on Peaked Mountain. Participants have access to over 600 acres of in-bounds backcountry terrain which is roped off from the rest of the resort, ensuring plenty of fresh Teton powder even days after a storm. The cat runs several days a week, but call ahead to check the operating schedule. Advance reservations are required, but may be made any day prior to the day of the tour.
The resort calls the cat skiing a “powder reserve” and with good reason. The cat skiing area is roped off from the rest of the resort and accessible only to the day’s cat skiers. Guests can expect to log between 14,000 and 20,000 vertical feet per day. At around 2,000’ per run that translates to roughly 7 to 10 runs. The terrain is generally suitable for stong intermediate and advanced skiers.
A full day’s adventure will set you back about $350 and includes hot beverages, snacks and lunch. A half day costs about $200 and includes a snack and beverages. The price tag may seem steep compared to a one-day lift ticket, but Grand Targhee often offers surprisingly affordable lodging specials which pair a day of cat skiing with lodging and a few days of lift-serviced skiing. Moreover, compared to heli-skiing, which often costs $1,000 per day or more, Grand Targhee’s cat skiing is a downright bargain.