LATE WINTER UPDATE - MARCH 17, 2021

Looking north from the summit of the South Teton - 3.13.21

After an incredibly snowy February the Teton Range has a fairly healthy looking snowpack that is providing good ski touring conditions as we move into spring.  Just when it seemed like it was never going to stop snowing, March rolled in and things dried up again rather quickly.  We now find ourselves in the middle of a relatively warm and dry spell that has moderated the severe avalanche hazard we were experiencing in February.

As the saying goes, however, low hazard does not mean no hazard!  Backcountry travelers still need to pay attention to terrain choices, current and forecasted weather systems, and avalanche forecasts as conditions can change rapidly during or after storm cycles, and even a small pocket of wind slab can prove deadly in steep, exposed terrain.

For up to date information on avalanche hazard and the state of the snowpack inside Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) please visit the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center website for the current Teton Area Avalanche Forecast and the outstanding GTNP Snowpack Discussions.

 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Does your group have the skills, knowledge and training to travel in avalanche terrain?
• Are you carrying transceivers, shovels and probes?
• Can you self-rescue? Do you have a plan?
• Do you know the emergency number?
• Have you checked the current avalanche forecast and weather forecast?
• Have you checked out with someone?
• Do you have any other route options?

All Park Visitor Centers and Campgrounds are closed for the winter season.  Camping is strictly prohibited in parking areas and pullouts.  Primitive dry camping with no available services is allowed for a small fee in the Colter Bay parking lot near the Colter Bay Visitor Center. 

Backcountry camping permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park.  To obtain a permit to camp in the off-season please call the backcountry office at (307) 739-3309.   

 

MID-WINTER UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2, 2021

The Teton Range looking good with a fresh blanket of snow - 2.2.21

Well, it's Groundhog Day...again, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so it looks like we're in for six more weeks of winter!  That is good news considering that we were sitting a little below normal for snow this season until the storm last week caught us back up.  The season has been characterized by several fairly long stretches of drought, which has created a variable snow pack that has been hard to predict from an avalanche hazard standpoint.

• For up to date information on avalanche hazard and the state of the snowpack inside Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) please visit the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center website for the current Teton Area Avalanche Forecast and the outstanding GTNP Snowpack Discussions.
• All Park Visitor Centers and Campgrounds are closed for the winter season.  Camping is strictly prohibited in parking areas and pullouts.  Primitive dry camping with no available services is allowed for a small fee in the Colter Bay parking lot near the Colter Bay Visitor Center.    
• Backcountry camping permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park.  To obtain a permit to camp in the off-season please call the backcountry office at (307) 739-3309.
• Please continue to be mindful of your choices while recreating this winter.  Staffing and resources throughout the area are limited and heavily taxed with the ongoing pandemic.  We ask everyone to do an honest self assessment of their knowledge, skills, and abilities before they venture out in the backcountry.

  KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Does your group have the skills, knowledge and training to travel in avalanche terrain?
• Are you carrying transceivers, shovels and probes?
• Can you self-rescue? Do you have a plan?
• Do you know the emergency number?
• Have you checked the current avalanche forecast and weather forecast?
• Have you checked out with someone?
• Do you have any other route options?

EARLY WINTER UPDATE - DECEMBER 12, 2020

Winter has arrived in the Teton Range - 12.20.20 

The official start of winter is fast approaching and the Teton Range is starting to look the part.  After a couple of significant snow events in early and mid November things have been relatively dry of late and we are anxious to see more snow!  As we move into the winter season please be aware of a few reminders and some new things as well...

• For up to date information on avalanche hazard and the state of the snowpack inside Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) please visit the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center website for the current Teton Area Avalanche Forecast and the outstanding GTNP Snowpack Discussions.
• All Park Visitor Centers and Campgrounds are closed for the winter season.  Camping is strictly prohibited in parking areas and pullouts.  Primitive dry camping with no available services is allowed for a small fee in the Colter Bay parking lot near the Colter Bay Visitor Center.    
• Backcountry camping permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park.  To obtain a permit to camp in the off-season please call the backcountry office at (307) 739-3309.

The Taggart Lake Parking Lot - 12.12.20

 Know the regulations and be prepared before you launch! 

• Please be mindful of your choices while recreating this winter.  Staffing and resources throughout the area are limited and heavily taxed with the ongoing pandemic.  We ask everyone to do an honest self assessment of their knowledge, skills, and abilities before they venture out in the backcountry.

  KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Does your group have the skills, knowledge and training to travel in avalanche terrain?
• Are you carrying transceivers, shovels and probes?
• Can you self-rescue? Do you have a plan?
• Do you know the emergency number?
• Have you checked the current avalanche forecast and weather forecast?
• Have you checked out with someone?
• Do you have any other route options?

VISITOR CENTERS & TETON PARK ROAD CLOSING FOR SEASON - OCTOBER 31, 2020

 

Teton Range - 10.31.20

Happy Halloween!!!  As is the case each season, the Teton Park Road and the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose will be closed starting tomorrow, November 1st.  Camping permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park.  To obtain a permit to camp in the off-season please call the backcountry office at (307) 739-3309.  

As a reminder, this time of year brings with it subzero overnight temperatures and extremely short days.  Expect full winter conditions in the mountains above 8,000 feet.  Come prepared for these conditions if you plan to venture out into the backcountry in late fall and be sure to have adequate gear, clothing, and a headlamp.  Staffing in the Park is extremely limited this time of year.  Rescue response times will be dramatically longer than during peak summer season!