A Brave Ski Mom Interview with Scott McGee, A Brave Ski Dad from Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If you could only ski at one resort this season with your family, which resort would you choose?
I would choose two: Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee, Wyoming
Why is this resort your favorite?
The terrain rocks! There is great challenging off-piste and steep groomers all over this mountain…AND the backside drops into Grand Teton National Park and some very amazing backcountry trails.
I work for Jackson Hole and used to teach at Grand Targhee. The standout products for families are the Camps at Jackson Hole: Steep and Deep for Adults, the Fall Line Camps for Teens and the Round Up Camps for ages 7-14. There are also snowboard and telemark camps as well as camps for adaptive skiers. For a full listing of Jackson Hole camps, click here.
What are the best amenities at this resort for family skiing?
I would say the Kids’ Ranch facility itself. It’s still looking new, and has ample space, rubber floors, mini-toilets, dedicated food service and a magic carpet lift out the back door. The Kids’ Ranch offers daycare programs for ages 6 months to two years. Lessons begin at 3 years old and are coordinated through Kids’ Ranch. Kids’ Ranch also offers a “Kids Night Out” program with dinner and activities for ages 4 and up.
What needs to be improved at this resort to make it even better for family skiing?
While the pitch on the beginner terrain is excellent at Jackson Hole, the gradation from green to dark blue is a bit of a leap.
That’s where Grand Targhee comes in. With 70% intermediate terrain, it’s a great place to build your skills. Targhee is ideal as a family destination. It is very quiet at night, and small, with right around 100 rooms. Great Nordic trails and 500 inches of snow per year make Targhee a favorite place to watch your skis disappear every turn.
What are your favorite places to eat at this resort?
There is a great restaurant at the top of the Gondola at Jackson Hole called the Couloir, with spectacular valley views, and a varied menu.
What is your favorite place to stay at this resort?
Home.
What is your favorite thing about family skiing?
Games with the kids. Exploring. Riding the lift. Hot chocolate.
The Brave Ski Mom Adds…….
Thanks Scotty! Having never skied in Wyoming, you are making me want to go…NOW! Steep and Deep Camp sounds fabulous.
For Jackson Hole skiing information with links to ticket pricing, lodging, ski school and camp information, click here.
For Grand Targhee skiing information, click here. Full-day adult lift tickets are $69, with kids ages 6-12 at $29 for the 2010-2011 season.
Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee are 50 minutes apart by car. The Jackson Hole airport serves both resorts. Rental cars are available at the Jackson Hole airport, but there is no public transportation to Grand Targhee.
Lodging information for Grand Targhee can be found on the resort website. Jackson Hole, being a larger town and destination, has myriad lodging opportunities. To help narrow down the choices, you can start at the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce or Jackson Hole Lodging.
J. Scott McGee coaches the PSI Nordic Team (USA) and works as Jackson Hole Mountain Sports School’s Senior Manager for Nordic, Training and Guides in Wyoming. A former Telemark competitor, he now dreams of perfect corn on spring backcountry skate ski tours. Scott spends his summers guiding climbs in the Tetons for Exum Mountain Guides.
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