a publication of the Teton Valley News
FREE
GetOUT! Winter 2013-2014
in Teton Valley
Nordic Trail Map Downhill dog
Gear Guide Winter is for fishing, too
Teleskiing comes full circle
Teton Valley News empowering the community
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 1
2 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 3
table of contents
48
Photo courtesy Beth Ward
Great Snow Fest
Photo/Tomas Zuccareno
24 From Chamonix to Targhee: Greg Stump
7 My Teton Valley: Rob Kincaid 12
Urge to compete or just improve? Join a ski team
16
Teton Valley Gear Guide, get up, get out
18
Ice-skating is freezing fun
Get Out! Photo/Rachael Horne
54 The vocab of the bros: How to talk on skis
19
Teton Valley Map
20
Winter is for fishing, too
30
Local groomed Nordic trails
52 Running cold: Tips for plowing through the winter season
40
True to herself 4 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Photo courtesy Lynsey Dyer
Recreation technology in the Tetons Photo courtesy Burgess Custom
35
My Teton Valley: Mary Neil Ge tO ut P
Hot springs hot spots
42
Downhill dog
56
Teleskiing comes full circle
58
Have fun in winter even without winter sports
61
My Teton Valley: Aimee Babineau
ho
36
a /R to
e l H or n e c ha
34
Big Hole trails for snowmachiners
Get Out! STaff
Scott Anderson........ Publisher Rachael Horne.......... Managing Editor Bridget Ryder............. Writer Jason Suder................. Writer Ken Levy.......................... Special to Get Out! Kate Hull........................ Special to Get Out! Meg Heinen................... Advertising Director Amy Birch....................... Art Director Sharon Fox.................. Office/Circ. Manager
GetOUT! in Teton Valley
is a publication of the Teton Valley News 75 North Main St., Driggs, ID 83422 (208) 354-8101 • tetonvalleynews.net Front cover: Courtesy of Powder Day Photography Local snowboarder Eric “Ed” Daft hucks a cliff in the Grand Targhee backcountry.
Can you believe we got all this at the Emporium?
FLYSHOP • GIFTS CLOTHING HATS • T-SHIRTS SUNGLASSES • SHOES IDAHO SOUVENIRS
Home of THE World Famous Huckleberry Milkshake
ESPRESSO
Located in downtown Victor, ID Open 7 days a week 208-787-2221
Patagonia • SmartWool • Toys • Suncloud • Pistil • Dansko • Native Eyewear
8
Patagonia • Huckleberry Products • Native Eyewear • Pistil • SmartWool
Patagonia • Smith • Carhartt • Bogs Boots • Pistil • Dansko
~ Just 30 minutes from downtown Jackson Hole ~
Temple Fork Fly Rods • Suncloud • Rapala • Sportiff • SmartWool Get OUT! in Teton Valley 5
Get Out!
writers
Bridget Ryder moved to Teton Valley from St. Louis, Mo., in March of 2012 at the promise of a paycheck from the Teton Valley News. Before becoming “reporter2,” she had a potpourri of professional titles including preschool teacher, English teacher and freelance writer. Unprofessionally, she’s a figure skater trying to learn how to telemark ski.
Teton Valley, Idaho is surrounded by Targhee National Forest and just over the pass from Jackson Hole. A step away from heaven, this quiet, high mountain, pristine valley is renowned for unparalleled powder skiing at Grand Targhee Resort and Teton backcountry, as well as world class trout fishing, hunting, biking and hiking - Teton Valley has it all!! Let one of our experienced agents help you come home to your dreams on the “affordable” side of the Tetons.
Jason Suder made his way north from Austin, Texas in Oct. 2013 to get back to his beloved Rockies. He’s worked in different media positions across the world; producing multimedia projects for the Santiago Times in Santiago, Chile, production work for CBS Eye Productions in New York City, radio work for the Voice of Russia-America Edition and photo work for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair photographer Mark Seliger. His greatest love has always been music, and in order to get into shows for free, he began his journalism career writing concert reviews for his school newspaper.
208.354.2439
253. S. Main • PO Box 604 • Driggs, ID
tetonvalleyrealty.com BUYERS • SELLERS • DEVELOPMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • TOWN & COUNTRY CEDAR HOMES
Mark Rockefeller: 208.351.1411 Julie Rockefeller: 208.351.1412 Mandy Rockefeller: 208.313.3621 Bill Fay: 208.351.4446 Jenna Child: 307.413.4368 Tayson Rockefeller: 208.709.1333 Sam Lea: 208.351.7211 Doug Rey: 208.251.7433
6 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Kate Hull moved to Teton Valley from Austin, Texas, in 2012 to pursue magazine freelance writing while fishing the South Fork as much as possible. She is the editor of Teton Home and Living magazine and a contributing writer for Jackson Hole News & Guide, Teton Valley Magazine, and Texas Monthly Custom Publishing. Her work has been featured in Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, Austin Monthly, and Hometown Living magazines. When not writing or casting a line, Kate is either on the trails with her pup or trying to learn to snowboard.
Ken Levy
Town & Country CEDAR HOMES
Professional photographer and writer Ken Levy covers everything Idaho, especially recreation, arts, education, business and agriculture. He was the photo editor and writer for the Teton Valley News in Driggs, Idaho and now freelances from his Boise, Idaho studio. His photographs and stories are featured in the upcoming book, “Disappearing Legacy” and his images are on exhibit in Boise and Meridian. Find him on the web at www.kenlevymedia.com. E-mail: ken@kenlevymedia.com.
My Teton Valley
Rob Kincaid Local Roots: Kincaid moved to Teton Valley from Michigan when he was 3 years old, explaining his parents fell in love with the small community and mountains. He’s lived in Teton Valley for 37 years and “loved every minute of it.” How you know him: He competes professionally as a snowmobile hill climb racer and backcountry rider for Arctic Cat Snowmobiles. He also runs a construction and drywall business, Teton Custom Homes, Inc. Favorite spot: Palisades Peak. “I love to ride my snowmobile, hike, ride horses and spend all the time I can in this area, it is close to home, but so far from the population of the valley floor.”
Winter is magical at
Teton Springs Resort Enjoy elegance and comfort in Lodge rooms, suites and 3-5 bedroom luxury mountain log homes.
An afternoon of complete indulgence at the Stillwaters Spa
Must do: “People that visit Teton Valley really need to drive to Targhee and ride the quad to the top and check out the head of south Leigh Canyon and the peaks. This is the coolest sight I’ve seen anywhere.”
Enjoy magnificent powder skiing and breathtaking scenery in eastern Idaho’s most dramatic backcountry.
Best thing about the Valley: The Snow! “Last season I rode my snowmobile for 10 months within an hour and half from my house. The big,deep, dry Teton Powder rules! It draws people from all over the world and I’m blessed to live in the middle of it.” Only here: “The climate is pretty unique. The temperature and weather patterns can change quickly and at the drop of a hat.” Sometimes, he explains, it can turn from sunny to snow. “Be sure to respect Mother Nature and never go anywhere without telling a friend, and be prepared to spend the night, because weather changes quickly.” This winter: You’ll find Kincaid working with Arctic Cat on photo shoots, dealer shows, and demo rides in the West and Canada and maybe some over seas travel. He’ll also be racing on the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hill Climb Association circuit, which includes a stop at Grand Targhee at the end of April. And of course, “tearing up some pow around the valley.” You can keep up with Kincaid on Facebook at robkincaid103 or on Instagram at rmr103. 9 “Thanks to all my sponsors for there support, Jason Nethercott for being my mechanic, it wouldn’t be possible without them!”
Teton Springs Resort & Club
Named “Best Hotel in Idaho” by US News & World Report in 2012 & 2103. We specialize in Winter Adventures offering Ski & Snowmobile Packages, heli-ski excursions, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Stillwaters Spa open Tuesday thru Sunday Headwaters Grille serving dinner Thursday thru Sunday 5pm - 9pm (children’s menu also available) NFL Sundays 11am - 8pm Featuring Football Menu & Drink Specials
L O D G E
&
S P A
For Reservations Call 877.787.8757 www.TetonSpringsLodge.com Get OUT! in Teton Valley 7
Photo courtesy Corvid Kicksleds
Bridget Ryder Get Out! staff
Teton Valley is known for skiing, but it is also gaining renown for its own gear. A growing rec-tec industry spanning one end of the valley to the other is making the gear associated with the local lifestyle.
Photo courtesy 22 Designs Photo courtesy Gabe Rogel Photo courtesy Liquid Hardware Get Out! Photo/
Recreation technology in the Tetons
Burgess Custom
S
Deutsch started her sewing career about 10 years ago while earning a degree in marketing at the University of Colorado and, of course, skiing. She had already outfitted her own wardrobe with tank tops and skirts when she moved into ski pants—first a pair for herself and then a set for each of her two roommates—her patchwork design caught on and her clientele expanded. A quest for bigger mountains after finishing their education led Deutsch and her roommates to Victor eight years ago. In Teton Valley, the seamstress and designer found not only taller mountains but also more opportunity.
8 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Photo courtesy Powderhores
arah Deutsch turned her love for skiing, knack for sewing and education in marketing into a successful clothing company. Deutsch tailor makes ski pants, outerwear and hoodies under the company Burgess Custom. Last fall, she took her online storefront to a brick and mortar location in Victor. From the signature patchwork ski pant, Deutsch has expended into hoodies, hat, tees and under garments of her lifestyle line.
Get Out! Photo/Bridget Ryder
Like a lady in Switzerland who is just really tall. Some people have just never been able to find snow pants that fit them. Sarah Deutsch about gaining international popularity
“I knew Burgess custom was lost in the crowd in Colorado,” she said. In Teton Valley, Deutsch’s clothing line gained not only a solid regional following, but also international popularity. “Like a lady in Switzerland who is just really tall,” Deutsch said, “Some people have just never been able to find snow pants that fit them.” This page
But if you happen to be in Teton Valley, Deutsch will fit you personally for a pair of ski pants as well as consult with you to create your own design. She also does gear repair.
Left: Deutsch’s limited edition hoodies. Top: The CAST Touring team of Lars Chickering-Ayers, Matt Cherouney, and Silas Cherouney.
Find Burgess Custom online at www.burgesscustom.com or in person in Suite 104 of the Crossroads Building located on the southeast corner of the intersection of highways, 33 and 31 in Victor.
Opposite page Top: Corvid Kicksleds are handmade in Tetonia, Idaho.
CAST Touring and Free Ride Solutions
Middle: The Liquid Hardware bottle and magnetic cap was invented in Teton Valley
L
ocal brothers Lars and Silas Chickering–Ayers, who have also had a couple of winning rounds on the World Freeski Tour, have invented a way to use two bindings on one set-up of skis. The first production round of
Rec Tech
continued on page 10
Bottom: Paul Kimbrough on his 22 Designs set up. Get Out! Photo/Bridget Ryder
BIG ERR? We can get you back on your feet, skis, snowboard, etc. again.
We now have a Fully Equipped Pilates Studio Mon/Wed/Fri: 8:30AM - 7PM | Tues/Thur: 8:30AM - 5PM Early Morning/Evening/Weekend appointments available with advanced scheduling. 208-354-0089 | 600 Valley Centre Dr., Driggs Get OUT! in Teton Valley 9
the SI&I system, CAST Touring and Free Ride Solutions’ first product, shipped out from Driggs this fall to skiers around the world. The SI&I allows skiers to switch between a Dynafit binding and an alpine or racing binding on the fly. It also satisfies the personal need of the world-class free skiers.
Photo courtesy Dave Hood
Lars Chickering-Ayers had tried everything, but nothing from the Alpine Touring equipment rack satisfied his need for a binding that could help him reach mountain peaks with relative ease and then handle his extreme skiing on the way down. So he took his engineering knowledge and mechanical inclination, and created a plate and toe piece attachment that allowed him to switch between a free heel uphill binding and his favorite racing binding for downhill. But it’s obviously not just for play. The brothers have used the system in competition, as well. Last March in Fieberbrunn, Austria, a stop of the World Free Ski Tour, Silas Chickering-Ayers earned top props in his SI&I. Plus, the binding set came in handy for touring the European backcountry in between competition runs. For a month of foreign skiing, the two only had to lug one set of skis and boots around. Fellow free skiers saw in something Chickering-Ayers invention for recreational skiers, as well, and encouraged Lars to turn his idea into a business venture. He has already outfitted approximately 40 skiers with the SI&I system. Now, with back-east buddy Matt Chourney, the brothers are taking the business-ski plan to the next step. They closed a successful Kick Starter campaign last spring that brought in over $50,000 and approximately 50 orders for the SI&I. They hope the SI&I will eventually revolutionize ski boots, too. As ski boot markets stand right now, using the SI&I requires a slight modification to the boots—the installation of a lift tech insert to make the boot compatible with ISO standards while in either binding. It’s an easy fix that doesn’t affect the boot’s fit, but it must be done, which, for now at least, means sending in your boots to Teton Valley even all the way from Japan. But Lars Chickering-Ayers has proven that boots can be simultaneously Dynafit and DIN compatible, something that the ski boot industry doesn’t seem to believe. A glimmer of hope exists, however. According to Chourney, K2 just came out with a boot that works for both systems. Several
10 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Photo courtesy Mark Fisher
Photo courtesy Marlene Wusinich
Rec Tech continued from page 9
Top left: The Burgess Custom crew. Top right: Liquid Hardware water bottles. Above right: Dave Hood with his handcrafted kicksleds. Left: Louis Kalina assembles an Axl binding for 22 Designs in Driggs. Photo courtesy 22 Designs
high-end boot companies have also shown an interest in the SI&I. Chourney hopes they can continue to push the industry in that direction. Find out more or order at www.casttouring.com. 22 Designs
T
elemark skiing and the Tetons also go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise that two Driggs boys are carrying the tradition into new realms of technology. Two of the most widely acclaimed telemark bindings are local products of 22-Designs owned, designed and made by Collins Pringle and Chris Valiante. Valiante took his engineering degree to the mountains as an intern with the creator of the HammerHead telemark ski binding. When the founder retired in 2004, Valiante and his fellow engineer and college buddy, Pringle, purchased the HammerHead binding. Since then the two engineers have perfected the original technology into two more bindings, the Axel and the Vice.
The Axel, which debuted about five years ago, is the company’s touring binding with a free pivot. The Vice, new last year, is the resort-style binding. The Vice’s more durable, skiable design replaces the original HammerHead. Liquid Hardware
S
teve Kitto, founder and inventor at Liquid Hardware, is combining two forms of technology into one new water bottle. The Outrigger is Kitto’s first creation. Its tetherless, quick-stick lid hides a magnet that makes the lid cling to the outside of the bottle. No more dropping the lid in the dirt or losing it who-knows-where. The entire bottle will also stick to anything else that’s metal. Just as winter adventures start, he’ll be coming out with a water bottle that adds vacuum insulation to his now-patented quick-stick lid bottle. To make the insulation work, Kitto welds two pieces of stainless steel together and then sucks everything out from in between
them. With no molecules, there’s nothing to conduct either heat or cold from one layer of the steel to another. The latest bottle will also have a food-grade silicon cap, which, according to Kitto, has its own incredible insulating value. The bottles will come in 20- and 40-ounce sizes and the 20-ounce bottle will also have a coffee lid with the same quick-stick technology. For coffee addicts stopping at one of the local coffee shops for their morning fix, the lid that sticks to the side of the insulated bottle makes it easier to juggle a bagel, cream cheese and change while adding sugar to the coffee. Liquid Hardware is available locally at The Victor Emporium, Barrels and Bins and Yostmark Backcountry Sports. In Jackson, Wyo., Liquid Hardware can be found at Wilson Backcountry Sports, Teton Mountaineering and Hoback Sports. Order online at www.liquidhardware.com. Corvid Kicksleds un, run, kick. Run, run, kick. Dave Hood has mastered the art of pushing a kicksled. But the carpenter can
R
also ply his tools to produce a Scandinavian tradition for a Teton climate. “They’ve been around for a long time,” Hood said. “The earliest reference is 1870. They’re a Scandinavian conveyance and they go really well over ice.” A kicksled, in its essence, is a wooden seat on metal runners. Hood, however, adapted his Corvid kick sleds to Teton conditions by adding plastic skis to the metal runners to give more flotation over the snow. Hood bought his first kicksled from another manufacturer when he was laid low by a knee injury. He used it as a walker to hobble around the outside of his Tetonia home, until it broke under the harsher uses of a friend. But while repairing it, he also improved it. He started by adding bicycle handgrip tape and a curved seat he hadn’t seen on any other kicksled. Hood also trends his kicksleds toward a hybrid with dog sleds. He gives them a larger chair and more strength in the horizontal measures. They come equipped for adventure, too—cup holders and a seat back that pulls over to a table.
“The thing I enjoy most is getting to back of Teton Canyon,” he said. Then he pulls over the table, takes out lunch and enjoys the view, probably with his wife, Tanya Alexander. “It’s a lot of fun to push a loved one around on,” he said. Or taking the dog for walk. Pushing from behind the sled while the dog pulls, exercising both master and beast. “You don’t have to have a husky,” Hood said. “A lot of dogs can take to a harness quite well.” Hood recently started making kicksleds in child sizes, as well. “What’s amazing is you can hand one of these things to a kid and they immediately know what to do with it,” he said. Even adults can enjoy them for child-like fun. Hood has taken his sled into the hills north of Tetonia. His dream, however, is to sled down the old pass road. Find out more at www.corvidkicksleds.com or contact Hood directly at corvidkicksleds@ gmail.com.
Properties that are a World Apart.... ...Service that is World Class
SERVING Buyers and Sellers in IDAHO and WYOMING
Two convenient locations! Main Gate—TETON SPRINGS And our NEW LOCATION at…. 40 EAST LITTLE AVE... DRIGGS
Toll Free: 866-445-3328
www.asrrealty.com
(next to O’Rourkes) Get OUT! in Teton Valley 11
Urge to compete, or just improve? Join a ski team
Ken Levy Special to the Get Out!
B
oost your skills on snow no matter what your ability level by joining one of the many ski teams open to Teton Valley enthusiasts.
The teams are geared toward skill development for youngsters, and some are very demanding and geared toward high-level competitive racing. The nonprofit Teton Valley Ski Education Foundation offers training, support and preparation for competitive snow sports at varying levels of skill and age. They ski at Grand Targhee Resort. For alpine or downhill skiers, the TVSEF offers the alpine development team for kids ages 6-10 who will develop the skills and fundamentals needed to evolve into true athletes. Fun, safety and skill development are emphasized. The alpine development race team takes the program into race fundamentals with a focus on giant slalom. For ages 7-9, the program invites third and fourth graders with at least two years of skiing with a coach to get more experience ski racing.
12 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
F
rom there, 10 to 15-year-olds can join the Alpine Race Team if they’ve been skiing with a coach for at least four years and have at least five years in the sport. They must have some experience with ski racing. They’ll get training in race skills and gates, and plenty of skiing time.
On the Nordic side, kids ages 4-10 can join the elementary recreation team, primarily comprised of games on the snow. They’ll develop balance, agility and coordination with emphasis on play, fun and skiing. Those in the elementary Nordic skill team need at least a year of Nordic experience. Outdoor recreation and an introduction to competition includes learning good body position, balance and weight shift in play. Kids ages 8-10 are welcome, and they may race in local events, interclub competitions or those that could lead to state, division and Junior National Qualifier racing. Middle school and high school Nordic teams are also available for those who have gone through the earlier programs or who have progressively gained experience. These programs offer increasingly sophisticated training and development for true skiing athleticism in competition. TVSEF also offers a free-ski development team through its free-ride program for strong skiing athletes who want to ski big mountain and refine terrain park skills. Snowboard development team and snowboard team also focus on riding all terrains on the mountain and exploration while developing skills. The former is for ages 6-10, while the latter is for ages 11-15. For details on these programs, visit www.tvsef.org.
Y
oungsters who are really determined to excel in competitive Alpine ski racing should look into the nonprofit Ski Team Sunny Race Academy. The academy works with youngsters ages 7-13 to achieve championship-level skills and strength to compete against the best in their class. The program involves intense training and demands commitment and discipline from its participants, said Dagi Stock, executive
Ski Team
Get Out Photo/Rachael Horne
continued on page 14
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 13
BANGKOK KITCHEN
Thai Cuisine
nu at t our me check ou ynews.net e tetonvall
220 N. Main St. Driggs, ID 83422
208-354-6666 www.bkkitchen.com
Open daily at 11 am
Powder Day Photography FOR ALL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS Grand Targhee • Private Shoots • Family Portraits • Snowcat Adventures Teton Valley • Weddings • Portraits • Real Estate
A skier rounds a gate during a Teton Valley Ski Education Foundation race at Gr
Ski Team continued from page 13 director. She runs the program with husband, Markus, an Austrian ski team member who founded the program. “We take it seriously, in any weather,” she said. “We’re training all the time, and we make as much out of their training as possible.” The philosophy is simple: Do it right or not at all. Two professional ski coaches from Austria will be working with youngsters this season.
(208) 419-6032 www.powderdayphotography.com info@powderdayphotography.com 14 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
The academy calls Grand Targhee its home mountain and training slope. It’s comprised of two teams, home and travel. The home team skis against other local teams in club-series races, including those from Jackson, while the travel team may also ski at Sun Valley, McCall and elsewhere. Ski Team Sunny competes in the Intermountain Division of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, and races in the northern series comprised of Wyoming and Idaho. The southern series includes Alaska and Utah.
MORE
than a liquor store! accessories • snacks • art • gifts • beer & wine
Open 11-7, Mon-Sat • 65 S. Main, Driggs
rand Targhee.
Get Out! Photo/Rachael Horne
Kids have to show determination in other areas, she said, including maintaining at least an 85 percent in school. “We really try to teach them some life lessons, as well as training really hard,” Dagi said. “Our success has shown we’re on the right path.” Last year’s teams took 69 podiums with 62 finishing in the top five, she said. For details and information, contact stock at dagistock@hotmail. com or visit their Facebook page. On the cross-country side, the Teton Valley Recreation Association offers a Nordic ski team. Grand Targhee has its Ghee Freeride Ski and Snowboard team, founded and run by Mike Leake. Meet the team at www.grandtarghee.com/athletes/freeride-team.php. Call 354-4878 for information.
IPOWDER IPERFECT
PHOTOS: ROGELMEDIA.COM
Stock said Targhee will host the IMD finals at Grand Targhee in March, with all four states invited to compete.
Your Backcountry Experts for Powder Gear and Goods
OPEN DAILY 9-6 • 285 E LITTLE AVE • 208•354•2828 • www.yostmark.com
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 15
Teton Valley
G Earguide Gear up, Get out
Kate Hull Get Out! Staff
F
resh powder, shorter days, and new lines to be had—thank goodness Teton Valley is jam-packed with enough sporting goods shops to make sure each season is complete with the best gear there is, no matter your sport, style, or pocket book. From backcountry access must-haves to the latest brands to hit the scene, Teton Valley has no shortage of gear or gear junkies to rival ski metros all over the Rocky Mountain West. Teton Valley News will help you kick off the season with tips to get you ready to go, skiing fresh lines, climbing first ascents, and staying warm from head to toe. Habitat, High Altitude Provisions or over ten years, Habitat, located on Main Street in Driggs, has been gearing valley locals and newcomers, no matter the season or sport. But winter is the sweet spot. Habitat is now carrying new brands to keep you stoked for epic powder days ahead.
F
Based in Denver, Colorado, Flylow specializes in freeride clothing and pride themselves in being “ambassadors for the soul of skiing.” For the winter season, grab a pair of the Flylow Tough Guy Gloves, the workingman’s essential tool to stay dry, warm, and on the mountain. Affordable and durable, the Tough Guy glove is made from the finest pigskin, with Heat Rac polyester insulation, SnoSeal beeswax DWR treatment, and a knit wrist. But don’t shy away from the classic powder tools. Jones Snowboards’ Ultracraft Split is built for the Tetons. The lightest split board on the snow, the Ultracraft has been tested on Denali and Grand Teton, and takes the revolutionary technology of the Hovercraft to the next level. “It is built using a carbon topsheet, carbon core inserts and Jones’ top secret ’Ultra Construction’ technology,” according to the website. The Ultracraft is the answer. Yostmark Mountain Equipment ith a tradition of committed, experienced, mountain know-how, Yostmark Mountain Equipment remains a leader of backcountry expertise in Teton Valley. Founded in 1993, Yostmark is located on Ski Hill Road, welcoming visitors with access to unprecedented terrain nearby. Stop by this season for the Scarpa Freedom SL, a “light and stiff AT Boot for the resort or backcountry,” said Jakob Holmes, hardgoods buyer for the shop. According to Scarpa’s product features, the boot features a 120 flex and “combines high-performance, touring compatibility and a category-leading cuff range (27 degrees), [for] a multipurpose all mountain machine.”
W
16 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Two years in the making, Salt Lake City-based Black Diamond Equipment launched its new line of technical apparel, found at Yostmark, to keep outdoor enthusiasts geared and clothed for the season. For over half a century, Black Diamond has kept athletes climbing, skiing, hiking and trekking. Now, they are keeping them suited up, as well. Stop by and check out the wide array of men’s soft shells, insulated fleeces, and base layers at the shop. Welcomed with positive reviews at Outdoor Retailer trade show, they plan to launch the women’s line in fall 2014. Peaked Sports ll-around gear one-stop shop, Peaked Sports is kicking off the season with the latest in alpine skis, Nordic skis, snowboards, telemark, and more. Located just past the stop light on Ski Hill Road, Peaked Sports offers a little bit of everything, and then some. This year, for the stiff-boot aficionados hitting the slopes, snag a pair of Fischer Boots with the latest Vacuum Fit technology. New for the valley, Peaked employees will mold the liner and the shell to custom-fit your foot in three easy steps. The latest in comfort, they will heat the shell to 80 degrees Celsius in the oven, then pre-fit the boot by inserting the foot into the preheated shell with a boot liner. Next, they will put on a cooling pad and compression pad, and adjust the stand position on the Vacuum Fit Station. Finally, they will adjust the entire boot to the anatomy of the foot using compressed air, according to the website, using the cooling pad to cool it down.
A
Once you have the perfect boot, snag a pair of perfect skis from the all-new 7 Series from Rossignol, the latest progression in the award-winning S-Series. Calling it the future of freeride, the 7 Series reduces the ski weight by 20 percent, for “enhanced agility and easier touring,” the website said. No matter the sport, no matter the shop, Teton Valley is winter-ready and has the gear to prove it; adventure seekers and sports enthusiasts beware.
Black Diamond Equipment Jacket
Scarpa Freedom SL Boot
Flylow Tough Guy Gloves
Jones Snowboards’ Ultracraft Split
Fischer Boots
7 Series from Rossignol Get Out! Photo Jason Suder
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 17
Your local drug store with so much more… Medical Supplies Gifts
Old Time Soda Fountain
Souvenirs Legos
Pharmacy Toys
Puzzles
Games
Book Store locally owned and operated for over 100 years
354-2334 10 S. Main, Driggs 9am - 6:30pm, Mon - Sat
Get Out! Photo/Bridget Ryder
The Teton squirts played hard during the first hockey tournament hosted at the Kotler Ice Arena.
ting is a k s e Ic
n u F g n Freezi ut! staff yder Get O Bridget R
ictor ’s Pio rena in V A e f o Ic r m e r tl fo he Ko other offers an lley. neer Park ation for Teton Va re d c e winter re nature-maintain r me te th e o ade, m ng as th The man-m for operation as lo osts open kh pen arena is o y freezing. The rin r skaters of ta s s gram fo peratures music pro e v li h it skates w abilities. n star t at lines and katers ca all discip s , y m ra g y pro .S. Hocke uth hocke onal program of U Players o y e th In g. ati of skatin f 4. The n the age o the fundamentals nd stick hanga es emphasiz e basics of skatin ategy, positionth str h to it w in t s r s sta tler Ice rogre p n e th at the Ko key d y n e a k , c g o n h t li d oc Bu n Valley h hecking. ing and c just for kids. Teto ’s n ’t nd wome Arena isn th pond hockey a . e om bo ners welc includes es. Begin u g re a le y e s and figu hock ns for kid e on a o s s le g n ti take plac ment Basic ska ssons also uip skating le sis. Skates and eq rchase a pu b r ly o k l nta wee ble for re are availa k ’s pro-shop. at the rin u nd anvalley fo te to e .t w w ple S ee w for a com tion.org. . schedule
T
18 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
7000 W
To Yellowstone Park
To Rexburg
Targhee National Forest
12000 N
Felt Badger Canyon Rd
10000 N
Valley View Rd
32
Tetonia
7000 N
1000 E
Rammel Mtn Rd
33
6500 N 6000 N
33 Peacock Ln/4000 N
Packsaddle Rd
N Alta Rd
State Line Rd
5000 N
2000 W
Cache
3000 W
5000 W
4500 W
8000 W
Clawson
3000 N Hastings Ln/2500 N
Airport Rd
6000 W
Driggs
i Sk
d
lR
Hil
Targhee (7 miles from Alta)
State Line Rd
4000 W
Alta To Grand
Bates Rd
Darby 2000 S
Bates
River
33
2000 E
3750 S
Darby Rd/3000 S
Teton
3000 S
1750 E
2000 S
4000 S
Fox Creek/5000 S 5500 S
5750 S
6000 S
7750 S
Cedron Rd
31
8500 S 9000 S
9000 S
sn
26
Jx
y
Hw
2000 W
To Jackson (28 miles from Victor)
ld O
9500 S
10000 S
Baseline Rd
Victor 1000 W
8000 S
7000 S 750 E
33
To Idaho Falls (67 miles from Victor)
Targhee National Forest
750 E
1000 W
4500 S 4750 S Cedron Rd
Targhee National Forest
1000 S
So Bates Rd
1250 S
1000 E
1000 S
Teton Valley Idaho
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 19
Photo Courtesy WorldCast Anglers
Yep, you can still catch fish in winter.
Winter is for fishing, too Late winter, early spring we can have phenomenal fishing. There’s not really anyone here, and the trout bums have the opportunity to really go at it. _________________ Michael Dawkins, partner and guide at WorldCast Anglers in Victor
20 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Bridget Ryder Get Out! Staff
Teton Valley is a haven for avid anglers and intense skiers in a region were recreation follows the course of the seasons. But, if the skiing is bad, try fishing, even in February. According to local fishing guides, winter is no reason to put your fishing gear away. “Late winter, early spring we can have phenomenal fishing,” said Michael Dawkins a partner and guide at WorldCast Anglers in Victor. “There’s not really anyone here, and the trout bums have the opportunity to really go at it.” Trout bums have that advantage over ski bums. The mountains are crowded winter and summer, but Dawkins may be one of few fisherman plying the re-
gion’s streams and banks. But if you join him, keep in mind that the thing about winter fishing is, it’s winter, with wind, snow and variable pressure systems taking control of nature. “It’s not as easy as saying ‘I’m going out’ like in July,” he said. For venturing out to riverbanks in the cold and snow, Dawkins recommends a pair of roomy waders that let toes wiggle to keep circulation going. Snowshoes also come in handy and waders slip right into them. Gloves with a removable cap over the fingers will allow for dexterity to tie flies and unclip hooks. Don’t forget the layers. Anglers also need to remember that under the water, it’s winter for the fish, too.
Diehard fishermen go all year in Teton Valley.
Photo courtesy WorldCast Anglers
YOUR FULL SERVICE SKI SHOP
“The water temps will cool to the point in mid-winter that their metabolism lowers so [they] don’t need to consume as much food,” Dawkins said. Fish go into a hibernation-like state during the year’s coldest months and lose interest in eating, but a spike in temperatures and a few consecutive days of temperatures in the 38 to 40 degree range get them moving. Idaho also happens to have a lot of thermal activity going on below the surface, which keeps many streams from becoming cold enough to put fish to sleep.
Winter Fishing
continued on page 22
#1 Ranked Potato Vodka #1 Domestic Vodka #2 Ranked in the World An ARtisAn cRAft DistilleRy in teton Valley,
• • • •
Alpine / X-Country / Snowboard Rentals Snowbike Rentals / Boot Fitting Full Selection of Powder Ski Demos Ski Tunes Ski Repairs Demos & Rentals
using famous idaho russets and pristine mountain water for our award-winning vodka.
Amazingly soft and smooth….
(208) 354-7263 www.tetonvodka.com
Open Every Day 8:30am to 6:00pm 70 East Little Avenue Driggs, Idaho 83422 • 208.354-2354 Get OUT! in Teton Valley 21
Winter Fishing continued from page 21 “You can concentrate on thermal influence— the Warm River, the Teton historically has a lot of springs,” Dawkins said. The Warm River acquired its name from its temperature. The stream flows by Ashton about an hour north of Teton Valley. Dawkins can name other areas where warm currents mingle with cold waters—the Vernon area and the confluence of the Warm River and the Henry’s Fork. For Dawkins, the Henry’s Fork is “your go-to fishery” for winter, but, if he had to name his number one winter fishing spot, he would have to say the Vernon area.
keep fishing,” Dawkins said. Winter conditions are another consideration for the ethical sportsman. When the snow is piling up in the mountains, water levels in rivers are low so fish concentrate in smaller areas. Fishermen should practice catch-and-release angling in winter for the sake of preservation, especially of native trout. Also, removing fish in winter that would be sexually mature in spring for the mating and hatching season would reduce the fishery’s overall reproduction potential.
“In the Vernon area you have a deeper, slower flow, which allows fish to work into a water column and get really deep,” Dawkins said.
Though Dawkins fly fishes year-round, fellow fishing guide Mike Bean takes advantage of the area’s ponds and reservoirs to ice fish with his two children, Carly, 12, and Bobby, 9.
The deeper water stays warmer, and the fish remain active.
‘There’s not a lot of technique to it,” Bean said.
Despite the regions year-round fishing possibilities, there was a time, according to Dawkins, when rivers opened on Memorial Day and closed again at the end of October, but now fishing can go on year-round, though fish may only be harvested in summer and fall.
The family trips usually take the Bean gang to the Roberts Reservoir. Bean said it’s full of perch, of which he and his children have caught as many as 50. Perch swim in schools, so once you get your first bite, many more are sure to follow.
“It ‘s pretty nice for us people that want to
The safety rule of thumb is three inches of ice. Roberts said he can just tell from ex-
perience whether the ice is thick enough or not. The reservoir freezes from the middle of the pond, he said, so if the ice is too thin it will show most around the edges, near the bank. If it seems questionable, Bean looks for footprint to see if others have ventured out onto the ice before him. He takes with him a hand auger and a 1/16 jig. Along with his fishing tackle, he drills a small hole in the ice with the hand auger and then he drops the jig in, until it hits bottom. He pulls it back up a foot and waits for the perch to take interest in the mealworms he uses as bait. “My kids love going to Roberts,” Bean said. “They [catch] a lot of fish.” To stay warm you could bring a heater, but Bean doesn’t usually lug such hardware around with his fishing pole. “I guess you just have to be tough if you’re going to ice fish,” he said. Yep, life in Teton Valley has been called tough, but at least in winter there’s skiing, and even fishing. For complete information on fishing regulations visit www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/ public/fish.
If You’re Lucky Enough to Live in the Mountains… You’re Lucky Enough! Teton Valley’s real estate market has changed dramatically in the past few years, and our agents have kept abreast of those changes. We are experienced and compassionate. Whether you are buying or selling real estate, we can help!
LORA DAVIS 208.317.5652
STEVEN COOK 208.709.4151
CORI DAHL 307.690.0495
JOEY FULLMER 208.317.5193
JENNIFER KUNZ 208.520.0459
ilovetetonvalley.com
stevencookrealty.com
Give Cori a call
realestateinthetetons.com
liveintetonvalley.com
KARIN WERTHEIM MIKE McCASHLAND 208.201.5151 208.709.8161 realestateoftetonvalley.com
Contact one of our trained short sale and foreclosure agents today!
Give Mike a call
Silver Peaks Realty • Corner of Bates and Main, Driggs • 208.354.9090 • silver-peaks.com 22 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Did you know? There are approximately
45
restaurants in Teton Valley.
Welcome to
Keeping Bodies In Motion Teton Orthopaedics’ physicians & surgeons are Board Certified and Fellowship trained Rafael M. Williams, MD Shoulder Surgery Hand & Upper Extremity Sports Injuries Fracture Care
Heidi E. Jost, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery Foot & Ankle Hand & Upper Extremity Orthotics
David J. Khoury, M.D.
Andrew B. Bullington, M.D.
Geoffery K. Skene, D.O.
Joshua D. Beck, M.D.
Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Shoulder and Knee Surgery Trauma & Fracture Care
Spine Care Non-surgical disorders of the back and neck Electrodiagnosis
Knee & Shoulder Surgery Sports Medicine Joint Replacement Surgery Trauma & Fracture Care
Adult & Pediatric Spine Surgery Joint Replacement Surgery Trauma & Fracture Care
Authentic Mexican Cuisine 310 N. Main Street Driggs, Idaho 83442 208-354-2003
Jackson • Wilson • Afton
307-733-3900
www.tetonortho.com Get OUT! in Teton Valley 23
+ from
Chamonix
to
Targhee:
Greg Stump Jason Suder Get Out! Staff
T
o talk about Greg Stump is to talk about a man who stands at 5’5” and casts a 20’ shadow. His colossal tale carries the emergence of the ski industry, not just on the silver screen, but into the mainstream in all of its aggressive glory. If you listen to your headphones on the hill, Stumpy and his motley crew beat you to it, taping Astraltune decks to their jacket. If a GoPro camera is mounted on your helmet or tips of your skis, Stumpy can laugh back to when he developed its mammoth precursor,
Stump
24 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
continued on page 26
Greg Stump in his studio in Teton Valley. Get Out! Photo/Jason Suder Get OUT! in Teton Valley 25
Photo courtesy of Greg Stump
Stump continued from page 24
There was a void in the market ... We were completely against Warren Miller. We didn’t like his movies. We thought the skiers sucked; we thought the music sucked; we thought the movies sucked. You probably shouldn’t print that. _____________________ Greg Stump
an 18 pound WWII combat video camera duct-taped to his chest, looking out over cornices and down couloirs. If you watch ski movies and tell yourself “THAT is how I want to ski!” then, again, thank Greg Stump, because he challenged the status quo. In 1983, as a 23-year-old, Maine-based ski ballerina, he threatened the world and Warren Miller with his first movie. At 27, he released the game changing “Blizzard of AAHHHs” that left the world of skiing forever inverted. “There was a void in the market... We were completely against Warren Miller. We didn’t like his movies. We thought the skiers sucked; we thought the music sucked; we thought the movies sucked. You probably shouldn’t print that,” told Stump. Stump first started coming to Teton Valley for ski camp when he was 15 years old, already a ski ballet and mogul champion. It was only seven years
26 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
earlier that he first clicked into a pair of skis after he moved to Maine with his family. He and his siblings were immediately introduced to the world of skiing and were soon competing in local events that challenged form, speed, precision and concluded with a free run. From that final section, Stump and his fellow competitors went wild, performing aerials, spins and wily acrobatics on two skis; even though Stump admits he never made flying look pretty. Born out of Pleasant Mountain, Maine, freestyle skiing had broken away from the neatly packaged competitions to form its own category. By 1978, Stump had become the national freestyle champion, peaking the interest of industry icons, like the legendary ski filmmaker Dick Barrymore who caught wind of Stump’s showmanship and whisked him away to Hawaii and New Zealand to film his 1979 “Vagabond Skiers.” This was to be the start of a lifelong mentorship and the catalyst that put Stump on the recording side
of the camera. Barrymore did it all. He shot, he edited, he found sponsors, he found the score and Stump admiringly watched him lead the reins on some of the most iconic early ski films. He understood that one man’s vision can become reality by his hands alone, and Stump decided he would follow this lead and also captain his own ship, just with a better soundtrack. ”I basically sold sponsorships, did everything, shot the movie (I shot 50 percent, It’s crazy, I kind of my buddy shot the other half). Then started a whole industry. did all the editing, ...the ski companies writing, narration gave me 60 pairs of skis ... I knew I could get better music, with a wink. I took them because no one was down to the ski sales putting pop music in Maine, and they’d in ski movies.” be gone in a weekend,
With the right balance of arrogance and naivety, Stump that’s how I funded the phoned Trevor Horn first movies. of ZTT Records in _________________ London and flatly Greg Stump told him that he wanted to put ZTT music in his movies, but he couldn’t pay for it. Enthusiastic about a kid taking a chance, Horn, at the bequest of his wife and partner, Jill Sinclair, granted Stump access to their library at no cost. The only condition was that the movie had to be fabulous, “because if it’s not, it will never see the light of day.” This was a deal that would have cost anyone else well over $100,000; Stump did it for free.
and I’d had $25,000. So
“That was the real game changer.” Then in 1988, Stump shocked the world with “The Blizzard of AAHHHs,” a film that great skiers and producers still talk about like they do The Beatles. People had never seen this sort of footage. They were transplanted to the vertical ridges of Chamonix, looking down couloirs and across the jagged terrain. They were stunned by pans that showed Glen Plake and Scot Schmidt defying death by skiing down these verticals, what the weekend warrior had never deemed possible, what Warren Miller’s cinematographers thought unfathomable. They were using the best music of the ‘80s. And, they sent the world into a frenzy with only $2,000 in cash that Swatch had given him out of
Photo/© Greg Von Doersten 2009 All Rights Reserved
Greg Stump and his assistant, Kacee Sustaita, working on his new film release, “Legend of Aahhh’s”, at the Blizzard Cinema Works, Victor, ID.
their then-$14,000 ad budget, and 60 pairs of skis from K2. That was the initial budget. “It’s crazy, I kind of started a whole industry. ... The ski companies gave me 60 pairs of skis with a wink. I took them down to the ski sales in Maine, and they’d be gone in a weekend, and I’d had $25,000. So that’s how I funded the first movies.”
W
hen he began work on “The Legend of AAHHHs,” the ski history film that took four years to produce and covers over 80 years of the sport, beginning with the inception of ski movies in the Bavarian Alps, he had a $500,000 dollar budget, an insane amount of money for a ski film. “Most of it went into travelling expenses … There’s “The Today Show” sequence with Bryant Gumbel, and that cost us $45,000.” But, the ski industry was 10 years in his taillights when he was propositioned to produce “Legend.” Extreme skiing, the sport Scot Schmidt and Glen Plake launched into the mainstream through Stump’s lens, had taken its toll. It was no longer the Alpiner’s sport; tactical, calculated and experienced in the imminent dangers. It was popular, and the reckless, albeit bold, 19- and 20-year-olds were launching themselves off bigger cliffs and pulling bigger tricks. “I never did anything really extreme after ‘Groove: Requiem’ came out just because I knew someone was going to get hurt, and I didn’t want to be the one to film it. In fact, there’s a great moment in [Legend] when I
interview Steve Winter from MSP Films and I talk to him about Shane McConkey’s last jump, and he tears up and tells the story I never wanted to tell … I don’t think I could handle it if someone got hurt.” Shane McConky was a professional skier and BASE jumper who did not survive a fall after a double back flip to wing-suit, aeronautical trick. We were on this face, Three days prior to and I could hear them his “last jump,” Mcon the radio because Conkey told Winter they were scared, and I that if anything went wrong during made a pact with God, a stunt, it was Win‘Get these guys off ter’s job to film the this mountain, and I’m whole thing.
walkin’ away. I’m walking
Eventually, Stump away for good after this.’ had to walk away. And, I did. He had already res_________________ cued one man, burGreg Stump ied, not breathing and atrophied beyond recognition, from an avalanche, and when he was filming Scot Schmidt and other good friends in a hairy situation in British Columbia, Stump was ready to finally turn his back on filming the extreme. “We were on this face, and I could hear them on the radio because they were scared, and I made a pact with God, ‘Get these guys off this mountain, and I’m walking away. I’m Get OUT! in Teton Valley 27
walking away for good after this.’ And, I did.” Today, Stump walks into his ensconced studio where Dalî looks at him from one wall reminding him that, “immature artists imitate, mature artists steal,” and an eclectic collage of musicians and friends welcome him home from every other open corner. He hardly skis anymore, but can you blame a man who spent a decade living within walking distance to the lift at Whistler and has skied the world over with people you only meet in dreams and on TV? Enjoying the challenge of keeping up with the changing technology, he sits for days in his esoteric space in front of his Mac-powered editing bay, an archaic and well-worn BETAtrack system in the corner nodding to the days of linear editing, cutting one-offs for Powder Magazine and ogling over his latest protégé, singer/songwriter Lukas Nelson. Nelson makes a number of candid appearances in “Legend” and was used as the score in the movie’s closing montage. Promo photos of Nelson’s concerts and candid shots of the pair are pasted across each wall. Stump even teases his viewers with glimpses into the future of Greg Stump Productions by splicing footage of Nelson across his final ski movie, and most fitting is Stump’s decision to
Get Out! Photo/Jason Suder
transpose the mesmerizing and tantalizing sights and sounds of Stevie Ray and Jimi Hendrix’s evil, bastard son (he’s actually one of Willie Nelson’s boys) writhing on stage like a demon possessed over backcountry big airs, ‘80s groundbreaking couloir shoots
and mammoth 80-foot jumps with, of course, Stump’s overlying narration, another form of them working together. This is Baron von Stumpy’s new masterpiece. “One day Lukas asked me what’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done, and I tell him, ‘You.
An Adventure You’ll Never Forget!
• Fresh flowers, houseplants and terrarium supplies • Inspiring seasonal home and garden décor • Unique gifts, books and cards
208.354.8816 2389 S. Hwy 33 • Driggs, ID www.mdlandscapinginc.com
Guided Tours Yellowstone, Cave Falls, Mesa Falls or the Big Hole Mountain Range. From novice to experienced sledders
RENTALS Snowmobile rentals for those that like to create their own adventure. We will even deliver your sleds right to you.
(208) 354-2233
tetonvalleyadventures.com 28 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Skyliners Motor Club presents
1ST ANNUAL GRAND TARGHEE HILL CLIMB
April 26-27
Photo/Heather Erson courtesy of Greg Stump
You are the biggest thing I’ve ever worked with … What I’m doing with the band is pretty progressive.”
complishments in the ski and cinematic industries again and again, but he does not live in the past.
The man built an industry, has made a commercial for the Super Bowl, and is still breaking barriers in the cinematographic world. He’s currently in Los Angeles working with Nelson on his latest music videos, taking the latest GoPro techniques in extreme sports and applying them to music. Nelson, his bassist and his drummer all have mini-HDs attached to their instruments, and when you watch this footage, it is a totally new and unique perspective.
“If I were to go back to compete with [Teton Gravity Research] or Sweetgrass [Productions] or anything that’s coming out now, I’d be feeling a little nervous … In fact, I wouldn’t do it because I feel that would be pretentious of me. To think that I can come out of basic retirement and compete with these excellent producers, that would be pretentious.”
A Family Fun weekend of racing, snowmobile demos, and dealers on hand.
So, he travels around with his buddies Lukas and Willie Nelson, makes fun of Glen Plake about going bald and gardens. What more does he need to do, start another revolution?
Register at: www.skylinersmotorclub.com. For more information email: skylinersmotorclub@gmail.com
When he talks of his techniques, it comes out with a bit of arrogance; he will reiterate his ac-
Sanctioned by: RMSHA • Last race of the season • Year-end Award Ceremony
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 29
Resort Grand Targhee Legend Nordic Trail Map Markers Trail Difficulty
0
TH
r edge. on the track oute ol. only permitted Targhee Ski Scho Snowshoes are able at Grand be ic Lessons avail Required and can XC and Skate Nord Season Pass is or t Ticke ities Activ Center. A Nordic Trail t Booth or The Ticke The ol, Scho purchased at Ski
Alta
8,100’ 8,000’ 7,900’ 7,800’ TH 1 .3km
1.3km
Hamster Loop
N
3
1.7km
Alta
Nordic Connector
4
5
4
2km
p Rick’s Basin Loo
4.2km
Quakie Ridge loop
.75km
(R.B.L.)
Snowdrift Loop
& Sun Tues, Thurs, Sat ditions *Based on Con
3
ad Alta North Ro Booshway of trails
1.7km
tion
ber!
em Become a M
future c Trails in the will be Nordi e ails er Tr th y at le th al e V Assur the Teton a member of g in m co be by and Pathways. Benefits Amount Membership
Name
Park Here
Approx: 6 km
Track
Alta: Wed, Pioneer Par Teton Spring Teton Canyo
sticker, Newsletter, dates up l ai E-m ic Pin TVTAP Nord + e ov ab l al 0 $5 TAP Bike Map Rambler* all above + TV t $100 TAP Knit Ha Strider all above + TV ce vest 50 ee $2 Fl P TA Pathfinder all above + TV s' $500 nual Explorer Trailblazer all above + An $1,000 + Reception Explorer rdic Skiers No r fo um donation im in m ed st *sugge
Trailhead
Trailhead Kiosk
Address
Driggs 30 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Ross Ave
on Teton Cany Campground High School
Driggs Nordic
2009-10
d per use dona
ende $5 - Recomm
Ambler
Middle School
TH
Teton C
en These trails ar y for equipm annually to pa 0 r by giving 00 te 0, or $4 pp s su st It co Become a s. or at er ls. Or, op d tr e valuable ai insurance an lp pay for thes or at he d, to e ea or lh ai m the tr $50 or contributing at or the by s, gg go ri u D yo in as k pay , or Yostmar ts or Sp s. ed nd ak co Habitat, Pe r Outdoor Se um and Victo Victor Empori
EASY HARD
u re M ounta B oy S in cout Camp
1
A
.75km nector (S.D.L.) Nordic Con
ponsorship
Treas
Trailhead
Please visit ou rw for ski reports eb-site and mo information at: re www.tvtap.org
help ... You can OMING! O R G R from users. PAY FO with donations t, fuel, e maintained 5
2km
edule Grooming SchGro oming: Nordic Trails
E (353.2300) 800.TARGHEE GrandTarghee.com
Ski Trails S
at, Sun
1 TH .3km
Kilometers
tures Nordic Trail Fea
W
S
Canyon
edule
ek Cre Mill
---- 13 Km
ry
at nd
To Alt
hee
ggs a and Dri
Trails Targhee Nordic
k
Fl
To Grand Targ
Teto n
City, State Zip
$25
Local groomed
Alta Ski Track: The trailhead is located between Pioneer Park in Victor: A short track at about 2 kilometers, “this is a great family track, first-time one and the Alta Library in Alta, Cree the EpiscopalPhChurch k Wyo. It features 10 kilometers of trails that roll and Nordic orTA forP,that after-work workout,” Adams to TV yableskier pa k chec said. ailfields with stunning du ctiboflethe wind throughE-M open views Situated downtown, the track allows skiers who
de the address ake your taxge to live in Victor to go from home to the track in minutes. completed pa is th ith w nonprofit. it turn d refor gnized 501cIn3 a partnership with the city, the track is lighted a co re S“This track isan great workouts, with small hills IR an TAP is few nights a week. TVand w. up belo YOU!! to get the heart rate plenty T ofHloops and ANK P A variation that allow for short or long workouts,” TVT said 83“This 2 track also hosts a skate-ski series from January riggs ID to42March,” Tim Adams, executive director of. Teton Valley 3, DTrails g he said. Groomed for skate skiers, the Box 37 or O p. P. ta .tv w track is just as fun for classic skiers. and Pathways. The track is groomed for both or ww 22 skate (208) 201-16 Grand Teton.P lease m
and classic Nordic skiing.
Membership
Trailhead
Ambler
Creek
Ed d
yon
in
gt on
Re
Cr e
ek
Ca uni o m pg n F ro la un t d
Grooming Sch edule Fri, Sun
Main Entrance
Name
Address
Te t on
Grille Loop
Newsletter, sti
Pioneer Park
Teton Canyon Campground
Tre asu Boy re M Sco ount a ut Cam in p
$25
Rambler* Strider Pathfinder Trailblazer Explorer
Springs
No Dogs
Benefits
cker, E-mail updates all above + TV TAP Nordic Pin all above + TV TAP Bike Map all above + TV TAP Knit Hat all above + TV TAP Fleece ve st all above + An nual Explorer s' Re ception *suggested mi nimum donatio n for Parkrdic Sk BikeNo iers
Brewery
TetToetnonCCaannyToenton
Amount
$50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 +
Playground
A
Trailhead
Horse Arena
City, State
Zip Cr e
ek
Phone E-Mail
rk: Tue, Thur, Sat gs: Mon, Wed, Sat on: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, S
Trailhead
at, Sun
East Loop
Stadium Loop
Please make yo ur tax-deductib le check payabl and return it wi e to TVTAP, th this complet ed page to the below. TVTAP address is an IRS-recogn ized 501c3 nonp rofit. THANK YOU !! TVTAP P.O. Box 373, k Driggs ID 8342 (208) 20Sk1-ate16Rin 2 22 or Skate Rinkwww.tvtap.org
Pioneer Park
West Loop
ree ll C Mi
---- 13 Km 0
Tra
Teton Creek
din gt on Cr ee k
Main Entr Re ance u Ca nion mp gr Flat ou nd
Trea sure Boy S Mountain Pl c out Camp ayg
Kilometers
chedule S g in m o o r G 0 1 2009- Fri, Sun Trailhead
North
Alta: Wed, Tue, Thur, Sat Pioneer Park: Mon, Wed, Sat ri, Sat, Sun Teton Springs: F Tue, Wed, Thur, Teton Canyon: Stadium Lo op
West Loop
East Loop
Teton Sp rings To Grand
To Alta and Dri
ggs
0
Kilometer s
1
Trailhea d
Teton Cr eek
ek
2009-10
e Cr
Grand Targhee: See www.grandtarghee.com for information on its complex of trails.
Teto
A
n to
Please v is Teton Springs: This Nordic track winds around the for ski re it our web-site Teton Springs Golf Course. ports “This is a beautiful track that lends itself to a nice informati and more on workout,” said Adams. “There are plenty of nice rolling w ww.tvtap at: hills to keep you going, and the scenery throughout the .org course is beautiful.” This track is a partnership with Teton Springs Resorts and is groomed for both skate and classic Nordic skiers.
Targhee
k Cree Mill
---- 13 Km
Skate
ng di
Driggs Track: The track starts on Ross Avenue just east of the high school. A kiosk provides a map of the whole track, usage rules and other information. The track features two loops.
gs
Ed
Ed
Teton Canyon: The Teton Canyon trail is on U.S. Forest Service land. This trail is the first to be groomed in the fall and the last to be groomed in the spring. Teton Canyon is TVTAP’s most scenic trail, taking a gentle path up the valley directly toward the Grand Teton. This is a heavily used trail on the weekends, and it gets a lot of traffic. Dogs are allowed.
Brewery
Grille Loop
1
web-site Please visit our nd more for ski reports a information at: www.tvtap.org
Nordic trails
k
A ilhead
Trailhead
Teton Sp nyon rinags TeNton C Pi o Do
e To Grand Targhe riggs and D a t l To A
EASY HAR
Groomin gS
Alta: W e Pioneer d, Fri, Sun Park: T T ue, T e to Sprin Map courtesy Teton ValleynTrails and gs: Mo hur, Sat Tetoisn to Pathways. TVTAP’s mission Capromote nyon: aT n, Wed, Sat trails and pathways connected community. ue, Wed, Thur, Fri This 501(c)3 non profit organization is sup, ported by volunteers and donations. Map Insets courtesy TVTAP and Grand Targhee Resort
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 31
c
We’re Family (208) 354-2302
Open 7 days a week. Mon. – Fri. 9am – 6pm Sat. & Sun. 9am – 1pm 283 North First East in Driggs
Don’t miss out on special health promotions and events! Catch us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
32 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Learn more about our providers, specialties, and services. Get updated health information www.tvhcare.org
(208) 354-6307
Open weekdays. Mon. – Fri. 9am – 5pm Pediatric Clinic on Fridays 252 South Main in Victor
We’re Family
Introducing Cardiology Services Visit with cardiologists from the Idaho Heart Institute and Eastern Idaho Cardiology Association, now accepting appointments at Driggs Health Clinic
Specialty Telemedicine Care in affiliation with University of Utah Health Care Telestroke and teleburn care available through Teton Valley Hospital and Driggs Health Clinic
General Surgery Dr. George Linhardt offers the very best in treatment and surgical services for abdominal, breast repair and other general surgery needs.
Low infection rates less than 1% over the past two years
High patient satisfaction scores over 96% in patient satisfaction
Experience healing in Teton Valley We’re Family
208-354-2383
208-354-6307
We’re Family
208-354-2302
Contact info@tvhcare.org for more information or call 208 354 6301 Get OUT! in Teton Valley 33
Big Hole
trails for snowmachiners Snowmobile tips • With the exception of Teton Canyon Road, which runs about four miles from the parking area and is shared by cross-country skiers, snowmobilers will find groomed trails on the west side of the valley in the Big Hole Mountains. • “Stay out of the east range,” advises Stuart Wride, visitor information specialist for the Teton Basin Ranger District. “You can end up in the wilderness before you know it.” • Besides taking the usual precautions of dressing in layers, being prepared for any kind of weather including storms and extreme cold, Wride warns snowmobilers that “they have to know where they’re at.” • It doesn’t help to carry a GPS system unless you know it well. Read the users’ manual thoroughly and become familiar with its operation. A wrong turn in the wrong place could spell tragedy. • As with any battery-operated device such as cameras, keep adequate spare batteries for the device and keep them warm, near your body. • Snowmobiles are prohibited in wilderness areas. • For more information visit parksandrecreation.idaho.gov Compiled by Ken Levy/Special to Get Out!
34 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
My Teton Valley
Dwayne M. Hansen MD, FACS General SurGeon Board Certified
Mary Neil Local Roots: Originally from the mountain town of Boone, North Carolina, she moved from Hot Springs, NC, where she worked as a whitewater raft guide, to Teton Valley to ski for a season in 2001. How you know her: A talented singer/songwriter. You might have heard her playing at Pendl’s Bakery on Sunday mornings in the summer, the Friday morning farmer’s market and the Friday night Art Walks. She also created and hosts The White Lightning Invitational open-mic at Grand Targhee’s Trap Bar. Favorite spot: Somewhere way out north at Targhee on a powder day. Must see: Teton Canyon on cross country skis or snowshoes on a clear day after skiing powder at Targheee in the morning. Only here: “Favorite thing about the valley, besides the scenery, is the sense of community and the desire of the citizens to embrace the rich history and culture, while incorporating a diverse array of art and music. I think that people who come here are amazed that we really have it all. In the summer, a person can float the Teton River, hike in the Tetons and go to a world class music festival in one weekend. In the winter, we have better powder than anywhere. You get all this with no crowds or traffic.” this winter: Mary Neil will play every Tuesday in January, February and March at the Trap Bar at Grand Targhee from 3-4 p.m., then hosts open mic from 4-6 p.m. All musicians are welcome, but are encouraged to contact her at mnschrum@gmail.com in advance. Mary hasn’t recorded an album since 2010, but will be starting to record some new material at Figure Media Studio, in Hickory, North Carolina, in early December. More information can be found on her website, www.maryneil.net
Medical School –Tulane University, New Orleans, LA Surgical Residency–University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN
Practice Specializing in . . . • Colonoscopies • Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Surgery • Pillcam Endoscopy • Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal • Reflux Surgery
• Breast Cancer Lumpectomy Masectomy • Skin Cancer Removal • Laparoscopic Hernia Repair • In-office Laser Varicose Vein Procedure
Get Rid of Varicose Veins the No-Surgery, No-Scar Way • Eliminate bulging veins at the source • Uses safe & comfortable EVLT® laser energy • 45 Minute in office procedure • Shows immediate improvement • No general anesthesia or hospitalization
Call today for more information or for your initial consultation
• 381 E. 4th N. Suite 100, Rexburg •
208-656-8442
www.rexburgsurgery.com Get OUT! in Teton Valley 35
Hot springs hot spots Kate Hull/Special to Get Out!
Winter is here, and whether or not you are willing to admit to what degree, I would bet a pretty penny on the fact that you sort of miss those warmer summer months where you didn’t need five layers of clothing to go check the mail, or let the dog out.
Stock image
36 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Granite Hot Springs in summer and winter.
O
r, maybe I am completely off base and you ski every single moment of every day. But no matter the case, sometimes it’s good to ditch the thermals, take off the goose feather puffy, and slip into a suit (or maybe even birthday suit) and enjoy some warm waters. Here in the Teton Valley, we can take advantage of ample opportunities to spend the day soaking in many of our nearby hot springs. Both Idaho and Wyoming are home to an array of all-season, well-kept hot springs boasting unmatched views and hardto-beat entertainment. In volcanic areas such as the Teton
Get Out! Photos/Rachael Horne
Valley, hot springs, or thermal springs, are formed from “discharged groundwater that is heated below the surface from shallow intrusions of magma,� according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. In non-volcanic regions, the hot springs are caused from convective circulation. Both cause the water to maintain a temperature that is drastically hotter than air temperature, and definitions of what constitutes a hot spring varies. But in the valley, they are abundant and fun for the entire
Hot Springs
continued on page 38
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 37
Hot Springs continued from page 37
the
healthier choice
Granite Hot Springs.
LOCATED INSIDE PHILLIPS 66 STATION IN VICTOR 40 N Main, Victor, ID 208-787-9111
“A Healthy Smile, A Healthy Life.” You can trust us as your family dentist, we’ll save you time & money.
DOCTORS TOENJES, BRIZZEE & ORME P.A. COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
John Toenjes, D.D.S. Se habla español
Gabe Brizzee, D.D.S.
305 East 5th North, St. Anthony • 624-3757
Drostan Orme D.D.S.
204 Main Street, Ashton • 652-7868
Like us on
Smile enhancement consultations and second opinions at no charge 38 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
family. Make sure and take a day or two this winter to get away—by car, ski, or dog sled— and enjoy the steaming, toasty, and oh-so-relaxing Hot Springs of the region. Granite Hot Springs Southeast of Jackson Hole, 12 miles past Hoback Junction, visitors from all over come to enjoy one of the most popular hot springs in the region, and a top attraction for Jackson Hole, Granite Hot Springs. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s, Granite Hot Springs sits in the Granite Creek area surrounded by beautiful mountains, breathtaking waterfalls and many opportunities to camp and recreate. In the summer months, the hot springs is an easy drive 10 miles down Granite Creek Road, but come winter, a car won’t even get you there. Hundreds of inches of snow turn the road into a winter wonderland only accessible by snowmobile, dog sled, cross country skiing or snowshoeing. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, December 10 to the first Sunday in April, the hot springs are the perfect way to escape the bustling winter months and enjoy the natural wonders of the area. If a snowy hike suits your fancy, the nearby Granite
Get Out! Photo/Rachael Horne
Falls is a breathtaking find. (It is also the famous waterfall from notable fly-fishing film “A River Runs Through It.”) The frosty weather may be bitterly cold outside, but in the spring’s water, prepare for a warm 112 degrees. The pool is $6 for adults, with prices varying for senior citizens and children. To get there, follow Route 191 south, veer left at the roundabout in Hoback Junction toward Pinedale until you reach Granite Hot Springs Road. Heise Hot Springs East of Victor toward Idaho Falls, Heise Hot Springs is a nearby, Idaho hot spot for curing those ailing muscles after a long day skiing. Opened Monday through Friday, 2 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., Heise Hot Springs is a scenic, short drive. The pool has been opened since 1898, and operates as a “family-oriented resort overlooking the Snake River.” The area includes the natural hot pool, a warm pool, a 350-foot water slide and diving boards. Historically, Native Americans used the hot springs as a spot to cure aching pains after days of hunting the nearby river country. German-immigrant Richard Camor Heise decided to
continued from page 39
Photo courtesy Green Canyon
The outdoor pool at Green Canyon Hot Springs.
What Kind of Yogi Are You?
hatha
hot
prenatal
gentle bellydancing
This Idaho Yoga Co-op is set up with the community in mind, so that with any class package or unlimited month pass you can attend any of our classes on the schedule.
gentle
fow 1/2
idahotetonyogacoop.com
bellydancing
For more information on regional hot spr ings, v isit www.visitidaho.org/hot-springs/.
Full Schedule Online!
heated
If you are planning on visiting this winter, make sure and plan accordingly because the springs is only open Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, from noon until 9 p.m. Single entry rates are $5.75, or $7 for a day pass, or season passes can be purchased.

restorative
beginners
Green Canyon Hot Springs Off of Highway 33 near Newdale, Idaho, just 30 minutes away from Driggs, Green Canyon Hot Springs has entertained visitors for over 100 years. With a rich history rooted in the Upper Snake River Valley, the Neibaur family has run Green Canyon Hot Springs since 1953. Originally named Pincock Hot Springs, after its original owners, the current hot springs was rebuilt at the bottom
John H. Pincock bought the land surrounding Green Canyon Hot Springs initially to mine, process and sell lime to the nearby sugar factory for production. Shortly after, they discovered the “bathing pool� nearby, and purchased the water rights, as well, and Green Canyon Hot Springs had begun.
vinyasa
kids/family
Be sure and make time this winter to spend the day soaking up the heat, open Monday through Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Adults are $9, children are $5, and senior citizens are $7.
of the canyon, east of its original location. The hot spring features three pools, including a cool pool at 55 degrees and the hot pool at a sizzling 105 degrees.
yoga for men
homestead the land at the turn of the century after realizing its warm waters were in fact a needed remedy for his severe rheumatism. He modeled the area after spas he once visited in Europe, turning it into a tourist destination year round.
fow 1/2
Hot Springs
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 39
True to herself
Photo courtesy Lynsey Dyer
Lynsey Dyer lives for lines like these.
Bridget Ryder Get Out! staff
W
hen Lynsey Dyer shredded the classic Jackson Hole ski run, Fat Bastard, Teton Gravity Research credited it the first female descent of the mountain face of powder, cliffs and straight down verticals. “I’m pretty sure that’s the case,” Dyer said of that 2009 run recorded in TGR’s “Behind the Line” series. “I think the only reason it hadn’t been done before was that no one thought a girl could do that—myself included. I really had to do a lot of personal internal work, discrediting my belief around what girls were capable of.”
the cover of Powder Magazine and the next year the publication named Dyer its Female Skier of the Year. But Dyer may have been over titles by then. She had already won a Downhill Junior Olympic title at the ripe old age of 16 and then in 2005 took the Free Ski World Tour overall title. But now, Dyer is putting the spotlight on other women to show both females and the rest of humanity how to ski like a girl. Dyers own journey to the frontiers of femininity started in the Tetons.
Dyer counts among her accomplishments, not just skiing, but learning how to ski like a girl.
Dyer switched to big mountain free skiing after a youth in Sun Valley, Idaho, and college years at Montana State University, racing on resort hard pack. Nevertheless, she always had a connection to the powder paradise in Jackson, Wyo.
Dyer’s descent down Smart Bastard landed on
“Every time we came to Jackson, we had
40 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
the best powder of the season,” Dyer said. She also had a cousin in the Tetons—AJ Cargil, a pioneer female free skier with her own set of free skiing championship wins. “She would kidnap me from ski racing and take me powder skiing and make me jump off things,” Dyer said. Ski racing trips to Jackson usually started with Dyer getting dropped off on the side of the road from where Cargil would then sequester her into the mountains. A couple of days later, the racer and her cousin would be chasing down the team’s van on its way out of town. When Dyer graduated from college she headed back to the Tetons chasing another dream. “I moved to Jackson to toughen up,” she said. But colder temperatures and higher moun-
Get Out! Photo/Courtesy of Lynsey Dyer
tains weren’t the only thing she had to face.
I think the only reason it hadn’t been done before was that no one thought a girl could do that—myself included. I really had to do a lot of personal internal work, discrediting my belief around what girls were capable of.
“I had one weakness,” Dyer said in a TEDx Jackson talk she gave in Jan., 2013. “And the one weakness was that, a long time earlier, I had adopted the idea I would do anything but be called a girl. Because I had adopted the stereotype that girls were weak and emotional and I wanted to be anything but that.”
E
ven after a wining a World Free Skiing tour title, Dyer started pushing passed her intuition to ski lines that only filled her fear instead of the excitement and fun that had first lead her to the mountains. Ignoring her feelings lead to injury and hurt. During her talk, she shared pictures of bleeding lips, cut eyes, and days spent in hospital beds. “Eventually I had to learn that I had to listen to myself and listen back to that own intuition,” she said on stage. “I had forgotten this was my love and this was the thing that I wanted to inspire the world with and this was my passion and it was the grace and the flow and the beauty of it. And all of sudden I realized this was skiing like a girl. Accepting my intuition and feeling all of my fear and all of those things was my ultimate power.” Maybe men do have more muscle mass, but Dyer and her emotions keep up with the boys both up and down mountains like Fat Bastard. However,
Lynsey Dyer on being the first female to ski down Fat Bastard at JH Ski Resort Get Out! Photo/Lynsey Dyer
Lynsey Dyer doing what she loves.
Dyer’s skied passed having to prove that she can ski like a guy. She still remembers the feeling of camaraderie the first Warren Miller movie in Sun Valley inspired in her 6-year-old self. She later became Miller’s first leading ski lady, but now
Dyer
continued on page 46
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 41
Downhill
Dog Train your pup to be the perfect winter companion Kate Hull Special to Get Out!
I
n the valley, we pursue our hobbies with deep-seated ferventness. From hiking and fishing in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and pet ownership is no different. Go to a gathering of any kind from Tetonia to Victor, and I’d venture to guess there will be at least one dog for every person. If not more. Now, I just joined this club of pet ownership along with my significant other, Kenny Heidenreich, and we are knee-deep in training the dog, and sometimes ourselves, with hopes that our furry friend will soon be the perfect hiking, skiing and fishing dog. She’s on her way! Her name is June, and she is a twelve-month-old cattle dog mix (of some sort) and a fur ball full of energy, enthusiasm and sometimes attitude. But get that pup on a hike in the mountains or running on a trail in Teton Canyon, and she is in her element, raring to go. As we get deeper into winter, Kenny has his sights on days spent skiing the backcountry with a well-trained companion by his side, and I am focused on improving
Dog
42 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
continued on page 44
Not just a hippie market
Organic produce • Artisan bread • Gifts and cards • Health and beauty • Beer and wine • Specialty cheeses • Gluten free • Nuts and nut butters • Open Sundays • Organic raw milk
Eat WE ll Pl ay Ha rd
All natural cleaning and paper products • Coffee and teas • Frozen foods • Vitamins and supplements • Bulk foods • Grass-fed beef • Locallygrown foods • Soups • Juices • Snacks • Local eggs
Get Out! Photo/
36 S. Main, DriggS Open Daily 9aM-7pM 208-354-2307
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 43
Dog continued from page 42 my own winter capabilities, so I can join. Admittedly rookies, we reached out to locals far more advanced in the dog-training know-how and asked what we should and shouldn’t do to make sure June is the best powder pup there is, eventually. Deb Hurlburt, a Teton Valley dog lover, has made it her passion and career to help train and care for these animals she loves so dearly. Hurlburt is currently in school to be a veterinary technician, and also trains pets to become avalanche dogs or work with Search & Rescue. Hulburt has a house-full of pets, and although she loves all breeds, she is especially partial to German Shepherds. With Rosie, an 18-year-old mixed breed mutt who runs the household; Volkl, a 7-year-old German Shepherd; Kai, a 5-year-old German Shepherd; and a new 8-month-old German Shepherd puppy, she has her hands full and loves every minute. Fall Grooming Before full-blown winter comes knocking at our doors, get your pet ready for the cold with plenty of grooming to help shed that second coat, and extra Omega vitamins for an extra snow-proof oily exterior. Hulburt recommends boosting the healthy vitamins intake for an extra oily coat, which will “help to shed the snow off their paws, as well as their exterior, if you are in the backcountry” or even romping around the yard. Proper grooming and coat maintenance can insure your dog is ready for the falling snow, and prepared to sustain the harsh weather.
Paul Smith skis with his dog, Ralston.
entire body, but dog’s heat radiates through their feet and mouth. When they get hot, their feet get hot and their bellies get hot,” she said. “In the winter, if they are getting cold, the things that are getting cold are their paws, ears and mouths.” Although, some breeds like Pitbulls and German Shorthaired Pointers have thinner fur that is more susceptible to the cold. Be sure and know your breed, and buy vests acWe cordingly.
perspire through our The Makings of entire a Ski Dog body, but I have been perusing through local pet Dogs love snow as much a dog’s stores with big plans to buy a neoprene as people do, at least out heat radiates vest to make sure June stays warm. here. And sometimes through their feet I am frequently cold, so it just their enthusiasm can and mouth. When made sense. But Hurlburt recget the best of them. they get hot, their feet ommended opting out of the For the young pups, like get hot and their bellies coat just yet, and doing a June, finding snow on get hot. In the winter, little more research on the ground is an overif they are getting cold, June’s coat type. whelmingly exciting the things that are getting chance to chomp, chase “Dog’s bodies do cold are their paws, ears, and and lap up fresh powder, not behave the mouths. no matter when or where.
same way as human’s bodies do. We perspire through our
44 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Deb Hurlburt
Hurlburt has been an avid part of Ski Patrol and Search & Rescue for years, helping
Get Out! Photo/Rachael Horne
ensure the safety of its patrons. When she and her husband adopted Volkl (like the skies) as a puppy, she said, it brought together their two passions. “He brought the two together for us and since then, that is where my passion has been, training dogs for Search and Rescue,” Hurlburt said. Throughout her work, she has learned the importance of teaching dogs how to behave and interact in the snow that is the safest for owner and pet. One main suggestion for owners of younger pets is to avoid the snowball-temptation. It may be enticing to watch your pup chase after a snowball, but this simple act can teach bad habits that aren’t conducive for a future ski-dog. “If you want to be a backcountry skier and be in areas where you are exposed, if there is a hanging cornice and you kick off a little part, you don’t want your dog to go bounding after that ball,” she said. A simple bad habit could be cause for a life-threatening situation that can be easily avoided. Your Dog, Your Skis and You Hurlburt calls it “a special relationship between you and your skis,” but teaching your
Coverage You Can Count On
Get Out! Photo/Rachael Horne
dog to honor the concept of staying close to you in the backcountry, yet far enough away to stay out of danger of getting tangled up, is key. Before hitting the slops, practice the art of positive-reinforcement commands that encourage your pup to heel and await your direction before leaving your side. “Whether it is staying at a distance next to or behind you, use a command like ‘back’ so your dog knows to stay nearby and not run in front of your skis.” Hurlburt said to avoid commands like “front” as to not encourage the dog to run in front of the action, leaving room for a fall that could injure Whether both parties. it is
be sure and make them drink some water to stay hydrated. Teton Valley snow, as we all know and love, is dry and low-water based. Be sure and pack for your four-legged friend and ensure they get enough water for the long day’s adventure. “Our snow is so dry, someone who comes from another climate may not even realize,” she said. “It takes more energy for dogs to convert snow to water that their body can use, and it is depleting them of energy if you are relying on them to eat snow, especially if they are not used to our climate.” Be sure and hydrate your dog as often as you stop to take a break, too.
Training that perfect mountain dog takes patience, time and the willing“A good place to start is good, staying at ness to learn right along with your positive obedience,” she said. “I a distance pet. June may not be ready for the really believe in positive, relanext to or slopes just yet, but with the help tionship-based training.” behind you, of Teton Valley experts like Deb use a command Hurlburt willing to share Pack for the Pup like ‘back’ so your their passion and enthudog knows to stay Sure, June eats a lot of snow. siasm, June will be a nearby and not run But is she hydrated? Hurlburt powder pup before in front of your skis. said think again. Even if your pup we know it. consumed enough snow on that Deb Hurlburt run to seemingly last all day,
“At 3 am, when my clients and I start up the Grand Teton, it is too dark to see the weather moving in. But with my Silver Star Android I can check all the satellite images. When I take clients into the mountains, I like knowing that my wireless provider can cover the rugged terrain as well as I can.”
Lynne Wolfe
Exum Mountain Guide Driggs, ID resident
Mention this ad and get
$100 OFF a new phone or wireless service.*
125 S Main, Driggs 354.3300 • silverstar.com *$100 offer for new customers. One per account.
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 45
Dyer continued from page 41 wants to take her ski films back to that original magic moment.
Independent Subaru Sales and Service
51 W Rocky Road Driggs, ID. 83422 suesroos@gmail.com
208-787-2558
“In over 10 years of being in ski films there were moments of that camaraderie, but it felt like it went more toward outdoing yourself each year,” she said. “I don’t want to rip on any ski films, I love them all, but I felt like they lost some of that community that makes you want to go skiing.”
S
he has pictures in her mind of “novelties” of the childish wonder of playing in the snow. But “Pretty Faces” will also document the untold story of female skiers.
Which is why she choose the ironic title “Pretty Faces” for the film. She originally wanted to leave the tile at “Faces” with its double reference to people and mountains. But when a friend suggested adding pretty, Dyer liked both the ring of the two words and their own double meaning. She’s pushed some buttons, she said, by giving such a name to a film that’s trying to show the value of women beyond their appearance. She’ll take up that theme up directly in the movie. It’s part of her mission to teach young girls the lesson she learned herself through experi-
If you can’t see it, you can’t create it. Lynsey Dyer
office supplies, computer ink, shipping, graphic design, paper, invitations, poster printing, labels, architectural LOCAL prints, presentations, SOLUTIONS coil binding, flags, marketing materials, banners, business cards, letterhead, signs, boxes, shipping, printing, gift certificates, drafting supplies, folders, labels, computer accessories, flyers, pens, photos, frames, shipping, art prints, greeting cards, gifts, art supplies, mailing tubes, - FRI 8 - 6 PM flers, tickets,MON posters 208-354-7337
Peak Printing 76 South First Street, Driggs info@peakprinting.net
SHIPPING FedEx UPS 46 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
“I think we’ve seen what it look likes to commit your life to the mountain on the guys’ side,” she said. “We’ve seen Sage [Cattabriga-Alosa] washing dishes. But we’ve never seen what it takes on the girls’ side. All of us have had three jobs waitressing and done what it takes.” To accomplish this off-piste goal, Dyer is gathering footage of women skiers around the world for her first movie. “Almost every girl in the industry has shown interest,” she said. “It’s happening very organically. It’s not like I have this massive budget. I’m really trying to make this collaborative. As much as people think there’s a lot of resources out there, there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors, especially for girls.” While sponsorships for females are increasing, in Dyer’s experience women still have a long way to go before they are taken seriously as athletes.
ence—that she can be herself, a female, extreme athlete committed to the mountains. “If I hadn’t seen the poster of my cousin jumping off a cliff,” Dyer doubts she would ever have believed she too, could huck cliffs and send steeps in the mountains. While parents tell their daughters they can be anything, women are usually portrayed either as sexy pop stars or sexy actresses, but rarely as strong athletes. “If you can’t see it, you can’t create it,” Dyer said. Dyer is now recreating the image of the female athlete for others. But girls don’t have to wait to watch the movie. Dyer is hosting a resort contest and girls can submit four-minute edited video of their best skiing. She said both Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort are on board. See grandtarghee. com or call 307-353-2300 for more information.
Harley Wilcox Owner/Broker Wyoming & Idaho 208-709-4555 Cell
Jackson, WY Office 120 East Broadway (307) 733-7774
Heather Wilcox
Victor, ID Office 216 South Main Street (208) 787-4554
Owner/Sales Associate Wyoming & Idaho 208-709-4508 Cell Kristy Jacobs Sales Associate Idaho (208) 317-0434
TETON TEEPEE LODGE – ALTA LANDMARK
Constructed in the early 1970s and remodeled in 1995, the Teepee features 18 lodging rooms with private baths, a huge central fireplace and seating area greets guests as they enter, relaxing and cozy, the Teepee has been a legacy with guests returning year after year. The Teton Teepee Lodge is minutes from the ski slopes of Grand Targhee. Please visit www.tetonteepeelodge for additional information and photos. $1,2000.00 MLS 13-1224 Harley Wilcox 208-709-4555 harleyw@silverstar.com
Brent Hoopes Sales Associate Idaho (208) 317-7280
MAGNIFICENT AND SERENE
Beautifully appointed luxury home situated on 20 acres with panoramic views. Enjoy an open floor plan, upgraded finishes, and the occasional deer meandering through your back yard. Serene and quiet do not begin to explain the setting of this home. Convenient location, approx. 30 minute commute to Jackson. This home provides ample space to work from home, or have the whole family over for entertaining $950,000.00 MLS 13-2557 Harley Wilcox 208-709-4555 harleyw@silverstar.com
Colton Jones Sales Associate Idaho (208) 940-2022
ON TETON CREEK WITH GUEST HOUSE
This beautiful home offers privacy in a serene setting surrounded by trees and a seasonal creek. East of Driggs, just off of Ski Hill RD, this home is only minutes from Targhee Ski Resort, yet close to Driggs and all it has to offer. Enjoy cathedral ceilings a magnificent fireplace along with other beautiful finishes. Moose, deer and elk are frequently sighted on the property. A charming guest house completes this unique property. $475,000.00 MLS 13-960 Harley Wilcox 208-709-4555 harleyw@silverstar.com
Michael May Sales Associate Idaho (307) 231-1948
Abby Todd Sales Associate Idaho (208) 604-2229
Melanie Thomas Sales Associate Idaho (208) 709-1142
PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY
Located in a high end gated community, this home is beautifully landscaped with mature trees tucked away at the end of a cul de sac. 2013 renovation includes new kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, paint and flooring. Located east of the city of Driggs off Ski Hill Road, you have easy access to town as well as mountain access to the CaribouTarghee National Forest and Grand Targhee Resort. $400,000.00 MLS 13-1254 Harley Wilcox 208-709-4555 harleyw@silverstar.com
Property Search
Search Wyoming & Idaho Property
www.TetonPropertySearch.com
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 47
Greg Geffner works on Snow Angel—Snow Devil.
Photo courtesy Mary Mullaney
Great Snow Fest 48 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Photo courtesy Michael Commins
“Yeti” by team Frosty Flakes.
Photo courtesy Michael Commins
Children exit an igloo.
Courtesy Photo
Photo courtesy Beth Ward
Last year’s winning sculpture by team Laramie.
The festival grows bigger and better each year Ken Levy Special to Get Out!
T
he Teton Valley Great Snow Fest returns to Driggs, Victor and Tetonia this winter, and promises to be bigger and better than ever.
“Many of the old favorites will be back again this year for the Third Annual Teton Valley Great Snow Fest, running over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend,” said Dawn Banks, the new director of the Snow Fest. The event, Jan. 16-20, will bring back skijoring and snow cross competitions Saturday and Sunday in Victor, although the exact place and time were not available at press time since the property used last year may be for sale. Snow cross competitions are planned for the morning hours, while skijoring will run in the afternoons. You can bet on your favorite skijoring team Saturday evening
for Sunday’s competition during the Calcutta party. Details, location and time are still to be determined. Banks said the goal is to make both skijoring and snowcross events bigger and better than ever with more participants and more action for the spectators to enjoy. Event organizers still seek local and regional competitors. Visit www.greatsnowfest.com to register. Banks said a snow bike race and demos will be hosted in conjunction with local bike shops, including Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, Peaked Sports and Habitat. The focal point and premier event of the festival is the SnowScapes sculpting competition. Teams of snow sculptors work from eight-foot by eight-foot by eight-foot square blocks of snow and transform them into intricate, often hu-
Snowscapes
continued on page 50
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 49
Treating You Right Now
A Clinic of St. John’s Medical Center - Primary care for adults and children -Treating injuries and illness - Lab and x-ray services - School and influenza immunizations Providers: Scott Thomas, MD Cecelia A. Tramburg, FNP Visiting Specialists: Angus “Gus” Goetz, DO - Orthopaedics William Ramsey, MD - Ophthalmology
Mon - Fri: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm Sat: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Appointments and Walk-ins Welcome
208 354 4757 Turn at Broken Spur Store, north of Driggs stoplight
852 Valley Center Drive 4peaks.tetonhospital.org Driggs, ID 50 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Snowscapes continued from page 49
morous and inspirational sculptures in a competition for cash prizes and recognition.
Since its first year, SnowScapes has become an increasingly attended and widely known event, internationally and nationally.
“SnowScapes events begin with ‘The ___________________ S t o m p i n g ,” said Kr istin Kristin Ladd, event coordinator L add, event for SnowScapes 2014 coordinator for SnowScapes 2014. Dates for the stomping depend on snow pack, but the forms are filled with snow and stomped into tightly-packed blocks. “Volunteers are needed to come locals benefit from the diversity to ‘The Stomping’ in preparation of people and innovative ideas for our snow sculptures packing that come to town during this the snow in to make it ready to time and enjoy the beauty that is cut, saw and sculpt,” Ladd said. these beautiful, interactive,and creative pieces,” said Ladd. “The event is chilly fun for the whole family and will likely be Viewing and live music continue followed by a party at Alpine on Sunday, Jan. 19. For details Wines or another restaurant in visit www.driggssnowscapes.org. town with discounts for stomp- The SnowBall, sponsored by ers on food and drinks,” said the Teton Arts Council , kicks Ladd. off after the awards ceremony. Teams begin the snow sculpt- Tickets are available through ing Tuesday, Jan. 14, and con- the Teton Arts Council at www. tinue through Friday, Jan. 17, tetonartscouncil.com. at the Driggs City Center. Final “The SnowBall is just what the viewing, People’s Choice award, name implies, an evening of muofficial judging and the award sic, dancing and coming together ceremony are set for Jan. 18. to cut loose and have a little fun “School groups and other visi- with your family, friends and tors are encouraged to come to neighbors,” Banks said. see the evolution of sculptures Teton Valley Trails and Pathways throughout the week,” said and Teton Gravity Research are Ladd. “Judging happens early in hosting a night of backcountry the day followed by public view- film viewing. ings, kid and family activities, “This night may be spent indoors kick-sledding, small-gift sales, but it is anything but calm. hot cocoa and music.” Featuring the high-energy and Viewing runs all day through heart-stopping films of TGR, it the evening when the winners is sure to be a night of exciteare announced. ment, fun and camaraderie for “Since its first year, SnowScapes all backcountry enthusiasts,” has become an increasingly at- Banks said. tended and widely known event, Tim Adams, executive director internationally and nationally. at TVTAP, said the film fest runs Driggs’ businesses, visitors and Jan. 16 at the Wildwood Room
Photo courtesy Reed Sullivan
The community gets involved to help stomp snow into blocks that will become sculptures.
in Victor. Doors open at 6 p.m., with films beginning at 7 p.m. Contact Adams at tim@ tvtap.org. Other event scheduling, location and times were still being discussed as this went to press. They include: • Grand Targhee Resort will host the Third
Annual Fat Bike Race Jan. 18. • Teton Regional Land Trust is running a wildlife ski tour. • Tetonia will host a snow-plane demonstration and a sled run Check out www.greatsnowfest.com for the
latest details on event registration, schedules and other details. Contact Banks at director@greatsnowfest.com for additional information. Banks encourages attendees “to experience all that Teton Valley has to offer in our three cities.”
Driggs SnowScapes 2014 The Art of Sculpting Snow P a r t o f t h e Te t o n V a l l e y G r e a t S n o w F e s t January 13-17, 2014 Sculpting Days January 18, 2014 9am-6pm Viewing Official Judging People’s Choice Judging Day Awards Ceremony
Follow us on Instagram #driggssnowscapes and Facebook DriggsSnowscapes! Sponsors and volunteers needed! See www. driggssnowscapes. org for all the information.
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 51
Running cold Tips for plowing through the winter season Rachael Horne Get Out! staff
R
unning in the colder months can be just as fun and enjoyable in the winter as in the summer, says Jay Batchen, a seasoned runner and owner of Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventures in Driggs. “You don’t have to load your skis or a snow bike,” he said. “You don’t have to include extra stuff.” Preparation and a few extra layers, however, is key. Batchen offered up a few tips for making the most out of a winter run:
Clothing
Layers are super important, but dressing too warm isn’t good. A lot of times people go out with a nice warm layer that is comfortable when you first step outside, but once you start running or moving, it’s too hot.
“It’s different for everyone, though,” said Batchen. He explained his wife, Lisa, wears multiple layers, while he prefers two. Batchen starts with wool as a base next to the skin, then wears a longs sleeve zip top that is capilene or poly pro, then a wind resistant layer. He always wears a fleece hat, but on especially windy days, he likes having a windbreaker with a hood as well.
Footwear
A mid layer wool sock is a good option. “Overall for any layer, I don’t like cotton.” Cotton soaks up the sweat and can then make you extremely cold, he said.
A waterproof and windproof shoe is recommended. Batchen said some people like a Gore-Tex shoe, but there is a concern, if you have really sweaty feet, Gore-Tex could actually make your feet colder once they are wet. Yaktrax, a removable ice traction device that goes Get Out! Illustration/Amy Birch
52 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
on your shoes, is a good, cheap investment. Another alternative, Batchen said is taking a few sheet metal screws and putting them in your rubber sole. The screws work well on the snow and ice, but Batchen said he prefers the Yaktrax because you can pull them right off when you get to pavement or back to your car.
Hydr ation
On really cold days in the Tetons, the lids on a water bottle can freeze. If wearing a belt that carries a water bottle, put it under your coat. The body heat will help keep it from freezing. If using a bladder system, insulated foam tubes can go around the hose.
Warm up
One trick Batchen likes on especially cold days, is to throw a layer in the dryer and put it just before stepping outside. He also recommends warming up a good five or 10 minutes before starting a run. That can mean walking outside or doing something inside. “I definitely take more time warming up in the winter than I do in the summer,” he said.
Visibility
An additional hazard from running on snow and ice is contending with the shorter days of daylight. Batchen recommends a headlamp. Often the running surface can change from snow packed roads to ice to pavement. Being able to see is key. He also recommends reflective bracelets around the ankles and wrists. “I find it’s much easier to see that when driving as opposed to a vest that is stationary on a person,” he explained. “With arms and legs swinging, its much easier to see movement.”
Clothing
Layering is the key to staying warm. Too many clothes and you’ll sweat, too few and you’ll freeze.
Footwear
Keeping your feet dry and warm is important but so is proper traction.
Hydr ation
Staying hydrated is essential, especially in a cold, dry climate.
Visibility
You need to be visible to drivers as well as be able to see where you’re going.
Warm up
You can warm up your running clothes in the dryer as well as warm up your muscles with a walk.
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 53
The
Vocab of the bros
How to talk on skis
Huck
Bridget Ryder Get Out! staff
v., A term generally used in extreme sports referring to a large jump, often without knowledge or regard for the risk or consequences. Remember when Jamie Pierre hucked off that 245 ft. cliff at Grand Targhee?
Hit it, send it, drop it? Why not just huck it?
Grom n., (Describes someone that is
Those who have stared down the cliffs of Peaked Mountain at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyo., have contemplated that very question. In the context of skis, snowboards, and snow, the definitions of hit, send, drop, or huck might not have an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary, but they have a precise meanings among skiers and snowboarders. Call it ski-lingo or ski slang, huck, send and drop accompany a long list of
young and is a skilled skateboarder/surfer [or freeskier] Check out all the groms in the terrain park.
colloquialism heard among hard-core snow sportsmen. “It’s a high sensory experience and so people are trying to describe it both visually and how it feels,” Derek Hutton, the snow coordinator at the Ski School at Grand Targhee Resort said of the vocabulary commonly heard on chair lifts and on runs. The experience starts, of course, with snow—each condition of the frozen condensation creating a different sensation and deserving a word to describe it.
Pow “The classic term to talk about soft snow is pow,” Hutton said. Which is short for powder or the light, dry snow typical of the Tetons. “People say ‘How was the powder?’” Hutton explained. “There are different adjectives that describe the quality of the snow. Sometimes you’ll hear people say it was really blower.” Get Out! Photo courtesy Shannon Walsh
After hiking for some early season turns, Matt Richter makes a sunny powder turn at Grand Targhee Resort.
54 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Blower In plain English, that means the person just skied on ultra light snow that has recently fallen in perfectly formed
Face shot n. Skier lingo for
when your shredding the pow pow and the snow hits you right in your face. (this is generally considered a good thing). “Dude, I just got so many face shots on that last run.”
Albatross fall n. The action of crashing and burning when skiing, especially after having been airborn. “I just took a super gnarly albatross fall.”
snowflakes and stacked up on the existing snow pack with a bit of air in between each one. Blower powder also does exactly what it says. Its airy quality can thus result in a skier or snow boarder getting a “face shot,” which describes the sensation of the snow billowing up when the skier turns and then flying into his or her eyes, mouth and nose. And just for clarification, snowboarder is not a term currently in fashion. According to Hutton, athletes who use snowboards are now usually referred to as “riders.” But should either a rider or skier find some “blower pow” on the mountain, he’s encountered the ideal snow conditions. On the other end of the blower powder is “manky,” snow. Sun and warmth can melt the powder by day and dropping temperatures refreeze it at night, ruining its quality. Manky originated in the lower classes of Scotland, according to urbandictionary.
com. The word was originally associated with filthiness but also connotes a situation “in a poor state of affairs.” Manky anything does not make for a good day on the slopes. However, the state of affairs that ski vocabulary describes includes not only snow but also the meteorological conditions which produce it. “The ski junkies and ride junkies, we watch the weather every day,” Hutton said. Excitement ensues when the weather radar shows a swirl that originated on the Pacific Coast and is hurling itself eastward. According to Hutton, the clouds carrying the ocean’s moisture usually fly free and high until the mountains that make up Teton Canyon snag them. Then they unleash a torrent of snow. “It’s a direct hit,” Hutton said. He calls it the “Targhee Express,” but it is more widely known as the “Teton Express.” However the weather patterns that bring in the pow can also cause high winds, precipitation, clouds and fog around the mountain peaks. Hutton compares skiing and riding at Targhee to a rodeo and when the meteorological forces display their strength it’s appropriate to say “its pretty western up their.” “I didn’t read it in a magazine, but its something I hear at the base because conditions there can be so different than at the top of the mountain,” Hutton said.
term as a reference to a young skier or rider psyched about his sport. But “schralping?” Johanna also consulted the Urban Dictionary for a definition of the term. “It’s an adverb, a noun, an adjective,” she said that means “to go down steep terrain and ski it or snowboard it really well.” The adrenaline rush of such an experience evokes a new word from the mouth of the skier or rider. Its enthusiasm for the sport, according to Hutton, that propels the creation new vocabulary. “We talk about amplitude or amp and going big or skiing hard,” he said. Enter hit, send, drop, and huck with their subtle intricacies. “You can drop it, huck it, or really send it but it’s all the variations of enthusiasm, velocity and intensity,” he said. To send means “not hesitating,” describes a certain amount of energy,” speed and fearlessness, according to Hutton. “You can send it down the mountain and it doesn’t even have a terrain feature,” he said. But in the presence of an anomaly on the mountain’s face, the skier or rider must drop or huck.
Western, in fact, is the distinguishing reality of the ski culture of the Tetons and it’s parallel language. Johanna Murphy relocated to Jackson, Wyo., five months ago from Washington, DC. She grew up ski racing back east, mostly at Stowe Mountain in Vermont. She admitted to having consulted the urban dictionary often when she first started working at Teton Gravity Research.
Hutton defined drop as “when you have vertical feature and you’re not trying to send it so far out, you’re sliding off a soft nose or cornice.”
“It’s in everybody’s daily life out here. The people that move to Jackson, they eat breathe and bleed skiing or snowboarding,” she said. “In Connecticut it wasn’t in my everyday life. The culture back in Connecticut is not based around skiing and mountaineering. I would use it on Wednesdays. Here it’s in the bars, in the coffee shops.”
And hit, he said, means skiing through a terrain park or a feature therein.
From her research, she acquired her in-depth knowledge of the word grom, which, according to Murphy, skiers and riders high jacked from the surf world. Around the waves it means “little ripper,” she said. Residents of Teton Valley, however, probably know the
Add a more force and a cliff and drop becomes huck. “I would say huck would be like sending a drop or a vertical feature,” he concluded.
Pretending that skier slang has its own version of the Oxford English Dictionary, the entry for the aforementioned words might state their origin as somewhere around 1988. According to Hutton, the popularity of ski movies, such as Greg Stump’s “Blizzard of Aahhs” started to codify skier-boarder slang. Not that skiers didn’t have their way of speaking prior to 1988. “I’ve never hucked off anything,” Jerry Sandovech said.
TVN File Photo
But, he added. “I have landed like an Albatross.” Sandovich used the expression related to the Albatross during his adventures with the Jackson Hole Airforce and other skiers in the 1970s. One albatross landing happens like this: One afternoon at a resort in New Mexico, he gave very specific instructions about the tightness of the skis to the ski rep lending out demos. He put on the adjusted ski, rode up the chair lift, screamed down the run, launched off the cat track, and lofted into the air. He landed feet first but then one ski popped off from the force of the landing. He crashed and burned in albatross-like fashion. Think of the scene in Charles Baudelaire’s poem The Albatross. “Banished to ground in the midst of hootings, His wings, those of a giant, hinder him from walking.” That incident differed from the time Sandovich suddenly found himself toppled over in the snow by a “snow snake,” a “something that’s there and you don’t see and that grabs your leg,” as he described it. Those sneaky, winter serpents could be a funky patch of snow that catches the edge of the ski or any other subtle “cause of your fall.” While colloquialism have their place on the hill in the snow, the forecasters at the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center stick to a prescribed vocabulary that doesn’t include blower, manky, or western, at least officially, according to Mike Rheam and Bob Comey. But after listening to the avalanche report for the day, grab the bros, or meet up with the posse and send it down that blower pow. Get OUT! in Teton Valley 55
Teleskiing comes full circle Bridget Ryder Get Out! staff
J
akob Holmes alpine skied one day last winter. He and his posse were in the backcountry sighting two pitches they wanted to ski. In between them lay a traverse.
“It’s a different way of looking at the mountain that frees the terrain up so you flow through it,” Jacob Holmes said of the way he thinks when he’s wearing the telemark skies he wished he had on that day. Holmes is the “telemark guru” at Yostmark Backcountry Sports in Driggs, according to the store’s owner Rich Rinaldi. He made his first telemark turn in college some nine years ago and says he’s been perfecting it ever since. “It allows you to go where you want,” Holmes said. Which explains why telemark, itself, has come and gone and come again. Human beings have been transporting themselves on long sticks called skis for thousands of years. Nordic skiing is the best means of propulsion with the heel lifting from a toe hinge to allow the skier to glide through the snow in a walking motion. But mountains have slopes and the bent-kneed, wide stance allowed skiers to take the motion downhill. It turned into telemark in 1866. “Sondre Norheim is credited today as being the father of telemark skiing. He was a Norwegian, living in the area of Telemark, Norway, when, in 1866, he was invited to attend the first known ski jumping contest and won, impressing the audience with he performance. In 1868, Sondre competed in the first national skiing competition held in Oslo where he used the telemark turn and was the only competitor using curved skis and bindings with heel bands made of willow,” the website of the United States Telemark Ski Association said.
Teleskiing 56 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
continued on page 62
Get Out! Photo/Rachael Horne
An instructor at Grand Targhee gives a lesson in telemark skiing.
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 57
Have fun in winter even without winter sports Driggs City Gallery The Driggs City Gallery, overseen by the Teton Arts Council, has a full slate of exhibits scheduled this winter, including: • Oct. 4 – Dec. 3: “Cut From a Different Cloth”—Fiber Arts Show • Dec. 6 – Jan. 24: “White as the Snow”—works about snow, winter and white • Jan. 31 – March 28: “Artist’s Proofs”— printmaking exhibit
Ken Levy Special to Get Out!
W
hile some may choose to skip the skis and snowboards in winter, they don’t have to lock themselves away until spring. Teton High School students know this, because not all take part in the school’s winter sports program for winter sports. They can choose other activities while their snow-bound compatriots are kicking up the flakes during the winter sports program season, including swimming, bowling, crafts, crocheting, Zumba, fly tying, movie making, indoor soccer or cooking. Others may just want to kick back in study hall with a good Kindle, or catch up on their studies. Winter is also a great time to get caught up on culture. There are movies, art shows and galleries, classes and more.
• April – May: Community Projects, Teton Valley Conservation Alliance, Community School, Nonprofits Get Out! Photo courtesy Mona Marie
“Christening Dress Series 1,” from Mona Marie’s mixedmedia series at The City Gallery in the Driggs City Center part of the Teton Arts Council show, Waste Not.
Local Galleria
Photo courtesy CanyonHoops.com
Teton Arts Council Classes at TAC include ceramics, textile weaving, watercolors and more. Some of these include: • Hula-Hoop and More Textile Weaving Extravaganza with Susan Rodkoski. Looms and hula-hoops will be used to teach the art of textile weaving. Feb. 8, 9 a.m.-noon. $35 per person ages 10 and up. • Abstract Expressionism in Mixed Media with Melinda Linn March 3, 10, 17 from 4-6 p.m. Culminating in a pop-up gallery at the TAC gallery March 17, 6:30-8 p.m. Refreshments included. $80 per person includes all supplies, instruction and gallery night. Visit www.tetonartscouncil.com for updates on classes.
58 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
The hallway of the gallery, in Driggs City Hall, is the sales gallery, showing members’ work on an ongoing basis.
“We are still using the Driggs City Center for gallery space and events,” said Teri McLaren, who runs the Local Galleria and is acting chair of TAC. “These will change on a regular basis with new and exciting shows.”
Get Out! Photo/Teri McLaren
An artist with her landscape painting.
McLaren runs numerous art classes from the Galleria.
“Life drawing is still going strong and will be held every other Thursday night at The Local Galleria,” she said. “First Fridays will continue throughout the year. Wine and Palettes is stronger than ever, meeting every third Thursday of the month.” For details and information, visit tetonvalleylocalart.com.
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” John Steinbeck Travels with Charley: In Search of America
Teton Valley Historical Museum Other cultural activities include visits to the Teton Valley Historical Museum. Located at 1409 N. Hwy. 33 in Driggs, the museum offers exhibits featuring the founding of the valley, Pierre’s Hole and the community’s trapping and mining heritage and more. For hours and details call 354-6000 or email tvmuseum@silverstar.com.
Teton Springs Spa A still from Phillip Schoen’s film “Pierre’s.”
Get Out! Photo/Courtesy Phillip Schoen
Pierre’s Playhouse
If you’re a movie buff, Pierre’s Playhouse in Victor might be your winter destination. Tickets are $7.50 adults 12 and up, $6.50 matinee and $5 for seniors and children ages 4 and up. Visit www.pierresplayhouse.com for show times and events.
Relax at the Stillwaters Spa at Teton Springs According to their website, they offer: massage therapy, body treatments, facials and skincare, hair and nail services. Teton Springs was named “Best Hotel in Idaho” by “US News & World Report” in 2012 & 2103. For an appointment visit www.tetonspringslodge.com
Alternatives
continued on page 60
LIVE MUSIC 7:30-11PM • NEVER A COVER!
Tuesdays: Bluegrass Fri & Sat: Rock/Country/Folk/Funk
Local favorites like One Ton Pig & Bootleg Flyer plus visiting bands from across the nation.
BAR SPECIALS-----------------------------------------------------------Mondays: $5 Bartender Margaritas Thursdays: 1/2 Wines by the Glass and 1/2 Price Cheese Plates • 4-7pm Sunday Nights: Prime Rib Dinner $27 • 5:30 – 9pm
BUY ONE - GET ONE FREE! CUT OUT THIS AD AND PRESENT IT TO YOUR SERVER FOR A FREE DRINK. (ONE PER PERSON, EXPIRES APRIL 1, 2014)
INSIDE JACKSON HOLE’S HISTORIC WORT HOTEL Broadway@Glenwood - Off the Town Square worthotel.com • 307-732-3939 Text “WORT” to 71441 to recieve a free draft or house wine from 11:30am-5pm. Std Msg & Data Rates may apply. Get OUT! in Teton Valley 59
Award-winning Microbrews and the Best Pizza in the Valley
Alternatives continued from page 59
Targhee non-ski activities Salads Calzones Appetizers & Much More! Open mic Wed. 6pm til close Hours: open nightly at 4pm (Winter: Fri – Sun at noon) (208) 787-2623 145 S Main St. Victor www.wildlifebrewing.com
Your Home Base for Relaxation and Adventure Only minutes to incredible powder Cozy log cabin ambiance with free wifi and hottub We welcome reunions and groups Sincere hospitality at a fantastic value Affordable rates, winter specials and “perks!” 388 E Ski Hill Rd, Driggs www.TetonValleyCabins.com (866) 687 1522 (208) 354 8153
60 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
Sleigh ride Consider a sleigh-ride dinner. For $40 for adults and $15 for children, you can take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh with cowboy Paul Marten and his trusty steed teams Prince and Maude or Pete and Cap. You’ll ride to Grand Targhee’s high altitude yurt, where you’ll be served a western style dinner complete with scones and honey butter. Dress in layers for the ride can be brisk, but the yurt is warm and cozy. Reservations are required. Visit www.grandtarghee. com/winter/activities/sleighride-dinners.php Arcade Also at Targhee, you’ll find a family-friendly arcade in the recreation room filled with prize-generated games, old-school classic arcade games, interactive hockey games, driving and shooting simulators, according to Ken Rider, Targhee marketing director. Change machines and vending is also available for all resort guests.
Family fun
Family activities such as building snow forts, having snowball fights and building snowpeople are among youngsters’ favorite activities. So are family nights with movies, games and S’mores.
My Teton Valley
Aimee Babneau
Beautiful home along tree lined seasonal creek • Private setting on 6.1 acres between Victor & Driggs
Pr
ice
d Re
uc
ed
• 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath • 2 lofts
Local Roots: Born and raised in Southeast Idaho, Babneau has been coming to Teton Valley since she was a kid to play and ski at Grand Targhee. She moved to Victor permanently in 2009. How you know her: You’ve probably ridden the chairlift with her at Targhee snowboarding, from any kid-related activities (she has two young boys) or from her artwork on display at local businesses. She’s also the designer and creator of Ragtag winter accessories and Bumblefuzz Kids. Must do: “In winter I love the Great Snow Fest. Skijoring, snow sculptures, music and fun.” Only here: There are always great bands to check out. “Between local musicians, Music on Main in the summer, the Knotty Pine and Grand Targhee, we get to see music from all over the world without leaving the valley.” There’s also an abundance of outdoor activities. “I have some amazing friends and we can always turn boring days into adventures.” This winter: Babneau is teaming up with the Miller Sisters, Candace and Karee Miller to open a resale boutique and gift shop in Victor, called Revolve. They’ll sell art, gifts and gently-used clothing. She’s also planning to host knitting, sewing, upcycling and art workshops. Babneau’s work can be found at bumblefuzz.etsy.com. She is inspired every day by the people and scenery of Teton Valley. Her work is periodically displayed at her favorite breweries, coffee shops and retailers in Southeast Idaho, which include Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello, Wildlife Brewing and Burgess Custom in Victor, Cocoa Grove and Ricochet Jayne’s in Driggs and online at www.ABabneauArt.com. Her work has been featured by the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival and Jackson Hole Weekly.
• Large family room • 2-car detached garage plus shop • additional 4 acres available • $429,000 Cabin – quaint guest or rental cabin
Knotty alder cabinets and stainless in kitchen
dave@altarealty.com www.tetonrealtor.com
Dave Dery Cell (208) 709-4155 (208) 354-8988 Fax (208) 354-8992 dave@altarealty.com Licensed in Wyoming & Idaho
birch west graphic design
2 0 8 -3 6 0 - 9 5 9 5
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 61
recent decades. As the sport of skiing advanced, telemark equipment basically kept pace. Linnell said her telemark boots aren’t that much different from her heel-fixing alpine boots. She doesn’t use skinny skis anymore, either. According to Holmes, skis for telemark and alpine skiing are also essentially the same these days. The greater stability in the bindings gives more leverage for getting the ski through the turn. “If you get the right binding it’s easier almost to teleski rather than Alpine,” Collins Pringle said. Pringle is one of the two partners at 22 Designs, a Driggs-based telemark binding maker and manufacturer. Jack Sakson, one of the company’s sponsored athletes, competes in big mountain free ski venues with his 22 Designs bindings.
Jakob Holmes making a tele-turn in powder.
Teleskiing
Photo courtesy Jakob Holmes
continued from page 56
Norheim didn’t invent the “tele” turn, but he did popularize it at the same time that skiing was also turning from transportation to sport. But the birth of skiing as sport eventually lead to the death of telemark. Ski resorts and their accompanying chair lifts turned skiing into a mostly downhill sport. Strapping the heel down gave added stability for the ever steeper slopes athletes sought. Thus, in the first half of the 20th century, telemark skiing slowly lost popularity. Now it’s a revival sport. In the 1970s, when skiers started heading off-piste and into the backcountry. Just like their Norwegian ancestors, they used telemark skis for tooling around the snowy mountains. Erica Linnell, who has taught telemark skiing at both the National Outdoor Leadership School and Grand Targhee Mountain Resort, took her first tele turns for that very reason. She was living in New Mexico during a terrible snow year. Rather than ski boring, icy groomers at the resort, she strapped a pair of leather boots and three pin bindings to a set of skinny skis and headed into the
62 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
mountains. She has since upgraded from her three pins and leather boots but she still telemarks in Teton Valley powder. “Because we are a backcountry destination, it’s (telemark) developed here,” she said. “Then a lot of people did it at resorts because it became a fun and interesting way to ski.” For the telemarker, the free heel and style of telemark turns add an extra sensation to the skiing experience. “There’s nothing better than a good tele turn on a good powder day,” Holmes said. “In powder, it’s a blast,” Linnell said. “It very floaty, very fluid.” She suspects that’s why Teton Valley and Grand Targhee Resort are a hub for telemark skiing. Compared to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort, the saying goes “they’re steeper, we’re deeper.” The heaviest amounts of light powder fall on the Tetons’ gentler sloping west side. Telemark is a notorious quad workout made even more intense in steeper slopes. But many skiers also enjoy telemark for its versatility, enhanced by technological advances of
Despite the gains in gear, the increasing levity of alpine touring equipment caused it to supersede telemark as the next big thing. According to Holmes, no new telemark gear has hit the market in the last four years, which means consumers aren’t tempted to buy and it gives the impression that the sport is dying. However, skiers are still telemarking, at least in Teton Valley. Holmes testifies to having mounted more telemark bindings than alpine bindings last season at Yostmark Backcountry Sports. Skiers telemark because they love it. Telemark skiing not only gives more options for tackling terrain, but also gives skiers more flexibility whether skiing on Teton Pass or at the a resort. “The nice thing about telelmark is everyone has their own turn,” Holmes said. The triple-certified skiing instructor (Nordic, alpine and telemark) admits to failing parallel turns on his alpine skiing test. He’s just not a parallel guy. He compares The change from alpine to switching from unicycle to a bicycle. With the heels free, his legs aren’t stuck having to essentially act as one unit. Instead they can move back and forth for the longer sweet spot of the telemark turn or work in parallel concert to swerve away from a tree. It’s a mental switch, too. “My eyes aren’t as open as they are with tele,” he said. In teleskiing, he does more than pick a line from top to bottom. Every curve of the mountain is a possibility. As the saying goes, free your heel, free your mind.
Get OUT! in Teton Valley 63
We know Te ton Valley
Glenn Vitucci
Julie Robinson
Cricket Romanzi
Cindy Weston
Nell Hanson
Ken Dunn
Claire Vitucci
Office Manager
Ann Goodell
Matt Hail
Kent Wagener
Your locally-owned source for sage advice in real estate. Valuing hard work, integrity and community.
A trusted source of local real estate knowledge in Teton Valley and the surrounding area. We are committed to Teton Valley and its community. Scan to visit our website!
sagerg.com 64 Get OUT! in Teton Valley
189 North Main, Suite 100 Driggs ID 83422
208.354.9955