Grand Targhee Resort is located on the flanks of the Teton Mountains, just west of Jackson, WY and East of Driggs, Idaho. A small, local mountain, this area is known for its epic powder (500+ inches of snow a year), amazing views, big terrain, but also its family friendly vibe. If you missed my trip report, Our Family Skiing at Grand Targhee, I suggest you check it out for an overview of why we like this mountain so much!

However, this post is for those who want to plan their family trip to the area. Below I outline all the details from ski school logistics to dining. Covering what runs you’ll be skiing with your toddler and then a general progression to more difficult terrain. So buckle up and bookmark this page! Tons of details coming up!

Our Insider Tips:

Directions:

Grand Targhee is located 12 miles from Driggs, ID on the Idaho/Wyoming border. If you are flying in, the Jackson Hole Airport is 1.5 hrs away and the Idaho Falls Airport is roughly 2 hours away. If driving, Targhee is about 4-4.5 hours from both Bozeman, MT and Salt Lake City, UT.

Parking and base area:

Everything at Targhee is intimately located. There are multiple parking lots and the attendants have parking down to an art here! Should you find yourself further that you desire from the base village, a parking lot shuttle will bring you and your skis up to the front on weekends and holidays.

There is one base at Grand Targhee, and everything you need located within it. Our basic map is below, the entrance to the village as well as the cafeteria and restrooms located in the Rendezvous Lodge are behind you.

Click for larger size.

Ski School

Our kids were able to take full-day lessons from the Grand Targhee Ski School and they had a great time. At many resorts we spend at least 30 minutes trying to find the ski school and another 30 minutes dropping off our kids at three separate areas according to their age. This was not the case at Targhee.

Grand Targhee Ski School Building adjacent to the Dream Catch Lift

Grand Targhee has the Ski School building and meeting flags located right beyond the pool, and next to the Dream Catcher Lift. (Advanced reservations are suggested.) The kids meet the ski instructor outside by the flags while the parent signs waivers and receives their ski school ticket inside. In total, we arrived at 9:30, and it took us 5 minutes to get them all set to go!

If you opt for a morning lesson, you pick up your child at 12pm for lunch. Afternoon lessons finish at roughly 3:15 p.m.

You can see the ski school building on the far right, Nature Center in the middle (a good visit to learn about the local wild life) and Kid’s Club / childcare building on the left.

Lessons vary in cost but range from $89-$129 depending on half day or full day lessons, and you can add in a lunch option for an additional $15. Targhee offers lessons for children ages 3 1/2 and up, and even an option for a 10 half-day lesson punch pass for those of you who will be around for the whole season and want continued instruction throughout the year. If you opt for this, lessons break down to roughly $50 a day, which is pretty standard for bulk group lessons in the ski industry.

If you have an infant or young toddler, the Kid’s Club is a 1 minute walk away, so you can drop your young ones off in daycare easily at the same time!

The Targhee Ski School took into account both the skill level of my kids, as well as their desire to ski with siblings or not. They funneled them into a group that ultimately led to a very successful day.

Young tots and First-Timers

Grand Targhee is supremely convenient for those of you with young tots! For those of you skiing with your beginner family members, the Magic Carpet Area is to the left as you approach the mountain and just beyond the tubing hill. The gentle slope is perfect for first-timers, and while we were there, they had cones out for skiers to practice turning around.

From the base of the magic carpet you also access the Shoshone Lift, which accesses the entire Kids Adventure Zone.

Kid’s Adventure Zone

With names such as Eyeball Forest, Bobsled, Otter Alley, and Candy Cane Forest, the Grand Targhee Kid’s Adventure Zone has sets itself a notch above most of the resorts we have visited! I cannot overstate how awesome this area is!

Each of the children receive their own “kid’s area map” so they can find all the amazing runs, trails through the trees, terrain parks, jumps and even a mouse house. We felt comfortable with the terrain and lay out of the mountains so we let our kids pair off with a friend and explore for a bit on their own!

Terrain for the Whole Family

When and if your child ever wants to leave the Adventure Zone, there is plenty to explore on the bigger mountain. If you are unsure how they will handle more difficult terrain, we suggest heading over to the Blackfoot Lift and ski the mellow Chief Joe Bowl. You can also access this run off the Dream Catcher Lift via the Headwall Traverse.

If your goal is to head to the very top, take the Dream Catcher lift, and head to the right down Teton Vista Traverse, both the easiest way down and the best access to views of the Grand Teton on clear days!

If you are looking for some truly awesome family terrain that requires a notch up in ability level but will be an absolute blast for your kids, continue down the Teton Vista traverse, ski Middle Earth and then Screamin’ Cheetah down to the Sacajawea Lift. It is a blast!

Note: If you have older children in your group, Targhee is the perfect mountain to give them a little more freedom and responsibility! As mentioned above, we felt comfortable letting our kids go off to ski a few runs with friends! A huge treat for us as parents and for the kids too!

For those who have to divide and conquer

Many families have to adopt a “divide and conquer” mentality on ski vacations. Perhaps there are small infants involved and you want to trade-off with another adult in your group. If you are lodging at the base, you will find this super easy to do.

If you have family members who don’t ski or snowboard, or maybe need a day off, Grand Targhee has an entire nordic area with groom trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Rentals are available at the base.

Lodging:

We highly suggest booking lodging right at the base area for your family. Grand Targhee has one of the most convenient ski-in ski-out bases I’ve experienced. There are 3 main lodges, the Sioux Lodge, the Teewinot Lodge, and the Targhee Lodge.

The Teewinot Lodge has prime ski-in ski-out accommodations. You walk out the door and put your skis on!

Loft options that sleep 6 in Sioux Lodge

The Sioux lodge, where we stayed, has larger loft options that sleep 6, perfect for the bigger families. And while there is a short walk to the village (50 ft), you are closest to the pools, fitness center, ski school, and bunny hill. Click here for a map to the base area.

Loft options that sleep 6 in Sioux Lodge

Note: There are many lodging options, some less expensive, in the towns of Driggs and Victor, Idaho.

Amenities:

• A heated outdoor saltwater pool and hot tub.
• Fitness Cabin open during pool hours with weight machines, free-weights, spin bicycles, regular fitness bicycles, treadmill, elliptical trainer, and television.
• The Grand Targhee Resort Town Shuttle
• 

  Used with permission, Grand Targhee Resort

  Multiple restaurants, sport shops, and a general store.

• Once-daily housekeeping and turn-down service (not included with Vacation Home Rentals)
• Coffee and tea available in the Front Desk lobby, as well as provided in rooms
• Satellite TV
• Internet access available in all vacation rental properties and slope-side lodging
• Note: Cell Phone coverage is nill at the base (hence the free wifi at the base and free calling in rooms). We found AT&T was best and Verizon was spotty, but adequate, higher on the mountain.
• Free local phone calls, free long distance calls
• Free 24-hour access to the Arcade
• Age-specific children’s amenities such as a crib and playpen
• Note: The lodging rooms do not come with a complete kitchen. Coffee Maker, microwave, and mini-fridge is included in most rooms. 

Dining:

There are five main dining options, all open during the day, and all located in the main village areas. A few of these options are open in the evenings for dinner, I will highlight them below.

Snorkels is an amazing bakery, breakfast, and soup/sandwich spot. We’d wander over early in the morning to share a $9 breakfast burritos and grab a hot cup of coffee. (Highly suggested)

Snorkels Cafe

There is a General Store located in the village area, offering most of the basics for families, including snacks and freezer meals, should you need to stock your mini-fridge. Many locals wander down to grab a beer, and then enjoy it fireside out on the patio with friends after a day on the slopes.

Wild Bills Grille is the cafeteria style eatery that most people frequent for lunch. It consists of excellent Mexican fare as well as common grill items like burgers, chicken fingers, brisket sandwiches, chili and french fries. They also offer fresh pizza on weekend and holidays located in the Arcade. We got a large pizza for $25 for our 3 kids one night, and it was enough for 2 dinners for them.

The Trap Bar and Grill is a bar (so no kids under age 21) and along with 14 beers on tap featuring local and regional microbrews, they serve burgers, fries and general bar food. Make sure to try their famous Wydaho Nachos featuring waffle fries covered in fresh veggies and homemade salsa.

Often they bring in live music on the weekends and every Tuesday afternoon is the White Lightning Open Mic Night  They are open in the evening for those looking for an apré- ski experience or are lodging at the base.

The Branding Iron is more of a fine dining experience. It is open both during the day and in the evenings. It is suitable for kids, though some families might find it a little fancy for their young children. They have a variety of dining options from a less expensive elk burger to grilled New York Steak and Beef Short Ribs. If you go, you must try the Fried Brussel Sprouts. They are amazing!

Note: If you are a family with young children in attendance and are lodging at the base area, there are only two options in the village for evening meals, the pizza at the Arcade or the Branding Iron. If you are staying for longer than a night or two, plan on having to drive down to Driggs for dinner. Driggs is only 25 minute away (depending on road conditions) and has a variety of amazing restaurants. The local favorites include Teton Thai and pizza at the Tatanka Tavern.

Here is a full list of local restaurants in Driggs.

Current Deals (2017-2018)

“Kids 12 and under ski free when booking 3 or more nights of lodging with skiing at Grand Targhee Resort. Simply book 3 or more nights of lodging combined with skiing and receive one free child (6-12 yrs. old) ticket per paid adult ticket. Limit two child tickets per day per reservation. Must be booked in advance and added at time of booking, product not available at ticket windows.

All lodging tickets must be added to reservation 48 hours prior to arrival. Children 5 and under always ski free at Grand Targhee and are available in advance or on-site.”