Grand Targhee announces opening day

ALTA, Wyo. (KIFI) - UPDATE 11/23/21: Due to the hard work of many employees, Grand Targhee announced its new opening day is Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

Lodging will open on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 as well.

Shoshone and Dreamcatcher will be open. Officials say to ski and ride with caution as early season conditions will exist and unmarked obstacles will exist. 

ORIGINAL: Grand Targhee Ski Resort has been hard at work during the offseason to revamp their operations for this coming winter season.

They are hoping that this $20 million summer improvement project will also provide for a more efficient and enjoyable experience at the ski resort.

Here is what they have added and are preparing to add for the future.

1. A new employee housing complex has been just opened up for all seasonal workers to be able to live in. This new district of housing includes 16 units which can house up to eight people each. This makes up to house a total of 112 employees that this new area can house. Each unit has a washer and dryer and brand new appliances and furniture.
2. Parking has been expanded. The resort has rearranged their land to be able to increase the parking capacity by 32% for the season. They say that this was a much needed change after people had reportedly had trouble finding parking spots after the early morning hours especially on days of hazardous weather conditions. The parking plan for employees to help out people with parking has also been changed to make the process more efficient.
3. A new maintenance operations system building will be in use starting in a few weeks. The process has been in the making ever since the resort had lost it's previous maintenance operations building. It happened in 2017 when the roof collapsed in from heavy snow. This building will house everything from the ski patrol team to grooming the mountain.
4. A new ski lift is being put in is under construction and will be in use for the 2022/2023 winter season. The Peaked chairlift is a quad lift and will access 600 more acres for intermediate and advanced skiing. This same area is being used currently for cat skiing. This means that this will be the last winter season that the resort will offer cat skiing to people.

The opening day for the winter season was this Friday, Nov. 19, but unfortunately, the weather has not cooperated with those plan. Due to the recent warm temperatures, and the lack of snowfall, they are postponing the start of the season here at Grand Targhee.

Opening day is yet to be determined but will be based upon the conditions going forward.