Targhee Characters

Every great experience in life is usually grounded by unique, interesting people, places and faces.  Here at Grand Targhee Resort, we have some of the West’s most unique personalities gracing our organization and our operations all with the intent of ensuring your Targhee experience is an unforgettable one.

When asked about what makes Grand Targhee so unique in the Ski/Snowboard Resort industry, we know that our most precious assets are our people.  We seek out, hire and nurture real, authentic individuals of character and resolve.  We’re talking about people who live for the mountains.  People who are here because they believe in the magic of Mother Nature’s hand and in the joy of hospitality that governs our actions.  Our mission is to provide each and every guest with an experience that engages all their senses and that will keep them wanting more. 

Testament to the unique Targhee experience is evident in the response of an eight year old boy from Boise who, when asked if he liked his trip to Grand Targhee responded, “ooooooh.  Targhee’s the best ever…hey, Mom….when we going back?”

Here are a few of our more notable “Targhee Characters”.

Inez Eck Inez is the pleasant and gracious woman who greets you at the Front Desk when you arrive. Inez has been our official hospitality person for over 12 years and we couldn’t run lodging without her. She’s also in charge of flowers so the beautiful arrangements at the Front Desk year-round are courtesy of her personal garden in Tetonia, Idaho. Most of Inez’s family members have also worked at Grand Targhee throughout the years so the Eck family is an important part of Targhee’s history and future. Leon Weston Famously known as “Slim,” Leon is almost as famous as the Tetons! Anyone who has ever ridden the lifts knows and loves Slim. He serves as the Assistant Lift Supervisor and was part of the original team that opened the resort in 1969. He runs his own Idaho farm in the summer and we’re all thrilled when he reappears each winter season. Slim has appeared in Warren Miller ski films and in more press clippings than any celebrity we know. He is the face of Targhee, a true ambassador. Ignacio Orduno We all affectionately know him as “Nacho.” He brought the true flavor of Mexico to the Tetons back in 1988 and opened Targhee’s first authentic Mexican Restaurant and our guests were hooked. Now Executive Chef, Nacho is the backbone of Grand Targhee’s Food and Beverage Department. His hard work and culinary skills are legendary and his smile is too! During the summer of 2005, Nacho saved a young man’s life while fishing in Mexico. He has always been our hero. Carol Eck Carol, our Lift Operations Supervisor, has been greeting our guest with her big smile for over 12 years. More than likely Carol has checked your lift pass a time or two, winter and summer, and she looks forward to welcoming back our Targhee friends when they appear at her post, the Dreamcatcher Lift. During the off-season, Carol can be found operating heavy equipment or cleaning the pool. She’s talented in many areas and one of Targhee’s most dedicated employees. We couldn’t do it without her! Javier Ortiz When our guests ask in amazement “who moves all this snow and where do you put it” we point to Javier. Most winter seasons we don’t see much of Javier as he is permanently attached to his tractor seat pushing mounds and mounds of snow so our guests and employees can find the parking lot. Summers find Javier on the mountain working trail crew, insuring our lawns at the base area are green and buffed and is almost single-handedly responsible for handling our impressive recycling program. Approaching 16 years with the resort, Javier is our unsung hero who keeps our outside world humming in a challenging environment.