Resort Cornice Danger

GRAND TARGHEE RESORT CORNICE DANGER

Grand Targhee Resort is trying to educate and warn our guests about the hazard directly beyond our resort boundary. We have extremely dangerous terrain just outside the east side around to the north side of Fred's Mountain rope line. These rope lines are hard closures with penalties for those who do not abide by the warnings and signage. While the views from Grand Targhee are incredible, the repercussions of leaving the resort into a closed area can result in a cornice breaking, the release of an avalanche, and possible death.

We are concerned for your safety and the safety of potential rescuers. In the past two years, we have had two fatalities on the resort's backside due to cornice failure.

WHAT IS A CORNICE?

A cornice is an overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or mountain's crest. Cornices form by wind blowing snow over sharp terrain where it attaches and builds out horizontally. Cornices are extremely dangerous and can break unexpectedly. This can happen on or off of your skis/snowboard.

Cornice Structure

The image below shows Fred's Mountain's North-East face. This is the terrain you would be standing directly over should you not follow our mountain safety guidelines. These are 500-foot cliffs with over 1000 feet of vertical drop. The probability of surviving a fall is unlikely.

Cornice on North-East face of Fred’s Mountain

UPHILL TRAVEL IS CLOSED  Monday – Thursday until further notice. Yes, we have snow, but it is still closed. We have heavy equipment moving around the mountain. The closure is for your safety, please respect the closure signs. The parking lot is also not maintained, you may get stuck. 

Friday - Sunday the snow access at the base area will be limited due to ongoing construction projects. The recommended uphill route is the Teton Vista Traverse. Active heavy equipment, winch cables and other dangerous equipment will be on the mountain, so please ski with caution at all times.