'08-'09 Total Snowfall: 529"

THE MOUNTAIN

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GETTING HERE

LODGING

History

Our history truly tells a story and gives us deep roots in the Tetons. Generations of families have grown up skiing and riding on the west side of the Tetons, long before Grand Targhee was even on the map. This love of winter snow sports was the catalyst for developing lift-served skiing and the passion lives on today.

History shows us where we have been and points us in the direction of where we are going.

Timeline:

December 26, 1969 : Grand Targhee Resort opens with Bannock + Shoshone lifts, Targhee Lodge, and day lodge.

1971 : Sioux Lodge opens.

1973 : GTR purchased by Bill Robinson of Big Valley Corp.

1974 : Blackfoot lift opens.

1976 : Larry Williamson, GM, hired.

1977 : Teewinot lodge opens.

1978 : Expansion of day lodge, Targhee Steakhouse opens. Lodging office and administrative services expanded into new building.

1979 : Maintenance facility built.

1987 : Bergmeyers purchase Grand Targhee Resort.

1988 : First Annual Bluegrass Festival.

1989 : Snowcat skiing operations begin.

1990 : Fire destroys base lodge and retail buildings on Sunday, March 25. By Friday, March 30, using tents as temporary facilities, the resort resumed full operations. By Nov. 1990 all base facilities were rebuilt and open for the season. Mortimor, Targhee's switchboard, is replaced with rotary phones.

1991 : Spa facilities open, Targhee Institute established.

1997 : Grand Targhee Resort purchased by Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc. Shoshone removed from service and replaced with fixed-grip quad chairlift. Bannock replaced with high speed detachable quad and renamed Dreamcatcher. Resort enters process to exchange Squirrel Meadows to USFS for private land at base.

2000 : Resort purchased by George Gillett and family. Magic Carpet installed.

2001 : Sacajawea lift opens, expanding terrain by 500 acres.

2002-03 : Trick Town Terrain Park opens.

2004 : Family-friendly North Pole Terrain Park opens. Grand Targhee/Squirrel Meadows land trade complete. Targhee Steakhouse remodeled.

2004-05 : Natural terrain on Sacajawea was enhanced with the re-grading of lower Half n' Half Bowl.

2006 : Base area remodel including Teewinot Conference Room, refurnishing of Teewinot Lodge rooms, Sioux Lodge remodel, new heated plaza walkway and entry, new roof on Rendezvous Lodge, new and bigger Trap Bar deck, remodel of Trap Bar kitchen, extension of Half n' Half Bowl, new natural terrain park Middle Earth, enhanced gladed terrain on Sacajawea, more groomers added to the fleet, and a new plow truck for winter road maintenance purchased (most projects completed in the fall of 2006).

2007 : Larry Williamson retires after 35 years at the helm as General Manager and F. Scott Pierpont, recently from The Canyons in Utah, becomes the new General Manager. Nordic Track improvements in Rick's Basin, more terrain park features added to Trick Town plus a new sound system in the park. Two additional groomers added to the fleet bringing us to 9 grooming cats and 3 SnowCat Adventure cats. Enhanced terrain on Peaked Mountain for SnowCat Adventures. New kids ski and snowboard retail shop called Little Rippers. Continued development of the natural terrain park Middle Earth.

The original inhabitants of this part of the country were the Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot and Nez Perce Native American tribes. The Grand Teton Mountains were called the Tee-Win-At by the Shoshone Indians, meaning "high pinnacles".

Targhee was a local chief about whom there is little known other than he maintained peace between white men and his tribesmen. Chief Targhee was apparently slain; after his death the young warriors prevailed in leading the tribe into war. Grand Targhee Resort's name includes both a reference to Grand Teton Mountain and Chief Targhee. A National Forest, a mountain pass, a creek and our ski and summer resort commemorate Chief Targhee's integrity and the memory of the Native American contribution to this country.


Rendezvous Lodge, lift parts and snow! Check out the cool cars in the background.	Local skiers and founding fathers all enjoying Targhee's slopes on July 4, 1970.

The local folks of Teton Valley were instrumental in establishing Grand Targhee Resort. In 1966 Grand Targhee, Inc. was formed by east Idahoans. The resort opened on December 26, 1969 and was officially dedicated by then Governor Samuelson on February 2, 1970.

Teton Valley News announces Grand Targhee's grand opening - December 1969

Bill Robinson, a plastics manufacturer from Cincinnati, Ohio, purchased Grand Targhee in 1975. Robinson was smitten with this area from the onset. Though primarily an absentee owner, Bill and his family loved the area, bought a home in Driggs, and visited frequently throughout the years.

Our original ski poster with the famous Steve Baugh Bowl in the background.

In 1987 Grand Targhee Resort was purchased and operated by Mory and Carol Bergmeyer. The Bergmeyers improved the resort facilities, added new guest activities and expanded the reputation of Targhee while continuing its dedication to family, quality and the sensitive balance between people and the great outdoors.



A sample of Grand Targhee's posters tells a consistent story of incredible snow, sun, crystal blue skies, majestic mountain scenery that inspires and delights.

Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc., a corporation run by CEO George Gillett, Jr., purchased Grand Targhee in March 1997. In June 2000, George and Rose Gillett, along with their four sons, purchased Grand Targhee from Booth Creek Ski Holdings.

In 1997, the Gilletts installed the first high-speed detachable quad chair by replacing Bannock with Dreamcatcher, and the Shoshone double chair was replaced with a fixed-grip quad. Through a land exchange in 2004, the Gilletts acquired ownership of Grand Targhee's base area. Planning has begun for the future development of Grand Targhee Resort including expansion of Peaked Mountain facilities and a proposed expanded base area with more lodging units. For more history, scroll across the timeline at the top of the page.