Gary Kofinas, Teton Backcountry Alliance

As we consider the proposal to expand Grand Targhee Resort beyond its current boundaries, let us consider a few facts. First, backcountry skiing is the fastest growing winter sport in the country, if not the world. Second, Teton Canyon - with its glorious vistas, wildlife habitat, and tranquil soundscape - is a precious resource for newcomers and old timers alike. As many who grew up in Teton Valley remember, Teton Canyon is a place of fond memories of family hikes, picnics, and fun cross-country ski tours. Third, the landscape at the higher elevations of Teton Canyon provides opportunities for world class adventure, including high angle rock climbing and alpine camping, and, in winter, acres of deep powder skiing. Expanding lift serviced skiing into the South Bowl of Teton Canyon will change the character of Teton Canyon dramatically in all these areas. Lift skiing in South Bowl will require avalanche control, which will disturb wildlife and visitors’ backcountry wilderness experiences. It will also add considerable risk to those backcountry travelers electing to approach ski slopes from below.

The sight and drone of ski lifts will mar the view and soundscape not only in winter months, but also in the summer, assuming that Targhee’s lift served mountain biking operations will eventually extend to that area. Moreover, the opportunities for backcountry travel will be significantly diminished, as an ever-expanding human footprint encroaches further into the wildlands of the Tetons. To be sure, the new lift up Peaked will make the South Bowl more accessible and increase the number of backcountry users. This impact, however, pales in comparison to the addition of mechanized downhill skiing to Teton Canyon. Hence, the proposal to expand Grand Targhee Resort into Teton Canyon raises the question of priorities, and forces us to ask if, in this instance, can society elect to limit “growth” and preserve a sacred wild place that nourishes our human spirit. I suggest that we can.