Archive for category Grand Tetons Lodging

January – Truly a Time for Celebration in Teton Valley

Posted by admin in General, Grand Tetons Lodging, Snow Fesitval, Winter in Teton Valley on January 4th, 2013

Whew, the holidays are finally over. The hangovers from too much shopping, too much food and too much libation are well behind us. Now we can settle down to the real business at hand, getting back to playtime in the mountains. The folks in Teton Valley, Idaho truly know how to embrace winter. Yessiree, the hearty locals in this Yellowstone-Teton community never wince when the weather forecast calls for yet another foot of new snow overnight.

They simply zip up their parkas, lace up their boots, fire up their snow blowers, and get busy. When the driveway is cleared they inevitably put a call into their employers, invoke their powder clause (always negotiated at time of hiring), and head out to the slopes.

It’s easy passage to two of the local and premium ski and snowboard resorts in North America, Grand Targhee or Jackson Hole ski area where once again the snow numbers are huge, just like the mountains. Ho-hum, it seems that almost every day is just another powder filled day in the glorious Tetons. But, something else is about to happen in this neck of the woods. A big celebration is on the horizon and Teton Valley is humming with anticipation.

The local Chamber of Commerce and other valley nonprofit organizations in the picturesque towns of Victor, Driggs, Tetonia and Alta are busier than the Christmas elves were just a few short weeks ago. Valley wide, volunteers are putting all systems in place to welcome residents and visitors alike to join in the valley’s biggest winter extravaganza. “The Second Annual Great SnowFest” is coming to town January 18-21. The diverse laundry list of activities scheduled all pay homage in their own way to the snow gods that bless this place year after year. So, it’s definitely smart to plan that family ski vacation during this valley wide event.

A sample of what festival goers will be treated to: snow sculpting, luge demonstrations, winter wildlife ski tours, snowshoe & snow bike races and my personal favorite, skijoring. Visitors will be stepping into the Cowboy State as well for the festivities and outsiders often ask; how can one event logically be held in two different states? It’s the same question staff at Teton Springs Lodge & Spa often get asked about resort partner Grand Targhee, “where exactly is this powder Mecca, Idaho or Wyoming?”

O.K. so a small geographic technicality does indeed put Grand Targhee snugly tucked inside Wyoming’s western border. However, Targhee was officially adopted as one of their own by the State of Idaho years ago (Targhee’s sole access is through Teton Valley, Idaho). It was the smartest thing the Gem State has ever done, other than doing the potato growing thing of course. Targhee has unquestionably become one of the Idaho resorts worth having in the stable and undoubtedly one of its brightest stars.

Teton Springs Lodge & Spa is offering special rates during the Snow Fest which also magically happens to coincide with Martin Luther King weekend. Holiday or no holiday, there are no restrictions on the Lodge’s Ski and Stay Packages during this time so the entire weekend prospects just got better!

Book your winter family vacation at Teton Springs Lodge & Spa where the accommodations are deluxe, cozy, and affordable. Every visit you’ll discover something new to do and you’ll be delighted with the resort’s western charm and hospitality.

Teton Valley, home to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and snow, and now, the Great Snow Fest. Why would you go anywhere else?

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The Last & Best Horrah Before the Snow Flies

Posted by admin in Grand Teton Lodging, Grand Teton Vacation Rental, Grand Tetons Lodging, Jackson Hole Cabins, Teton Valley Cabins on October 11th, 2012

I love this time of year. The trees are giving us a hearty hint each day that winter is not too far off as the entire Teton Valley pops with glorious shades of red, orange & gold. It’s a sight to behold. And, as much as I relish shorts & t-shirt weather, there is something so comforting in wrapping a well-worn fleece around my shoulders. Baseball caps are replaced with wool beanies, at least for the morning hours, and off we go for another Yellowstone-Teton adventure.

It’s another 6 weeks or so before we dust off the ski boots, wax the boards and watch the weather obsessively for news of that first worthwhile snow storm. We know the skies will open up soon; it’s something we can always bank on here in the Tetons. However, for some reason, the timeliness of the first significant winter dump always causes some angst. Our entire focus and reason for being turns to Grand Targhee & Jackson Hole turning on their lifts, and, for all of us it marks the celebration of another delightful winter season & sliding on snow in an infinite number of ways.

Pamper Yourself at Stillwaters Spa

There’s no better way to prepare ourselves mentally & physically for another snow-filled 6 months than spending the last days and weeks of fall’s cool, crisp days pursuing a different kind of fun, all on dry land. My best recommendation is a visit to the gorgeous and relaxing Teton Springs Lodge & Spa. Maybe it’s simply a night’s retrieve although a weekend getaway is really what the doctor should order. You’ll need a few days to experience the soothing effects of this resort community so plan on spending some time here and let the pampering begin!

So Many Outdoor Activities to Enjoy

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is practically right outside your door at this luxury resort. Strap on your hiking shoes and a few quick strides later you’ll be sharing the trail with resident elk and deer as you conquer the summit of the many trails at your disposal. And for those that think power walking is too pedestrian, think again.

A brisk walk around the Teton Springs Community is both an efficient way to work out, burn calories, all while taking in the breathtaking scenery. I’ve followed this path while on my own girlfriends’ weekend here recently and before we knew it, we had circled the entire 780 acre resort perimeter, and, we were actually ready for more. It’s funny how everything always seems easier with friends in tow. Check out all our outdoor activities at Teton Springs!

Looking to Stay at a Beautiful, Relaxing, Deluxe Cabin?

My friends and I stayed in one of the super deluxe luxury mountain log cabins at Teton Springs. I use the term "cabin" lightly and you’ll see why on your next visit here. Talk about living it up in the lap of luxury, and our per person rate was ridiculously affordable.

My girlfriends were a lot more excited about the kitchen in our cabin than the staggering views or huge big screen T.V.s. To each their own, but I have to admit, you could almost envision Rachael Ray or Wolfgang Puck standing at this granite topped island happily chopping away.

Beautiful, Top of the Line, Bedroom Suites

If it’s cozy & romantic you’re after and you plan a visit to Teton Springs with a spouse or significant other, the accommodation of choice is the one bedroom suite in the lodge. Expect well equipped & roomy, sporting almost 800 square feet, large balconies and beautifully tiled baths complete with whirlpools no less.

The beds are big and comfy, perfect for an afternoon nap. After a relaxing dinner at the Headwaters Grille, crank up the gas fireplace in your living room and maybe, just maybe, you’ll finish that book.

5000 Square Foot Spa – Get Ready to Relax

Teton Springs Resort separates itself from the pack in many ways but the crowning jewel of this property has to be the Stillwaters Spa & Salon. Located on the first floor of the Lodge, the 5,000 square foot spa not just offers a full array of services and treatments, but the staff literally makes you feel like royalty. It’s a crew that is familiar, highly skilled, professional and yet lighthearted. They specialize in a variety of massages including deep tissue, Swedish, hot stone, reflexology and pre-natal. However, I am biased in favor of the Hydraquench treatment. After this indulgence, you will never feel as silky smooth again, in your life. The Stillwaters Salon is also the most popular place in Teton Valley to get those locks cut so be sure to book in advance!

The Beautiful Teton Valley

Not sure why anyone would want to leave the confines of Teton Springs, but if you’re compelled, there are plenty of fun diversions in Teton Valley. The local museum is a great way to spend a few hours after cruising the Driggs Main Street shops & watering holes. The Victor Emporium is smart enough to offer their famous huckleberry shakes year-round and you’re sure to find something special to take home combing through their racks of treasures.

If that’s not enough to satisfy the spending bug, Jackson Hole, the Mecca of shopping districts, is only a 25 minute drive away. You can virtually complete your Christmas shopping list and that’s without ever leaving their Town Square. It’s Monty Hall and "Let’s Make A Deal" this time of year so bring the platinum card!

Back at Teton Springs while soaking in the hot tub and gazing at the starlit sky, you can dream of your winter visit of snow-filled days and the next set of adventures.

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The Tetons sounds like the place to be this Summer

Posted by admin in Grand Tetons Lodging, Teton Valley Cabins, Vacation Packages on July 3rd, 2012

Warm, sun-filled days & cool breezy nights in the Tetons sounds like the place to be this Summer!

Even with all the crazy weather issues our nation has experienced over the past few years, I continue to be shocked, dismayed and totally in awe when I see what is happening again this summer across the country. Seriously. How does it ever get to be 106 degrees in Rapid City in June, and, will poor Florida even have the time to get back on its feet from recent catastrophic floods before their next wave of natural disasters hit, namely hurricane season?! Not to mention the brutal devastation occurring in Colorado. So much of the entire country is way out of whack for sure. Except for the Teton Mountain region, and for that, we are truly blessed.

The first few decades of my life was spent by the ocean. My grandparents owned a gracious home a mere block from the beach in South Jersey (thank goodness before Snooki and company permanently tarnished Jersey’s rep). What a glorious way to spend one’s entire summer vacation with my siblings and occasional stray cousin – covered in warm sand, riding waves and discovering the mysteries of the vast ocean landscape on my uncle’s fishing boat. I just returned back from a trip to the shore, a special place where that first pungent smell of the bay seems to jostle every single memory of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

Family Outdoor Activities for Everyone to Enjoy

Coming home to Teton Valley, I had the same flurry of anticipation and excitement as I landed in Jackson Hole and seeing those magnificent Tetons bathed in their evening light. Those jagged peaks rising into the cloudless sky always evoke an array of emotions in my heart as they seem to almost reach out and greet me like an old friend. As I touched down on Wyoming soil I also realized that I’ve celebrated an equal number of birthdays living both by the sea and in these glorious mountains – how did I ever get to be so darn lucky!

Yep, it’s good to be home, and fortunately for us "locals" and guests visiting the area, it’s easy to get here from virtually anywhere. Flying into Jackson Hole offers the traveler an incredible sense of arrival with the airport flanked by the iconic Tetons and the impressive Gros Ventre Mountains to the east. It’s also the only airport in the entire country located in a national park, the spectacular Grand Teton National Park no less. That explains why when you exit this airport you immediately spot an elk or two wandering through a herd of Bison and a moose leisurely enjoying an evening snack in the Snake River (just look for a gaggle of humans holding cameras.) http://www.jacksonholeairport.com/

Teton Springs Lodge & Spa guests also have the option of landing in Idaho Falls, a thoroughly modern & truly a lovely and stress-free facility.

While you may not spot the moose on your way to the resort driving the eastern Idaho route to Teton Springs, the short trip is equally as beautiful as you follow the Snake River surrounded by endless acres of wheat & barley bending in the breeze. Don’t forget to stop at the scenic overlook and when you reach Swan Valley, stop and sample one of their famous square ice cream cones. You’ll be finished it just as you drive into the resort.

Luxury Log Cabins, Beautiful Lodge Rooms

Hope you’re planning on a long excursion; there’s just so much to do, for all ages. Your lodging options will also cause your head to spin – but in a good way! My friends recently stayed in one of the luxury log mountain homes, and everything was deluxe but the price. It’s amazing how affordable these well-appointed and beautiful 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes are and what a terrific place to come home to in the evening after a full, action packed day. Put your feet up on the patio, take in the scenery and plan tomorrow’s adventures. Lodge rooms and suites are also a crowd pleaser and it’s now easier than ever to book online.

Teton Springs Resort straddles the Wyoming/Idaho border, an area known for its natural resources and unlimited adventure opportunities. As a guest of Teton Springs Lodge, the term "perfect day" takes on many different meanings – enjoying the resort’s 25 meter pool and hot tubs, basketball and tennis courts, fitness center, reeling in that monster cutthroat in one of the resorts’ stocked ponds (we offer instruction too – for all ages!), a family-fun golf outing on the Par 3 golf course (or championship 18-hole Headwaters Golf course), and taking in the neighborhood on a mountain bike, which just happens to be the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Yellowstone Wildlife and Scenic Tour

Both the kids and adults will remember this outing for a lifetime! A comfortable Suburban pulls up outside your lodge door and off you go to Yellowstone National Park. It’s the only way to go – no distractions that come with driving yourself through the park and your professional guide points out all the breathtaking scenery and points-of-interest along the way. Your tour of Yellowstone is a full-day filled with information on the park’s history, its eye-popping geological formations (Old Faithful is just the most famous but you’ll see others that will take your breath away) and you’ll learn about the Native Americans and settlers who roamed and lived in this area years ago.

There are frequent stops for pictures and time to truly experience our country’s first national park. Your viewfinder will likely focus in on deer, elk, bears, buffalo, moose and other animals and birds living in this splendid and natural environment. You will also stop at the most spectacular Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. We’ve got Summer vacation packages for the couple and entire family!

Contact the nice folks at the Lodge desk for details and pricing @ guestservices@tetonspringslodge.com

Book your trip to the Tetons now. As I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s the perfect time to be here! Call 877.787.8757 and visit Teton Springs Lodge. The real memories start here!

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