Mountain Layout—Snowboarding

So you want to ride the deep stuff… I mean the really deep stuff, but you can't afford heli gas? No problem, head to Grand Targhee, the thrifty powder hound's choice. Powder, powder, powder…this place is all about powder. Where else can you ride where the grooming policy on a powder day is to plow three lanes down the mountain for people who get stuck to get out?

Targhee has two user-friendly mountains with Western tree riding, open glades, steeps and chutes. The traverse from Peaked Mountain to the main area may cause problems for riders who aren't skilled in carrying speed. Just stay aware. The Sacajawea area has groomed runs, bowls and plenty of off-piste action, including some cliff drops.

Experienced powder hounds will want to take advantage of the 1,000 acres of snowcat riding on Peaked Mountain. Ten riders per snowcat, with two guides, head out to enjoy this snowy playground. The longest run is 3.2 miles and covers slightly more than 2,800 vertical.

If you can't do the snowcat trip, don't fret—it's all good! Check the access gate to Mary's and you'll be more than happy if your idea of happiness is a 15-minute hike followed by five minutes of sheer terror. Hike up to the top and drop in for some 40-degree madness, or pick from your choice of doable cliffs (10- to 100-foot-plus) off the back side of the mountain. You'll have to hike back in if you opt for the cliffs.

What's more, intermediate riders will rule at this area because of its consistent pitch and open terrain. You'll pretty much have the run of the mountain. Fred's Mountain offers boundary-to-boundary skiing and riding. On snowy days, which come often, its blue runs and the trees between them are perfect pitches for pillows of powder. Chief Joseph Bowl, Blackfoot Bowl and the runs under Dreamcatcher Chair are, well, dreamy. On non-powder days, you can fly on the screaming groomers. Since the locals usually show up only when there's freshies, you'll have unbroken corduroy to yourself all day. If you want to try going off-piste, leftovers that have softened in the sun are fun on fat skis. The gladed terrain on neighboring Peaked Mountain was snatched from the cat-skiing area, corralled in-bounds and designated for intermediates. You can do laps here since this secluded patch of paradise boasts its own lift, Sacajawea.

Targhee has a small area of groomed beginner runs at its base dressed up as the Kids Fun Zone. It's served by a moving carpet, which is much easier for beginning riders than a rope tow or other surface lift. For first-time snowboarders, Grand Targhee is one of the best places to learn. Where else can you learn how to ride slamming into a pillow of powder rather than a hard-packed slope?

Parks and pipes
"Trick Town" terrain park—geared towards intermediates and advanced-intermediates—has 15 features, including eight rails, and has been a big hit with riders and freeskiers on those days when they aren't out chasing fresh tracks. The park is near the base area, on Big Scout just to the left of the Dreamcatcher quad, and is served by the Shoshone quad.

The "North Pole Park" is perfectly suited for youngsters, beginners, low-intermediates and families. It's in the "Fun Zone," also off the Shoshone quad.

The resort does not have a halfpipe (unless you count the natural halfpipe under Dreamcatcher lift—it's called Ladies Waist).