Grand Targhee Resort has submitted formal plans to expand its base area, including a new hotel, condos, and an enlarged Trap Bar. The proposal comes as debates continue over the resort’s broader ski area expansion plans, particularly its request to grow onto U.S. Forest Service land.
Owner and general manager Geordie Gillett told the folks at JHNG that the base area renovations are necessary to modernize outdated infrastructure from the 1970s, better serve growing skier demand, and enhance the guest experience, all while preserving the resort’s laid-back “Targhee vibe.”
The development includes a 135-room hotel, new condos near the resort’s south entrance, and significant upgrades to skier services such as rentals and dining. These plans would push the resort closer to the 2018 master plan’s development limits, which allow up to 450 lodging units and 150,000 square feet of commercial space.
Teton County, Wyoming, which oversees base area development, is beginning to discuss the proposal, though public hearings are not imminent. Some commissioners question whether the master plan allows too much growth, given its relatively generous density allowances.
Gillett emphasized that the goal is not simply to sell luxury real estate, but to create lodging that is frequently occupied by active skiers and guests. He hopes the improvements will attract more “lucrative” visitors, those who dine, take lessons, and rent gear, and complement potential ski terrain expansion by offering more places to stay.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
