Driggs Ski Guide

Where does Driggs sit and how is lift access?

Driggs sits in Idaho's Teton Valley at around 6,100 feet, on the quiet western side of the Teton range, and it is the gateway town for Grand Targhee. The resort is not in the village itself; it is roughly a twenty to twenty five minute drive up a twisting mountain road to the base, so Driggs is a valley town base rather than a ski in ski out one.

That distinction matters. Grand Targhee has a small, no frills slopeside base with a handful of lodges if you want to wake up on snow, but most of the valley's beds, restaurants and value sit down in Driggs and neighboring Victor. The Teton Valley bus system runs between the towns and the resort, so you can ski Targhee without a car, though most visitors drive. Targhee is also the western, snowier flank of the same range as Jackson Hole, which lies about an hour and a half away over the pass.

What is the town of Driggs like?

Driggs is a small, working Idaho town, not a resort village, and that is precisely its appeal. The main street has a clutch of cafes, a brewery, a few good casual restaurants and outdoor shops, but the evening is quiet and early; this is a place to eat well and sleep, not to party.

The reward for the low key character is honesty and value. Lodging and food cost far less than in Jackson, the locals are genuinely outdoorsy rather than glossy, and the Teton views across the valley are some of the best you will get from any ski base. Anyone expecting apres ski bars, designer shops or a buzzing pedestrian plaza should skip Driggs and base in Jackson; anyone who wants powder, space and a real town will love it.

Where should you stay near Driggs?

Stay in or just outside Driggs for the best mix of value, restaurants and a short drive to Targhee, or book one of the limited slopeside lodges at Grand Targhee itself if waking on snow matters more than choice or price. The valley also offers cabins and vacation rentals between Driggs and Victor that suit families and groups well.

Value is the headline. A week here, including flights into Jackson or Idaho Falls, a rental car, lift passes and food, commonly lands in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, with the simplest trips below that and a slopeside lodge week pushing toward $4,000 to $8,000. A car is close to essential given the daily drive to the lifts and the spread of lodging across the valley, so budget for #AFFILIATE_TRANSFER or a rental.

How do you get to Driggs?

The closest major gateway is Jackson Hole Airport, roughly an hour and a quarter away over Teton Pass in normal conditions, though that pass can close or slow in heavy snow. Idaho Falls is the reliable all weather alternative, about an hour and a half to the west on easier roads, and many powder trips fly there to dodge pass closures.

From either airport you will want a car, because the daily drive up to Grand Targhee and the spread of lodging across Driggs and Victor make self drive the practical choice. The Teton Valley bus does connect the towns to the resort for those who would rather not drive in winter, but services are limited, so plan around them. Arrange transfers or a rental through #AFFILIATE_TRANSFER.

When should you go and who should skip Driggs?

Aim for January and February, when Grand Targhee's heavy snowfall is most reliable and the powder days that justify the trip come thick and frequent. The deep, often soft snow and the mellow weekday crowds are the reason experienced skiers keep coming back to this side of the Tetons, and a midweek visit lets you ride fresh tracks long after a storm has been skied out at busier resorts.

Skip Driggs if you want luxury hotels, ski in ski out convenience or lively nightlife, because the town offers none of those and the daily mountain road drive will wear thin for anyone expecting a polished resort. It also suits confident drivers more than nervous ones, since winter conditions on the road to the resort and over Teton Pass are part of the experience. Choose it for snow, value and authenticity, not for comfort or scene.

Is Driggs right for your trip?

Skiing near Driggs

These resorts are within reach of Driggs, each with our full review:

• Grand Targhee. Your home mountain from Driggs, a powder magnet with huge annual snowfall, mellow crowds and big Teton views.
• Jackson Hole. About ninety minutes over the pass, the serious, steep alternative for strong skiers wanting expert terrain and a livelier town.

Common questions