Grand Targhee Expansion
Learn about Grand Targhee Resort's new Master Development Plan and how to get involved...
Update: June 4, 2026
GTR FEIS Objection Period is Open
The Forest Service's Draft Record of Decision (ROD) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Grand Targhee Resort's expansion request are out, officially opening the 45-day objection period. The ROD confirms that the Forest Service has chosen to allow Targhee a majority of its proposed projects within bounds and to expand its footprint by 694 acres into South Bowl and the Mono Trees. This decision comes despite significant concerns about environmental and socioeconomic impacts from our local government and community.
What is VARD doing?
We submitted a letter to Teton County, WY commissioners with our NGO collaborative partners—read it HERE. And, we are going through the FEIS—one page at a time. We'll keep you posted!
The opportunity to object is only open to those who have commented on the project before; to see if your comment was previously recorded, search for your name in the public reading room. The content of your objection must directly relate to your previous comments and/or how the USFS failed to address your concerns in the FEIS or ROD.
An objection must include:
1). Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
2). Identification of the lead objector, when multiple names are listed on an objection.
3). The subject: “Grand Targhee Master Development Plan Projects”
4). Addressed to: Kim Pierson, Forest Supervisor Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
5). A statement of the issues to which the objection applies.
6). A statement that demonstrates the link between your comments submitted spring of 2025 and the content of the objection.
7). A concise statement explaining the objection and suggesting how the proposed plan decision may be improved. Identify how the plan is inconsistent with law, regulation, or policy.
To view how your comment was addressed by USFS in the FEIS, search for your name in the FEIS document. Each comment has been paired with a designated number; this number is used in Appendix E to show how the Forest Service addressed your comment in the FEIS. If you need help navigating the document, give us a call and we can do a quick walk through with you.
The deadline to submit an objection is July 13, 2026. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our team.
Update: May 28, 2026
In a press release from the Forest Service today, we learned that the draft decision for the Grand Targhee Resort Expansion will be released soon—"A legal notice will be published in the Federal Register, initiating a 45‑day objection period for the project and its five project‑specific amendments. A 60‑day objection period will also begin for the programmatic amendment."
While the full details of the draft decision haven't been released, the Forest Service's spokesperson shared with Jackson Hole News & Guide that 694 acres of the 866 acres of requested expansion will be approved and the decision comes with outlined requirements for any on-mountain restaurants.
The Forest Service received over 2,100 substantive public comments.
Our team will dive into the details when the decision is released.
Grand Targhee Resort Draft EIS
Forest Service Open House - Date Change
APRIL 17 | 5-8 pm
Driggs Community Center | 60 S Main Street, Suite 200
On March 21, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest released the Draft Environmental Statement (dEIS) for Grand Targhee commencing the 90-day comment period which ends June 20th. The purpose for the open house is to provide information on the project and gather public information.
*USFS Project page with links
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SAVE THE DATE - NGO Collaborative Meetings
Jackson | Monday, May 12 | 6-8pm
125 Virginian Lane
Driggs | Thursday, May 15 | 6-8pm
Seniors West of the Tetons (SWOT)
60 S Main St #350
VARD, Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA), Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance (JHCA) & Teton Backcountry Alliance (TBA) will be hosting two informative public meetings in May. Stay tuned for details! This will be an opportunity to learn about what projects are being proposed, what expansion means, what the alternatives are, and how to write substantive comments. The Driggs meeting will be a hybrid meeting, so if you cannot attend in person there will be a zoom option. Pre-register HERE.
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Listen to our ED interview with local news about the GTR dEIS...
Write a letter to the editor. Let your neighbors know what you think...
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Grand Targhee Resort Draft EIS
TODAY, Friday, March 21, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest released the Draft Environmental Statement (dEIS) for Grand Targhee commencing the 90-day comment period. Following the scoping period in 2020, Caribou-Targhee National Forest published a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for implementing the 2018 MDP which was anticipated to be released in Spring 2022. After being sent back to the SE group numerous times, it has now been released.
*USFS Project page with links
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UPDATES -
Study released and article in the TVN regarding the findings. DEIS expected any day now.
"Effects of Proposed Grand Targhee Development on Public Services and Housing Markets in Teton County, ID" ECONorthwest, July 2022
"Grand Targhee expansion impact study released", TVN Article 7/20/22
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Grand Targhee has initiated its Master Development Plan (MDP) through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF). The following is a brief summary from CTNF of the plan:
Adjust SUP/operational boundaries; install, replace, and realign lifts; glade, grade, and develop terrain; construct, improve and reclaim roads; expand snowmaking; build guest service facilities, construct trails; build recreation activity zones.
Please visit the CTNF website for more links and information about the complete project here.
VARD is focused on ensuring that all relevant issues are raised during the scoping period and are included for study, analysis, and subsequent incorporation into the Draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). The Draft EIS is currently being prepared by the Forest Service and is expected to be available for public review in the Spring of 2022. The public will have a minimum of 90 days after the Notice of Availability is published for the DEIS to provide comments on the analysis and findings. Please refer to the NEPA Process flowchart to explain the timeline of the process. The Draft EIS will contain several alternatives, including a “no-build” alternative, a “full-build” alternative, and several alternatives in between. Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF) will pick their preferred alternative once they have all the information included in the document. We will stay abreast on this major project as it develops. Please visit the below links for more info and feel free to contact us with any questions.
SE Group Main Project Page
Targhee DEIS Release Date Delayed
Anna and Niki Talk Grand Targhee Expansion
VARD’s comment letter
Grand Targhee Master Development Plan
What is VARD doing about the Targhee Expansion?
Counties may hold joint town hall on Grand Targhee expansion