Your First Winter Trip to Teton Valley: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

There’s something magical about seeing Teton Valley, Idaho in winter for the first time. Snow-covered mountains, sugar-frosted evergreens, cozy restaurants, wide-open cross-country ski trails and, of course, some seriously incredible downhill skiing makes winter a seriously great season to visit the Tetons. 

But if you’ve never traveled to a mountain destination in winter, you probably have a few questions. Do you need four-wheel drive? How cold does it actually get? Where should you buy groceries? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

A little advance planning goes a long way toward making a winter vacation in Teton Valley all you want it to be. Here are 10 things we think every first-time winter visitor should know before heading our way.

1. Know How You’re Going to Get Around

Teton Valley includes the communities of Victor, Driggs and Tetonia, with Grand Targhee Resort located just a few miles up the mountain. Unlike other places, ride programs like Uber are not always available here, so you’ll want your own transportation to explore everything the valley has to offer.

If you're flying, the two closest airports visitors use are Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA). Private planes can also fly into the Driggs airport. Your route into Teton Valley will depend on where you're coming from, and winter weather can occasionally affect which route makes the most sense.

We've put together a complete Transportation Guide for Visiting Teton Valley with information about airports, driving routes, local transportation services, buses and shuttles. It's worth reading before you book your trip, especially if this will be your first visit.

2. Be Prepared for Winter Driving

Our local road crews do an excellent job maintaining our main roads, but snow, ice, wind and quickly changing weather can quickly affect driving conditions. If you're renting a vehicle, make sure that it has the tires and capability to drive in winter conditions. Don’t worry about offending the rental people, they’re used to it! 

You'll also want to arrange your rental vehicle before arriving in Teton Valley. Major rental-car companies are located at the airports and it’s good to make reservations ahead of time as during the busy season they can run out of cars.

If you're flying into Jackson, your route into Teton Valley will normally take you over Teton Pass. During significant winter storms, the pass can occasionally close temporarily because of hazardous conditions or avalanche mitigation. 

Before heading out, check weather and road conditions. Idaho 511 is an excellent resource for Idaho roads, (there is a website and an app you can download to your phone before you visit), and travelers coming from Wyoming should check Wyoming road conditions as well. 

3. Expect Cold Temperatures and Shorter Days

Winter daytime temperatures in Driggs average in the 30s, while overnight temperatures can drop into the low teens or even single digits. January is typically one of our coldest months, with averages around 33°F during the day and 9°F at night.

Of course, those are averages. Mountain weather can change quickly, and sunny winter afternoons can feel surprisingly comfortable while early mornings and evenings can be pretty chilly.

There's another winter difference visitors sometimes forget: daylight. During the height of winter, sunset is usually by around 4:45 or 5 p.m.

Keep that in mind when planning outdoor activities and driving. Start adventures earlier in the day, and don't plan on squeezing in a long scenic drive or outdoor excursion starting at 4 p.m. the way you might during a summer vacation.

4. Pack Layers and Good Boots

You don't necessarily need an enormous suitcase filled with heavy sweaters. What you really need are layers.

A good winter packing strategy starts with moisture-wicking base layers, followed by insulating layers and a weather-resistant outer layer. Hats, gloves, warm socks and good shoes or boots (warm and with good walking traction soles) are essentials.

Layering becomes especially important if you're planning active adventures such as downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking. You may be surprised by how warm you get once you start moving. Being able to remove a layer and put it back on later can make your day much more comfortable.

Also, good boots or shoes are a must. Even if you're simply walking from your vacation rental to your car or exploring downtown Driggs, you'll appreciate warm, dry feet.

One more tip: keep an extra layer, hat and gloves in the car. Mountain weather has a habit of being unpredictable.

5. Stock the Kitchen After You Arrive

One of the pleasures of staying in a vacation rental is having your own kitchen. Teton Valley has two primary full-service grocery stores: Broulim's in Driggs and Victor Valley Market in Victor. In Driggs, Barrels & Bins is another favorite stop for natural, organic, specialty and bulk foods. You'll also find smaller convenience stores and markets around the valley for quick necessities.

We recommend making a grocery stop early in your trip and stocking up your kitchen before starting out on adventures. Keep some snacks and water in your car, too, just in case. Keeping food enough for at least one easy meal is also a good backup plan when a winter storm rolls through and staying in sounds much more appealing than heading back onto the roads.

6. Make Time for Teton Valley's Restaurants

Having a kitchen doesn't mean you should cook every meal. Definitely not!

Teton Valley has a fantastic local food scene, with everything from coffee shops and bakeries to casual après-ski spots, pizza, elevated dining and cozy restaurants perfect for warming up after a day outdoors.

Because winter hours can vary and popular restaurants can get busy during ski season, it's a good idea to check current hours and make reservations when they're available.

Before your trip, browse our Food & Restaurants guides on the Teton Valley Vacation Rentals blog. We've done plenty of delicious research for you, and you'll find ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and more.

7. Choose a Winter Home Base You'll Enjoy Spending Time In

In summer, you can easily spend the entire day away from where you are staying from morning to night. Winter is different. Your vacation rental becomes part of the experience.

Imagine coming home after a day in the snow, kicking off your boots, tossing wet clothes into the laundry and warming up next to a fireplace. Maybe someone starts dinner in the kitchen while the kids spread out in the living room. Outside, the snow is falling and suddenly nobody is in a hurry to go anywhere.

That's one of the reasons a vacation rental can be such a great fit for a winter trip.

When choosing your Teton Valley Vacation Rental, think beyond the number of beds. Look for the winter amenities that matter to your group: a fireplace, full kitchen, washer and dryer, mudroom or gear storage, hot tub, comfortable gathering spaces and enough room for everyone to relax.

And if Mother Nature decides to give you a snow day, having a comfortable home base means staying in can become one of your favorite parts of the trip.

8. Grand Targhee Is a Big Part of Winter Here

For many winter visitors, Grand Targhee Resort is the star of the show.

Located on the western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming, Grand Targhee averages more than 500 inches of snow annually and offers more than 2,600 acres of skiable terrain. You'll find terrain for beginners through experts, making it a great option for families and groups with different skiing and snowboarding abilities.

If skiing is one of the main reasons for your vacation, take a look through the Grand Targhee section of our blog before you arrive. We've put together guides and ideas that can help you plan your ski days, activities, and stay.

9. You Don't Have to Ski to Love Winter Here

This might be one of the biggest misconceptions about a Teton Valley winter vacation. kiing is fantastic, but it's definitely not the only reason to come.

You can explore groomed cross-country Nordic trails, go snowshoeing in quiet forests, try fat-biking on snow, book a snowmobile adventure, take a sleigh ride or simply spend a slow afternoon exploring the shops, coffee houses and restaurants in Victor and Driggs.

We've put together an entire guide called Don't Ski? Other Top Winter Activities in Teton Valley, so add that one to your pre-trip reading list—especially if you're traveling with a group where not everyone wants to spend every day on the slopes.

10. We Have Great Winter Events

Here's one last tip that first-time visitors may not realize: Winter in Teton Valley offers some of our most fun and unusual local events. Events like: 

• Snowscapes: Our annual snow-sculpting competition in Driggs, when huge blocks of snow are transformed into elaborate works of art.
• Skijoring Grand Showdown: A very unique combination of horses, riders, skiers, speed, snow and a whole lot of cheering.

Depending on when you visit, you'll also find Nordic ski races, live music, community gatherings and other seasonal events.

Check out our guide to Skijoring and Snow Sculpting: Best Winter Events in Teton Valley and check current event calendars before booking your tickets. You might discover something worth planning your entire trip around.

Best Winter Vacation Rentals in Teton Valley, Idaho

Don't underestimate how much your choice of where to stay can affect your winter getaway. At Teton Valley Vacation Rentals, we offer vacation homes, condos and townhomes throughout the valley, giving you the space and amenities to create your own comfortable winter home base. Whether you're looking for a cozy getaway for two, room for the entire family, or a fireplace to gather around after skiing, you can choose a property that fits the way you want to travel.

Spend the day skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, exploring or eating your way through Teton Valley—and then come home, get cozy and do it all again tomorrow. We’re here to help you every step of the way.