June 14, 2025 — Alta, Wyoming – Under sunny skies and the towering Tetons, mountain bikers carved berms and launched jumps on Friday as Grand Targhee Resort officially opened its summer biking season.
The trails were in prime condition thanks to a timely rainstorm the night before. “The trails are great. The rain last night really helped,” said Sam Bartlit, a mountain biker visiting from Salt Lake City. “You can really lean into the berms. They call it the ‘brown pow.’”
Sam and his wife, Mel, kicked off a road trip north after finishing the ski season at Snowbird, Utah, where they both work. They camped in nearby Teton Canyon and were eager to explore the resort’s trail system. Mel, who had never ridden at a bike park before, didn’t hesitate to take on the Otter Slide Trail—one of Targhee’s most prominent downhill routes.
“The berms on Otter Slide are massive this year,” Mel said. “I was intimidated at first, but I got the hang of it pretty fast.”
Trail Work Brings New Energy to the Slopes
Otter Slide got a major facelift in the offseason, according to Kevin Frazier, Grand Targhee’s trails manager. “We just built the berms up and gave it new life,” he said.
Targhee caters to riders of all levels, Frazier explained. While more technical trails descend from the Dreamcatcher Lift, the Shoshone Lift offers gentler terrain perfect for beginners. In addition to its lift-accessed downhill trails, the resort also boasts 50 miles of cross-country routes open to the public.
On opening day, only the Shoshone Lift was spinning due to lingering snow at higher elevations. But warmer weather is expected to allow for more terrain to open soon.
Racing Returns and Groms Show Up Strong
Special events manager Tony Ferlisi and his team are gearing up for a busy summer, beginning with a brand-new, four-race downhill mountain bike series launching Saturday.
Among Friday’s most enthusiastic riders were local kids—known in the biking world as “groms.” Youngsters like Liam Gardner and Oliver Kugelman returned to the trails with excitement, despite missing the winter ski season.
Gardner said he was chasing an “adrenaline rush” on his first ride back and focused on staying upright after a long winter break. Kugelman noted that trail conditions were ideal. “The berms are so much smoother, and it’s like looser dirt right now,” he said.
Brewer Moulton, 13, appreciated that the trails were still in near-perfect condition. “It’s the first day of the season, so there are no brake bumps yet,” he said. “It’s really smooth and fun.”
Riders Celebrate Perfect Opening Conditions
For bikers Tyler Bushong and Mariana Rong, their first lift-served lap of the season didn’t disappoint.
“It’s not too dusty,” Bushong said after the run.
“Hero dirt,” Rong added with a grin.
“Yeah, it’s hero dirt,” Bushong echoed in agreement.
With perfect trail conditions, smiling faces, and excitement in the air, the summer biking season at Grand Targhee is off to a strong start.