Driggs Fixer Upper on the east edge of town. Could be a cute home with the right application of elbow grease. Or, scrape it off the lot and start fresh. Nice location with excellent mountain views to the east. Short sale, all offers are subject to approval by Sellers lender.
Priced at $44,000 Call, text or email Dave Dery for details, 208-709-4155, dave@altarealty.com.
Your Teton Valley, Driggs ID, Realtor
While a handful of snow sculptors, skijorers and bingo players ended last weekend with a few extra bucks in their jeans, the biggest prize of the inaugural Teton Valley Great Snow Fest was pride in community and the promise of an ongoing event that proved it could draw crowds during a slow season.
After whimsical weather forced skijoring off Main Street in Victor, the Knotty Pine Supper Club was not in the thick of throngs gathered to cheer on contestants, but the Knotty’s owner, Brice Nelson, believes the Snow Fest will be a valuable asset moving forward.
“I’m 110 percent behind it. This is the kind of thing we have to do as a community to grow and succeed,” Nelson said.
In addition to the excitement that was generated by Snow Fest activities, Nelson was encouraged by efforts to improve the economic landscape of downtown with progressive actions by elected officials. He lauded the Victor City Council for being pro-business enough to allow the skijoring event on Main Street, even though that vision never became a reality.
“It was hard in this economy to go out on a limb and agree to close a section of Main Street without a cost-benefit analysis, but I heard time and time again how amazing people thought it would be to have skijoring downtown,” said Victor Mayor Zach Smith.
And though many Victor merchants may not have seen a significant shift in their bottom line following the Snow Fest this year, support of the event was widespread.
“We don’t think that we’ll sell more sandwiches if we have skijoring or snow sculpting on Main Street, but, just like the Music On Main summer concerts, we know it is awesome for the entire community and can’t wait until next year,” said Tom Bivins, manager of the Victor Valley Market.
At the other end of Teton Valley, businesses in Tetonia thrived with additional traffic from the Snow Fest. Bob and Lisa Foster’s Teton Mountain View Inn only had a few room that were not filled, and they sent every hungry mouth up to patronize the North End Bar and Grille where JoAnne Green was pleased with the spike in sales. Far and away the biggest draw of the Snow Fest weekend was the Snow Sculpture Competition on Main Street Driggs where over 1,200 votes were cast in favor of the ephemeral art. Scores of school children paraded down the street over the course of last week, setting the stage for the hundreds more who made Teton Valley a destination in order to witness the sculptures and attend other events.
Though some Driggs retail stores saw increased business and a few lodging options were filled by artists and others, there was not a consistent thread of improved commerce in the county seat, but that seems a benchmark for years to come. The sheer numbers filling the lawn in front of city hall evoked a sense of pride throughout last weekend. And with cold temperatures keeping the sculptures standing, motorists continue to stop and see the icy art early this week.
“The snow sculptures had an enormous effect,” said Driggs Mayor Dan Powers. “It was pretty astounding to see the number of people the display was literally stopping in the street.”
Powers, like many event organizers and elected officials, were still in the process of digesting what had just occurred with the success of the Snow Fest, but the volunteer efforts were extraordinary. He sat down this week and evaluated the in-kind donations throughout the community to better understand the scope of the Driggs event. From Corey Murdock’s $2,500 contribution of the concrete forms and labor needed to build the blocks to $25 gift certificates from local restaurants, Powers estimated more than $12K worth of value went to making the snow sculptures a reality.
It may be some time before a full reckoning is made as to the overall value of the Teton Valley Great Snow Fest, but it has become evident that the boost is morale and increased pride of place in priceless.
This article appeared in the Valley Citizen on January 18, 2012.
Just off the beaten path on the south side of Driggs, 460 Bread has an artisan loaf to suit every taste. From fresh thyme and kalmata olive sourdough to the classic baguette, their breads are hand crafted using traditional methods and the finest organic and local ingredients. They stone grind their whole-grain flours daily and bake each loaf on the hearth of their imported deck oven – the only one of its kind in the region. Find them 1/4 mile east of Highway 33 on Johnson Avenue, just a half-mile south of the stoplight in Driggs. My favorite happens to be the Ciabatta–unbelievable flavor!! Phone them at 208-354-0460, email them at info@460bread.com, or visit their website at 460bread.com.
Located in the heart of the Teton Valley in Southeastern Idaho, Teton Valley Adventures offers some of the most breathtaking scenery and excitement during the winter. From our guided tours of Mesa Falls, Yellowstone National Park or our snowmobile rentals in the Big Hole mountain range, we are sure your snowmobile adventure will be something that you’ll never forget. Come experience the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, Cave Falls, Mesa Falls or the Big Holes in the Teton Valley with our guided tours. From novice sledders to the more experienced, their is plenty of excitement for the whole family to enjoy. Find out more information about snowmobiling at tetonvalleyadventures.com.
Teton Valley, Idaho has recently been featured in VIA Magazine, the official AAA publication. Highway 33, which links the eastern Idaho towns of Driggs and Victor, follows the route that early dude ranch patrons took by steam locomotive to Teton Valley, Idaho, then by motorcar over 8,400-foot Teton Pass to Jackson Hole, Wyo. But now, as more and more western Wyoming visitors and residents have begun making the drive, the once sleepy Teton Valley has become a hive of activity. Along the 14-mile north-south stretch aptly called Main Street, a visitor can find restaurants, galleries, sites for winter fun—and nary a T-shirt shop.
Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released by the earth. In the outdoorsit is not much of a threat, it just dissipates. If it becomes entrapped or confined within a home it can be found in unnaturally high concentrations. The Federal Government lists radon as the second highest cause of lung cancer in non smoking Americans. As building materials and technics have progressed and made homes more air tight, high radon levels have become more prevalent. The good news is it is usually pretty easy to mitigate, most 3000 or so sq ft homes can be repaired for $2000 or less. Radon testing is becoming a common part of most home inspections and investigations.
Get in touch if you would like additional information or help finding the perfect piece of real estate in Driggs, Victor or Tetonia ID, Alta or Jackson Hole Wy. Call, text or email Dave Dery at 208-709-4155, dave@altarealty.com.
Your Teton Valley Realtor
Coming into 2012 the Chamber brings a lot of new momentum. We extend a very warm welcome to Grand Targhee as a sponsoring member contributing $2,000 to the Chamber. In tough economic times, strong leadership is so important to bringing jobs back, and we’re grateful that Geordie Gillett, Booth Creek Management, and Grand Targhee have stepped-up as role models.
We also want to thank Huntsman Springs for their generous contribution in helping us host our first annual Golf Tournament. And a special thank you to Allstate and Isabel Waddell Agency for sponsoring the Summer Festival.
When we polled members last year, they asked for more networking. We’ve provided several opportunities at venues like Grand Teton Brewing, at Silverstar’s fresh new showroom, and at a Teton View Village Open House. Next Tuesday, we’ll kick off a three-part social media conference at Grand Targhee designed to help you increase visibility for your business.
Members also asked that we do more to encourage shopping at local establishments. Last year we held Widespread Savings that offered discounts and a chance to win fabulous prizes during the Fourth of July season. This well received promotion distributed 5,000 local maps and coupon books with help with publication costs defrayed by Teton Valley News.
We also created an on-line discussion group to help members connect with local businesses. Need help finding someone to fix your website? Have a business challenge that someone must have an easy answer for? Have a local’s special great for valley workers? These are all great reasons to participate in the group!
This year, we’ll roll out Valley Cash. Valley Cash is a coordinated loyalty program. For every $10 in Valley Cash you purchase, you get $1 free. Valley Cash will be accepted at several local member merchants. Don’t know what to get that special someone for Valentine’s Day or their Birthday? Give Valley Cash and support the economy in the Valley at the same time!
This year we created the Teton Valley Marketing Alliance (TVMA) in conjunction with the Teton Valley Foundation, bringing together some of the valley’s top marketing professionals to manage our record grant award of $69,740 from the Idaho Travel Council. The board is chaired by Shannon Brooks-Hamby and also includes Cassie Abel, David Hudascko, Jeff Naylor, Geordie Gillett, and Dahvi Wilson. TVMA also includes the participation of Todd Jones and Alex Hillinger. This grant has brought travel writers to the Valley such as Emmy Award Winner Steve Brown (visit tetonvalleychamber.com to see Brown’s video). TVMA is also researching a central reservation engine so visitors can book accommodations at all Valley lodging on tetonvalleychamber.com.
New this year, we’re working side-by-side with Teton Valley Business Development Council (TVBDC) and our boards routinely meet together. Teton Valley Chamber members can avail themselves of small business consulting services from TVBDC. TVBDC Board members include Bob Foster, Roger Brinks, Lynda Skujins, Aaron Driggs, and Kerry Buxton. Together we are seeking to play a more active role in executing the Economic Development Plan currently being drafted by Teton County. Already we have started to provide regular reporting to all area city and county governments and we look forward to seeing you there and hearing your thoughts at those public meetings.
Also, as members of Yellowstone Teton Territory, we will be sending a representative of Teton Valley to trade shows promoting the area. We’d love to take your brochures and pamphlets to give to vacation planners and travelers at Go West and the RV Show in February and the International Sportsman’s expo in March. Please deliver your materials to the Chamber office or Teton Mountain View Lodge no later than Feb. 4.
Also, in March we’ll be sponsoring a Business Sustainability Workshop created by the Yellowstone Business Partnership designed to help businesses make desired changes in their operations and empower them to become sustainability leaders.
Finally, please join me in welcoming some new faces to the Chamber – our new Program Director Virgina Symons, and two new Board Members, Cassie Abel and Sarah Bieber. We’re excited to have them join our expanded alliance with Teton Valley Marketing Alliance, Teton Valley Foundation, Teton Valley Business Development Center, and Yellowstone Teton Territories.
Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce can be found on the web at www.tetonvalleychamber.com, onTwitter- @go2tetonvalley and Facebook. Or email listen@tetonvalleychamber.com.
This article was published in the Teton Valley News on January 12, 2012.
County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday to allow fat bikes on the groomed snowmobile trails in Teton County, and a memorandum of understanding was entered into by the fat bike community and the Idaho District 33 Snow Grooming Board in order to further define the relationship between the two winter user groups.
Previous consideration of this matter by Teton County Attorney Kathy Spitzer had deemed bicycling on groomed winter trails within the national forest an allowed use insomuch as the activity was not disallowed on the current Caribou-Targhee winter travel map, but county commissioners wanted to provide further clarity regarding trails that were outside the forest boundary, such as the Tetonia to Ashton Trail that is managed by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
Though language used in Idaho code regarding groomed snowmobile trails has been interpreted in different ways with regard to vehicles, the code clearly states that counties have the authority to allow other all-terrain vehicles, if registered, on the snowmobile trails.
“Instead of having people arguing between themselves, it seemed a lot easier to pass this resolution since the state did delegate that power to the counties,” said Teton County Commissioner Bob Benedict. “Very rarely does the state give us the authority to do that.”
Though commissioners may have sought to diffuse conflict with their recent resolution, the only friction between the two user groups historically has been where the rubber meets the road. Though members of the Idaho District 33 Grooming Board initially bristled at the thought of another user group taking a degree of ownership of the groomed trails, civil dialogue promoted by consideration of the county’s resolution produced a memorandum of understanding between the two groups that details how shared use with non-motorized users on the groomed trails could benefit District 33.
In the MOU that was signed by District 33 Board President Randy Hormon and fat bike community member Scott Fitzgerald,a fee program in support of District 33 was the basis for formal support of the new user group on the groomed trails. In additional to financial support from the biking community by way of a $50 registration that would go directly to District 33, the MOU detailed safe riding practices by fat bikers and trail etiquette that sought to ensure the longevity of the already good relationship between the two groups.
Tetonia to Ashton
While Teton County’s resolution will allow fat bikes on the portion of the Tetonia to Ashton Trail until it reaches the Bitch Creek trestle bridge, it was not clear how Fremont County would deal with the new user group.
Idaho Park and Recreation East & South Region Manager Garth Taylor did not believe Fremont County would be as willing as Teton County was to allow the fat bikes on the trail located north of Bitch Creek.
Harriman State Park
As Teton County will be a de facto pilot program for snowmobilers and fat bikers on groomed winter trails, some other agency managers are tuned in to see how the relationship develops. Though Harriman State Park has 28 miles of groomed trails designated for non-motorized use, Park Manager Keith Hobbs is considering opening sections of the state park up for fat bikers. Hobbs is in the process of organizing a demonstration that will allow him to observe the impact of the fat bikes on groomed trails.
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park
Though snowmobiles are allowed in some capacity in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and skiers are allowed most everywhere, the code of federal regulations for national parks does not currently allow fat bikes as a winter use vehicle.
In Grand Teton National Park, four-stroke snowmobiles are allowed on the frozen surfaces of Jackson Lake in order to transport ice fishermen, and any type of snowmobile is allowed on the Grassy Lake Road that accesses Ashton through the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Additionally, 318 four-stroke snowmobiles will be allowed into Yellowstone this year.
Though allowed winter use on public lands has evolved with technological advances of motorized vehicles, fat bikes are the newest non-motorized technology to enter the discussion. With a successful season on the trails in Teton County, this new user group may be allowed access into more places in the future.
“We feel pretty good about the fact that they’re willing to contribute to the trail grooming, but snowmobilers collectively will be watching pretty close to see how it works before they sign off on allowing it in other districts,” said Bob Hansen, local District 33 board member. “It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. All motorized user groups are happy to share with whoever is out there as long as we’re not getting the stink eye.”
The above information was taken from an article in the Valley Citizen dated January 11, 2012.
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Location: Lot 3, Sprung Structure Date: January 15th 2012 Time: 10:00am start Category: Snow Bike Race Registration: Open : Athlete 360 Online Registration Distances: 15K is 1 lap / 30K is 2 laps / 45K will be 3 laps Awards: 2:00pm at the finish line
The Grand Targhee Snow Bike Race 15K 1 lap / 30K 2 laps / 45K 3 laps race on the nordic track. Snow bike demos will be available before and after the race. Check the start/finish area about renting a snow bike for the race or just to ride around. Event registration details – athlete360.com last day to registrar online is January 14th. Online registration $30/45K, $20/30K & 15K races. Day of registration is from 8:00am – 9:15am at the start/finish line $40/45K , $25/30K and $25/15K. There will be Men’s & Women’s categories for both races. All racers will receive a custom event race hat (that is super cool), awards and raffle will be held after the race.
togwotteewinterclassic.com greatsnowfest.com Great Snowfest on Facebook