Life in Teton Valley, Idaho
Teton Valley, Idaho is an area located on the west slope of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Teton Valley is composed of the cities of Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia. It has a rural, agriculture and ranching based economy shifting emphasis towards recreational tourism in recent years.
Teton Valley has a rich history that involves Indian tribes populating the area in the early 19th century. The Valley was the site of the annual Rocky Mountain Fur Rendevous in 1829 and 1832. At the Rendezvous, trappers from the Rockies would go to sell their furs and traders would come in to provide supplies. Indian tribes such as the Flathead and Nez Perce also attended the rendezvous. In the summer of 1832, a battle was fought between the trappers, Flatheads and Nez Perce with the Blackfeet Indian Tribe near Victor, Idaho. Arrowheads can still be found today. In 1834, Pierre-Jean De Smet held the first religious service in the West in Teton Valley. Teton Valley is formally known as Pierre’s Hole, named by the trappers who gathered there each summer, after Pierre-Jean De Smet.
From 1841 to 1868, over 300,000 whites migrated over the South Pass, about 150 miles south of Teton Valley. The migrations were due to the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the migration of the Mormons to avoid religious persecution. The migrating groups took over lands that belonged to The Bannock, Nez Perce and Blackfeet.
The completion of the transcontinental railroad and the Homestead Act of 1862 brought many settlers into Teton Valley. Some of the present day inhabitants of Teton Valley are fifth generation descendants of the early settlers. Teton Valley, located at 6,100 feet elevation, has a unique climate and geology. The fall and spring seasons in the valley are short which gives way to longer winters producing ample snow pack in the mountains to support the lush farmland and abundant creeks and streams during the summer months.
Teton Valley has a wide variety of attractions including national parks, wildlife, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, skiing and golf. Teton Valley is located just a 90 minute drive from Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. The Valley is abundant in wildlife including the bald eagle, black bears, cougars, wolverines, and grizzly bears. The region hosts the largest herd of elk in North America. The Fly Fishing is unsurpassed in Teton Valley Idaho. Originating from springs at the south end of the valley, and fed by multiple tributaries, the Teton River is the jewel of the valley. In addition to providing irrigation water to water the abundant crops of seed potatoes, wheat, barley and alfalfa, the river is filled with large Cutthroat, Rainbow and Brooke Trout. Placid in the upper reaches of the Teton, yet turbulent and fast in its lower canyons, these monsters are always hungry for a dry fly. In addition to the Teton River, the famous waters of the South Fork of the Snake and the Henry’s Fork of the Rivers are just a 30-45 minute drive from the valley.
The Grand Teton Mountain Range provides many hiking and horseback riding opportunities, many taking you into Grand Teton National Park. The Big Hole Mountains provide good hiking to the west. The Snake River Range to the south and on the north side of the valley allows you to access some of Yellowstone’s majestic southwestern corner trails.
Grand Targhee ski resort, which boasts of the finest powder skiing in the United States, provides a great opportunity for residents or visitors to ski during the winter months. The resort is just a 20 minute drive from downtown Driggs. There are also numerous ski trails for the cross country enthusiast.
For the golfer, Teton Valley offers the new award winning David McLay Kidd course at Huntsman Springs. The course has just received the following awards i.e. 2011 Best Modern Course (Golf Week Magazine), 2011 Best Residential Course – (Golf Week Magazine), 2010 Best Private Golf Course- (GOLF Magazine), as well as the 2010 Development of the Year Worldwide Runner-up (Golf Inc.) In addition to the golf course, the club features real estate with new standing deluxe homes for sale, a full length practice facility, temporary club house featuring lunch and dinner menu, and retail shop. At Huntsman Springs, you can sit by the fire pit at “The Barn” and enjoy a great glass of wine while catching up with your friends.f
Teton Valley Idaho is conveniently isolated away from the tourist traffic and congestion of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. However, if you desire the glitz of Jackson, you are a short 30 minute drive away.
Teton Valley, Idaho is a first class destination for a primary or a secondary home property. With premier property available both on the banks of the Teton River, on the valley floor, or in the foothills of the Grand Teton Mountain Range, the views and lifestyle are unsurpassed.
