On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Forest Service approved a 694-acre expansion for Grand Targhee, a resort in the mountains of Alta, Wyoming.

Before approving the expansion, there were many factors that had to be considered first.

"The Forest evaluated the proposal using a full range of environmental, social, and economic considerations under [National Environmental Policy Act], including impacts to wildlife habitat, watersheds, recreation access, public safety, and visitor experience," said Jared Fisher, a BYU-Idaho graduate and public affairs specialist for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. "The proposal was scaled down from the original acreage to reduce impacts, while still meeting recreation demand and aligning with national policy and land‑management objectives."

In 1966, local residents envisioned a ski area and formed Grand Targhee Resort, Inc., an Idaho nonprofit organization. The resort opened on Dec. 26, 1969, and has since grown into one of the region's premier ski destinations, averaging just over 200,000 skier visits each year, less than half the attendance of the neighboring Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Resort officials say the next step in that growth is a long-term expansion designed to preserve the experience that has made Grand Targhee popular.

"Expanding terrain and improving infrastructure will help us sustain our skier-per-acre advantage without compromising the experience that defines Grand Targhee," the Grand Targhee website states. "That’s why we’re pleased that the Caribou-Targhee National Forest has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for our proposed Master Development Plan (MDP), outlining projects that will shape the next 10 to 15 years on the mountain."

Some of the expansions and new additions that this plan includes is three new lifts, upgrades to previous lifts, boundary adjustments and on-mountain restaurants.

Fisher said the project also includes several measures intended to reduce environmental impacts.

"The Forest incorporated multiple layers of protection identified through the NEPA process," Fisher said. "This includes Forest Plan amendments focused on sensitive wildlife species, resource‑specific mitigation measures, and design standards to reduce visual and ecological impacts."

With this expansion, however, there's been residents in the surrounding areas who have voiced their frustration.

One example of this is the No Targhee Expansion website.

"Our mission is to preserve the environment, community, and livability of Teton Valley by reining in the expansion of Grand Targhee Resort," the website reads. "We are Teton Valley, Idaho and Teton County, Wyoming citizens and citizens from across the nation who want Grand Targhee to stay within its present boundaries so that resort growth does not push Teton Valley into an unsustainable and inequitable future."

Ron James, a Teton County Commissioner, said he believes local concerns were overlooked during the approval process.

"This basically got rubber stamped. They're going to approve it come hell or high water," James said. "Teton County is getting screwed in this deal. Our citizens are getting screwed."

Fisher said public comments largely focused on wildlife, watershed health, erosion, traffic, recreation access and preserving the character of Teton Valley. He said that feedback influenced the final Environmental Impact Statement by reducing the project's footprint, strengthening mitigation measures and refining management requirements.

According to Fisher, the Forest Service believes the revised plan strikes a balance between expanding recreation opportunities and protecting the area's natural resources and rural character.

Although the expansion has been approved, individual projects must still complete additional planning, environmental review and permitting before construction can begin.

You can view the full details of the proposed plan here.