We spent a long weekend this past month in Tetonia, ID, staying at the Broili family’s dreamy cabin, which they had just completed building. Your mom visited last year to help Ben and Kelly move in, and she raved about the stunning views of the Tetons and the sunlight that filled the hilltop home from every side.
I love visiting new places, both near and far, and this trip truly filled my bucket. We flew into the quaint Idaho Falls airport, picked up our Toyota Tundra rental truck, and made the hour-long drive to the Tetonia-Driggs area. A storm had been blowing all day, so we were especially grateful for the truck, particularly on the final road leading up to the house, which was a mix of snow and mud.
The house itself lived up to all the hype. I could easily see why it attracts so many renters and influencers for lifestyle shoots. Ben and Kelly designed a home that takes full advantage of its perch, with large windows and spacious common rooms that invite company and provide breathtaking views. Of course, you and Matteo were just as interested in time on your Kindles as you were in the endless mountain vistas.
We didn’t just make this trip to visit a new vacation home; we came to ski those mountains! On our second day, we drove across the pass to Jackson Hole. We stopped at the aptly named Wydaho for a grab-and-go breakfast along the way. Again, I was grateful for the truck while navigating the steep, windy pass to Jackson Hole and the bucket-list resort. We jumped on the Bridger Gondola for our morning runs and enjoyed plenty of powder. After lunch, you, Matteo, and Mom skied the Sweetwater Gondola while I took the Broili kids, Sophia and Collin, up the renowned Tram to the top of the mountain at just over 10,400 feet. We all skied a full day, and the skies cleared from cloudy to bluebird in the afternoon.
The next day, we skied at Grand Targhee, just a 20-minute drive from the cabin across the Idaho-Wyoming border valley. The morning was sunny, and we arrived later in the day to take advantage of cheaper half-day passes. We rode the Dreamcatcher chair to the 9,800-foot peak and were blown away by the incredible views of the Tetons and the valley below. We skied easy blue and green groomers up and down the valley, with plenty of bumps and jumps off-piste to keep you and Matteo entertained. We also skied past a competition and watched a skier pull off a massive backflip over some steep cliffs.
The thing about skiing new places is it’s hard to know where to find the terrain you want. I decided to get us into some steeper tree lines, and unfortunately, Mom took a spill and hit her head. Needless to say, that wasn’t her favorite moment, and it was a good reminder of why we wear helmets! Later, I got us into a bit of a pickle when we skied the Colter chairlift, took a wrong turn, and ended up back at that lift after it closed. We couldn’t ski back down, and the liftie had to call ski patrol to help us get out of the resort. Fail! Matteo and I felt pretty embarrassed, but you and Mom kept your cool. After about 15-20 minutes of uncertainty, we were met by a laid-back ski patroller from Washington, who led us back up the chair and down the mountain the correct way. You thought she was super cool, so we snapped a photo with her to remember the event.
Back at the Broili chateau, we shared our “stuck on the mountain” story with everyone and got to relax for our final night before heading back home the next day.
For all the adventure and skiing, I’m sure what you enjoyed and will remember most was the time spent outside around the house. There was just enough snow for you and Matteo to build a snowman and sled down the driveway. You also tracked animal prints and convinced yourselves you’d found proof of a yeti, due to some large, unhuman footprints in the snow. As your mom and I socialized and looked out the window, we often saw you 50-75 yards away, following your curiosity without a care in the world. That was a great reminder that, while we can pack a lot of activities into a trip, sometimes all you really need is fresh air and a little snow to spark adventure.
Love,
Dad