• EMAIL THIS PAGE
• PRINT THIS PAGE

Teton Valley, Idaho

Those who have peeled back the "Spud Curtain" can confirm that Teton Valley, Idaho, in recent years has redefined "the Quiet Side of the Tetons" as more than a bedroom community for Jackson Hole.

The valley, once the domain of fur traders, but was settled by Mormon families who hand-dug the irrigation ditches that continue to feed today's potato and barley fields. While still attached to its rural roots, the valley also known as Pierre's Hole continues to evolve. The rolling landscape that once attracted farmers now draws those looking for backdoor access to fly-fishing, climbing, skiing and mountain biking. These modern mountain men and women are putting down their own roots, raising families and contributing to the shape and feel of this Idaho gem. Many are making a go at their own businesses and not relying on a job in Jackson.

Teton Valley is a high-elevation basin cradled between the Big Hole Mountains and the Teton Range. The county consists of about 459 square miles - or 294,012 acres - with 65 percent of the land in private holdings and the rest managed by federal or state agencies.

The average high temperature in July is 80 degrees, while the average low for the month is 47 degrees. In January, the average high is 28 with an average low of 8.

Teton County is the fastest-growing county in Idaho. Since 2000, the county's population has grown by almost 70 percent while the state has grown by 21 percent.

Victor

This community in the southern reaches of Teton Valley is true to its motto:"A town to come home to." Victor, established in 1889 and once the end of the Union Pacific railroad line, continues to surprise and delight as it embraces smart growth concepts.

Victor has examples of cutting-edge development and housing options. The Teton Springs Resort, south of Victor just off of Highway 33 from Teton Pass, is the first development of its kind in the county. It offers sophisticated dining, spa, pool, golf and modern accommodations. Teton Springs also maintains some of the best groomed Nordic trails in the winter. Mountainside Village, just west of Teton Springs, offers a new kind of living with energy-efficient construction and design and solar-paneled, clustered homes. From the Ponds, a development just north of town that provides comfortable condo living, to the several traditional neighborhood designs, there is something for almost every kind of homeowner.

Main Street offers a quaint, small-town feel with freshly painted bike lanes and paved sidewalks. One can easily find the Victor Valley Market - open 365 days a year - along with a post office, shops, art galleries, plenty of good food and home-brewed drink.

Driggs

The city of Driggs is the county seat and home to the newly constructed, three-story Teton County Courthouse, the Driggs Community Center and, at the end of summer 2011, the newly redesigned Main Street. Named after the pioneering Driggs family whose descendants still make their homes along its quiet, tree-lined city streets, the town features a bustling Main Street complete with the Broulim's shopping mall, the Barrels and Bins organic grocer and the Corner Drug Pharmacy and its old-fashioned soda fountain.

Driggs, recently chosen by National Geographic as part of its Geotourism Guide, is also home to the valley's largest private development, Huntsman Springs.

From railroad homes built in the early 1940s to condo living just north of Driggs, the city continues to offer a variety of living options for the first-time homebuyer as well as those looking for the ultimate mountain home getaway with city amenities.

Tetonia

A rural outpost, Tetonia is home to the best four-peak Teton Range views in the valley. On long summer evenings, old grain elevators become silhouettes against a background of the towering Grand Teton. Tetonia is probably the county's best-kept, and untouched, secret.

A gateway to Island Park, Henry's Fork, West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park, Tetonia is the smallest town in Teton County. It includes Tetonia Elementary School, a post office, the Mountainview Lodge just south of town and two of the most popular local hangouts, Dave's Pub and the Northend Bar and Grill.

Conservation easements protect important stretches of land in the area. Just north of town, River Rim Ranch sits on the edge of Teton Canyon and overlooks the entire Teton Valley.

Swan Valley

Swan Valley is separated from Teton Valley by Pine Creek Pass. The towns of Swan Valley, Irwin and Palisades are nestled in the Big Hole, Snake River and Caribou mountain ranges and bisected by the South Fork of the Snake River.

The largely undeveloped area has about 700 residents, according to the 2010 Census. The area also features a few diners, bars, fly-fishing shops and lodges and is home to the Rainy Creek gas station and its world-famous "square" ice cream cones.

The area is a rural get-away for those who want to focus on the quiet life and large cutthroat trout.

Attractions and recreation

The discerning Teton Valley thrill-seeker has several options for fun. World Cast Anglers and Three Rivers Ranch offer complete access to local waterways. The Teton Valley Museum offers an in-depth look at the valley's history - before visitors toasted the mountain's champagne powder days. Grand Targhee Resort, just 12 miles from the city traffic lights, was established to augment the winter economy after the harvest. These days Grand Targhee Resort has been hailed as holding the best snow in the U.S., averaging 600 inches a season. Los Angeles Times and The New York Times have called the resort a sought-after, family-friendly destination.

Transportation

Teton Valley is strung together by a series of state-maintained highways, paved and gravel county roads and city-maintained streets that are laid out in the traditional Mormon grid system. Translated, it's easy to find your way around the valley.

Highway 33 runs through the center of the county, with the Tetons to the east and the Big Hole Mountains to the west. Along the highway to the west, you will find one of many Rails to Trails projects maintained by the nonprofit Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. This old Union Pacific railroad track is part of the larger pathways picture that connects Victor, Driggs, Alta and Grand Targhee Resort. Smaller bike paths lead to the Big Hole Mountains, public schools and Darby and Fox Creek canyons.

The Teton County, Wyo., public transportation system START began shuttling passengers over Teton Pass in 2006. Buses stop in Victor and Driggs twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening during the weekdays. START adds an additional pick-up in the summer months. START picks up and drops off passengers at three locations in Victor and one location in Driggs.

The Driggs Reed Memorial Airport is north of town and accommodates private jets and airplanes in and out of Teton Valley. The closest regional airports are Jackson Hole Airport and the Idaho Falls Regional Airport. Both provide shuttles to and from Teton Valley. The nearest international airport is in Salt Lake City.

Education

There are several options for students in Teton Valley, including private and public education. The public school system, Teton County School District No. 401 is made up of Teton High School, the alternative Basin High School, the newly built Teton Middle School and four elementary schools. Each city has its own neighborhood elementary school that includes full-day and half-day kindergarten options. Driggs Elementary School also offers a preschool option. The district recently established a fourth- and fifth-grade elementary school in Driggs.

The Teton Valley Community School graduated its first eighth-grade class in 2011. This growing nonprofit, independent school in Victor offers preschool and kindergarten through eighth-grade classes.

The Learning Academy of Teton Valley in Driggs is a private school that caters to prekindergarten through the eighth-grade students.

Health care

The largest health care system in the valley is the county-run medical facility, Teton Valley Health Care. The system includes the Driggs Medical Clinic, the Victor Medical Clinic and a 13-bed hospital in Driggs. Teton Valley Health Care continues to evolve, and planned to unveil a digital mammography unit in summer 2011 along with a new CT scanner and X-ray room. Offering a variety of in-house and visiting specialists, Teton Valley Health Care has full-time family practitioners and a full-time orthopedic surgeon. The medical facility offers emergency care and meets Medicare and Medicaid insurance needs.

Also available in Teton Valley is Four Peaks Urgent Care, north of Driggs. This facility currently is negotiating with St. John's Medical Center, based in Teton County, Wyo., for transfer of the practice and lease of the building. The Four Peaks medical practice currently offers emergency services and family practice needs four days a week.

Shopping and dining

Teton Valley takes pride in eating locally grown foods, and diners can find options ranging from Thai to Mexican to fine dining and traditional steak and eggs. A Glady's burger at the Spud Drive-In, a lime freeze at the old-fashioned soda fountain at the Corner Drug Pharmacy or homemade ice cream and cheeses at the Creamery on Main Street in Driggs are at the top of resident's must-have list. Don't miss the Warbird's Museum and Warbirds Cafe, offering some of the finest dining in Teton Valley.

While shopping on the main streets in Victor or Driggs, one can find everything from sophisticated home decor to secondhand outdoor gear to the newest in road bikes and ski equipment. Although the off-seasons can be pretty quiet as people wait for summer to begin or the first snow to fall, many of the small shops continue to serve locals.

Entertainment

From national headliners to the historical Spud Drive-in south of Driggs, Teton Valley holds an eclectic mix of entertainment options that can surprise just as much as they can delight.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Driggs

Population: 1,660

Average household size: 2.8

Total families: 385

Average family size: 3.4

Median age: 31.3

Median household income: $38,047

Families median income: $50,179

Number of businesses:

Median house value: $220,900

Zip code:83422

Elevation: 6,109 feet

Sources:
US Census Data, Teton County School District No. 1, Teton County, WY

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Tetonia

Population: 269

Average household size: 2.8

Total families: 62

Average family size: 3.6

Median age: 35.8

Median household income: $42,813

Families median income: $50,417

Number of businesses:

Median house value: $142,200

Zip code:83424, 83452

Elevation: 6,047 feet

Sources:
US Census Data, Teton County School District No. 1, Teton County, WY

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Swan Valley

Population: 204

Average household size: 2.2

Total families: 66

Average family size: 2.7

Median age: 48

Median household income: $41,250

Families median income: $45,000

Number of businesses:

Median house value: $189,300

Zip code:

Elevation:

Sources:
US Census Data, Teton County School District No. 1, Teton County, WY

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Victor

Population: 1,928

Average household size: 2.9

Total families: 433

Average family size: 3.5

Median age: 31

Median household income: $55,982

Families median income: $47,969

Number of businesses:

Median house value: $234,500

Zip code:83455

Elevation: 6,214 feet

Sources:
US Census Data, Teton County School District No. 1, Teton County, WY

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Teton County

Population: 10,170

Average household size: 2.78

Total families: 2,509

Average family size: 3.33

Median age: 33.7

Median household income: $51,125

Families median income: $54,966

Number of businesses:

Median house value: $289,900

Zip code:83422, 83424, 83452, 83455

Elevation: 6,109 feet (Driggs)

Sources:
US Census Data, Teton County School District No. 1, Teton County, WY