Teton Backcountry Alliance seeks $112k to keep Teton Pass ambassadors, shuttle

On Teton Pass, the pinch points are predictable: crowded pullouts, avalanche days that spill consequences onto Highway 22, and a steady stream of first-timers stepping into serious terrain. In a FY27 funding application, the Teton Backcountry Alliance is asking the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board for $112,070 to run its winter ambassador program and the Teton Pass Free Shuttle. See: Teton Backcountry Alliance Ambassador Services Application Attachment.

TBCA says it anticipates a 20-person ambassador team, with several also serving as shuttle drivers, covering early December through mid-April, with ambassadors on duty seven days a week. The free shuttle would run Fridays through Sundays plus key holidays, transporting skiers from Wilson to Pass trailheads to ease parking congestion and reduce vehicle trips.

The application frames the program as both safety and stewardship work: ambassadors answer questions, flag high avalanche danger and road hazards, remind users about leashes and dog waste, and help manage parking and “no-parking” areas. TBCA also describes ambassadors as early responders who can support Teton County Search and Rescue and law enforcement when needed.

As preliminary results from the 2025-26 season (through March 20), TBCA reports 528.5 ambassador hours, 4,345 public contacts, and 9,149 vehicles counted at trailheads, with 23.7% labeled non-local. The shuttle carried 1,469 riders over the same period, with ridership varying by snow conditions. TBCA notes that without full funding, it would likely reduce the number of ambassador days and scale back shuttle operations.