FOR THE WILD AT HEART JACKSON HOLE
Alf Alderson heads Stateside for a taste of the Wild West
WHERE IS IT?
.Jackson Hole is in Wyoming, situated between the Teton Mountains and the Gros Ventre range: it gets its name from a term used by early mountain men for a large mountain valley. The skiing here is some of the most scenically spectacular in North America, but it can also be some of the most challenging
WHY IS IT SO GOOD FOR THE ‘WILD AT HEART’?
Whether you like wild skiing, wild landscapes, wild animals or the Wild West, Jackson Hole serves up the goods. There’s the infamous Corbet’s Couloir off the top of 10,450ft Rendezvous Mountain, for example (mandatory air to get into it followed by a steep, narrow descent); some epic backcountry, and, once you get on to the piste, don’t be surprised to encounter the odd moose ambling by.
The surrounding mountain landscapes are a geography teacher’s dream, and if you head into the satellite town of Jackson, you’ll soon realise that cowboy boots, Stetson hats and big trucks are de rigeur for the locals.
WHY GO NOW?
The USA has ditched almost all Covid protocols so you can enjoy skiing one of the country’s biggest and best ski hills without wearing a mask. Despite its reputation as an expert’s mountain, there’s still a good selection of intermediate terrain accessed by a fast and efficient network of lifts. These include the famous Jackson Hole Tram up Rendezvous Mountain, which you can ride down as well as up if you decide the slopes off the top are too steep.
If you want a break from skiing, take a trip to nearby Yellowstone National Park, where there’s a good chance of spotting wolves in winter. The National Elk Reserve is even closer and home to thousands of these stately creatures, which can be viewed from sleigh rides.
This winter saw three of the Club's most experienced Reps based in Jackson, including the aptly named Bob West. Thanks to their invaluable insider knowledge, Members have been able to discover the best of this legendary resort's town and mountain.
DON'T MISS…
If you’re looking for something a little less scary than Corbet’s Couloir, you’ll find plenty of steep blacks off Rendezvous Mountain, below which are more black chutes, bumps and glades in Cheyenne Bowland the Hobacks.
There are yet more chutes off the Sublette Chair and in Tensleep Bowl, not to mention the exciting terrain of the Crags, and over3000 acres of glorious backcountry which can be explored with a guide.
As for après, the lively Mangy Moose beneath the slopes and the Silver Dollar Saloon and Million Dollar Cowboy bar in downtown Jackson shouldn’t be missed