Skiing in Yellowstone

It is spring in Jackson and the lifts have stopped running, but the snow has not stopped falling. Normally that means mud season in Jackson. Mud season is one of the worst seasons in Jackson. The snow melts, the rain pours, and the earth turns to inches of mud. I usually pack up skiis, grab my kayak and head for warmer temperatures. Not this year. The Tetons are full of snow and Yellowstone has still has ten foot snow banks.

I joined Jeff Burke, Brian Ladd, and Greg Von Doersten for an adventure in Yellowstone. Jeff Burke shared an amazing Yellowstone secret. On the east side of the park lies endless amounts of steep skiing. The best part of the area is the Pahaska Teepee Lodge, which is only 15 minutes from the top of the pass.

Jeff planned three peaks for the group, Top Notch, Avalanche, and Done Peak. The first day we skied Top Notch Peak. It is a short skin to the top of the Peak. At the top, is a beautiful view Yellowstone lake and 2000 foot coulars. The skiing was sick.

The next morning we woke up at 4:00 and headed for Mount Done. The approach to Mount Done is a 7 mile skin through undulating terrain. I really put the Marker Duke to the test, while chasing all of the guys on Dinafit bindings. We summitted Done in 60 mile an hour winds at 11:30.

After skiing Done, we made the long back to the truck and enjoyed one of the best tasting beers I have had in long time.