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The last week has been more than amazing in Jackson Hole. I am finally recovered and feeling good. It’s so nice to have my body feeling good and confidence back! More snow is on the way! Yahoo!
Life is good in Jackson Hole. The skiing couldn’t have been better this spring. It didn’t stop snowing until June. The upper elevations were packed with powder and the lower elevations had some of the best corn skiing I have ever experienced. I spent April skiing the deserted slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It was magical. I spent many days as the only skier at the resort. No lifts lines, no closed areas, and no one to tell you what to do. The 4,000 vertical skin up to the summit is a great way to get into shape for skiing in the Tetons. The choices of fresh lines are endless. One of my favorite days was ripping the Hobacks solo. It was rewarding to look up at the mountain on my drive home and to see only one track on the entire mountain and know that it was mine. Talk about painting a fresh canvas.
Once the snow settled in the surrounding mountain ranges: the Tetons and the Snake River Range my mornings were earlier and the days were longer. My favorite ski this spring was on Ferry Peak south of Jackson. I began my assent in the dark. As the sun started to show itself, I could see it dancing across the Snake River down below. When I stopped to enjoy the view, a group of 12 mountain goats decided to join me. It was incredible to see the athleticism of the goats as the jumped from tiny ledge to ledge. The goats followed me up the ridge for twos hours. It was an experience I will never forget.
I skied the North East Face of the Peak. The terrain felt like Alaska with spines, pillows, and 50 degree slopes. The snow couldn’t have been better. There was a foot of fluffy powder on top that eventually turned into perfect corn. It was a great ski!
As the snow started to melt, the rivers started to rise and it was time to get in my kayak. The Gros Ventre River, a class IV river, is a local favorite. I am lucky enough to live a few miles from the take out. The GV peaked at it’s highest recorded level ever. It was one of the best GV seasons ever. So good that it was hard to decide to jump and in the car and drive anywhere. No need when its good right out your front door.
The rivers eventually dropped out, but the mountain biking turned on. It took awhile for the snow to melt, but when it did, the trails couldn’t have been better. With a 260 percent snow pack this year, the wildflowers look more like trees. The single track trails have been over the head in flowers.
There is still a lot of snow in the high peaks in the Tetons, so I haven’t been able to tick many of the peaks off my list yet. I climbed the Middle Teton to get a look around and it still looks a lot like winter up there. Luckily, the peaks aren’t going anywhere and there will be plenty of time to climb when I get back from New Zealand.
Summer always feel a little short, but I’m always excited to see the snow fly. I more fired up then ever to compete on the Freeride World Tour, www.freerideworldtour.com. With stops in the US, Europe, and Russia it should be a good season.
