Visiting Jackson Hole 3/2—3/6

[benjinyc]

Oddly, I've never spent any time in JH since coming from NYC, Utah is easier and usually more reliable, but making a go of it...snow looks good

[SJF_NH]

@beninnyc please give us your take after the trip. JH is one of the few places I've not been to and it's definitely on my hit list. Any post-ride intel you could share would be appreciated. I'm lazy and usually go to UT or CO just out of habit, but I'd like to get to JH and maybe Big Sky sometime soon too.

[SJF_NH]

Sorry @benjinyc I messed up your handle above. No disrespect, it's Friday night and I'm well into the wine...

[YukonCornelius]

JHMR is an incredible mountain, i have a spent a lot of time there over the course of my life. happy to share any insights, as it is big and gnarly and can be scary. a proper trip in jackson with a storm cycle will improve your riding from a technical standpoint and give you opportunities to try new things. this resort is responsible for my progression outside of the park in my teenage years like no other, a special place.

the mountain is generally one of the more talent filled places you will go, and will see pretty wild stuff go down in bounds there on natural terrain all over the place. the resort culture has changed a lot post covid, with people having no business being there and are there to be seen there on social media. very strange to me still since it's a very challenging mountain, but the natural beauty of that place must look good to your 500 followers i guess.

the backcountry access is second to none, from the resort itself or the pass. happy to expand here as well, lmk

teton village intel->

the village is pretty cool, not too huge relative to mega resorts but plenty of things going on.
hole in the wall is my favorite board shop there, have demo'd many boards over the years there, from Fish's to Travis's first pro model way back when
the handle bar is great for apres and lunch, but a wee bit boujee (four seasons joint)
the mangy moose is infamous but is always packed to the brim, live music often but always a fun time
overview (alex yoder's place) is great for a caffeine boost before expending lots of energy on a tram lap or exploration into cody
the market right next to the tram has pretty good pizza and reasonable prices for beers which is nice if you are looking to not spend and arm and a leg
Il Villaggio Osteria is pretty good italian and more upscale for dinner, one of the only places in the village i will go to vs town
you will probably see moose during your trip, they will straight up walk around the base area and are in various areas of the mountain

jackson hole intel->

the town of jackson is pretty touristy at most times, but with several gems all over the place
teton mountaineering is a great place if you need gear for exploring outside of the resort, good people there
the silver dollar is my favorite of the bars and has good bar food as well, live music often
million dollar cowboy is fun but often charges covers
sidewinder on the outskirts of town, but is a great bar and restaurant
the gunbarrel is a game meat focused steak house, good for bison and elk if you are into that type of thing
the bunnery for breakfast is great

i can add some other restaurant recs in here as well, lmk!

[SJF_NH]

Great write-up thanks @yukoncornelius! Lazy question: Is there on-mountain lodging?

[benjinyc]

@YukonCornelius thanks for that write-up

Im flying into SLC and driving up there (4 hours) — which is the reason I've never gone since Snowbird, etc is right there… and Snowbird JH is basically equivalent, except Snowbird has more reliable snow conditions.

I'm actually staying at a hostel ($70/night) called the Cache House, a few friends I know booked an airbnb but outside of town; I preferred to stay in town to check out the vibes.

I def would be interested in backcountry, but obv I'd need someone there to show me

I have an indy pass too, so was thinking about doing Snow King for one of those days?

[YukonCornelius]

Great write-up thanks @yukoncornelius! Lazy question: Is there on-mountain lodging?

yep, quite a bit. from hostel X to the four seasons. staying on mtn if you are doing a shred focused trip is definitely the move so you don't have to deal with the lots

[kimchi]

Jackson is sick and one my favorites.

Im flying into SLC and driving up there (4 hours) — which is the reason I've never gone since Snowbird, etc is right there… and Snowbird JH is basically equivalent, except Snowbird has more reliable snow conditions.

This is exactly the reason to go to Jackson... that little extra drive clears out a lot of crowds. Snowbird and Jackson are about equivalent in gnar. But the vibes and talent at JHMR blows Snowbird away on median. Plenty of rippers at the Bird, but lots of day trippers or tourist kooks up from SLC. Plus you don't have to worry about Canyon traffic or interlodge in the Tetons.

the mountain is generally one of the more talent filled places you will go, and will see pretty wild stuff go down in bounds there on natural terrain all over the place. the resort culture has changed a lot post covid, with people having no business being there and are there to be seen there on social media. very strange to me still since it's a very challenging mountain, but the natural beauty of that place must look good to your 500 followers i guess.

This bums me the fuck out. I went in 2019 and one of the best parts was that just about everyone was at least competent and rippers were everywhere. The only other place I've felt that comfortable that everyone around me knows what they're doing is St. Anton in the Austrian Tyrol range. Ripping freeride mountains that are huge, hard to get to, and far from major metros.

I expect it's still way better than anything close to a major metro or airport, but sounds like the Instagram effect is in full swing. Shame.

[YukonCornelius]

if you are over on the AV side, it is like being an an epic resort like breck with the need to be constantly on the lookout for human missiles, but the difference being they are in 2k of outwear and not jeans.

but as you well know, once you get to the gnarlier areas of the mountains, you won't find these folks there as they are probably stuck on the cat track.

while waiting in line for thunder 2 years ago, we watched a guy take off his skis and walk down... a bit different than my first trip there in 2004 when i saw a skier do a backie on my first ride up thunder.

this is just the new normal of resorts, social media and youtube combo has people going to these places and thinking it looks easy and they know what to do.

[ninja_nate]

I’ve been to jackson twice. Teton Thai was a really good spot just outside of Teton village and I think is co owned by a snowboarder? I forget the backstory but it’s a good spot. Mangy moose was my go to apres spot.

As for runs, Wally World trees were super fun. Hobacks on a good pow day will burn your legs to shreds.