Jackson Pow awaits

[AdironRider]

Well not for a while, but I just booked 5 nights/4 days skiing in Jackson Hole from March 18th to the 23rd. Cant wait! Anyone know of anything I need to check out while Im there? Heres to hoping I have the balls for Corbets.

 

[kcyanks1]

Well not for a while, but I just booked 5 nights/4 days skiing in Jackson Hole from March 18th to the 23rd. Cant wait! Anyone know of anything I need to check out while Im there? Heres to hoping I have the balls for Corbets.

The Hobacks, if they are still open (they are lower mountain and by the time of year the snow is melting down there), and the chutes off Thunder and Sublette (Tower 3, Alta).

 

[kcyanks1]

The Hobacks, if they are still open (they are lower mountain and by the time of year the snow is melting down there), and the chutes off Thunder and Sublette (Tower 3, Alta).

And to add, I didn't have the balls for Corbets. Good luck to you though

 

[thaller1]

I'll let you know when I get back I'll be there in February ... Utah/Idaho and Wyoming in 2 weeks................................woohoooooooooooo!

 

[AdironRider]

Yeah, after Corbets and Tower 3 Chute, I wanted to ride the Hobacks as well as the Crags. Think Ill have any luck with some late season powder dumps that late in the season?

 

[koreshot]

In March, at JH you will need to pray for powder in order to enjoy good snow conditions. I was there last year in early February - it was cold, dry and sunny. But the Hobacks and just about everything in the lower part of the mountain was sun baked, hard and pretty unpleasant to ski.

Jackson's big problem is bad exposure to the sun (east and south) and warm temperatures down low. If you don't get lucky with some snow seek trees and smaller runs that face away from the sun, focus on runs like the Tower and Alta chutes. The snow might get packed from skier traffic, but it will remain pretty edgeable even after a week of no snow. If it snows, hit up the Hobacks first for some seriously big steep vertical runs that only Jackson can deliver.

People say Corbets is pretty doable for the regular Joe with some fresh snow, but when I did it, it was a hard snow landing after a 15-20 foot drop. Corbets is just signature run and not particularly exciting after the initial landing and the first right hand turn. Alta chutes were a much more fun way to spend my day. It seems that the initial drop into Corbets is different every year, depending on what the snow is doing and what the ski patrol is doing.

 

[dmc]

I'll be out there the week before - staying at a friends condo...

I'll give you a full beta.... Been to JH a few times.. It can be hit or miss.. But it's got a ton of hairy terrain...

 

[goldsbar]

Biggest word of advice is get there early on a powder day. The place is generally fairly empty but the locals come out of the woodwork when it snows. Unfortunately, like many well known resorts, you can count on obvious powder being tracked out by noon. The lack of the tram this year will make things interesting.

As many have stated, it's a hit or miss mountain (always good - I'm referring to how much you can enjoy the off-piste). The terrain is outstanding but you really need good snow to fully enjoy it. I've spent two one-week trips at JH. The first week was non stop snow and I never got a view of the Grand Teton until we were leaving on the plane. That week was epic - probably my best ski trip ever. The next trip was bluebird skies. That trip was still good but just not the same.

Don't neglect the hike to ski terrain above the gondola and the right side of the mountain (looking from bottom).

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I worked there in lodging for many years, where ya staying?

Good advice regarding getting there early, that time of year the Hobacks can close in early afternoon. If there is good snow, Moran Face was one of my fav powder stashes. Most people, including myself drop down before this immense boulder on the skinny traverse but if you sidestep over the boulder(looks way harder than it actually is) you will be treated to some nice open, not very steep, powder skiing. BTW before some of you get wound up these are all on the trailmap, not secret stashes.

If your headed to the bottom from the Casper Bowl area check out alittle trail called Beavertooth. No one ever skis it but it is on the trailmap and it's a fun trail, tho short in length.

 

[AdironRider]

Thanks guys. I figured since it was late season the chances of an epic pow dump are slim, but come on the skiing cant be that bad without a dump. Afterall its all natural snow and none of that manmade crap Ive gotten used to.

 

[koreshot]

Thanks guys. I figured since it was late season the chances of an epic pow dump are slim, but come on the skiing cant be that bad without a dump. Afterall its all natural snow and none of that manmade crap Ive gotten used to.

Sorry, I didn't mean to piss in you coffee. You will have a great time no matter what. Regardless of how much natural snow you get when you are there, the vast majority of the resort will be open and skiable, including all of the signature runs like Alta, Expert and Tower chutes.

Even in bad snow, JH is amazing fun... one could claim that its even more fun - cause there is nothing like working your way down Alta 2.5 on hard fast snow. As long as JH has a decent snow year and you have sunny skies when you are there, you will have a great time! Having powder just makes the experience Epic.