Happy 50th Jackson Hole

Look who’s clocking up 50 candles – the original, the incomparable, the classic Jackson Hole. It’s no surprise some of the world’s best skiers & boarders hail from the Hole. Tony ‘Harro’ Harrington (who knows a few JH heroes) & Rhylla Morgan dropped in for an update.
Harro’s shots are awesome – how many of you knew there was a cave in Corbett’s? And Rhylla has some good reasons what makes it so special.

I was trying to explain to a friend why Jackson Hole sits so high on my list and realised much of its appeal lies in what it isn’t.
It isn’t about the shopping, it isn’t about ski valets and heated footpaths, it isn’t about styley Euro fashions, it isn’t about cookie-cutter timeshare hotels all over the mountain. Jackson Hole is all about skiers who actually ski and boarders who really ride. It’s all about the rugged Teton range that takes your breath away as you drive into the Village. It feels a bit raw and wild in Jackson and that is what makes it awesome.
Teton Gravity Research, fiercely Jackson to the core, nailed it with their April Fool’s Day Facebook prank this year when they announced the resort had been bought by Vail Resorts. It went on to wryly explain how there would be a Starbucks stop halfway up the famous red tram line, a Gucci store mid-mountain and they’d be removing all the rocks and flattening the runs to better suit punters. I confess my heart missed a beat when I read the headline before I realised the date and then had a good giggle at how incongruous it all was to even consider – Jackson just isn’t Vail, and there are plenty of people who’ll make sure it stays that way.

I should declare upfront that I am well shy of being a gnarly big mountain snowboarder. Travis Rice doesn’t need to fret about me poaching his backcountry pillow lines. If I’m honest, I’m more likely to splash out on a fancy dinner than a fancy new avalanche beacon, I confess I quite enjoy cruising the blues, and I’m not dropping a 20ft cliff anytime soon. But I am a big believer in surrounding myself with people better than I am, and Jackson Hole is the perfect place to do that.
Just being in Jackson Hole inspires me to improve my mountain status, and that is not acquired through having the latest gear, an exclusive address or social connections, but by getting out there and giving the two resort mountains – Aprez Vous and Rendezvous – the focus and commitment they demand.
There are over 2,500 acres of terrain in the resort, half of which is classed as expert level, so Jackson definitely throws down the challenge to push yourself.
And that’s before you even consider there is more than the whole resort area again out there to explore if you decide to venture backcountry.
I totter into the Village Café at the end of my first day and I’m shattered, but feeling pretty chuffed. I’ve been finding my legs riding Sublette much of the day and then wrapped up the afternoon being led on a leg burning loop down through the Hobacks with some locals.
They are all awesome skiers and generous with plenty of encouragement when I eat it on some of the sketchy sections. My comfort zone is nowhere to be seen.
It’s a great feeling climbing onto a bar stool, boots still on and feeling I’ve well and truly earned my beer and pizza slice. I sit next to Scarlett the Australian Sheepdog, and get gently jostled by a happy après crowd. I soak up the happy hum of stories about tree runs, hucking cliffs and early ups. Someone rings the bell and buys everyone at the bar a round. My boyfriend suggests we go and have his favourite meatloaf at the Mangy Moose and I think that sounds great.
You don’t have to be an extreme skier or boarder to ride Jackson, but be warned, it’s the kind of mountain that makes you want to be. If you’re anything like me you’ll be looking into doing one of their “Steep and Deep” camps and thinking maybe you do want to get a harness because you’ll want to explore more of this beautiful place and ride it more beautifully next time.

Jackson Hole [The Ticket]
Jackson Hole marks its 50th anniversary in the coming winter so expect some celebrations and special packages as the party rolls all winter. Festivities will include the opening of the new “Teton” high-speed quad chairlift into The Crags in between the Casper and Aprez Vous lifts.
There are direct flights to Jackson Hole from Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Salt Lake City, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Denver and NYC.
Travelplan have specials like ski 10, pay 7 days, kids to 14 ski FREE & up to 20% off accommodation. January packages from $A799pp 2 share for 7 nights & 6 day pass in a Teton Village studio www.travelplan.com.au
Resort www.jacksonhole.com
Jackson Hole is also a key member of the Mountain Collective, and Thredbo 365 Pass holders get great benefits as a result.