CODY PEAK (2) Elevation: 10,750 ft

Cody Peak is the most enticing mountain visible from the top of JHMR. A short jaunt South of the resort boundary, Cody Peak is the stomping grounds for the JHMR slackcountry skiing lunatics.

Home of the classic lines Pucker Face, No Shadows, 4 Shadows, Talk Is Cheap, Central Chute, Igneous Rocks, and more. Short but serious lines... ~700 to 900 feet of steep, rocky goodness.

Choose your line wisely and style it, or you're not doing justice to this historic zone.

FOUR PINES (2) Elevation: 9,500 ft

Four Pines is the classic Jackson Hole Resort Backcountry Area. A quick traverse, two hikes and you are in the zone that makes powder skiing better than pancakes. The South Aspect has lines like Broken Branch, The East Nose has many great shots, and the North Side skis like a gem when it hasn't snowed in a while.

You'll find pillows, rocks ,chutes and open meadows. If only there was a hot dog stand on top it would be officially heaven.

Be heads up though, this is no walk in the park. Four Pines is classic avalanche terrain with a rollover at the top that screams for someone to set it off. Be careful and be sure not to ski on top of any groups as there are sure to be others out there.

A nice traverse will take you back to the resort, but it is not marked and many people have skied too low and had to hike out.

GRANITE CANYON (1) Elevation: 9,300 ft

Granite Canyon is one of the best places to get into trouble when skiing in the Jackson Hole Resort Backcountry. The lines are steep narrow and funnel into terrain trap creek bed at the bottom. Generally people do not go back there until new snow has had a couple days to settle. There have been several infamous avalanche incidents.

The skiing in Granite Canyon is comprised of classics like Mile Long Couloir and Endless Couloir. Like the names suggest, these are sustained long runs. There are many more options, but be careful because not all the chutes are a clean exit, and can end in huge cliffs that even Jamie Pierre wouldn't huck. Be sure to go with someone who knows the area.

Toward the bottom there is usually a traverse that is long and arduous that will take you back to the north end of the resort. But expect lots of uphill side stepping and pole panting. Snowboarders usually don't go back there because of the traverse out.

Granite is north facing so the snow stays good even when the storms don't come.

INBOUNDS OFFSEASON (1) Elevation: 10 ft

Question: When is the best time to ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort?

Answer: When it's closed!

Nothing beats having one of North America's greatest ski resorts all to yourself. Cat tracks make skinning to the top relatively easy. Tread lightly, avoid snowmaking equipment, and be respectful of resort employees working up there. If it's close to opening day, they may be bombing up there so pay attention and don't be a dumbass.

That said, unless they're bombing, don't let anyone tell you that you can't be up there. It's your national forest and you've got as much right to be there as the SKI CORP does.

If you're new to the area, definitely get your hands on a trailmap before skinning up. JHMR is gnarly and it's pretty easy to put yourself in a bad place if you don't know where you're going.

From the summit the options are endless. Corbet's Couloir? Spacewalk? Ragin' Cajun? Choose wisely.

PANDORA'S BOX (1) Elevation: 9,600 ft

Pandora's Box is full of secrets and rarely visited.

RENDEZVOUS PEAK (0) Elevation: 10,900 ft

Rendezvous Peak (not to be confused with Rendezvous Mountain, which is the summit of the Resort) doesn't get skied that much, but it is the tallest in the Southern Tetons. There are some steep lines that lead into Jensen Canyon, but it is a pain in arse to get there so most people ski either No Name to the north or the pyramid to the south.

You can access Rendezvous Peak from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, or from Fish Creek Road in Wilson. This Peak is best served in the spring when the conditions are more consistent and safer.

ROCK SPRINGS (1) Elevation: 9,400 ft

Rock Springs is the easiest backcountry access off the resort. Which is both good and bad. Classic lines like Space Walk, Zero G, and Fat Bastard funnel into Rock Springs. As the name would suggest, there are lots of rocks to jump off of, and the Rock Springs Buttress provides amazing scenery.

Generally speaking, there are moguls and tons of tracks that you can't tell the difference between Rock Springs or inbounds terrain, but there are plenty of spots for slides to occur.

Pretty much all of the South Side Backcountry off the resort funnels into Rock Springs at one point or another. The exit into the lower hobacks is usually root exposed and very heinous.

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Backcountry skiing is dangerous. Use our online backcountry skiing guide at your own risk.