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TETONS (JHMR BACKCOUNTRY) | WYOMING | UNITED STATES
Summary | 500 inches a year
FOUR PINES
Snowpack
Jackson Hole is famous for "Cowboy Powder", which a lot of other folks might call "Hero Snow". When it's snowing regularly, this is the place to be. When it hasn't snowed for a week or more, expect the JHMR backcountry to be HACKED UP.<br/><br/>Things generally fill in well by Christmas but expect pockets boniness unless JHMR is reporting a 100" base.<br/><br/>The whole range is severely avalanche prone. Don't head out the gates at JHMR unless your properly equipped with the tools and knowledge to improve your chances.
Mountains
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.
March 19, 2011
Submitted By themountainpulse
February 23, 2011
Submitted By powderjunky
February 23, 2011
Submitted By powderjunky
February 20, 2011
Submitted By themountainpulse
February 13, 2011
Submitted By themountainpulse
February 6, 2011
Submitted By powderjunky
February 5, 2007
Submitted By awesomepatrol
December 10, 2005
Submitted By WarPigSinFin
November 1, 2010
Submitted By WarPigSinFin
February 24, 2005
Submitted By passholer
October 23, 2010
Submitted By WarPigSinFin
January 17, 2007
Submitted By WarPigSinFin
June 8, 2010
Submitted By WarPigSinFin
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Vert Tracker
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Warpigsinfin: May 2, 2013 Uphill: 4,200 ft. | Downhill: 4,200 ft.
Fun skiing at JHMR. Got a little sticky in spots but all in all a nice smooth, creamy experience. JHMR management decided they needed to plow a two lane highway all the way to the summit of Rendezvo...[view]
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Warpigsinfin: April 30, 2013 Uphill: 3,000 ft. | Downhill: 3,000 ft.
Great snow top to bottom but it's melting fast. Windy and a bit chilly but sunny so soft and wonderful in the sun... shady spots were firmer but still fun. Wanted to summit but it got cloudy and sta...[view] READ MORE
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Warpigsinfin: April 16, 2013 Uphill: 5,000 ft. | Downhill: 5,000 ft.
POW DAY up high! Dust on breakable crust below Thunder Lift. Lots of cat track activity... cats drove up the middle of all the major runs down from the Gondola, effectively making them suck... worth...[view]READ MORE
2,169
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Warpigsinfin: April 7, 2013 Uphill: 2,200 ft. | Downhill: 6,000 ft.
Sometimes sticky. Sometimes heavy. Sometimes wet. Sometimes perfect. Spring storms in the Tetons! Headed to Glory for an early morning lap before hitting up CLOSING DAY(WOO HOO!) at Teton Village...[view]READ MORE
3,264
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Warpigsinfin: March 11, 2013 Uphill: 6,000 ft. | Downhill: 24,000 ft.
Ski day 75! No lifts so far this winter. Interesting conditions, and GREAT snow midmountain in the shade. Stopped a few small wet slides on the Rendezvous Massif which reminded us not to ski too lat...[view]READ MORE
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Warpigsinfin: March 2, 2012 Uphill: 2,300 ft. | Downhill: 2,300 ft.
Deep, delicious, and a little dangerous. Be safe out there....[view]READ MORE
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Bartlebee: April 30, 2011 Uphill: 3,000 ft. | Downhill: 3,000 ft.
Sunny, shirtless skinning to the top of the gondi. Smooth turns all the way down. Watched 2 guys huck Corbet's and 2 others put beautiful lines in Tower 3. Fun SPRING day....[view]READ MORE
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Ungrounded: April 5, 2011 Uphill: 1,800 ft. | Downhill: 1,800 ft.
a little heavy towards the bottom, but the top was great.....I finally got to ride over a foot of powder this season, after dealing with too many setbacks to mention......[view]READ MORE
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Powderjunky: February 23, 2011 Uphill: 100 ft. | Downhill: 4,000 ft.
Oh man, the pow keeps falling like a fat kid on roller skates....[view]
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Waheenie: February 6, 2011 Uphill: 500 ft. | Downhill: 4,000 ft.
1st time up the headwall express in a couple years- felt great! Pretty much nothing beats skiing in Granite Canyon. Despite variable snow, it was a super fun run. Definitely enough untracked powder...[view]READ MORE
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Powderjunky: February 6, 2011 Uphill: 500 ft. | Downhill: 4,000 ft.
There was good snow, firm snow and even ice. We could use some more snow. But it was nice and warm out there....[view]
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Powderjunky: January 13, 2011 Uphill: 300 ft. | Downhill: 4,000 ft.
Getting really good. There were some small micro pockets of slab that might be more concerning tomorrow. Great snow. Its coming in wetter so it's bonding better to the firm surface below....[view]READ MORE
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Warpigsinfin: December 20, 2010 Uphill: 2,100 ft. | Downhill: 20,000 ft.
Top to bottom goodness at JHMR. Tomorrow looks to be a good day too.High avy danger today and it showed: came across several small crowns throughout the day. Didn't see anything go personally though...[view]READ MORE
10,164
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Ddrwyoming: December 11, 2010 Uphill: 3 ft. | Downhill: 3 ft.
Had to ride lifts! Coached all day. Snow was still good in bounds....[view]READ MORE
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Warpigsinfin: November 29, 2010 Uphill: 1,000 ft. | Downhill: 9,000 ft.
Scored a Pass to check out the Villagio. Inbounds is hacked to hell but out the gates the skiing is decent.Lots of wind made the high mountain zones grabby and not too fun. In the trees and lower on...[view]READ MORE
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Warpigsinfin: June 8, 2010 Uphill: 2,000 ft. | Downhill: 2,000 ft.
We skied off the tram the first reasonably sunny day after the recent biblical downpour... it's been raining in Jackson for the last several weeks, but often snowing in the high peaks.Though it had ra...[view]
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12,522
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Warpigsinfin: June 1, 2010 Uphill: 3,500 ft. | Downhill: 3,500 ft.
We rode the tram to the summit of JHMR and dropped off the SW side into the Targhee Trees.Light was flat and snow looked pretty windhammered elsewhere so we enjoyed 6-7 laps of mellow glades and tight...[view]READ MORE
11,300
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Warpigsinfin: May 25, 2010 Uphill: 4,000 ft. | Downhill: 4,000 ft.
Creamcheese yesterday inbunds at JHMR. We hiked under the lifts in search of spring melt booty but all I found was a quarter and a lot of nasty lipbalm.Hit the summit under partly cloudy skies and it...[view]READ MORE
10,339
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Warpigsinfin: March 20, 2010 Uphill: 7,500 ft. | Downhill: 7,500 ft.
Today was the 10th Annual "U.S. National Ski Mountaineering Championships" at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This was my third time "racing" and it was a MISERABLY GOOD TIME.The gear heads were out in...[view]READ MORE
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Warpigsinfin: January 24, 2010 Uphill: 2,000 ft. | Downhill: 11,500 ft.
Waist deep. Strong variable winds all day. Still snowing here in the J Hole. High avy danger yesterday so we stuck to the safer routes. JHMR is skiing well thanks to 5 feet of fresh in the last we...[view]READ MORE
10,144
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Warpigsinfin: January 23, 2010 Uphill: 500 ft. | Downhill: 16,000 ft.
Today JHMR reported 17 inches and they weren't exaggerating. I scored a pass and hit the hill at 10am. Inbounds skied really well so we did a few laps before heading out the gates.Our first trip ob ...[view]READ MORE
10,135
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Warpigsinfin: January 12, 2010 Uphill: 500 ft. | Downhill: 5,000 ft.
JHMR is hacked up inbounds so we headed out to check out the carnage after last week's HIGH avalanche danger.We encountered an especially terrifying crown in the steep woods of Pinedale. About halfwa...[view]Already have a blog about this area? Link to it here.
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