Jackson Hole 2008 - Days 1, 2, and 3

Day 1 - Waiting for the gondola to open. Had some fun in Cheyenne Bowl and multiple runs down Broken Goggles. Rode the double up to ski Rendezvous Bowl. This is the second year with no tram. Can't wait for the new and improved tram next year.

Day 2 - Excellent base of snow, but no new snow. So not much to report. Skied Ten Sleep and Expert Chutes. Also Alta Three and Bird in Hand. Met up with Bubba's neighbors from Carlisle and skied a few runs with them. The 16 y.o. followed our kids up and over Roller Coaster Rock, but had too much speed and flew off the top of the rock and fell about 10 feet flat on his back. No injury, but broke his rental ski in half. His Dad was PO'ed until he found he paid the extra $1 per day for insurance and wouldn't have to pay $500 for broken skis. Matt, the younger brother (13 y.o.) continued to ski with us and was psyched to ski so many double diamonds. He told his friend Chris, "You're family never stops. They ski everything."

Above are a couple of shots of paragliders taking off from Gros Ventre, right below where the gondola unloads. The pilots earn some money by strapping a paying guest rider in front of them and running down the hill to fill the sail and glide down to the valley.

Day 3 – Still no new snow. But after two blue bird, sunny days, there were some clouds today and a dusting is forecast for tonight. Boston and NYC got dumped on, but nothing here.

We hiked up the Headwall today. Nick was sick and didn't ski yesterday, so today he skied with his cousins M&M, while we climbed. The entry where we took off our skis and put them on our packs was tricky, as you can tell by Chris struggling up the first section in front of Frank (below).

Then it's just a long climb up the boot track to the top. The photo above is looking back at Chris and Frank. The photo below is looking up at Michael and the rock marking the top of the climb.

Chris, Frank, and Mimi approach the top of the climb.

Mimi crests the top of the climb.

Phillip on top.

The whole gang posing at the top of the Headwall climb, with Corbett's Couloir and Ten Sleep in the background. From left to right: Michael, Julie, Phillip, Bubba, Eric, Frank, Mimi, Chris.

Mimi and Bubba enter Casper Bowl, the prize after the hike.

Michael found the best snow by entering the chute from the skier's right (above). Below he makes a turn and enters the steepest section of the chute.

Below, Chris catches some air off a cat track. It looks like he's jumping for joy at surviving his first experience skiing out of bounds.

I also took the following videos, but the picture quality leaves something to be desired.


Mimi demonstrates that just getting to the start of the climb was difficult.



Michael drops into the chute in Casper Bowl. But first... Bubba falls into the chute.