Jackson Hole

Last week I went to Jackson Hole.  The excuse was a PSIA-I level 2 ski assessment, but the real reason was to ski an incredible mountain that I have only looked upon during the snowless summer and longingly wished that someday I could slide it's wintery slopes.  That wish came true, and it was oh so worth it!  The key points from this little foray into Wyoming skiing:

• Jackson Hole has some of the best in-bounds terrain and the sweetest back country terrain I have ever skied.  Every run had some huge cliff to huck or steep pitch to tackle.  I will always defend my homeland Utah and our amazing snow, but only the Bird, Alta, and The Basin can even come close to comparing for terrain.  The mountain is literally a snowballs throw away from Grand Teton National Park after all.  We skied the mountain on our first day there, and had to take the test the next day, but still got lots of time to free ski.

This is the view from the top of the tram looking west.

The view looking south, Grand Tetons.

• I got to ski and stay with this guy. His name is AJ.  He is good, very good.  Sponsored by Volkl good.  It was fun to ski with someone that much better than me again, it always helps my own skiing.

This is AJ on the trail map cover.

This is the view from his house where we stayed in Teton Village.

• The Apres ski life in Jackson is much more happening than at Canyons.  Much younger and way more alcoholic too.  For example, one of the days we were there was the annual beer slide competition.  You slide a beer mug across a table to a teammate who has to catch and chug it before running to other side to slide the next mug.  Bonus points are awarded for sweet tricks and handle catches.  The only girl team won, it was hilarious...and would have been completely taboo in Utah.  The gratuitous cleavage may have swayed the judges in their favor though...

Beer slide competition at the base of the tram.

• I do not however condone this type of alcoholic consuming behavior.  In fact, the whole trip was another self conviction of why I don't drink.  The only thing the guys I was with did, besides ski, was drink.  It was mildly humorous but on a whole mostly obnoxious.  I have no problem with being the DD and an occasional bar, but I don't think a serious drinker and I could really be BFFs.

• I have always wanted to try and move to Jackson, and this little trip reaffirmed that desire.  It's a very cool town and the vibe around Teton Village is really fun, not to mention the awesome mountain and surfable rafting river.  I am more determined than ever to make it happen.  My previous plan of living in a tent is completely socially accepted.  I will however, have to grow a grizzly beard and get a large dog if I ever want to completely fit in. 

Like these people...

•  I am a very careful driver when it comes to speeding.  Long ago I learned that horrendous insurance and ticket prices just weren't worth getting to the red light 30 seconds faster.  So I try very hard not to do it.  Which is why getting pulled over and ticketed on the way to Jackson is so frustrating.  The ONE time on the whole four hour drive that I was speeding...and boom, ticket.  I'm not complaining, I know it's against the law to speed and I'm glad there are cops to enforce that.  I'm just annoyed that at the one tiny stretch of straight road in that canyon I happen to speed past a waiting officer...  Oh well. 

•  I learned a new word...  Steezy.  I couldn't tell at first if being "steezy" was a good or a bad thing.  The way the hip kids I was with were using it to describe others made it difficult to decipher.  After an urban dictionary definition I am still not sure...
• Steezy:
  

  describes a skier/snowboarder bum who wears tall tee's, baggy snowpants (usually of the neon variety), and bandanas. Hangs out in the park all day with other steezy riders. There is also another definition that describes it more as a style of skiing/riding that I rather prefer.  It involves skiing with STYLE and making it look EASY....STEEZY.  I use the word quite frequently now. GOOD Steezy BAD Steezy Oh yeah... I also passed my ski exam while I was there!  Yay me!   My score sheet.  Just barely made it