Powder Week 2009 | Gallery 2

Powder week 2009

By John Clary Davies
Photos by Matt Hansen, Jenny Naftulin and Derek Taylor

For those who write, edit or take pictures for Powder magazine, the last week of February is our favorite week of year. It is during this time that Jackson Hole annually hosts Powder Week, an event in which the magazine invites product managers of ski companies to go shred on the following year’s line of skis. Rather than a ski test, it’s a way to get to know fellow members of the industry by sharing in the activity we are all most passionate about. That would be skiing, while a secondary passion – of which we also share in overabundance during this week – seems to be drinking.

Powder week is exciting for several reasons. Foremost of which is the energy the skier feels upon arriving in Jackson Hole. There is no other ski area that matches the pivotal role this place played in freeskiing history, or the density of hard chargers that continue to ski there today. And that’s not to mention the actual skiing. Traditionally, we Jackson and the surrounding OB in an excess that leaves our bodies feeling abused.

Furthermore, the week typically coincides with a handful of other memorable events. This year the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts hosted the premiere of Jon Klaczkiewicz’ film “Swift. Silent. Deep,” a documentary about the Jackson Hole Air Force. Later in the week, the Village Café provided the setting for Cloudveil’s annual Gelande Quaffing Championships, which continues to redefine the amount of beer man is capable of catching and consuming while running around a really long table. And then of course, there’s disco night at the Stagecoach.

Also adding to the excitement is the attendance of some of the best skiers in the world. Last week, Powder contributors had the privilege of taking runs with Sick Rick Armstrong, Chris Davenport, Brad Holmes, CR Johnson and John Hunt.

For helping to make all this happen, a special thanks goes to Lisa Watson, Anna Olson and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, not to mention all the product managers and athletes that contributed to the best week of the year.