2009 Powder Resort Guide - Jackson Hole
Current Conditions : 36.6F / 2.6C, Clear - 12:09 PM MDT Mar. 16
Temperature: 36.6°F / 2.6°C | Humidity: 54% | Pressure: 30.87in / 1045.3hPa (Falling) | Conditions: Clear | Wind Direction: ENE | Wind Speed: 2.0mph / 3.2km/h
Rest of Today as of Mar. 16 8:39 AM MDT
Rest of Today - Partly cloudy. Highs 45 to 49.
Tonight as of Mar. 16 8:39 AM MDT
Tonight - Partly cloudy. Lows 19 to 23.
After two years sans aerial tram, which created way too much drama, the Big Red Box, costing an estimated $25 million funded entirely by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, returns in December 2008.
With a capacity of 101 people, a 49-person increase from the old tram, the new tram runs to the top of 10,450-foot Rendezvous Mountain in nine minutes, a minute and half faster, comparatively. Servicing up 4,139 feet of drool-inducing vertical and limitless backcountry options, the tram relieves pressure on the rest of the mountain. Yet with an uphill capacity of 650 skiers per hour—350 more gnar-gnars an hour than the older one—fabled backcountry shots like Four Pines and Rock Springs could be tracked out much quicker.
Nevertheless, the terrain is so damn good and huge that 2,000-foot plus descents comprised of dry powder linger in the Hobacks, Casper Bowl, Alta Chutes and in the Crags. The best lift-accessible backcountry in North America may be a little more crowded, but that’ll force even more exploration. Please adhere to standard backcountry protocol, and read the daily avie reports (jhavalanche.org) while trusting your true intuition.
What’s New:
That big red thing that whisks people to the top for an unforgettable skiing experience. And if you haven’t been to Teton Village in a few years, you may not recognize it, as more hotels and lodges go in each year.
Inside Line:
If the tram line is long, and it will be, take the gondy instead and head skier’s left into Moran trees, or hike straight up the shaft to Casper Bowl and the Crags.
DETAILS
- Jacksonhole.com, 307.733.2292
- Lift Ticket: $85
- Summit: 11,570 feet
- Skiable Acres: 2,500
- Vertical: 4,139 feet
- Annual Snowfall: 459 inches
