Author Brandon Garvey from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
A full year of lift-accessed backcountry and resort skiing
Basking in the afterglow of last year’s record-breaking season, the echoes of 595″ of snow still reverberating, I found myself unwilling to put my snowboard in storage. Why limit the thrill to winter alone when I could extend the joy year-round? Driven by an overwhelming passion ignited by last winter’s powder days, I enlisted my friend, Sam Jester, on a mission to transform the dream of year-round skiing at Jackson Hole into a reality. The saga of snowy adventures was far from over—it was time to redefine the boundaries of the ski season and squeeze out every last drop of the 595″ blessing.
NOVEMBER 2022 – APRIL 2023
Basking in a sea of white
With 41 powder days where 6″ or more of fresh snow blanketed the mountain, conquering the slopes across all 6 in-season months became a thrilling routine that presented no challenge; rather, it was coming to terms with the idea of willingly skipping even a single day that was the real challenge.
Every ski day, a potential masterpiece, made the idea of missing out on the snow-covered canvas a struggle against the relentless call of the mountains; a call I answered 122 days these first 6 months.
MAY 2023
The first of many summer hikes from Rendezvous Mountain to Cody Peak.
My outside the gate summer skiing adventures kicked off May 20, when the Aerial Tram opened for summer operations. The allure of pristine spring skiing conditions proved irresistible, attracting a flock of like-minded enthusiasts (82 to be exact) eager to extend their ski season.
Trust me, it’s worth the climb.
We chose to ski Four Shadows and Powder 8’s, and instead of the sensible choice to hike back up to the Tram, we veered towards the path less traveled this late in the season — a descent down Rock Springs.
Rock Springs wasn’t too rocky…at first.
Little did we know that our adventurous choice would swiftly morph into a several-mile hiking odyssey, as the snow said its goodbyes about three-quarters of the way down, turning our descent into a delightful yet unexpectedly long expedition.
JUNE 2023
When your skis want a scenic ride before hitting the slopes.
June 17th unfolded as a captivating saga of snow and surprise, greeted by brisk temperatures despite Sam’s choice of jorts. As we ascended Cody, snowflakes greeted us, defying the warmth of the recent weather. The intriguing twist? Despite the chilly weather following a period of warmth, there was no ice to be found and our line down No Shadows was remarkably soft.
Opting for a multi-sport extravaganza, I rode the Tram back down to the base and geared up to rip some laps in the JH Bike Park. The day concluded with a night under the stars in the picturesque Bridger-Teton National Forest, offering a campsite panorama that perfectly framed the canvas of my earlier exploits — a day that seamlessly blended snowboarding and mountain biking, underscored by the immersive beauty of the wilderness.
JULY 2023
Stoked to be skiing in July
In the freeing attire of a t-shirt and shorts on a balmy 69-degree day, the essence of summer enveloped us. However, despite the unmistakable warmth, our winter mindset persisted. To our surprise, the majority of Four Shadows retained its wintry charm on July 22. The adventure unfolded with slushy turns at the summit, a tumble through a rocky, pinched-off stretch in the middle, a brief unstrapping for a small dry patch in the lower third, and a triumphant finale with a few more turns leading to the bottom of the bowl. While relishing almost an entire run in July felt like a unique achievement, the realization dawned that our goal was morphing into a more formidable challenge far earlier than we anticipated.
AUGUST 2023
Sure didn’t feel like we were about to ski.
Picture this: two fools load the Tram with ski gear at a completely snow-free mountain, a scene that turned heads and raised eyebrows on the afternoon of August 15. If you polled a random Tram rider about spotting any snow up top, their likely response would have been a doubtful shake of the head — but lo and behold, we uncovered a winter wonderland! Nestled at the peak of Four Shadows, our little patch of snow defied the summer norm. The initial hike along the bone-dry ridgeline towards Cody Peak felt almost comically out of place, yet the closer we got, the larger and more abundant our snowy oasis became, rendering it unnecessary to have chosen to ride my rock board.
However, our triumphant ski sesh gave way to a colossal misstep as we opted to down-hike the remaining stretch of Four Shadows instead of retracing our steps. With one of the last Trams of the day behind us, the realization that riding it down wasn’t an option hit hard. Cue a race against time through the pitch-black landscape of the Cirque Trail to snag one of the final rides on the Bridger Gondola. Lesson learned: August’s escapade wasn’t just a thrill on the slopes but a crash course in the art of time management.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Can you spot the difference between this month and last?
September proved to be the most exhilarating yet uniquely challenging month. The unpredictable layer of early-season snow added an unexpected twist to the adventure. On the ascent, we bootpacked up what seemed to be a promising amount of snow — even knee-deep in some spots.
As we eagerly dropped into Four Shadows, the deceptive blanket of white hid the jagged rocks and uneven surfaces, turning what would typically be a thrilling run into a test of skill and precision. The juxtaposition of the stunning autumn landscape with the technical demands of navigating the hidden obstacles created an intense and adrenaline-pumping run. The freezing temperatures starkly contrasted our August experience and I certainly didn’t come prepared with the right gloves or socks (but at least I didn’t wear jeans like Sam did).
After painting my board with more core shots on the top section of Four Shadows, we hiked back up and skied down the backside of Pucker Face, which provided a slightly better, yet still unpredictable and nerve-wracking, experience.
Our September 23 adventure was a reminder that even in the breathtaking beauty of early fall in the Tetons, nature can still throw in a wildcard, demanding a heightened level of caution from those seeking the thrill of pre-season skiing.
OCTOBER 2023
Hadn’t seen this much snow since May!
After a snowy start to October that brought 13″ of snow to the Tetons over the course of two days, Powder 8’s was finally back in. Unlike September, it was once again HOT, which my hands and feet appreciated, but caused the snow to be a bit sticky underfoot. However, what elevated the experience from merely okay to truly memorable was the overwhelming sense of accomplishment that accompanied it. Navigating the slopes without the usual anxiety over hidden rocks was a relief, allowing us to fully embrace the joy of the sport.
Most significantly, October 7 marked the culmination of a 12-month journey, realizing our goal of skiing each month consecutively. The elation of achieving this milestone transformed an ordinary day on the slopes into a celebration of perseverance, dedication, and the sheer satisfaction that comes with setting and reaching personal goals. In the end, it wasn’t just about the conditions in the Jackson Hole backcountry, but the journey and commitment that made that day unforgettable — a day we promptly celebrated by popping bottles of champagne at the base.
Thankfully, November will be an easy month to check off the list, with our longest season ever kicking off on November 24. Book early to secure your spot and save up to 10% on lift tickets. That’s not all; elevate your savings game with our $400/person flight credit, slashing up to $1,600 off your family’s trip to Jackson Hole. But wait, there’s more magic on the mountain – if you’re a season passholder from ANY resort in the world, grab your Golden Ticket for a jaw-dropping 50% off lift tickets on select dates. This is the year to carve your path across our legendary terrain and seize unrivaled savings.
Please note that skiing and snowboarding are prohibited inbounds during the spring and summer seasons. Hazards are not marked, construction efforts are underway, operational vehicles are on-mountain and ski patrol is not available for response. If considering exiting the gates to ski in the backcountry, a thorough understanding of backcountry safety is a must. Consider signing up for a guided backcountry tour to explore this world-class terrain with a guide.