Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Location:	Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Nearest city:	Jackson, Wyoming
Coordinates:	43°35′14″N 110°49′31″W / 43.58722, -110.82528 (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort)Coordinates: 43°35′14″N 110°49′31″W / 43.58722, -110.82528 (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort)
Top elevation:	10,450 feet (3,190 m)
Base elevation:	6,311 feet (1,924 m)
Skiable area:	2,496 acres (1,010 ha)
Runs:	116
Longest run:	4.5 miles (7.2 km)
Snowfall:	459 in. (1165 cm)
Snowmaking:	160 acres (0.65 km²)
Web site:	official website

The former Jackson Hole Mountain Resort aerial tram in the summer.

Just 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Jackson, Wyoming is the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village, Wyoming. It is named after the Jackson Hole valley. The region is served by the Jackson Hole Airport.

The ski area partially covers two mountains. The runs are 70% expert, 20% intermediate, and 10% beginner. Apres Vous Mountain is deemed intermediate difficulty while Rendezvous Mountain has Jackson Hole's famous advanced terrain that includes bowls, glades, and chutes, as well as 4100 vertical feet of skiing, the greatest continuous inbounds rise in the United States.

Jackson Hole's previous tram was retired in the fall of 2006, rose 4,139 vertical feet to 10,450 ft (3,190 m) elevation. Other lifts include an eight passenger gondola, high speed detachable and standard quad chairlifts, triple chairlifts, and a double chair. Construction began June 2007 for a new 100-passenger Doppelmayr CTEC tram expected to begin service December 2008.^[1]

A view looking south from the top of Rendezvous Bowl, March, 2008.

Jackson Hole is home to many of the world's best freeskiers as the terrain is considered to be some of the most challenging in North America and the world. In addition to the massive amount of skiable terrain in bounds there is an even larger area to be explored off piste or out of bounds. These areas are only to be accessed through marked gates and should only be skied if one is of expert ability and properly equipped with avalanche safety gear. The terrain has not only attracted the best skiers in the world but also one of the leading ski film companies, Teton Gravity Research. Jackson Hole is also home to one of the most famous expert ski runs in the world, Corbet's Couloir.

In addition to skiing, there are many other outdoor activities in both the winter and summer. Nordic skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, balloon rides, paragliding, fishing, hiking, biking, and climbing are only some of the activities visitors and year round residents enjoy at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

[edit] History

Previous to 1961, the area that became Jackson Hole Mountain resort was Crystal Springs Girl Scout Ranch. Paul McCollister purchased the ranch and formed the Jackson Hole Ski Corporation in 1963 with partners Alex Morley and Gordon Graham. Construction of the ski resort began a year later and the resort was officially opened during the 1966-67 ski season. 1964 Olympic Gold medalist Pepi Stiegler was hired that same year as ski school director. In 1992, McCollister sold his interests in the resort to John Kemmerer III.

The original aerial tram which had been part of the resort since its opening in 1966 was closed to the public in October 2006 pending its replacement in late 2008 with a new tram.