In a mountain town largely dominated by big mountain and backcountry skiing, the meditative motion of gliding skis along flat snow often takes a backseat. Luna Wasson, alumna and now assistant coach of the Jackson Hole Ski Club (JHSC) Nordic program, says that’s one of her favorite things about Nordic skiing. Whether she’s training at
Read More ›
When you step off the cherry-red tram atop Rendezvous Peak — the highest point within the boundaries of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort — it’s not difficult to understand where the envelope-pushing idea of big mountain skiing came from. With miles and miles of peaks, couloirs, sweeping ridgelines, and steep valleys beckoning, it’s easy to see
Read More ›
Skiing has always been central to Sarah Carpenter’s life. As a kid growing up in Santa Fe, she skied in Taos, and as a teen, she and some friends convinced Ski Santa Fe to start a freestyle team on the mountain. “It was basically us convincing the ski area that we should be able to
Read More ›
Heli-skiing — accessing the backcountry for its pristine powder and solitude with the assistance of a helicopter — is a different thing for different skiers. For many, it is considered the pinnacle to a ski career, an aspirational experience. Some say it’s the most extreme thing they’ve ever done. For others, it is a way
Read More ›
David Bowers has three different lives. A typical day at work involves one of several longtime careers. One as an Exum mountain guide, spending summers guiding in the Tetons and beyond. A second as a professional photographer, whose work has been featured for many years in this very magazine. And a third as a ski
Read More ›
In the words of legendary outdoorsman Jack O’Connor, “The wild ram embodies the mystery and magic of the mountains, the rocky canyons, the snowy peaks, the sweet, clean air of the high places, and the sense of being alone on the top of the world with the wild sheep themselves.” For thousands of years, bighorn
Read More ›
Anyone who has spent time in Jackson Hole has undoubtedly admired the work of ski photographer Wade McKoy. He’s created iconic images that perfectly capture a golden age of ski culture, photographing classic names in skiing such as Doug Coombs, Pepi Stiegler, and Suzy Chaffee. Wade arrived in Jackson in 1974 with a college friend,
Read More ›
When big mountain freeride films exploded onto the scene — showcasing daring feats of extreme athleticism — it inspired a new generation of skiers and riders to push the boundaries in the backcountry. These days, student-athlete programs offer freeriding as a discipline, big mountain competitions are prevalent, and venturing out-of-bounds has become popular, but this
Read More ›
Against the noisy bustle of Jackson Town Square, walking into Pearls by Shari can offer a sense of serene calm. Mirrored cases encircle the modest space in Shari Turpin’s flagship store; the soft luster of her pearls glow from within them. Nestled inside each case are pieces clearly designed and crafted with intention and passion.
Read More ›
In an age where smartphones have become ubiquitous, Mark Carter has embraced simplicity by using a flip phone. An unconventional choice, the professional backcountry snowboarder has always forged his own path forward, focused on creating an intentional life aligned with the values, priorities, and passions instilled during his upbringing on a cattle ranch in Wyoming.
Read More ›
A quick scroll through the #jhdreaming side of Instagram will demonstrate very quickly what the popular wintertime activities in Jackson Hole are. From a ride on the cherry-red tram at the ski hill and a group pose under the antler arches, or an elk-viewing ride on a horse-drawn sleigh to a world-class dish at a
Read More ›
The allure of skiing or riding in the backcountry is undeniable. Untracked powder, quiet approaches, small groups of friends and dogs. These days, there’s also the parking lot wait-and-shuffle game. On any given snowy winter day, the top of Teton Pass is hectic. As the interest and participation in backcountry skiing has grown over the
Read More ›
Over their three decades in Jackson, Wyo., brothers, skiers, and filmmakers Steve and Todd Jones have had a profound influence on nearly all aspects of skiing and snowboarding culture, from their backyard in the Tetons to across the globe. Through Teton Gravity Research (TGR), the company they helped found, and a close collaboration with their
Read More ›
At the beating heart of Jackson Hole culture — a core reason why this place echoes in memories forever — is the backcountry. Less than 3% of the land in Teton County is privately owned and developed. The vast majority of the remaining 97% is wild land, guarded by a mosaic of protected stewardship including
Read More ›
When Jessica Baker reflects on why skiing in the untamed beauty of the backcountry is so critically important to her, she doesn’t describe the staggering array of stunning accomplishments she’s accrued in the sport over the years. Sure, she’s topped the podium many times: 2000 North American Freeskiing Champion, 2004 US Freeskiing Nationals Champion, third
Read More ›
Wildlife Tour December 11 through March The National Elk Refuge is home to elk, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles in the winter. Every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you can learn more about these animals and their habitats by taking a two-hour drive with a naturalist through the refuge. Tours start at 10
Read More ›
There is something extremely rewarding about seeing someone as knowledgeable as Jessica Baker travel through the backcountry. A Jackson Hole local, Jess has been guiding and skiing in these mountains for many years. It’s always a pleasure to get out with her and create some images, and this day last spring in the Tetons was
Read More ›
When I first moved to the mountains from the Midwest 12 years ago — in my mid-20s with about three days on a ski hill under my belt, ever — I was enamored with resort culture. As many of us do in the beginning, I worked an intro-level job at the base of the mountain,
Read More ›
In Jackson Hole, the Craighead name is synonymous with groundbreaking wildlife research. Today, the legacy is upheld by Derek Craighead — the founder, president, and senior scientist at Craighead Beringia South. Since its inception in 1998, the Kelly-based institute has conducted 40 research studies, 10 of which have been longterm field projects, and has collaborated
Read More ›
By most standards, the mountain communities that make up Teton County are considered small. But the beauty and lifestyle of the area draw people from all over the world, and like many other mountain towns, there has been a recent boom in growth. To many longtime locals used to small-town living, this can be frustrating,
Read More ›
Three cow elk appear almost ghostlike in the soft stillness of dawn. As the first hints of the morning light reflect against their shrouded figures, the quiet intimacy of this moment is almost palpable against the canvas it is painted on. Entitled “Three Matriarchs,” the painting captures a reverent memory from artist Kathryn Mapes Turner’s
Read More ›
