Virgin Power Appreciation Society

Jackson Hole, WY, USA

Jackson Hole seems to have a reputation, and some of it is probably justified. There are a lot of cliffs here, and you could certainly get into trouble if you didn't pay attention. There are also some steep runs that are officially marked pistes, but it's not really that steep depending on what you're used to riding on. If you're not an advanced rider, then be cautious.

This place has a good vibe and also has a lot to offer. The gentle runs over on gunners right at the bottom of the hill are generally quiet, well spaced and well patrolled. Working your way left seems to increase the steepness, and most of the stuff at the top is good fun. The Thunder and Sublette chairs offer access to some great terrain.

It's worth noting though, that because of the reputation that Jackson Hole has, there are a lot of people here. There are also a lot of good people. Mostly though, they are skiers. That's not a bad thing, it's just worth noting. The clique has something going called the Jackson Hole Air Force. Certainly some of the antics you may see are pretty amazing, with the cliff drops going on.

Of course the question is where to go to get the snow. Well, when it dumps then anywhere is obviously going to be good, but the big flat areas over on the right want to be avoided. That said, the Apres-Vous Chair serves some great terrain and helps avoid some of the crowds cramming in the other areas.

The gondola is good but can get packed out. The lifties are efficient though and you can soon be winging your way to the top. Sometimes this is the fastest way to get to the Thunder/Sublette area. It's also the lift to take to get you into Casper Bowl which is short but sweet.

The queue starts early for the Tram, and with good reason. Most of the black runs are over that side, and the Tram takes you up high quickly. There's a real buzz riding that thing when everyone is scoping lines and wired up. I liked dropping into Rendezvous Bowl, down the Chute, then maybe hook up with the traverse to get you back on track for another Tram ride, or shoot down Cheyenne Gully or one of the Hobacks.

At the end of the day, one of the most popular hang outs is the Mangy Moose. It has a good vibe, sells some great beer and a fantastic plate of nachos.