The Vill: Keep it in context

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

By Brigid Mander

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Earlier this week we saw the worst snow of the year. What this statement actually means is that mountains were not covered in a foot of new snow at some point in the prior 48 hours. In spots, it was even…hard.

Skiers and snowboarders milled around, confused, wondering what could have caused the snow gods to abandon us so heartlessly. But this isn’t so bad because it reminds us how amazing this winter has been and how incredible each day is (if that isn’t blatantly obvious, you have been living in a dark underground bunker, but bear with me for a moment). We have the most snow at this point in the year in since the famed 96-97 season.

In addition to the wake-up call on our luck, the fact that our midwinter thaw is in mid-February instead of the usual January meltdown bodes well for a long, long winter.  So, if this is mid-winter, our own Powder Prophet and Poudre the Pig were correct in predicting six more weeks of full-on winter past January 2. And then, it will be spring skiing, for many more weeks after that - we hope.

Wind havoc
With all the big storms that have rolled through our area this winter, wind has been something of an issue. Some of the most massive winds in recent memory have wreaked almost as much havoc on lift-served skiing as they have dumped powder on the mountains.

“I am sick of all these blowdown days, man!” said a frustrated Emily Boespflug last Monday at the latest temporary closure of Thunder, Sublette and Apres-Vous, echoing the sentiments of many locals and visitors alike.

With the frequent closures of the upper lifts, it seems like there have been many blow down days. There has only been one official, full, blowdown day, with all the lifts closed for most of the day, according to records at valley dispatch for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Most locals discount it as blowdown day if only say, Teewinot, Casper, and Eagle’s Rest are running, but that is the price to pay for powder this year.

However, the lift mechanics watch their instruments, taking measure of wind speed and direction to prevent things like de-roping cables, chair swing, and vomiting, frostbitten motion-sick skiers. No one really wants that, so, thanks, lift mechanics. It is only too bad we don’t get “snow checks” from the ticket office for each lost pass day’s value like tourists sometimes get for their lift tickets. Sigh.

JH girls stand out
The freeskiing competition season is in full swing now, and with two local girls making their mark on two different competitive tours, Jackson is a town to be reckoned with. Following the tradition of standout female big mountain competitors from this area, Jess McMillan and Crystal Wright are on the road and on airplanes, chasing their respective titles.

Skier Jess Mcmillan has claimed two podiums this season on the first ever World Freeride Tour, which has skiers and snowboarders competing on big mountain terrain around the world in separate categories. McMillan secured the top podium in Mammoth, Calif., in the first event, and a third place finish at the next venue in Krasnaya Polyana/Sochi, Russia.  The tour will move to Europe for the final three events.   
Crystal Wright took second place last weekend at Telluride, the first stop in the Subaru US Freeskiing Series. Although she lost first place by less than a point, with two podiums after two competitions in 2008, it looks like a good season for her. The US Freeskiing Tour will stop in Jackson on March 13-16.

Cupid Run
On Valentine’s Day, if you want to win your own money on the snow without ripping down 50 degree slopes and hucking cliffs, you can try the first annual Jack Daniels Cupid Run on the Casper NASTAR course, a fundraiser for Teton County Search and Rescue. You need a partner and $20 to join the team. Register Thursday morning for the race. There is a $1000 prize for first place, and a curious second place prize - a $300 gift certificate to The Liquor Store. Maybe for
third you’ll get a shot of whiskey.
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The Vill: Keep it in context | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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