Riders shuffled anxiously in line as the howitzer drummed off the Tetons this powder morning. Thanks to the diligent work of JH Ski Patrol, the Tram launched soon after nine o’clock, opening the flood gates to the powder-hungry masses. Crisp and clear blue skies complimented the eleven inches blanketing everything in sight. With pristine visibility and boundless untracked terrain, riders charged as hard as their legs would allow.

Get your powder weapons waxed, and your playlists dialed, because tomorrow…we ride. In the waning hours of the day, moisture-rich flakes plummeted from the heavens, consuming the Village in a fury of white. Today we got to taste the batter; who knows what this storm will cook up overnight?

Though a slow melt dripped through town, the unseasonable warmth forebodes snow to come. In the interim, most riders cruised buffed corduroy, envisioning the off-piste lines soon to be had. Others haunted the Stash Park, testing themselves on recently-built wall rides and natural features. The lull in snow allowed the mountain a day of reprieve from the merciless tracking of local powderhounds.

The weather at 10,450 ft. varies greatly from the valley 4,139 ft. below. As riders ascended into the clouds, they were met with high winds, low visibility and stinging grapple. Despite the challenge, weekend warriors of all abilities continued to stoke the positve vibes that have come to define the 2010/11 winter season in Jackson Hole.

Tram Jam melodies echoed the joy of those shuffling through the gondola line on this blue bird afternoon. With the holiday season swiftly descending upon the Village, locals fat and merry with many past powder days are joined by gaggles of vacationers eager to indulge in the goods.

Riders were greeted by strong winds that rocked the tram like a ship struggling at sea. From top to bottom, the mountain was blanketed with deposits of soft dry powder. Pockets of sunshine enabled Rendezvous Bowl to reveal it’s perfectly flat, wind buffed surface that refreshed lines almost as quickly as they were made.

Even without new precipitation, there was much to be grateful for on the hill today. Riders smeared turns on creamy off-piste terrain and found consuming quiet in the trees. Though balmy at the base, there was certainly a nip in the air on the upper mountain. Making an unexpected midweek appearance, Sublet ran after the Tram experienced some technical difficulties. For 45 minutes, the big red heli hovered over the Village. Fortunately, after some quick diagnostics at the dock, the Tram was up and flying once again.

An early morning inversion made the upper mountain a surreal island floating above the clouds. As riders descended through the misty shroud, flat light assaulted their goggled-eyes and moderated their speed on the hard-pack. Just after midday, heavy flakes fell with a vengeance, foreshadowing the wrath of storms to hit by week’s end.

Passing through the clouds, the Tram met crisp blue skies at the top of Rendezvous Mountain. The Bowl was blanketed in four inches of fresh, making for fast, flowing turns. There was still plenty of powder to be had if you were willing to work for it. After marching up the A.V. boot-pack in pristine solitude, a lucky few enjoyed deep turns through the Crags.

Little overnight snowfall allowed for a few guiltless taps of the snooze button as a front crept over The Hole. By 11 am, La Nina was back in action, spreading big falling flakes over The Village like chicken-feed. What began as a modest dusting, evolved into driving precipitation. As the tram docked for the day, ... Read More