Eight days of some amazing skiing quickly came to an end about a week ago. The main thing, which you can’t do anything about when on a skiing holiday – the weather and snow set-up – ended up being more perfect than I ever could have imagined. The first day with telemark boots on my feet in almost two years, gave me some of the best snow I’ve ever skied in. Then it just continued on the same path – constant snowfall and fresh powder every morning. Hard to see where I was going at times, but luckily there were plenty of trees to aim at if alternative methods to slow down were required. The forecast showed that the snow seemed to be keen to stay for the rest of the week, which made me hesitate a bit to go through with my initial plan of booking a backcountry guide for one of the days. Finally decided to go for it, worst thing that could happen was that I’d have another day of skiing in the clouds, just a more expensive one than skiing in the clouds at the ski resort. And what happened? As on order, the snowing had stopped overnight, the clouds were gone and I got a sunny, picture perfect Saturday in Teton Pass, with skiing the deepest powder I’ve ever experienced. As already stated, couldn’t have directed the weather in a better way even if I tried.
The evenings in cowboy land were easily passed with newfound friends and good food. Buffalo steak and wine with Italians, beers and burgers with local pilots and photographers and an undefinable experience at The Bird with a bunch of Memphis boys. Located slightly out of town, the talkative owner is making sure that the hottest chicken wings and most innovative and fresh burgers in the area are served from his kitchen. And if you don’t feel like eating and drinking, just reading their menu would make the drive worthwhile.
The only place, which got a second visit throughout the week, was the excellent Italian style restaurant and wine bar Nani’s. Even James Franco and Anne Hathaway lost the battle for my attention to a bowl of fresh pistachio-orange and olive pasta and a glass of Italian white on the last night. Next time in town, I’ll also make sure to pay the Pearl St Meat & Fish Co a few more visits. A shop full of the nicest delicacies, proper coffee and a carrot cake from a different planet
Being sore, worn and tired, but on the pink skiing clouds still, the last day up the hill was a relaxed story. The proper camera got to come along and extra coffee breaks were easily fit in to enjoy the sunshine. It was also nice to see all the mountains and the stunning views around on the last day. Every now and then I ran into someone in the lift, who had their first day on skis and were just about to start their holiday. They were are lyric about the conditions, how good the snow was, all the good backcountry skiing and how few people were out. Didn’t have the heart to tell them that this was the busiest day people wise and poorest day snow wise we’d had in a week.
Left a Jackson Hole covered in high clouds, without any snowfall and without any sun - just grey, windy and cold – with some of the best skiing memories in my mind.
The world must really like me.
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