Snow King, WY: 01/26/08

[jamesdeluxe]

We took the early flight out of NJ and were on the lifts at 1:30 pm. For the wife's first turns of the year, conditions were nice and fast with a two-inch dusting overnight. Certain spots on the upper sections were a little styrofoamy, but anything that wasn't groomed, especially the trailside bumps, was really soft.

Overlooking the town of Jackson:

After the single digit and colder temps that we were skiing through in the northeast, today's high 20s felt like the tropics.

More tomorrow, but we both like Snow King.

 

[Admin]

Boy, those crowds on the slopes must be tough to deal with.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Boy, those crowds on the slopes must be tough to deal with.

There were actually a couple hundred people at Snow King yesterday afternoon, but the hill spreads people out nicely, hence the empty slopes. When we went out for dinner last night, it took us three tries to find a restaurant that wasn't completely booked for the evening. Apparently, all those people were over at the "other" mountain.

Today, we're getting together with a friend who's going to give us the SK locals tour. Monday and Tuesday, we'll head over to JHMR. Even though I'm looking forward to the big show, it's always a drag for me to go from a cool low-key hill where you walk a few yards from your car to the ski-on lifts to a joint with thousands of destination skiers.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I would let the snow conditions dictate your choice of when to ski where (with Targhee also in the equation), since the Jackson experience is so dependent upon them. Patrick and I can attest to JH being one's of skiing's greatest experiences in fresh snow. Unfortunately we've recently read that chair lift lines are much worse with no tram.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Patrick and I can attest to JH being one's of skiing's greatest experiences in fresh snow.

I've skied at JH in rock-hard concrete and thigh-deep powder. As destination dopes, our plans are, for better or worse, already set, with two days at each of the three resorts.

They're calling for 3-6 inches of snow each of the next three or four days.

 

[TRam]

3-6 for the next 3 days should make for very nice conditions. If you manage to make it to the Mangy Moose for apres ski, ask for the bartender Christy, tell her to make you a "dirty girl scout". Tell her Todd sent you, she is a old friend of mine that I don't get to see enough. She used to live with me in Fort Collins. Enjoy your stay

 

[jamesdeluxe]

We decided to have a Euro morning, meaning a late breakfast at the excellent hotel buffet and on the snow at 11:15, which is exactly when it started nuking light graupel. Snow King picked up about five inches and was still coming down at final bell.

I love the yellow chair. It's the same model as the red chair at Magic Mountain VT and just as slow! Mount Spokane has one and it's also painted yellow.

Me alongside the old town cemetery (not sure if it's still accepting new burials). Onpiste was soft and chewed up but the lines in the woods were untouched and boot-top deep.

Our mountain host making a turn in a mini-halfpipe.

Me:

IMO, the trail map above doesn't convey all the lines and little trails at Snow King. The hill is better than what you'd think looking up while driving through town and it has a nice, continuous pitch. Too bad that they don't offer night skiing today; I would have been on that.

 

[ChrisC]

Thanks for the Snow King pics.

But you do realize it's Jackson Hole around the corner. I mean Jackson Hole!

Please, no more Snow King reports, and on with the main event.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

But you do realize it's Jackson Hole around the corner. I mean Jackson Hole! Please, no more Snow King reports, and on with the main event.

I'm leaving in five minutes.

 

[sszycher]

GREAT MOMENTS IN SKI VACATION, VOL. 345

Wife: "James, let's get a table where we can have dinner by candlelight. It will be so romantic!"

Husband :"Hold on honey, I need to go to the bar & find Christy the bartender, so she can set me up with a dirty girl scout. You want one?"