By March 24th, the word had spread that the conditions in Jackson Hole were absolute garbage. While approaching to the resort from the village road, you could see the bare spots and exposed rocks. The terrain was slowly closing down. All of the lower faces, Saratoga bowl, the headwall, crags and many sweet spots I had found over the year were now exposing top soil. Outsiders stopped coming and the locals began hanging up the gear with rumors of an early closure. Then it hit, big time. Within a week seventy inches fell with such ferocity that it left much of the upper terrain and lower faces closed due to wind and poor visibility. These conditions combined with almost zero tourist traffic and a shrinking seasonal population, left endless runs from top to bottom of some of the deepest snow this year. It was impossible not to eat powder with every turn you made, or find a line of fresh, uninterrupted fluff the entire 4,139 ft. vertical rise.
To make things better, Wednesday April 1st was the annual Gaper Day at the resort. For those not savvy with this highly anticipated and insanely ridiculous day, it marks the end of the season (usually April 5th or 6th) and the long awaited departure of tourists and visiting ski bums unworthy of this mountains offerings. It’s a giant costume party and drinking contest that spans most of the mountain. Not only is reckless behavior accepted, it’s encouraged. Ski patrol strategically places recycling bins for cans and glass all over the mountain, as riding the lifts or a trail with booze in hand is perfectly acceptable. You’ll see the worlds largest snowboard (10 people, 36 feet) attempt the longest tandem snowboard travel, insanely flamboyant one-piece ski suits, costumes, binge drinking and hundreds of drunks attempting to navigate a trail known as the “thunder bumps.”
I myself headed out early, as it had snowed 13 inches the night before. The hikes had been closed for three days and had accumulated over thirty inches. After a few hours of lapping the untouched Moran Woods with friends Mo and Jason, drinking began and I opted to wear my now infamous Fat Suit. So large, I was unable to strap myself in my board and often needed assistance. But it paid off as many admirers gave me free beer and liquor with the hopes that I’d bounce around like a beach ball at a graduation ceremony while ripping moguls in a drunken daze. Impossible, my Malolo owns. A local television program captured the festivities. You can see it here: http://www.22local.com/2009/04/01/gaper-day-2009-in-teton-village/
You’ll see me at 1:11 about to rip some trees, and at 2:07 hopping out of the gondola.
It’s sad there are only two days left, but it’s been an awesome season. Get your asses out here next year!
-Schelling
To make things better, Wednesday April 1st was the annual Gaper Day at the resort. For those not savvy with this highly anticipated and insanely ridiculous day, it marks the end of the season (usually April 5th or 6th) and the long awaited departure of tourists and visiting ski bums unworthy of this mountains offerings. It’s a giant costume party and drinking contest that spans most of the mountain. Not only is reckless behavior accepted, it’s encouraged. Ski patrol strategically places recycling bins for cans and glass all over the mountain, as riding the lifts or a trail with booze in hand is perfectly acceptable. You’ll see the worlds largest snowboard (10 people, 36 feet) attempt the longest tandem snowboard travel, insanely flamboyant one-piece ski suits, costumes, binge drinking and hundreds of drunks attempting to navigate a trail known as the “thunder bumps.”
I myself headed out early, as it had snowed 13 inches the night before. The hikes had been closed for three days and had accumulated over thirty inches. After a few hours of lapping the untouched Moran Woods with friends Mo and Jason, drinking began and I opted to wear my now infamous Fat Suit. So large, I was unable to strap myself in my board and often needed assistance. But it paid off as many admirers gave me free beer and liquor with the hopes that I’d bounce around like a beach ball at a graduation ceremony while ripping moguls in a drunken daze. Impossible, my Malolo owns. A local television program captured the festivities. You can see it here: http://www.22local.com/2009/04/01/gaper-day-2009-in-teton-village/
You’ll see me at 1:11 about to rip some trees, and at 2:07 hopping out of the gondola.
It’s sad there are only two days left, but it’s been an awesome season. Get your asses out here next year!
-Schelling
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