A new very important world record has been set. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is now the home to the most people skiing in jeans.
Yesterday, 3,114 people took advantage of a Jackson Hole lift ticket that was discounted to just $25 en route to smashing the previous world record of 100. That record was set at a New Zealand resort earlier this year. Before that, Arapahoe Basin claimed the title in 2020.
If anyone wants to try and steal that record back from those powder cowboys and cowgirls let me know, we’ll set things in motion.
One pro tip from a non-pro: If you’re going to ski or snowboard in jeans, for the love of all that is good and moisture wicking, please wear a wool baselayer underneath. Maybe even consider doubling up. It gets cold out there!
The Fundamentals
Yesterday, I talked about how the early season is the perfect time to challenge yourself and get outside your comfort zone. For me, that includes hitting the park, and sliding on some rails.
The terrain park can be a scary place. Particularly if you’re old enough to purchase a lottery ticket (or even rent a car), and immediately upon arrival, you see a bunch of children throwing down tricks you couldn’t imagine doing in your wildest dreams. Now imagine being in your 30s and entering that same park. Chances are, your lower back is already tight, and you grunt when standing up off the chairlift.
Thankfully, Slush the Magazine and pro snowboarder Freddy Perry have teamed up to provide you with a fundamentals guide. The latest episode: how to jib in the park.
I’ll let you watch it for yourself, but the two key things to keep in mind are this:
- Before hitting any of the features, take a run through the park and check the features out. It’s good to know if there’s any tough landings or surprises before you hit the steel.
- Keep your body centered! Easier said than done, but that will make everything – even falling – simpler.
And to modify a Warren Miller quote just a little bit: Remember. If you don’t front boardslide that feature this year, you’ll just be another year older when you do.
It’s a cold one in Raleigh today. I should have worn some gloves while walking my dog. But bad news for my digits is good news for anyone looking for a midweek shred session. Let’s get into what you need to know in the southeast.
Wintergreen
Now, we don’t have an opening day yet in Wintergreen, Virginia. But we are a step closer to that.
Wintergreen Resort dropped some drone footage on its social media pages yesterday, and the slopes are looking covered.
Here’s what the marketing team had to say:
We received about 4 inches of fresh snow up on the mountain overnight, surpassing the total snowfall from all of last season. Snowmaking is back online and it’s looking like a winter wonderland. Dust off those skis and snowboards, and keep a close eye on our social media and website towards the middle of the week for an opening day announcement.”
Snowshoe
The snowfall total is slowly climbing at Snowshoe. The resort got another dusting of snow last night. It’s a little less than an inch, but it’s more than welcome after a weekend that featured rain. Silver Creek and Soaring Eagle are set to open up this week, the team reported, and that should send the trail count up significantly.
Sugar Mountain
Snow guns are firing at Sugar. The resort is reporting a base of up to 50 inches in some places. Santa ski and snowboard day is happening tomorrow. Come to the resort dressed as Santa, Mrs. Clause or an elf and receive a full-day lift ticket for $25.
Bryce
Bill Nabers, a part-time patroller over at Bryce, has been kind enough to share his report from yesterday with me. Here’s what he had to say:
I arrived at the resort to find the upperhalf of the mountain had received about 1.5 inches of nice soft snow. Considering our relatively low elevation this was a pleasant surprise. At the base the roads were clear, but the surrounding taller mountains were glistening. With just a few folks out early my ski patrol partner and I enjoyed ourselves. The scenery was great and the nice conditions were like icing on a cake. The main desert will be a couple of nights of snowmaking and getting some more trails open. Come out and have some fun.”
Beech
Tonight is student night at Beech Mountain. A night session from 5 p.m. to 9 .p.m. is just $15 for stuents with a progress report, report card or student ID card.
And while we’re on the topic, tomorrow is men’s night, and Thursday is ladies night, where each of the mentioned demographics can ski or ride all night for $15. The nonprofit Girls Go Shred will be at ladies night on Thursday, and close down the night with some karaoke in the Beech Mountain Brewing taproom. I’ll have an interview with the founder of the organization later this week.
Canaan Valley Resort
Still no word on an opening day, but the snow keeps coming down over there, as another 2 inches fell last night. That puts the resort at 25.3 inches on the season so far.
Think snow!
Think cold!
Thanks to everyone that joined us on Discord yesterday. There were eight of you in just a single day! Never hesitate to drop me, or any other members of the SkiSoutheast team, a line.
Click here to join us on our new SkiSoutheast Discord channel. It is a great way to meet new snow loving friends and shares experiences, ask questions, and more!
And as always, email me at [email protected] with your thoughts and photos.
Keep skiing the southeast.