Jackson Hole Conditions Report: A Season in Review

April 12 - Dr. Huckinstuff's season recap:

Alright everyone. This is a tough time for those of us who have spent the past 5 months focused solely on the fascinating sensations fueled by the snow filled mountains, so please bear with me.  I'm gonna try to stay focused as I type this recap, but the truth of the matter is that our impending forced re-entry into the off season has got me somewhat disillusioned. So, in an effort to ease my way into it and to gain a modicum of control over my mind, let me take you on a trip down memory lane with some reflections on the wacky winter of 2023/24.

     This season will surely be remembered as one of the oddest we've seen here in Jackson Hole. After the banner winter of 2022/23 we made the move to extend our season by a week. With 143 days to entertain us, hopes were high for a deep, repeat performance. But as we know the mountains love to surprise us. Following a snowy fall, the faucet turned off and we started the season in a state of famine. Low tide conditions stuck around for what seemed like an eternity, putting our snow making team's feet to the fire. Thanks to cool temperatures and round the clock crystal creation, the crew kept us turning through the dry spell earning themselves VIP status in the process. Early December delivered a huge denim distraction from the lack of snowfall as our inaugural "Ski in Jeans" day set the bar for a new world record. Over 3,000 folks donned their favorite Canadian Tuxedo in what turned out to be a welcome bit of early season ski-comradery. With Christmas creeping closer and high pressure remaining in control, we continued crushing the corduroy while new terrain was slowly added to our roster. Despite the low tide situation, we managed to get the Tram running before the holiday visitors showed up, a key component of spreading people around with the limited terrain. Christmas came and although jolly Saint Nick forgot to load his sleigh with pow, the ski terrain continued to expand day by day. Village festivities kept spirits high with live music by day and evening torchlight parades and firework displays. Kissing 2023 goodbye we set our sights on the future, fully convinced that an atmospheric change was right over the horizon. In mid-January we picked up a few good storms to keep the powder hounds at bay, but the dry spell largely rolled on. Nearing a historically low snow tally, some people began to wonder if we would ever break out of the rut, but that's when the narrative changed. Multiple waves of moisture made their way through the Tetons and as we rolled into February, the skiing got sweeter than a bowl full of Franken-Berry. By the end of the month our famine had turned into a feast and memories of the firm-pack were fading fast. Base depths rebounded and rose into the triple digits, quelling old fears that our snow wouldn't last. The quick onslaught of snow created jaw dropping natural disaster displays in the backcountry as old crust layers provided sliding surfaces for massive avalanches. Back in-bounds the boys and girls in red battled against the weather, providing safe slopes for us to shred. It all came to a crescendo as we crossed into March. A ten-day stretch starting on February 27th dropped nearly 100" of snow on Rendezvous Mountain, including a historic 30" dump on March 2nd. With all memory of the dry start now completely obliterated, we undertook the mission of making our powder appetite fully satiated. Avy conditions settled somewhat, allowing the backcountry alpine freaks to head for the higher peaks.  Another new event drew the masses up to our Bear Flats Cafe where a gluttonous Bear-Dog eating contest went on display. After two contestants downed half a dozen dogs in the allotted time, it came down to a "dog off". But in the end, all it took was one more wiener to decide the winner. They say time flies when you're having fun, and I guess I was because the remainder of the month went by in a blur. With April upon us we settled into a sweet corn cycle like we hadn't seen in years. A perfect set up that confirmed the genius move of extending our season. The last two weeks have been nothing short of stupendous. With empty tram cars and bell to bell days, people's vertical totals were pushed to the point of tremendous. Peeling velvet corduroy in the mornings and exploding afternoon bumps made for a fantastic finish to this wild winter.

     So, here we are at the end. I'm just about out of rhymes about all these good times, so I'll leave the remaining reminiscing up to you. It's easy to be sad that it's over but it's better to be stoked that it happened. Endings are kind of a bummer, but all your magic memories will make it easy to float through summer. Wishing you all wonderful days ahead. Don't know about you, but I'm already dreaming of next November and another cold-smoke shred. -Lege

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