POV: Jackson Hole Backcountry Guides

8:07 AM - Fuel up. Put on your ski boots, grab your pack and walk up to the General Store for a latte and a freshly-baked breakfast pastry. The sun has just crested the horizon, bathing the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and the upper mountain in a warm glow. You pull out your phone and check the mountain report in the JH Insider app - it reads 10” overnight. POWDER DAY!

8:30 AM - Meet the guide. Stroll over to the tram dock with your friends and meet your Jackson Hole Alpine Guide for the day. Brenton Reagan is an IFMGA-certified guide with decades of experience skiing around the world and knows the Tetons, specifically the terrain right out the gates of Jackson Hole, better than anyone. Throughout the season, Reagan works everywhere from the Tetons to Europe to Alaska honing his skills and chasing deep powder snow with his guests. Beneath the boom of avalanche bombs going off up high as ski patrol finishes their control runs for the morning, you chat about some options for the day, basking in the unmistakable stoke and energy of a group of shredders that know they are about to have one of the best ski days of their lives. Conditions have been deemed stable, and Reagan suggests going for a short tour to access some exciting terrain on the far side of Cody Bowl. 

8:47 AM - Early Tram. Load an early "box" with a small team of ski patrollers and the rest of your group and head up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450'. The ride takes just 10 minutes, whisking you skywards 4,139' into the high alpine of the Teton Range. Near the top, you begin to see the majesty of Cody Peak and its surrounding summits peeking out behind Corbet’s Couloir to the south. To the north, the high peaks of Grand Teton National Park poke out, piercing the sky. 

8:57 AM - Arrive at Corbet’s Cabin. It’s chilly out, so your group stops into the warmth of the Cabin for a quick briefing on what to expect for the day. Reagan goes over some basic backcountry safety, and makes sure everyone’s gear is in order with an avalanche beacon check as you wait for Ski Patrol’s notice that the mountain is officially open to the public. 

9:04 AM - Game time. The light outside the Corbet’s Patrol Shack switches to green, giving the ok that the mountain is ready to go. Reagan leads the way across the top of Rendezvous Bowl all the way to the backcountry exit gate, where you’ll begin your backcountry day.

9:10 AM - Out of bounds. As you exit the gate into the backcountry, the feeling of adventure really kicks in. This is the terrain of your dreams, with untracked powder as far as the eye can see, bluebird skies, and a guide you know will show you the goods. Your group descends into Cody Bowl, milking pow turns and face shots for hundreds of feet below the 10,753' summit of Cody Peak. The best part? This is just the access run.

9:30 AM - Ascend Powder 8's. The first real line of the day lies directly above you, as you and your crew strap skis to packs and follow Reagan up the bootpack to the top of Powder 8’s - a classic Jackson Hole powder run that was home to the annual Powder 8’s competition for decades.  

10:00 AM - Dropping In. Below you lies a perfect 500-foot fall line averaging 30 degrees - the ultimate warm up powder run. Reagan sets a perfect track and shouts for you to give him a few seconds before following him down. The powder swooshes and explodes around you, as you float through effortless turns. This is what dreams are made of. 

10:05 AM - High fives. Your friends all regroup at the bottom in a state of elevated bliss. High fives go around multiple times as Reagan discusses your next lap. It’s time to head up the same short bootpack again to drop into the backside. You strap your skis to your pack again, have a sip of water, shed a layer and start marching back up.

10:30 AM - Déjà vu. Your excitement helped make this ascent go a little faster, and you peek over the back of the run you just skied into even more mind-blowing terrain. Thanks to your early start, and nature’s fresh coat of white, there’s still no tracks anywhere in sight. This time, you’ll ski south off the top of Powder 8’s, snaking your way into the large bowl between Cody Peak and its southern neighbor, No Name Peak. You snap a few pictures to share with your family and friends at home and drop in.

10:45 AM - Pinedale. After skiing into the bowl, you traverse across to Pinedale Canyon, a favorite run of the JHMR Backcountry Guides thanks to the playful terrain blanketed in deep powder. Your group pitches out the thousands of feet of skiing, taking turns weaving in and out of the perfectly-spaced trees, airing off small rocks, and enjoying the wide-open powder slopes near the bottom. At this point, your legs are absolutely burning, and Reagan guides you to the traverse track that leads back to the base area. 

11:30 AM - Back inbounds. After a short downhill traverse, you’ve made it back inbounds to the bottom of the Hobacks. Your legs enjoy the smoothly groomed cattrack back to the base of the Union Pass Quad, and you eagerly sit down for the short chair ride back to the main base area. 

12:00 PM - Lunchtime. You and the group are absolutely starving from skiing thousands of feet of untracked powder, and it’s time to head in for lunch. You head into RPK3, right where you started your day and grab a table outside on the deck right next to the tram. The delicious menu offers everything from burgers and sandwiches to savory soups and salads - the Bison Lettuce Wrap catches your eye to split with your friends as you reminisce on the amazing morning you’ve already had together. Reagan checks in on everyone’s energy level and briefs you on the afternoon plan. More skiing? Sure thing!

1:00 PM - Back at it. As you load the tram with your crew for your afternoon laps, it slowly starts to snow again, stoking your excitement for what lies ahead.

Jackson Hole’s legendary backcountry terrain is easily accessible with the help of the JHMR Backcountry Guides. Take the stress and uncertainty out of experiencing this one-of-a-kind ski adventure with the help of a guide. Book a guided day and write your own story.