Winter 2021/22 Operations Update

Dear Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Guests, Passholders and Friends,

Cool, crisp mountain air and fresh snow atop Rendezvous Mountain means it’s almost ski season. All of us at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) are busy preparing for opening on Thanksgiving Day. We are excited to announce we plan to run all lifts at full capacity and manage daily capacity to enhance the guest experience. It’s going to be a great year to visit JHMR, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another season. We want to update you on current health and safety protocols, mountain improvements and winter operations.

At this time, a face mask will be required indoors. All outdoor spaces, including the base area, lift lines and the other lifts, will not require masks.

Health and Safety Protocols

We will continue to follow Teton County’s health orders, which are constantly evolving. This season, we plan to load the Aerial Tram, gondolas and chair lifts to full capacity. With the tram operating at full capacity, we will not be offering the boot pack to the top of Rendezvous Bowl, but our lift system still enables open-air chair access to the top of Sublette lift.

Teton County Public Health Order #21-5 is still in force, requiring individuals within Teton County to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces through December 31, 2021. Following these guidelines, JHMR will require face coverings in all indoor spaces, including restaurants, retail and rental shops, restrooms and our Guest Service Center. The tram is included in the definition of public indoor spaces, given its capacity for 100 people. Outdoor spaces, including the base area, lift lines and the other lifts, will not require masks.

We ask each of our guests to help us prioritize health and safety. This includes complying with Teton County health orders and carrying a mask with you. We are offering full refunds for any reason on JHMR Season Pass products through November 15, 2021, less an administrative fee.

Big Red is back at full capacity. Photo from 10/13/21 after an early season snow at the summit.

Mountain Improvements

We were busy this summer upgrading our facilities and improving the mountain. Everyone always asks about the Aerial Tram, and we are pleased to announce that it’s back after a maintenance project that’s required every 12 years. (It’s hard to believe that our tram is already 12 years old.)

Our Mountain Operations crew also managed a wide range of projects to improve the mountain for both summer and winter operations.

• To offer at least two trails with snowmaking from each lift, we added to our snowmaking capacity with snowmaking on Upper Wide Open. In addition, we continue to upgrade our snowmaking gun fleet by increasing energy efficiency and adding high-production guns.
• We blasted 6,000 cubic yards of rock on Ship’s Prow to widen the Rendezvous Traverse and gladed an incremental six acres to expand skiable terrain.
• We built a bathroom at the top of the Teton Lift.
• Our JH Parks and Trails crew constructed two new mountain bike trails that expanded our downhill mountain bike trail system.
• We renovated Teton Village Sports, expanding our rental facility, and we plan to open the doors on November 19. In the meantime, reservations for boot-fitting service can be booked through JH Sports.
• We expanded locker facilities and will open our new locker room on the third floor of the Bridger Center.

Opening day is only a few weeks away. Get ready Jackson Hole. 

Winter Operations

To elevate our guest experience, we will limit daily capacity and encourage visitors to purchase their day tickets in advance online. We will also require reservations for both Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders. However, JHMR passholders will not be required to make a reservation and can ski or ride on the days as indicated on the pass type purchased.

As an added benefit, we have extended our hours of access and will start loading the Teewinot and Après Vous Chairlifts and Sweetwater Gondola at 8:30 a.m.

Teton Village Association is introducing automated parking gates this season. Guests will be issued a ticket when they enter any of the four Village parking areas and will pay upon exit. START Bus service will operate its schedule from town to the Stilson Lot and the Village. We are including a season bus pass with JHMR’s Season Pass to give all eligible JHMR passholders free access to START Bus service.

We are continuing to monitor the evolving health and safety guidance from local, state and federal officials, and may adopt additional operational protocols to ensure guest and employee safety.

After five consecutive seasons of snowfall above 500″ and a forecasted La Niña on deck, we are excited to kick off the 2021-22 season with anticipation of another big winter.

Think snow — and as always, thanks for your flexibility and ongoing support.

Tim Mason

VP Operations