Popping My Cherry JH-Jan2010

**mintee** · 10-08-2009, 09:41 AM

Well kids, I'm finally biting the credit card and booking a trip to JH today. Just one other buddy and myself. We tried to get a larger group but everyone else is either scared, or broke. (Isn't that why god gave us Visa/MasterCard/Amex?)
Looks like were heading out for 7-8 days and landing around January 3rd. It's just the most convient time for us to go, and it also looks to coincide with JH's snowiest month. Way to pull in the new year!

We're considering doing some cat skiing and found this place. http://www.togwoteelodge.com/winter/...iing/index.cfm Decent rates, but any other suggestions from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

We are Def getting 3 day lifts at JH, at least 1 day at Grand Targhee, and then we have a few free days to do whatever we want, also taking suggestions with that. The hot springs looks nice, and what about kite sking? Looks kinda lame, but at the same time, the anti-gravity feel looks pretty cool.

Oh, and where should we eat/drink? I want some Elk, and whatever local animals/veggies grow there. And local beers obviously.

**meatspicy** · 10-08-2009, 09:50 AM

why do u need catskiing when there is a TRAM to the top of the good terrain?

**Long duc dong** · 10-08-2009, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by meatspicy

why do u need catskiing when there is a TRAM to the top of the good terrain?

More of a guarantee of powder with catskiing.

**nvr2deep** · 10-08-2009, 10:39 AM

HostelX for lodging in teton village
Teton teepee lodge for Targhee if they're open this year?
snake river brewery in Jackson for local brew

**PassTheDutchie** · 10-08-2009, 10:52 AM

RE: Cat Skiing

I know some will bag on Targhees op (low angle, blah blah blah blah), but I did it a couple of years ago and had a blast. Not sure how it compares to Togwottee.

**mintee** · 10-08-2009, 10:54 AM

Catskiing == Untracked. I wanna be able to see my lines alone.

nvr2deep, thanks, I'll def check out the brewery, but as for places to stay, we're doing ski in ski out, donno the name of the place yet, but should know in a few hours.

**Lawless** · 10-08-2009, 11:15 AM

I have never been cat skiing, so take my comments with a grain of salt, but it seems like the cat operation over at Targhee gets a bunch more snow than Togwotee does. 300" vs. 500" on average or something like that. There's good terrain up at Togwotee, but also a lot of snowmobiles. I don't think you would be disappointed with either, and it probably would be nice to see different parts of the area while you're here. If you do go to Togwotee, make sure you drive all the way to the pass, it's just a really nice area and definitely worh the extra few miles past Togwotee Lodge. It's on the continental divide, so I always make sure to stop and pee up here, send a little love back East, and some out West.

The 2 main hot springs are Granite and the ones around Flagg Ranch. Granite is a snowmobile ride in, or a long ski. My opinion is if you're going to go for a snowmobile ride, you should go somewhere fun, instead of a 10 mile road. The Flagg ranch area springs are a short hike/snowshoe, although about a 45 minute drive north of Jackson. PM me if you want more info. You can rent snowshoes at most of the village shops for a 12 pack of something nice or a case of PBR's.

Eats all depends on your budget. Are you staying in town or at the village? If I have a choice of anywhere for dinner here, I go to the Blue Lion. Awesome food. The main tourist place for wild game is the Gunbarrel. I've only been there once, but it rubbed me the wrong way. Seemed like they got us in and out in as short a time as possible. The food was alright, but nothing to brag about. Snake River Brewpub is definitely worth eating at at least once while you're here. Decent food, great beer, and casual pricing. Other casual places you should hit up while you're here are Billy's for burgers, Bubba's for breakfast, DOG for breakfast, Cascade for Jackson Apre nachos, Mangy Moose for Jackson apre beers, The Trap Bar for Targhee apre beers and nachos.

**Tye 1on** · 10-08-2009, 11:19 AM

That's one of the best weeks, imho, as resorts everywhere tend to empty out after the holidays. Good call.

If it was me i'd hold out on cat skiing for up in BC. But i'd spend the money by the two of you hiring a mountain guide for the first or maybe second day you're at the Village. Actually, in my little brain, you'd hit Snow King on the way in from the airport for a couple hours, then go to the brewpub. Saturday ski the village and apres at the mangy moose. Dinner there too maybe, you'll be beat. Sunday run over to Targhee. Leave way early so you arrive at 845. Hit the Trap bar for one beer at two. End up drinking for the rest of the afternoon, but don't eat that much. Stop at Gunbarrel for an elk steak on your way home. Monday hire the guide at JH. Apres at the moose again. Osteria for a killer [slow] italian dinner. Tues/wed/thurs really get to know JH. Friday snowmobiling at Togwotee. Drink heavily that night and get on flight hungover.

edit-lawless beat me to a lot of this...he's certainly nailed it...

**schwerty** · 10-08-2009, 11:46 AM

If you are set on catskiing, you're prolly OK with holding off on booking the day(s) until you're here. If we are getting pounded on then You may want to make the reservation a week or so ahead. Personally, I would do the tog thing. As mentioned above, you will see a different aspect of this region. It is true, that area gets less snow, so holding out as long as possible will be in your best interest.

**Ireallyliketoski2** · 10-08-2009, 11:53 AM

Excellent choice, Jackson is the choice for skiing. Actually I made my first trip out west to Jackson and decided to move to Colorado because I just figured every place out west was like Jackson. You should have seen the look on my face when I pulled into the Keystone parking lot.

**mintee** · 10-08-2009, 12:20 PM

Lawless and Tye 1on, thanks for such detailed information, I'm gonna be researching that info for a few days, and I'll either reply here, or PM ya if I need some more info. Thanks so much!

The cats are def not a MUST, it's just an idea of what to do on one of our free days. As for snowshoeing and snowmobiling, that sounds amazing. Pretty sure that will be a todo as well, and hell, that's gonna be cheaper than cats anyway.

I'll see if I can make it past Togwotee Lodge for the divided urination, but we're not renting a car so that might be a bit of a hike, unless there is a Divided Urination Shuttle Bus! w00 w00

Ireallyliketoski, I went to Keystone once... first time out west. Kinda reminded me of the east. Was pretty bad conditions. Hell, at least you have the Basin opening tomorrow.

**bennettc14** · 10-08-2009, 12:21 PM

I'm headed back to Jackson in Feb. also had my eyes on Togwotee Lodge for some CAT skiing. Which has better terrain? Also has anyone ever hired a JHMR BC guide? Thought it was the best and safest way to learn the good BC/Sidecountry spots and not too bad price wise for just me and a buddy.

**Lawless** · 10-08-2009, 12:50 PM

If you're not getting a car, some of those things I mentioned doing might be a problem. There's definitely not a shuttle going up to Flagg Ranch. You can go to Targhee on the Targhee express and most snowmobiling places will bring you where they start off from. You should check out llama Lou's for info on that stuff.

Transpostation from town to the village or vice versa is no problem at all. There is very good public transportation running through town and out there until around 11 or so at night. It may be worth renting a car one or two days if you want to see things on your own though.

bennettc14, I think the Togowotee cats run on the West side of Angle mountain, but not completely sure. If so, it's a bit steeper than Targhee's terrain with maybe a few cliffy areas depending on snowpack. The JHMR guides will be your best bet to explore terrain off the tram safely. They'll assess your conditioning and find some good snow for you. Be in better shape and you'll get farther away from the mountain into better snow.

**::: :::** · 10-08-2009, 01:22 PM

i did my honeymoon in jackson hole and 3 days in tweaked my knee
so, other than the suggestions above...you might try a dogsled tour (you get to drive!)

**Chnaiur** · 10-08-2009, 01:42 PM

I agree with others: for a 1st week in JH you don't neccesarily need cat skiing. There is SO much terrain that's accessible from the tram and a little hiking/traversing.

**LiveTheDream** · 10-08-2009, 02:08 PM

I've heard rumors that Togwotee Cat Skiing is canceled this year due to budget restraints... for the same price and the willingness to earn your own turns, I'll show you much better terrain and snow on Togwotee.

**mintee** · 10-08-2009, 02:46 PM

We just got off the phone with the agent and we're settled in for Jan 5th - 12th. We didn't reserve any lifts yet, I wanna see if there are any hook ups with the shop I work for.

I'm starting to agree with the "Don't spend the money on the cats" deal, and leaning towards a BC Guide. Oh, how sweet would it be to rock my Icelantic/Duke/and hopefully a pair of Diablo Virus.

LiveTheDream I just might PM you closer to time for a meet up.

**Ireallyliketoski2** · 10-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Have the guide take you up the Skillet on Moran, that's THE classic teton line in my opinion.

**Blurred** · 10-08-2009, 03:03 PM

The cat skiing off the top of the Grand is pretty epic.

**HikeforTurns** · 10-08-2009, 04:33 PM

Oh Sweet! Ur going to Jackson!? Thanks for the heads up!

**skiierx** · 10-08-2009, 06:15 PM

If you do hire a guide at Jackson, do a half day AM as you will get to take the gondi up before everyone else and get first turns. Last year a buddy and I ended up doing the GT express on Saturday and did not have to deal with any lines, so I would recommend that. If you can find a couple locals to ski with before you go out you will have a much better time. For JH make sure to go over to epicski and look for Bob Peters guide to skiing JH, he has 2 of them (one for the easier stuff and the other for steeper). That helped the most with getting around the mtn.

**akokskis** · 10-09-2009, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by skiierx

If you do hire a guide at Jackson, do a half day AM as you will get to take the gondi up before everyone else and get first turns. Last year a buddy and I ended up doing the GT express on Saturday and did not have to deal with any lines, so I would recommend that.

While that could be cool if you've got the moolah to get a guide, personally I find it fucking ridiculous that jhmr allows this sort of practice. They're basically telling us that you're a 1st class citizen if you've got the cash to be one. Not cool IMO.
But I guess this is neither here nor there.
/rant.

**babybear** · 10-09-2009, 08:27 AM

^^skiing is not democracy. businesses can do whatever they want

**babybear** · 10-09-2009, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoski

Excellent choice, Jackson is the choice for skiing. Actually I made my first trip out west to Jackson and decided to move to Colorado because I just figured every place out west was like Jackson. You should have seen the look on my face when I pulled into the Keystone parking lot.

this is priceless

**mintee** · 10-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Wow, the skillet looks sick! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnmk3pdkWIA"]YouTube - Backcountry R&D - The Skillet - Mt Moran WY[/ame]

akokskis, ya know... I'm not all that experienced in the BC, and if it costs me a couple hundred to have a great time and not have to worry too much about killing myself or being stuck under a slide, then so be it.

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