From First Tracks to Full Throttle: Your Definitive Guide to Jackson Hole Winter Action
When the Pressure Drop locals crew—Madison Rose, Owen Leaper, and the rest—dropped into those steep lines, they were showcasing the heart of a Jackson Hole winter: commitment, skill, and deep snow. But the winter mission in this valley extends far beyond the ropes of the resort. Jackson Hole is a comprehensive, high-adrenaline winter ecosystem, requiring respect, preparation, and an appetite for action.
Pressure Drop: Jackson Hole Locals Segment
The Holy Trinity of Vertical: Resorts
The ski terrain here is mandatory. You earn your turns, whether you’re paying for the lift ticket or earning the vertical on skins.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR): The Proving Ground. Home of the Big Red Tram and 4,139 feet of unrelenting vertical. Focus on Corbet's Couloir (the signature mandatory air), The Hobacks (endless deep-burner powder runs), and the Alta Chutes (technical, north-facing stash spots). This is where the world’s best come to test their limits.
Grand Targhee: The Powder Capital. Located on the western slope of the Tetons, Targhee is famous for accumulating light, consistent snowfall. When JHMR is tracked out, Targhee is often dumping. Its mellow vibes and phenomenal cat-skiing terrain make it a mandatory stop for pure powder chasing.
Snow King: The Town Hill. Located right in Jackson, The King offers steep, sustained pitches, night skiing, and is a local favorite for dawn patrol uphill laps to earn your morning coffee. Don't underestimate this beast.
Earn Your Turns: Backcountry & Beyond
The TGR ethos is built on exploring the raw, untamed mountains, and Jackson Hole is a gateway to endless touring.
Teton Pass: The Mecca of Human-Powered Skiing. The Pass is a true backcountry icon. Routes like Mail Cabin and Mt. Taylor offer thousands of feet of quality lines. This is a serious, uncontrolled environment. Carry full avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe), have solid training, and check the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center report daily.
JHMR Sidecountry: Access to zones like Cody Peak and Four Pines is unparalleled, but the moment you pass the gate, the resort is gone. Responsibility is 100% on you. Never Drop In Alone.
Full Throttle Off-Piste: Machines & Muscle
For the days you need high-speed adventure, Jackson Hole offers action sports that will get the heart rate maxed.
Snowmobiling: Head out to Togwotee Pass, ranked as some of the best snowmobiling terrain in the country, or book a guided tour into the silent, snow-covered interior of Yellowstone National Park. This is high-octane exploration.
Fat Biking: The singletrack doesn't stop just because the snow fell. Grab a fat bike and hit groomed multi-use pathways like the Snake River Dike or the trails at Turpin Meadow Ranch.
Rule of the Trail: Only ride when the snow is firm and solid—never leave a rut or you're ruining the track for the Nordic skiers.
Alpine Immersion: Complete the Mission
A full winter mission includes the entire Teton experience—the silence, the wildlife, and the post-adventure soak.
Nordic & Snowshoeing: The closed Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) becomes an intermittently groomed winter trail—a flat, silent expanse perfect for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with the entire Teton skyline towering above.
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Wildlife Safaris & Elk Refuge: Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride onto the National Elk Refuge to get up close and personal with thousands of migrating elk—a true Western immersion.
The Soak: After a mandatory day of charging, head south to the Astoria Hot Springs to ease the burn. Nothing finishes a mission like soaking in natural thermal pools under the stars.
Mandatory Fuel: Food & Après-Ski
A day of mandatory vertical and high-consequence lines requires the right recovery protocol. These spots are crucial for fueling up and winding down.
- Après-Ski Protocol: You must go to The Mangy Moose (JHMR Village). It's an institution—loud, rowdy, and the perfect atmosphere to trade stories of mandatory airs and deep runs. Alternately, for a slightly more refined, convenient option, the Spur Bar & Grill at the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa is perfect for apres deals.
- Town Fuel (Dinner): For a high-end, classic Teton experience, hit the Snake River Grill—it's a staple and the bar scene is legendary. Meanwhile, for the best steak or elevated pub fare in a cool, local setting, Local is mandatory.
- Morning Fuel: Before the first tram, you need the goods. Pearl Street Bagels is a Jackson Hole ritual—grab a fresh, hot bagel to eat in the tram line. Likewise, for late-night recovery after a long session at the Moose, Pinky G’s Pizzeria is the spot.
Full Circle: The Ultimate Proving Ground
The Tetons demand respect; moreover, they reward commitment with the deepest days, the gnarliest terrain, and the purest kind of adrenaline. From the peak of Rendezvous Mountain to the après-ski energy of The Mangy Moose, this valley is truly the heart of Teton Gravity Research.
Furthermore, the local athletes featured in the Pressure Drop segment—Madison Rose, Owen Leaper, Tucker Carr, Wyatt Gentry, and Lalo Rambaud—are products of this mandatory environment. Because they are constantly pushing the pace on their home turf, they carry that Teton aggression with them across the globe.
For those who want to witness it firsthand, to see their masterclass in aggressive, creative freeride skiing, watch the full Jackson Hole Locals segment from Pressure Drop right now!
Pressure Drop: Jackson Hole Locals Segment
And to watch the rest of the crew, including Nick McNutt, Ian McIntosh, and Molly Armanino, drop into the world’s most imposing lines—you need to experience Pressure Drop on the big screen.
Winter is calling. Get ready to go full throttle, and get your tickets to the Pressure Drop screening near you.
