Chasing Icons : Conquering Corbet’s Couloir at Jackson Hole
Day 2 at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort began with a backflip straight into Corbet's Couloir.
Just to be clear—we didn't throw a backie into North America's most infamous 40-degree ski chute—we were actually scoping the line when this stranger rolled up and committed to full send.
No visit to JHMR is complete without a stop at Corbet's Cabin for Waffles. TGR photo.
It was pretty gutsy, considering the cement-like snow, but our new hero survived the crash landing. Kudos to him.
That kind of full send attitude is what separates Jackson from other resort towns. People just like getting after it out here. The passionate culture is on par with the intensity of the riding—which demands a high level of skill and commitment.
Ligare giving the iconic JHMR tram a wave as he sends it off-piste. TGR photo.
The intense, technical nature of Jackson's terrain is a huge reason why pro skier Griffin Post now calls it home. He, like many other pros before him, moved to Jackson after falling in love with purity of the ski culture in the town.
"I feel like I moved here for the same reason everyone else did," Post said. "There are so many hard riding skiers that inspire me to get out there every day." TGR Photo.
JHMR is based in the Teton Range in Wyoming, and is an absolute Mecca for aggressive skiing and backcountry access. The resort has countless steep lines, and is the perfect playground for pro skiers and dirtbags alike.
When you step off of the iconic Tram and look around at the cliffs and majestic peaks, you understand how it has inspired athletes and cinematographers alike. In fact, JHMR is where Todd Ligare starred in his first major film— TGR's 2011 film One for the Road (he scored the opener)—which helped launched his ski career.
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Corbet's Couloir, which can be seen from the Tram ride up, is JHMR's most famous run. TGR Photo.
For Ligare, visiting means a necessary reunion with Post. The two have known each other since their glory days of ski racing. If it's a pow day, they'll hit their favorite line off the tram—Rendezvous to Bivouac woods into the famed Hobacks—it's basically a 4,000-foot nonstop pow run. Catch the first tram up, and it's nothing but first tracks the whole way down.
No pow today, so we instead enjoyed shredding the groomers and scoped out Corbet's as well. Amie Engerbretson has been coming to Jackson for years, but has never dropped the chute. However, getting the chance to link up with local pro skier Jess McMillian, was just the inspiration she needed.
Watching McMillian stomp it, Engerbretson was game to give it a go. TGR photo.
"There was like 10 seconds of nervousness before I dropped but then my tips dipped and it was now or never," Engerbretson said. "It was a lot easier than it seemed from the top and it was nice to give it a little check"
McMillian, has an impressive list of accolades—pro kayaker, winner of the 2007 International Free Skiing Association Women's World Tour, and regular star of Warren Miller films. TGR photo.
McMillian loves hitting classic lines like Tower 3, the Alta Chutes, Expert Chutes, or Corbet's. Don't ask her to pick just one, because they're all that good.
We ended the day with some much needed poutine at the Spur. Since it was a Thursday, we were all fairly tempted to hit up the Stagecoach—lovingly referred to as the 'ragecoach' by the locals—for some good times out at disco night. Considering we were starting our trek to Colorado tomorrow we opted instead for a slice of pizza from Pinky G's. Until next time Jackson!
