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As odd as it may sound, one of my main goals when I moved to Jackson was NOT to get a nickname - especially a nickname like "Tram Line Griff," "Silent Griff" or, god forbid, "Tomahawk Griff." As thoughtful as these monikers may have been, I didn't want a single incident (or consecutive incidences, otherwise known as a pattern) to be part of who I was. In retrospect, however, the people that I've gotten to know with these terms of endearment are some of the best, most passionate people on the hill.
More than that, they make up the fabric that is Jackson Hole. They're the first people you see in the morning and often the last people you see at night, the proverbial rhythm to a song that's accentuated by the chorus of holidays and the verses of the slow times in between. Whether you know it or not, you see most of these people every day, and they all play a role in how your day - or in some cases your tomorrow - plays out. While, yes, the terrain and snowfall of Jackson is amazing, it's these unique people that give those elements context. Here's a non-exhaustive list of some of these people, what they look like and where they're skiing:
Griffin Post finds some powder under the tram. Justin Mayers photo.
THE STOKED LOCAL
The Look: All new kit (bought on pro form, of course)
Where They're Skiing: Upper mountain, lapping Thunder and Sublette. They're happy to have you tag along, as long as you keep up. They know the patterns of skier traffic on powder days, the best restaurant deals in town, and will tell you all about their skis/jacket/homebrew, even if you don't ask.
THE COACH
The Look: Closer to tight than baggy outerwear, rolled pants, may or may not be wearing ski club jacket.
Where They're Skiing: While these girls and guys rip groomers, they're just as comfortable making those same wide open turns though powder or moguls. From the Headwall to the Hobacks, these thoroughbred shredders didn't move from Vermont to stand around the race course all day.
Man, that's a sweet jacket! Justin Mayers photo.
THE INSTRUCTOR
The Look: Red Jacket
Where They're Skiing: While many of them may be confined to the surprisingly abundant beginner and intermediate terrain around Teewinot, Casper, and Après Vous lifts, the stoke is strong amongst this crowd. Sure, they may be bummed they're not on the first tram on a powder day, but they're going to make the most of the day anyway.
THE GUIDE
The Look: Orange Jacket
Where They're Skiing: There's an important distinction to be made here between instructor and guide, and any misspeaking will be quickly corrected. They'll ski an untracked Rendezvous Bowl and lap Sublette a few times before you can make it to the lift line of Thunder - where they may cut in front of you. That said, these men and women generally offer pointers on where to go, reciprocate stoke and may be the ones that help you out of a jam after you try to get to the spot where that crusty local wouldn't tell you about.
Some more sub-tram freshies. Justin Mayers photo.
THE CRUSTY LOCAL
The Look: Well-worn gear, most likely all black.
Where They're Skiing: You know all that legendary backcountry terrain you hear about around Jackson? Well, they're not gonna tell you about it…and out of respect for them neither will I.
THE APRES SKI(ER)
The Look: Older gear that still somehow looks new.
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Where They're Skiing: It's hard to score fresh tracks when you show up at noon, but then again it's easier to ski to the bell (or close to it) and the ensuing après session. Plus, Mahogany Ridge and the Nacho Couloir are always holding the goods.
Jess McMillan looking dramatic atop JHMR. Justin Mayers photo.
THE GIRL THAT SHREDS HARDER THAN YOU
The Look: Varies, but you'll know by the way they make their first turn.
Where They're Skiing: From Expert Chutes to Tower 3, these ladies are charging, keeping it fall line all over the mountain. Throw out the window any stereotypes that you might still harbor about girls and riding. Just try to keep up.
THE PRO
The Look: Stickers, lots of stickers, fastidiously placed on helmet and skis/board.
Where They're Skiing: They'd tell you but you've probably never heard of it. Although they might get the jump on you, odds are they'll spend the majority of the day waiting for a filmer or a photographer or the light. Sure, their day may be the cause of envy for many, but in reality you'll be making far more turns.
THE LIFTIE
The Look: Black jacket, possibly with numerous grease stains and Kinco gloves.
Where They're Skiing: Although they may be confined to the lift they're working at, they know the terrain off of it like the back of their hand. Whether it's linking up Pepi's ridge to the James Bond Traverse off of Sublette or a classic PBTB off Thunder, these people know how to get the most bang for their buck on any given run.
THE PATROLLER
The Look: Pretty sure you know.
Where they're skiing: Everywhere…and before you. While their job might seem like all untracked powder and throwing explosives, there's a lot more to keeping a mountain open than that. The gatekeepers of terrain—both literally and figuratively—patrollers are on the lift before you get to the mountain and are doing sweep when you're on your way home. Perhaps slow to warm up, they're nonetheless the resort's bedrock.
Todd Ligare and Amie Engerbretson sharing a moment at Corbet's Cabin. Justin Mayers photo.
Make no mistake, I love all of these people and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a particular person in mind when I wrote about all of them. While there are few particular powder days that stand out in my mind in Jackson, I can recall in vivid detail all of these people and what they add to make Jackson unique. Terrain and weather are only part of the formula that make any ski town special. It's the people—their idiosyncrasies and the way that they both live up to expectations and defy them that provides the "je ne sais quoi" that makes every ski town distinct. Without these characters and your daily, often subliminal, interactions with them, Rendezvous Peak would just be a mountain on the southern end of the Tetons with uphill transportation devices on it. Although I'm still glad I don't have a nickname beyond Griff, I'm thankful for everyone I know that does.
See you in the tram line, I'll be the guy with all the stickers on his helmet…or dressed in all black depending on how long it takes you to get here.
