The Ascent of Jackson Hole: A 60-Year Ride Built on a Geologic Epic

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is celebrating six decades of defying gravity and pushing limits in Northwest Wyoming. In those 60 years, a world of mountain culture was born, a tight-knit community was fostered, and engineering breakthroughs changed the face of American skiing. It has been a long ride, full of endless stoke and countless memories.

But what if we told you the real, earth-shattering story of this iconic mountain began long before the first chairlift or even the first human stepped foot on Earth?

To celebrate their 60th anniversary, JHMR has released their new film, Layers of Time, which offers a unique perspective on the mountain’s ascent. The film celebrates the work of those who built the resort, but it primarily celebrates the monumental work that took place over millions of years.

The foundation of JHMR’s legendary terrain is a ∼9-million-year-old saga starring a mountain range that is still actively growing. This is a story written in the very ground we ski on. It’s a tale of the Teton’s geologic and tectonic wonder, a true deep dive into how our favorite mountain came to be, and how that unique terrain was shaped.

The geology of the Teton Range is a mind-bending epic. It contains some of the oldest rocks in North America, with metamorphic gneiss dating back 2.7 billion years. It is a zone where major geologic events have continuously shaped the landscape.

At the heart of it all is the Teton Fault. The Teton Range is being thrust skyward while the Jackson Hole valley drops down—a process accomplished by earthquakes over eons. This continental-scale extensional event is what is still forming the dramatic, sheer peaks and the massive, deep basin of Jackson Hole today. This continuous uplift, combined with relentless erosion and major glacial episodes, is what carves out the technical runs, steep faces, and pillow lines that TGR athletes (and you) love to ride. When you're scoping a line from the top of the Tram, take a deep breath and consider that the landscape you are about to ride is the result of billions of years of colliding plates and ancient forces.

The Tetons may appear timeless, but geologic change is ongoing, ensuring the mountain will continue to evolve. Likewise, the culture of Jackson Hole continues to evolve, constantly pushing the limits of the sport.

We’ve watched countless athletes carve their names into this mountain's steep, exposed lines, showcasing style, control, and pure cojones. From the hair-raising BASE jumps navigated by Erik Roner to the full-throttle approach of Johnny Collinson, Jackson Hole has been the ultimate canvas for freeride progression.

This anniversary is a celebration of both the human endeavor—the community, the ingenuity, and the commitment to a life lived on snow—and the sheer, raw, tectonic power that made it all possible.

Dive into the full film, Layers of Time, to experience the ascent of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for yourself.