The venue for Jackson Hole’s recent ski launch in London’s Mayfair was so exclusive that Skier & Snowboarder magazine publisher Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin almost couldn’t find it.
After walking up and down Bruton Street several times looking for the Hakkasan restaurant he eventually stopped and sought the help of two men who were dressed like they should be auditioning for the lead roles in the Men in Black movie.
Frank was embarrassed to discover they were the doormen for the restaurant he was looking for. After entering the very non-descript entrance – the only clue it was a restaurant was a very small logo over the door – Frank found himself in an impressive rabbit warren of a diner.
He was shown to a private room where he met Shannon Schiner, (on the right of this picture) the International Sales and Marketing Manager for the American ski area in Wyoming, and Lynsey Devon from Heaven Publicity which handles the UK PR for Jackson Hole.
Before dinner – a blend of authentic Cantonese recipes with contemporary influences – was served there was time was a zoom meeting with several of Shannon’s colleagues plus a question-and-answer session with Breezy Johnson, a world cup racer who is from Jackson Hole.
Like many ski areas this season, the Jackson Hole reps were very keen to stress the safeguards the resort has put in place to ensure visitors are protected from covid. This includes restricting how many lift tickets will be on sale each day.
Jackson Hole has recorded five consecutive seasons of snowfall above 500 inches and with a forecasted ‘La Nina’ this season, 21/22 is promising to be another great snow season.
Shannon told Frank that the family-owned Jackson Hole area, which is home of the famous Corbet’s Couloir, is a unique American ski resort. When Frank asked why this is so, Shannon came up with the following description: “Take all the best things from a great, well known, place like Chamonix, add an authentic twist of the friendly American west, and top it with a cowboy hat. That’s Jackson Hole.”
Three attractions to look out for in Jackson Hole this season
KINGS AND QUEENS OF CORBET’S
The iconic Corbet’s couloir offers skiers and riders an ultimate test of their technical metal. Back for its fifth year, Kings & Queens of Corbet’s, an invite-only pro skier and rider peer judged comp, calls on the world’s best to claim their own fame in the Couloir for an adrenaline-filled one-day event (subject to weather) in February. Even if you can’t make it to the resort, the action can be seen on Redbull TV.
NATURAL SELECTION TOUR
The Natural Selection Tour launched into the winter sports world in January 2021, unveiling a new freeride competition tour gathering the world’s elite male and female snowboarders over three landmark North American sites beginning in Jackson Hole This year’s Natural Selection Tour kicks off in January 2022.
THE RETURN OF RENDEZVOUS
After spring 2019’s suspension of all operations during the pandemic’s onset, Jackson Hole’s annual Rendezvous Festival is due to take to the stage in 2022. The three-day music festival staged in the heart of downtown Jackson on the historic Town Square and at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort always brings big acts to town.
For more information on Jackson Hole and this season’s activities go to: jacksonhole.com
Health and safety protocols implemented
JHMR has implemented health and safety protocols to help protect staff and guests, continuing to follow Teton County’s health orders as they evolve. In accordance with this guidance, this season, JHMR will load the Aerial Tram, gondolas and chair lifts to full capacity. With the tram operating at full capacity, the boot pack to the top of Rendezvous Bowl will not be offered, but the lift system still enables open-air chair access to the top of Sublette lift.
Teton County Public Health Order #21-5 is still in force, requiring individuals within Teton County to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces . Following these guidelines, JHMR will require face coverings in all indoor spaces, including restaurants, retail and rental shops, restrooms and Guest Service Center. The tram is included in the definition of public indoor spaces, given its capacity for 100 people. Outdoor spaces, including the base area, lift lines and the other lifts, will not require masks.
Mountain improvements
Upgrades and improvements on the the mountain include a large maintenance project on the Aerial Tram, extra snowmaking capacity, an expansion of the skiable terrain, a new toilet facility at the top of the Teton Lift, more rental and locker facilities.
As an added benefit, the resort has extended hours of access and will start loading the Teewinot and Après Vous Chairlifts and Sweetwater Gondola at 8.30am.
Categories: America