Jackson Hole all alone :) :)

[Helen Ls]

Hi Everyone this is my first post here but I have been encouraged to come over By Snowhot (many thanks!).

Anyway I now have 31 days till I arrive in Jackson Hole, I am coming over from England alone was supposed to be coming with a friend but due to other circumstances it was either cancel and loose the money on my flight or travel alone !!

Anyway I want to start packing now I will be staying in Jackson at a hotel recommended by some of the "bears" (is that what we call the guys on Epic ?) and will be in town for 17/18 days I can already sense that I am going to need another vacation to get over this one when I get back.

So while in Jackson I am going to be doing the steep and deep camp I am well excited about this ! I spent 2 weeks in Banff/ LL earlier this year and my skiing came on so much and I sense the same is going to be happening now :D I have been hammering my fitness with spinning, body pump, body combat, yoga and pilates classes (as there are no mountains for me to ski here :Cry: :Cry: ) so I should be ok on that front !

I am going to be needing to get new skis I will come back and post the list of recomendations so far so you can hopefully add your opinions.

And other than that if anyone is going to be in JH between the 4th Feb and the 21st and would like to meet up that would be fantastic and if anyone has any suggestions of things I must see and do I would really appreciate it !

Thanks H

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Welcome to SkiDivas, Helen! So glad to have you here! Ah, but I wish I was heading west - alas, I'm in the east (but the snow's been great here )! Just wanted to say hi to a fellow Body Pump/Combat, etc. fan! I've been doing the Les Mills classes for almost 3 years now. Do you also have Body Step at your facility? Go heavy on those squats and lunges in Pump!! (I'm on my way to class in an hour.) Sounds like you are way ready for JH. Please post a trip report, maybe even a pic or 2!

 

[Helen Ls]

Hi MaineSkilady thanks for the reply

I the lesmills classes they only do the combat and pump at my gym and step is way too co-ordinated for me !

i pumped last night and put my squat weight up to 22.5kg which isnt bad I have only been back at the gym since November as I overstretched several of the tendons in my right hand in August :( It has been so hard getting the weights back up and trying to get the weight off which I put on 7lbs ! I have only managed to get 1lb off hoping the rest will keep me warm in JH !

I hope you enjoyed your class BUT just how tough is the new chest track ?????

PS the trip report will definitely be happening along with reviews of the skis I test ;)

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Hi again, Helen, back from class, done w/dinner, etc - asked my instructor, she said you're probably one release ahead of us here, which is apparently the "rhythm" of how the new releases get distributed. But, yikes, today's chest track was hard enough!

I haven't tried combat yet, because I had a forearm nerve issue that took ages to settle out, so I'm trying to pick and choose classes carefully. We also have Body Flow at our fitness center (may be known as Body Balance in UK). I definitely do Step, and I enjoy the challenge.

It's really cool to "meet" someone from another country who does the same fitness classes!!

 

[alta_gal83]

I am going to be needing to get new skis I will come back and post the list of recomendations so far so you can hopefully add your opinions.

Helen, if you haven't skied Jackson before, you are in for a treat. All your workouts will be a major help because Jackson is steep and has incredible vertical! Your thighs will thank you for the pre-skiing-workouts.

Anyway, my two cents about new skis for Jackson. Chances are, in February, you'll be getting some pow up there in Wyoming ... so I'd suggest a ski with AT LEAST an 85 mm waist. You'll have so much fun floating in the pow and you'll still be able to make some great carving turns (if you so wish). I ski Alta regularly on 90 mm waisted skis (both on pow and groomers) and I'll never go back to just carving skis.

I'm jealous of your 3 week Jackson adventure. I'll be heading up there in March.

 

[Helen Ls]

Hi SML yeah it is quite cool that all these people around the world are doing the same thing at class I always describe it as the "mcdonalds" of exercise , practically the same where ever you go !!!!

Combat is really good fun very aerobic with all the kicking and punching and as non contact the only thing it seems to be quite hard on is your knees !

Hi Alta_gal83 thanks for your enthusiasm I cant wait am so excited I have been skiing in the US before I went to Copper Mountain back in 1999 and had blue skies every day and powder every night for most of the 10 days and I also did a day trip from Fernie down to Big Mountain but it was april 70 degrees and boiling !!!

I am definitely looking for a ski with a wider waist than my current one as thats a 2004 5*

 

[Quiver Queen]

Welcome to us Divas! Darn, but I'll miss you in Jackson--we arrive on the 24th of Feb. One thing we consider a "must" is going to the national wildlife museum on the outskirts of town heading to the airport. Hope you enjoy yourself!

 

[adebattiste]

Hi Helen,

I would think your steep and deep camp is going to take care of this, but in case in doesn't, the best thing about Jackson is the skiing out-of-bounds, which is legal through one of the many backcountry gates. You'll want to make sure you have avy gear and know how to use it, of course, because those areas are not controlled by the ski patrol. And of course you must also visit the legendary Mangy Moose at the base!

Another thing I really enjoyed in Jackson is cross country skiing the Grand Teton National Park area, where the views and wildlife are incredible; with that long a trip you're bound to want to take a break from downhill skiing at some point. And I'd also recommend making a side trip to Grand Targhee one day, which is not far.

Have a blast--I wish I was joining you!

 

[dloveski]

Stop in for dinner at the Teton Mountain Lodge-right in Teton Village--the chef there, Matt Love does great dinners. Tell him his 'mom' says hi!

 

[Helen Ls]

dloveski - Hi I will be sure to try and do that are there any dishes you particularly would recomend ??

adebattiste thanks for the info I definitely would like to try the x country again I went in Scotland back in the winter of 1995 we were camping in -25 degrees celsius and it was too snowy to get up the little hill so ended up hiring some little leather boots and really long skinny wooden skis it was so cold but you got very hot x country skiing

I am just hoping to meet some like minded people to ski with I have the bottle but am not totally crazy and wont be going out of bounds by myself .........

4 weeks tomorrow and I am so excited !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gloria]

Hi Helen,

I would think your steep and deep camp is going to take care of this, but in case in doesn't, the best thing about Jackson is the skiing out-of-bounds, which is legal through one of the many backcountry gates. You'll want to make sure you have avy gear and know how to use it, of course, because those areas are not controlled by the ski patrol. And of course you must also visit the legendary Mangy Moose at the base!

Another thing I really enjoyed in Jackson is cross country skiing the Grand Teton National Park area, where the views and wildlife are incredible; with that long a trip you're bound to want to take a break from downhill skiing at some point. And I'd also recommend making a side trip to Grand Targhee one day, which is not far.

Have a blast--I wish I was joining you!

They will take you up the North Face above Casper without avy gear and if conditions are okay, they will take you out that ridgeline straight right ahead off sublette to 4 four shadows. At least they did when I did S&D and I didn't have my pieps or anything. I am sure they bomb the N. Face area as any release could potentially have a run out zone into bounds there as it is directly above casper and the runs off Apres Vous.

 

[dloveski]

Ask what the special of the night is first. Then go with the Buffalo tenderloin if the special doesn't sound good. My family doesn't even share bites of the Buffalo---and it's gotten rave reviews. The deserts are divine, we've sampled most of them.

 

[Gloria]

aw jeez, I forgot, no tram, which means you're probably gonna hike to corbetts not four shadows. Of course if you get a really aggro group you may get all the way up there. I dunno.

 

[Gloria]

North Face = Headwall. They are such "generic" terms you'd think they'd come up with something original. The headwall you will most definately ski with your S&D camp and I do believe that they would be required to control this area for the safety of skiers below as much of it lies above popular on area runs. They had also done some slope cutting on the ridgeline above and right of Sublette, I am assuming they "keeping it safe" for the sake of those who will undoubtebly want to get to Corbetts. Let us know how they deal with that, they may hike you up there instead of the headwall or both. Either way you should have a great time.

 

[pinto]

Helen, if you haven't skied Jackson before, you are in for a treat. All your workouts will be a major help because Jackson is steep and has incredible vertical! Your thighs will thank you for the pre-skiing-workouts.....

No joke ... the proof will be in the pudding, aka the Hobacks.

 

[Helen Ls]

28 days to go and I am now petrified in a over excited kind of way !!
thanks for all your advice and recomendations so far although I feel I am also going to be needing someone to recomend a good sports massage therapist......... I have already checked out tetonyoga.com so hopefully may manage to do some yoga as well while I am out in JH .........

People in work are really starting to question my sanity now what your going to the USA by yourself skiing for nearly 3 weeks ....... but hey I would much rather do that than 2 weeks on a beach and you shouldnt really need to slim to get into a pair of sallopettes !(well maybe only if I hadnt eaten so many mince pies over the festive period !)

 

[chitownski]

The great thing about Jackson is that everyone's friendly and ready to meet new people.

I second the recommendation to try out Targhee one day - it's not as steep as JHMR, but the snow is usually better. As for places to go/see - grab food and drinks at 43 North (near Snow King resort) - the crowd is full of friendly locals and the food's pretty good. You'll want to try the Bunnery for breakfast and Jedediah's if you like sourdough. The Cowboy Bar is also a great scene (my parents actually met there), as is the Silver Dollar (around the corner). There's also great food at Snake River Brewing Co. (the beer's pretty good too). The other place I love is Calico Pizza (just outside of town). Old Yellowstone Garage and The Blue Lion are also amazing restaurants, but definitely pricier than the other places I mentioned.

Things to see - definitely get into Grand Teton National Park at some point. You could also do the snow cat trip into Yellowstone (it takes you into Old Faithful - lots and lots of wildlife).

All in all, you'll have a great time. It's an amazing little part of the world!

 

[Brooklyn Skier]

Last min deals to Jackson Hole

Hi Helen Ls. I may be taking a last minute trip to Jackson Hole in Feb. They are currently advertising specials I've seen on the web and I'm looking into taking 4 to 7 days off to go ski there. If I can find reasonable airfare, I may just end up there before mid Feb...which I think is when their special ends. I will also then be debating on whether to take my skis or rent when I'm there....I'd kinda want to bring all my own stuff but not sure how the shaped skiis fare out west. Mine do have a bit of a shovel on them. If I make it there during your time, we should def meet on the slopes for some good diva runs! I'll find the links and post them tomorrow. Have to get some sleep or I'll never get up for work tomorrow.

Chow!

 

[Helen Ls]

Hi Brooklyn Skier

Most definitely I cant believe I now only have a couple of days and I still havent packed this time next week I will be skiing

Let me know when you are about and we can definitely take some turns together

I now only have 5 nights left and 3 of those I am working the nightshift so I better start packing !