Backcountry
Industry News
According to a recent Jackson Hole Mountain Resort press release, the ski area had a very strong 2015-2016 winter season. The resort’s 560,400 skier visits marks the second highest in Resort history, after a record-setting winter in 2014 with over 563,000 skier days. The 2015-2016 season finished with 407 inches of snow, and 99 inch snow depth, which made this winter an average year for snowfall in the Tetons. JHMR closed on April 3rd, which is relatively early considering the fact that neighboring Grand Targhee is open until Sunday, April 17th.
“This was an exciting year for JHMR from beginning to end. We hosted fantastic events celebrating the 50th anniversary season, and receiving over 400 inches of snow made Jackson Hole’s conditions fantastic throughout the winter,” Jerry Blann, JHMR President stated.
This season’s success is attributed to many factors, including increased air service, JHMR’s strong guest service initiatives, and compelling 50th anniversary events that punctuated the winter season. Some may assume that JHMR will take a rest after such a successful season, but they will add a new gondola that will open mid-December 2016. It’s called the Sweetwater Gondola, the new lift will increase capacity out of the base area, decrease congestion on Jackson’s popular tram, and eventually provide access to a new and improved ski school facility located in the Solitude mid station area.
“The Sweetwater Gondola will be located between the Bridger Gondola and Teewinot High Speed Quad will have a mid-station approximately a third of the way up the mountain in the Solitude area, then continues up to terminate just uphill of the Casper Restaurant. In total, the new gondola will rise 1,276 vertical feet,” stated Jerry Blann.
El Niño may or may not have contributed to Jackson Hole’s success this season, but they are constantly working to improve the experience of their mountain guests, which has benefited them over time. The successful winter season only raises expectations for the summer season, so they are already preparing for that. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will open the Aerial Tram for the summer season on Saturday, May 28th. The Jackson Hole Mountain Bike Park accessed by the Teewinot Chairlift is scheduled to open on June 18th. New this summer, the Bridger Gondola starting, Saturday, June 18th will be operating throughout the day and into the evenings for site seeing, hiking and dining options at the Piste Mountain Bistro and The Deck.
“Strategically, building winter business is vital to Jackson as a destination, as over time it will help to balance the strong summer business, allowing the Jackson economy to become robust year round,” Jerry Blann.
Oh c’mon, had a blast at Jackson Hole, Targhee and Big Sky this winter. Visits were up because plane tickets used to cost 800 – 1000 from the West Coast. They smartened up and you can fly from SFO for 400 roundtrip. The resort is great and wasn’t even as bad as SQUAW or ALPINE on bad days. Crowded? Drive over to Targhee or up to Big Sky. Haters gonna hate, the rest of us will just ride pow.
Coming soon, even longer lift lines and higher ticket prices. And to celebrate they will be closing even earlier
Welcome to the new Vail. When I was there this year I was waiting in hour lift lines. Not exactly my definition of the “Best Winter.” Souled out.