Industry News
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming, is celebrating 60 years by releasing a special, limited-edition ski adorned with artwork featuring the resort’s iconic tram. The 60th Anniversary Ski was created in collaboration with Faction Skis and illustrated by Jackson-based artist Kelly Halpin. The artwork consists of the resort’s unmistakable Big Red Aerial Tram, and the famed Corbet’s Couloir is also depicted in the design, beneath the aerial tram. “Big Red” has carried generations of skiers and riders to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain and into some of the most storied freeride terrain in North America and is one of the resort’s most recognizable icons.
Halpin has had a lifelong relationship with Jackson Hole, from riding the tram when she was younger, to working as a liftie at the resort, and spending her summers running on the trails as an athlete. “It was really special working on this design with Jackson Hole and Faction,” Halpin told SnowBrains in an email. “For this illustration specifically, I wanted to capture the moodiness that sets in before a huge snow storm- something I bet we all look forward to.”
The skis are built on Faction’s award-winning Dancer 3 platform. The limited-edition skis blend high-performance all-mountain versatility with a graphic that honors Jackson’s freeride heritage and pioneering spirit. They will be available for purchase from November 11, and limited quantities will be available for in-store pickup at Teton Village Sports, located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Limited online availability is also offered along with shipping.
This ski is a tribute to the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, which has been a vessel for adventure, discovery, and the community in the Tetons for six decades. The skis are made for those who live for the electric energy of a tram lap. It is both a collector’s piece and a tool of freeride expression. “This collaboration brings together everything we love about Jackson Hole—world-class skiing, local artistry, and the spirit of adventure sparked by a tram lap. It’s a special way to celebrate six decades of big-mountain history,” Ned Wonson, VP of Marketing, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, told SnowBrains in an email.
The ski has a 106mm-waisted freeride ski that combines a lightweight poplar core with two sheets of titanal for smooth stability without weighing you down. The dual-metal construction and beefy 2.5mm edges let you go full gas even when conditions are less than optimal. The tip and tail rocker ensures the Dancer 3 excels in powder and confidently handles crud and hardpack. Above all, it’s ready to plant a smooth, crowd-pleasing send off Corbet’s Couloir, keeping your energy flowing all the way down to the village, and back onto the Aerial Tram for the next lap.
These Faction skis are best suited for skiers who want to ski super-fast, with full control and smooth stability. They can reliably handle variable snow and variable terrain, including powder and crud. It’s best for skiers who love big-mountain terrain and deep powder. Jackson Hole’s 60th Anniversary Ski symbolizes the resort’s storied history in the Tetons and freeride skiing and sells for $969 while supplies last.
