Now, normally I don’t start with reader comments but after I posted “The Last Hoorah” I received this:

I must say I am a bit saddened by this

So I guess a minimal explanation is due:

It’s not over man. The Last Hoorah was just a title of a post. We are not ending this blog. I am not and did not retire. The Thrill of the Mountain awaits you-with or without snow.

And then I did this:

A week ago – this was a consensus

Me:  Blue Sky or Jackson Hole? On the move this week…

Reader 1:  Jackson Hole for sure for all the vertical it offers! You get what you pay for                          though.

ME:            Thank you. I get it, who doesn’t like a big drop. It’s a big world out there and                          vert is not everything. I don’t want to die.

Reader 2: We had fun at Jackson hole!                                                                                            ME:             I can have fun anywhere. I put the u in fun.

Reader 3: Jackson hole has good late pow                                                                                      ME:            Excellent point. I can only argue if they don’t get pow this week.

Reader 4: Blue sky Can’t go wrong either way                                                                              ME:            Dude my bad . . it’s Big Sky but I got it.

Reader 5: I’ve been to Jackson never Blue Sky. I would probably choose Jackson if                                 you’ve never been, very extreme                                                                             ME:          Hmm, I’m starting to notice a theme here. . . all the vert, very extreme

Reader 6:   Never skied blue ski, but Jackson is super cool                                                        ME:              It’s Big Sky I get it . . .the sky must be huge, it’s probably not always blue.

Reader 7:  Jhole? Why not bofum Easy choice when I don’t have to finance it. 🤪                  ME:            I like your style. Wish that was in the plans. Next time.

Reader 8: Both!! But if forcd. Jhole                                                                                                  ME:            Come on peeps, it’s A or B you can’t have both!!!! It’s a question.

Reader 9: Go to Jackson hole. Drop into corbets couloir !                                                            ME:             If the conditions allow maybe. But not everyday is the day. Steep, big vert, don’t want to die. Got it?

 Reader 10: Neither. Haven’t you been skiing long enough. Come home. 🙂                      ME:               I will be home soon. I can’t wait, until then there’s another storm.

Bozemon, Montana and Blue Sky I owe you one. I look forward to it next time. That being written, when you have the best followers in the world you listen to what they say.

Knowing that the season is coming to a fast end, I just couldn’t grin and bare the 60 degree temps in the high country of Colorado any longer. I’ve decided to head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Bye Bye Colorado

Beautiful sunrise over Gypsum, CO.

Bone dry out here.

Table tops still hold the last of the snow.

Jackson here we come.

Jackson, WY

Bam…that’s what I’m talking about.

I like what I’m seeing

National Elk Refuge is here.

So that’s what snow covered peaks look like. I was beginning to forget.

And of course, A river runs through it…

Fly fishing anyone

Yaaaasss!

Bait fisherman are not big here, flies are how it’s done in this place.

Views from right outside Teton Village.

One of a kind, for sure.

Do not take this safety message lightly.

The resort fully covered in the white stuff.

After visually checking out the resort mid-day, I head over to Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton National Park

View of Jackson Hole Resort from afar.

The Tetons

Makes me want to get lost here. Actually, I think I am lost.

Views that never get old.

The Grand Teton

In search for wildlife, I find some moose.

So cool. These big game animals are amazing to view.

Couple of moose just moosing around. Ha ha.

Found two more …

Jerry just hanging around some moose.

Wyoming mountain deer …

There are thousands of these deer everywhere.

A little moose grazing…

Uh oh…a moose stampede. Not good.

They are gonna eat me…just kidding.

Just lovely

Couple of moose just hanging out.

I was told I may find some more of the big guys done here by the water.

Sun setting over the back of  Teton Village

Jackson Hole Resort

Ski day below

Tough visibility today.

Flat light.

Side country access all over. Remember never leave resort boundaries without the proper skills and training. You can die. Seriously. Don’t be a Jerry!

Plenty to ski but very hard to see.

Tough one today.

Nothing like catching some freshie.

Safety meeting? What’s the issue?

Oh, sh&t I can’t see anything.

Really flat light and tough visibility. One needs to be very careful skiing/riding in this light.

No, this is not the door steps to heaven. Yes, the light is blinding. Yes, this can be very dangerous.

Heading down the mountain some visibility greatly improves as well as some freshie still to be had.

Gondola #22…coming down I do believe?

Cliffs ahead…be extremely careful there.

Jerry pushing through a day of tough visibility.

Vis getting much better further down the mountain.

Rocks and natural kickers abound everywhere.

Now below the cloud cover visibility returns.

Great view of the WY topography.

Corbet’s Couloir

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS. THIS IS FOR PROFESSIONALS AND IDIOTS SEEKING DEATH ONLY. REPEAT DO NOT ATTEMPT.

The real deal here…

This is a no fall zone. REPEAT THIS IS A NO FALL ZONE.

One Jerry trying his luck. You got this.

Checking for the false cornice. Very important, if you don’t want the shelf to break on you.

Into the abyss …

Steep and low vis; fun combo

Cliff wall on the main face.

Wow. That was some day out there. Extremely variable conditions, made for some challenges but fun times for sure!

Grand Targhee Resort

View from the base.

Another low light day.

Some freshie starting to come down.

Trees holding some of that white frosting from yesterday. Love it.

But the vis was minimal again today. Clouds lying right at the top of the lifts.

More back country gates. Serious stuff once you go through those gates. Are you prepared? Many decisions to make out there. Be trained, have a plan and a partner. And “IF YOU DON’T KNOW, YOU DON’T GO.” That simple really.  Don’t be stupid. It’s not worth your life.

Really starting to come down now.

Low lying clouds making me stay mid mountain and below.

Another good day out there but again low visibility making it very tough to see.

Grand Teton National Park

Back to Grand Teton National Park I head. I just couldn’t stay away. This place is awe-inspiring.

Still overcast and grey out.

Low lying clouds

What’s that I see in there?

Who you looking at? Bowwinkle is that you?

Clouds covering the Tetons.

Birds and ducks in the open fields.

Nothing like a big pile of …big piles all around.

Selfie – Jerry just checking himself out. Looking good bro, rockin that mountain look!

Natural gully formed by a massive slide many years ago.

Some red rock to mix it up.

Natural beauty; yup.

This really is a beautiful country. I really do love this place.

Colorful shrubs pushing through the snow melt.

Beautiful mallard just floating along.

The beautiful Wyoming landscape.

Sun trying to break through the clouds.

The deer here are everywhere…

Really…

Everywhere

The pics speak for themselves really.  Now, I understand what all of those earlier texts were about!  Jackson is definitely a special place!

Reader feedback, comments & pictures

Feedback

Reader feedback, comments and emojis were again strong this week. Thank you. We appreciate anything we get. Without your great content, I would have more work to keep you entertained. Keep up the good work. Again, here are some of the amazing comments we received this week…

Sick pics

Thank you. I try and make em healthy but sometimes they just come out filthy sick. And this time of the year we have to deal with this reality:

I was wondering when the snow was going to melt!!

It’s happening almost each and every day. The end of winter in the US is near. Time to put the winter gear away. Not ready yet?  You can always wait a few months, South America and New Zealand will be waiting your arrival.

COMMENTS

SNOW CONDITIONS

Resorts are still open, well some are at least. Now is the time people, the end is near, like really really near. Closing day will be here before you know it. It’s really just days now. In one week most all of the US resorts will be closed. The end of the 2017/2018 resort winter season is in sight. Get out there and enjoy it. #OPTOUTSIDE #POWDER TO THE PEOPLE

LODGING

If you need help with lodging, especially last-minute, reach out to us at:

ThrilloftheMountain@gmail.com

We know people. And we may be able to help you.

Here’s a reservation link to Creekside @ Beaver Creek. Michael Simmons and his crew will take good care of you.

http://res.creeksidebeavercreek.com/irmnet/(S(lu5vzmfl3sou5ithkbygnkeb))/Res/ResMain.aspx

RESORT GUIDING

Resort Guiding

We offer all-inclusive resort guiding for you and your family at a discounted rate. Our guides can handle from 1 to 6 people. The day will be customized and tailored to your group and groups needs. A fun day is in store. If this is something you have an interest in? Please reach out, we’ll make it happen. Some feedback we received from recent tours:

Had an amazing time!!

and this one

It really was an amazing ski vacation!

Friends will be made and memories will be had. Experience is what changes your life and not material items. Some amazing feedback from some of our friends and guests:

Thank you all for being so welcoming, kind, generous, not to mention entertaining!! Loved the guitar playing, the game playing, just the all around camaraderie in addition to the fantastic skiing, snow boarding and snow shoeing too!! Lol. Can’t wait until next year!

Thank you. I had a blast. I look forward to it again next year. This always makes me feel good:

Great day on the mountain. Thank you for being so very patient.

as well as this gem:

Thanks for the pics. They are awesome. Thanks for capturing those precious moments.

Glad I could help in making special memories. Received this in my inbox:

We had the best time ever!! Thank you for navigating the mountain for us, for the snow shoe tour, for teaching us how to ski better and for being so wonderful and patient and welcoming to our entire crew!!

No, Thank you. Hope to see you on the slopes soon.

We love writing about skiing and doing mountain activities, but even more, we love sharing it with everyone-with all of you. Want to find out what it’s all about? It’s not to early to book for next season. We are already taking reservations for 2018/2019 season. Early discounts available now. We promise you and your family will have a great time.

Pic taken  4/8/2018  Beaver Creek Resort. I just came out of those trees.                           #THE DREAM CONTINUES

Thanks again for reading this blog. I hope you all have a great start to your week. Until next time, love one another and be kind to each other. Get out there, The Thrill of the Mountain is waiting for you.

CMM

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