Jackson Hole Skier Celebrates 4th of July On Powder Skis
Skiing Jackson Hole in July?
It might seem like a far-fetched idea for some, but not for Jackson-bred skier Luke Gentry. Over the weekend, Gentry took advantage of the last bits of snow up high in the Tetons for some 4th of July turns.
Although summer is in full swing in the Tetons, high elevations are still hanging onto the last bits of winter snowpack. The top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort sits at 10,450 feet in elevation, meaning it’s one of the last places in the valley you’ll find snow this late in the season.
If you’re thinking ‘that’s a lot of vert for a few turns in corn’, you’d be correct. Luckily for folks like Gentry who just can’t seem to put their skis away, Jackson Hole’s Tram provides a good hack for July backcountry turns.
Just out of the backcountry gates from the top of the Tram, Cody Peak apparently still has enough snow for Gentry to rip a lap on a pair of 116mm underfoot Salmon QST X’s. If ripping powder skis down corn & rocks isn’t freedom, we don’t know what is.
In the winter, you might recognize iconic lines off Cody Peak like Pucker Face, Central Couloir, and the line in Gentry’s video, No Shadows.
One peak over is No Name, and spicy descents like Once is Enough Couloir and Twice is Nice Couloir. In short, there are plenty of possibilities for expert terrain off Cody Peak.
While skiing and riding within resort boundaries isn’t allowed during the summer months (and there’s probably no snow anyway), you can take your skis up the Tram in the summer to access terrain in the Jackson Hole backcountry.
Although avalanche danger is less of a concern in the summer, there are still plenty of hazards out there, so if you do plan to indulge in summer skiing, make sure you have the proper equipment, skills, and a good plan.
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