Athletes for the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s gather at the top of the famous couloir for inspection. | Photo: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Report from February 7-10
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort,Wyoming, was unequivocally the place to be this week—a convergence of world-class skiing, electric atmosphere, and all-time stoke that seemed to radiate from every peak of the resort.
Kings and Queens of Corbet’s
The week kicked off Saturday evening with athlete registration and the bib draw for the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s. Competitors gathered to share nerves and excitement, then randomly selected their starting positions—an early reminder that anything can happen when Corbet’s Couloir is involved. The following days were dedicated to athlete introductions to the couloir and practice on the lower portion of the course, where the JHMR crew impeccably sculpted the final jump for maximum airtime and fan viewing.
Teton Village became ground zero for the festivities, with sponsor booths, daily happy hours, and scheduled viewing parties creating an exciting atmosphere. It felt as though everyone on the mountain was talking about Kings and Queens. Skiers swapped photos and stories on buses and in restaurants. Even a particularly chatty six-year-old snowboarder on the Bridger Gondola eagerly explained the event to anyone who would listen. When asked if she planned to drop Corbet’s herself, she replied matter-of-factly that she needed to be “a little bit bigger first.” The excitement was palpable—and steadily building toward the main event on Friday, February 13 at 10:00AM.
Fans of all ages met with Kings and Queens of Corbet’s athletes at the Poster Signing. | Photo: Jackson Home Mountain Resort
Breezy Johnson
As if that weren’t enough, Sunday brought thrilling news from abroad: Jackson, Wyoming, native Breezy Johnson won Olympic gold in the Women’s Downhill. Lifties across the resort posted congratulatory signs at loading stations, celebrating the United States’ first gold medal of the Games. The momentum continued on Tuesday when Johnson won the downhill portion of the Women’s Combined event. I was having lunch at the Tram Dock when the news broke, and the entire restaurant erupted in cheers.
Skiing Report
This trip for me marked my first turns of the winter, and I’ll admit I arrived with some nerves after weeks of reports about difficult conditions across the West. Those concerns quickly melted away. At the base, spring-like conditions greeted us: soft snow, sunshine, and temperatures in the high 30s. We started conservatively on the blue runs off the Casper chair—both to test out my new knee replacement and to get a feel for mid-mountain conditions. Groomed runs, soft snow, and bluebird skies made for enjoyable cruising, even if things felt a bit crowded.
We chatted with a couple visiting from New England who were perfectly content skiing JHMR despite an epic winter back home. They loved the expansive terrain, good snow, and dramatic big-mountain views—something their local hills simply can’t offer. As the day progressed, we moved higher, skiing blues and double blues around the Bridger Gondola and Thunder Chair. The snow was drier, the crowds thinner, and we happily spent the afternoon lapping Thunder. Aside from a few isolated slick spots, conditions were excellent. Sunday was a strong start to the trip.
Monday dawned similarly, though with increasing wind. Looker’s-left Sublette remained closed most of the morning, and staff cautioned Tram riders that the Rendezvous Bowl was icy and wind-scoured—breezy, one might say. Most skiers took the hint and headed elsewhere. We found great top-to-bottom skiing on double-blue Gros Ventre, lapping it via the Bridger Gondola.
Midday brought a press meeting for outlets covering Kings and Queens. As part of the briefing, we rode the Tram to the summit, where conditions were exactly as advertised: windy and windblown. Still, it offered a valuable look at Corbet’s Couloir and the run of show for the upcoming competition. By day’s end, the cloud cover got heavier, and overnight snow seemed likely; hopes were high for freshies.
Those hopes were rewarded. Monday evening snowfall in town and on the mountain set the tone, and by Tuesday morning, the mountain was refreshed with several inches. Coverage was excellent, the sun teased in and out, and the skiing was superb. Laramie Bowl stood out, skiing particularly well. We rode Sublette to watch a Kings and Queens practice session, and the level of riding was nothing short of astounding. Based on what we saw, the competition promises to be unforgettable.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort rarely disappoints with its scale, terrain, and challenge for skiers of all abilities. But this week was something special—fueled by Kings and Queens of Corbet’s anticipation, hometown Olympic glory from Breezy Johnson, and snow conditions that put smiles on every face. It was one of those rare moments when everything aligned, reminding us why Jackson Hole holds such a legendary place in ski culture.