Teton Ski Mountaineering
Overview
Guided Teton Ski Mountaineering in Jackson Hole
Our ski mountaineering day is for experts only. Current snow and avalanche conditions and your interests and abilities dictate the venue, but typical Teton ski mountaineering objectives are steep, technical and sustained, and require ropes and technical climbing equipment to access. Classic objectives include Buck Mountain and the Apocalypse Couloir; multi-day ski ascents of the Grand Teton or the Skillet Glacier on Mt. Moran are available as custom trips.
Ski Mountaineering Day at a Glance
- Location: Grand Teton National Park and the Teton backcountry, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Length: One very long day, starting near 5 AM at the trailhead; multi-day custom trips available
- Prerequisites: Expert skiers and riders with a high level of fitness and acclimatization
- Format: Private guided ascent and descent using ropes, harness, crampons and ice axe as needed
- Season: Winter and spring
- For: Experienced backcountry skiers and splitboarders chasing steep, technical Teton lines
What You'll Ski
- Classic Teton objectives such as Buck Mountain and the Apocalypse Couloir, chosen for conditions
- Roped, technical approaches with helmets and crampons where snow or ice demands it
- Custom multi-day options: a ski ascent of the Grand Teton or the Skillet Glacier on Mt. Moran
Trip Format
The day starts early, close to 5 AM at the trailhead. Headlamps on, you ascend through the brisk mountain air; as you near the objective the rope comes out, helmets go on, and sometimes crampons are lashed to boots to manage inconsistent snow or ice. Expect a long day. See the Itinerary and Equipment tabs.
Who This Trip Is For & Prerequisites
This is an expert-level day. You should be a strong, confident skier or rider on steep, exposed terrain, comfortable with long days, and well acclimatized and fit. Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are required; ski, splitboard and technical packages are available for rent.
Why Ski Mountaineer with The Mountain Guides
- AMGA-trained and certified ski and splitboard guides who know the Teton lines
- Venue chosen daily for snow and avalanche conditions
- Technical rope and glacier equipment provided
Plan Your Teton Ski Mountaineering Day
Inquire for dates and custom multi-day objectives. If you are not yet at this level, our three-day Teton Ski and Split Mountaineering Course is the place to build the skills.
The day is going to start EARLY. Close to 5:oo Am from the trailhead. From there we will strap on our headlamps and brave the brisk mountain air as we ascend. Folks can expect a a long day. As we near the objective, the rope comes out, the helmets go on , and sometimes the crampons get lashed to our boots, to manage any inconsistent snow or ice.
$795 for one or $550 / person for a group of two
UPPER LAYERS
- Top Long Sleeve Synthetic or Wool: medium to expedition weight long underwear Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butterman 1/2 zip
- Soft Shell or Fleece Jacket Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear A-therm Jacket
- Shell Jacket with hood. Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket
- Puffy Jacket: Hood Recommended. Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Dynotherm Hooded Jacket
BOTTOM LAYERS
- Bottom Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butterman Tight
- Shell Pant: full side zips and built-in gaiters Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Highball Pants
- Socks: Synthetic or wool. Sized for your boots and blister protection. Liners recommended.
HEAD AND HANDS
- Gloves 3 pair: 1 light, 1 medium, 1 heavy pair Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Cyclone Alpine Glove
- Hat: medium weight ski hat
- Hat: baseball or visor for sun
- Buff/neck gaiter
ACCESSORIES
- Back Pack: 30 to 40 Liter ski pack, Guide Pick: Mammut Pro Short Removable Airbag System Backpack
- Water & Food: Thermos or insulated water bottles are best. Lot’s of snacks.
- Sunglasses/ Sunglass Case
- Ski Goggles
- Extra Prescription Glasses/Contact Lens
- Sunscreen/Lip balm
- Headlamp-Extra batteries
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent at JHMG)
- Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
- Skis or Splitboard with compatible binding for boots
- Climbing Skins (fit to skis)
- Ski Poles
- Helmet
- Ice Ax
- Crampons (ski boot compatible)
- Ski Crampons
- Harness
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent at JHMG)
Grand Teton National Park is located roughly 30 minutes from our Jackson, WY headquarters. Our Jackson office is located in the south part of Jackson at 1325 S. Highway 89, Suite 104 and shares a parking area with Smith’s. Our phone number is (800) 239-7642 or (307) 733-4979. Most trips and classes will meet at this office for gear checks, preparation, and classes. The Jackson Hole airport is the closest, but Idaho Falls (a 2 – 2.5 hour drive) is a cheaper option and Salt Lake City (4 – 5 hour drive) are also air travel options. It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to your trip/class in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check. Do not plan on traveling the day after a significant climb – you will be tired and there are no guaranteed times when we will return to the trailhead. Plan on having accommodations for the night prior to and the night you return from a significant climb. There are a plethora of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Jackson and the surrounding area. Accommodations near our office make your transitions convenient. It is highly advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Lodging recommendations and many more details can be found in the downloadable document below.