01/03/2026
Careful listening to ski resort marketing jargon related to fresh snow...
I’m standing at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort where it’s 34 degrees and raining. In my 15 years of reporting from the Tetons, I’ve never seen a gap like this: record-breaking rainfall at the base, yet record-breaking snow at 10,000ft.
While the "marketing loops" are showing you guided backcountry clips of pros in deep powder, the inbounds reality is a technical, heavy grind with rain up to 8,000 feet.
As a Level III Avalanche Pro and gear auditor, I believe in telling it like it is—"Teton Grit" means being real with the community.
The good news? A solid storm cycle is lining up for next week. Let’s hope the cold air follows. 🌨️💪
What are you seeing at your home hill? Is the marketing matching the conditions?
Let’s talk in the comments. 👇