Local knowledge at JH??

[Benny Profane]

Will we have freindly local maggots giving us a peek into good stuff? Including backcountry? As a backcountry jong with no equipment, would I be able to rent stuff at the base?

[EPSkis]

Will we have freindly local maggots giving us a peek into good stuff? Including backcountry? As a backcountry jong with no equipment, would I be able to rent stuff at the base?

Seconded.

How about a couple locals to take a group or 2 out so there isn't a bc jongfest?

[The Suit]

Showing people around inbounds should be no problem. Others may be more comfortable, but I can't commit in advance to leading anyone out in the BC. Sorry to be so vague, but I want to wait and see.

I don't know if it's possible to rent BC gear. Best bets would probably be Wilson Backcountry, Teton Mountaineering, or Skinny Skis. None of them are at the base. The shops at the base - Wildernest Sports, Teton Village Sports, or Pepi Steigler Sports - may have gear for rent, but I think they're less likely. All of those stores sell BC gear.

Another option is to hire a guide. It's quite pricy - it will end up costing about $100/each for a five person group - but you'll get on an early tram, you get to cut liftlines, you'll learn a lot, and they have gear for you.

[Benny Profane]

Yeah, thanx, the guide thing was spit upon in the open forum recently, but you list 4 things of great value. Maybe I'll depend on the pros. I tip well for services rendered.
I always have been a bit, um, nervous about this endeavor, and recent events I am hoping make my more reckless ski bud a bit more cautious.

[frozenwater]

I am comfortable with myself in the BC, but the idea of leading a group of those who just rented gear and have a lack of knowledge is a bit above me. This really does get into the realm of guides.

HOWEVER - for those of you without bc skills and gear, trust me. Jackson has more than enough terrain to make your trip incredibly rewarding. If you are willing to hike, you can get into areas that until this year were bc, but are now controlled and do not get heavy traffic.

You will have a helluva good time.

[warthog]

I am comfortable with myself in the BC, but the idea of leading a group of those who just rented gear and have a lack of knowledge is a bit above me. This really does get into the realm of guides.

HOWEVER - for those of you without bc skills and gear, trust me. Jackson has more than enough terrain to make your trip incredibly rewarding. If you are willing to hike, you can get into areas that until this year were bc, but are now controlled and do not get heavy traffic.

You will have a helluva good time.

Yeah- what he said. Jackson has so much great terrain to offer. Why mess around with BC that you are not familiar with? Now, I understand that we have some very experienced BC guys on here, and good for them. I hope they show me pics of what I missed. I sure as hell am not gonna ask any of them to drag my inexperienced ass with them. If I did, I would surely expect a resounding NOOOOO WAYYYY.

I don't mean to be harsh, but the way I see it- If you need to rent BC gear, you are not experienced enough to be messing around Teton Pass. Maybe I am wrong. Hire the guide, and be safe.

The inbounds shit at Jackson scares me quite enough. If you have never been there, it will probably be enough for you too.

[EPSkis]

A poor man lost his life here only a few days ago - inbounds. He was a local and a very highly skilled and experienced skier, who has left behind a wife and two young kids. It is not the place to go messing around in backcountry if you do not know what you are doing. Even inbounds, there is plenty of extreme terrain to satisfy anyone here for a week. We do not need any more fatalities, make sure everyone plays it safe and has a great trip!
Regards,
Tom

All good points - and well received.

[comish]

As an ex-local, I'm looking forward to exploring some of my old stomping grounds both inbounds and OB. The catch with taking people that have to rent gear out is who will dig my ass out? Its sorta like a climbing partner to me. I have to have the confidence in my partners that they have the knowledge/experience to use said rented gear to find my butt if the worst case scenario happens.

TGR folks, I know it was previously mentioned when dates were being selected that most of the boys were going to be around that week. Any plans for people to meet up and ski with some of the "rockstars" either in-bounds or OB?

[frozenwater]

Skiing with TGR folks will happen. Who & when is subject to production schedules, but all here are psyched to show you the mountain.

f

[benrain]

Not going on the JH trip .. but I’ll be there next week. I had mine booked quite a while ago but would love to hook up with a local. I agree with the locals on the thread that skiing BC and or just OB with people you don't know can be harry at best. I’m psyched to hit both the inbounds and depending on the snow some BC might be nice. If it’s a pow day I’m good at the resort. If it’s been 3 or 4 days since the last dump .. that’s when I’ll start looking OB and BC. Have all my own gear and have take Level I Avy. I put together most of the Beta for the trips I do with my friends on the E-Coast. I’d love to ski with a local even if it’s just in bounds and even if it’s just me. I can show my friends later if they are interested. From my experience when I hook up with locals they know where the goods are and it’s a better day out. My standard MO is to go to the bar after the 1st day .. wait around for the guys or girls with the goggle tan / wind burn. Start buying them beers. Worked great at Telluride and Crested Butte last season.

PS. Can’t WAIT to ski some real snow!! This warm rain then super cold dry crap in the NE is really starting to piss me off. I think I need to learn how to ice climb if I want to get out on all my days off. Last weekend I think Hockey Skates would have worked better than my TM:EX’s.

[reptilicus]

Can’t WAIT to ski some real snow!! This warm rain then super cold dry crap in the NE is really starting to piss me off. I think I need to learn how to ice climb if I want to get out on all my days off. Last weekend I think Hockey Skates would have worked better than my TM:EX’s.

Don't want to ruin anyone's hopes...but it was 46 degrees at the summit today while I was waiting for the tram, and 39 at mid mountain! Very slushy snow...good fun at the moment but could be crap once it gets cold again!

[Karl Stall]

Hopefully, the conditions will be so good that the BC is only an after-thought.

However, if the bc is good, I'll be skiing it and am happy to show a few folks around - see yous there.

[edit: I am only a wannabe local]