Exum Backcountry Ski Week -- Andrew gets after it at Mailstop!

There are a lot of things I could say about this day, the most important being my husband ROCKS!  This was Andrew's first day EVER backcountry skiing, and he did an AWESOME job!

For a person who has not ventured out in the mountains until the age of 40, he kicks ass.  I am certain it is overwhelming, as it was for me when I first learned, but he does an amazing job keeping a smile on his face!

It was hard to say how much he enjoyed the skin up......but he certainly enjoyed the ski down as he made BEAUTIFUL turns in the soft powder!  He loved it so much that he was up for doing another run!!  I can't express enough how proud I am of him....and thankful for his willingness to jump in and try new things!!!

An amazing time in Jackson with extremely amazing people....We have ended this trip saying we will be back next season!!  Till then Jackson!

 

Exum Backcountry Ski Week - Skiing Maverick in Grand Teton NP Mavrick

After a rest day we were all ready to get back at it!!!  Up the hill we go!
  

Even with an overcast day, we had beautiful views of the valley below....and always a treat to be in the park!

Yet again always fun to look back to where you just were....the skin up certainly takes a little longer than the ski down!  I skied out last this day....It was nice to have a moment alone in the mountains.....quite, beauty, an amazing place to find your own peace....!

 

Exum Backcountry Ski Week -- Skiing Mail Stop

Another beautiful day in Jackson!  It just doesn't get any better!  This day we headed over the pass towards Idaho.   I mentioned that my ski down was a bit epic the day before (see 25 Short post)....I think Mike thought he was going to have to call in a helicopter for a rescue -- but he didn't!  Determined not to have the same experience twice, and heeding Mike's advice that it takes 27 times for it to click....I watched 27 You Tube videos on how to ski powder.....

Ta-Da!  Something did click, and I finally made turns! I was finally skiing powder!  Of course skiing with three awesome skiers, watching their technique, and trying to incorporate their suggestions helped a ton!   I'm not sure what the group thought of me that day.... Extremely excited and happy for me, yet completely confused as to what happened to that girl we watched tumble down mountain the day before!?!?!

 

Once again, all smiles back at the car.  And me truly grateful to be out in the mountains with such an amazing, supportive crew of people!  Car beers never tasted better!!

Exum Backcountry Ski Week - Skiing 25 Short in Grand Teton NP

A little intro before we get started:  
I love mountains and I love snow.  I was a boarder forever, but saw the light, and am now a two plank women.  My experience on skis has been mostly at packed powder resorts, and there was that one day when my friends tried to kill me in Hatchers Pass, AK..... but we won't go into that right now. One of my goals for 2013 was to backcountry ski.  Exum Mountain Guides offered a one week class that provided you with an AMAZING guide, a BEAUTIFUL place to stay which included the best breakfast in the world, and  basic avalanche teaching/gear.  It was the perfect the deal!

 

Marty, his Divas (Juliane and me), and Mike the guide all ready to start the skin up "25 Short" aka Peak 9,975. All perhaps searching for something.....or there just to have a good time! All open to new experience, new adventures, and new friendships.

 

As we take our first break, Mike, begins to explain  his 27 Step Program to Backcountry Skiing.  By the end, we all passed with flying colors!

Always an amazing feeling as you near the top!

And the day couldn't get any better!  Beautiful views of Buck Mountain, the Grand Teton, and the valley below.

Of course I always have time to strike a pose!

I'll be honest my ride down was a bit epic...ok, maybe if there is a word worse than "epic" that would better explain how it went!  But I made it!  Always an amazing feeling when your back at the car looking up at what you just skied!  Marty, Juliane, and I all smiles and looking forward to doing it all again the next day!

 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Makes Top 5 Vacation List!

Jackson Hole....why did I ever leave when I had the chance to stay??  Well, there were a multitude of reasons, but I would have to say this last trip certainly made me question the decision to leave when I had the chance to stay years ago!

A beautiful partly bluebird day at the top of the ski area.

My favorite chocolate shop in the whole wide world is in Jackson.  I guess at this point Oscar Ortega has become quite the Master Chocolatier!  I remember when he would give me a free piece of chocolate before my shift at the Rancher......

The Rancher, no longer the Rancher, now Tavern something something....Made a lot of money at that place.....and good times had by all!!

On our rest day Andrew and I headed out towards the Elk Refuge and had up close views of the elk and a dancing coyote!!  It was an amazing display of wildlife!

Eric and Alison made it out for the weekend!!  I love that they are willing do a jump shot for me at the Town Square!  We had a great time eating, drinking, and skiing!  These guys showed up with fancy new ski boots and kicked ass down the mountain!

I feel this trip was extra special because of all the amazing people we met along the way.  Staying at the Alpine House felt like our own little home away from home....Morning breakfast shared with  great people, doing amazing things, and amazing stories....Not to mention the food!!!  The evenings, yet again, great people, cookies, drinks, and exhausted bodies.....Can't think of a better way to live life!!!

 

This will be the first post of several....too much good stuff going on to have just one Jackson post!