Jeff Annetts shot by Mark Fisher.

AS SEEN IN THE NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE OF FREESKIER.

It’s no secret that Jackson Hole has some of the steepest, longest, gnarliest terrain in North America. But what changes it from a big mountain into the definition of steep-skiing perfection is the access. No other resort this side of the Atlantic makes it so easy for its visitors to scare the shit out of themselves at will.

Steep inbounds terrain at Jackson is abundant and requires no real hiking or schlepping of any kind. Take a ride down the Alta or Mushroom chutes to get the blood flowing. Or beat the pow day rush off the tram and send straight into Corbet’s or its evil next-door brother, S&S.

Jackson could claim top-five steeps status with inbound runs alone. To claim our number one spot, however, we have to look at the massive backcountry that’s easily accessed from the resort. After taking the tram to the summit, stay high skiers’ right until you hit an access gate. Make sure your beacon is on and your brain is operating at full capacity and make the 45-minute trek up Cody Peak. With this little bit of effort comes great reward as you have the option between technical billy-goat lines like Central Couloir or wide-open steep terrain like Pucker Face.

For an even wilder JH backcountry experience, take one of the north gates into the dark, treed steeps of Granite Canyon. The southernmost drainage of Grand Teton National Park, Granite offers countless options, from the burliest pillow lines you will ever stand on, to relatively mellow 3,000-foot descents like Mile-Long & Endless. However mellow, they are simply massive avalanche paths that often rip huge, so use caution and avoid dangerous route-finding pickles by going with someone who knows the terrain well.

If you’re a serious skier looking for serious terrain, Jackson is a cannot-miss destination. As always when venturing into the backcountry, read the avy reports, talk to locals, bring your gear and make your own informed decisions. Remember that if conditions aren’t right today, your line will still be there tomorrow.

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