Number 04

It’s 8:40 a.m. on a 16-inch morning at Jackson Hole and you are minutes away from boarding the coveted first box of the new Aerial Tram with 100 of your friends. This machine will send you 4,139 feet up in nine minutes to the top of one of the world’s most distinctive, gnarliest ski resorts. Adrenaline makes your limbs twitch, and your stomach threatens to exorcise a breakfast burrito as bombs blast the upper elevations of Rendezvous Mountain. You know that one of the best days of your life will begin when the tram doors slide open.

What might constitute an epic day at the Big One? Top-to-bottom tram laps with face shots from Rendezvous Bowl through the Hobacks, midmountain pillow sessions off Thunder Chair, signature big lines like Corbet’s and S&S and your pick of three hike-to zones at the top of the Headwall.

And that’s before even considering Jackson’s unparalleled backcountryaccess. If you have the skills, there is arguably nowhere in the lower 48as beautiful, thrilling and intimidating as the Tetons.

Whether or not your legs outlast the lifts, beers are mandatory after aday of shredding. Nick Wilsons serves more PBR than any bar in the US.The Mangy Moose gets rowdier as the evening wears on. Gorge on spicy nutrition at the hole-in-the-wall BYOB fave, Teton Thai. From there, it’s micros at Snake River Brew Pub, “extreme people watching” at the legendary Cowboy Bar and late nights and cheap slices at Café Ponza.

Resort Ranking:
Snow Quality-10
Terrain Quality-10
Hike-to Access-10
Park Quality-2
Nightlife-6
Accessibility-6

Vital Stats
JacksonHole.com
Vertical: 4,139 feet
Acreage: 2,500 acres
Snowfall: 459 inches
Ticket: $91 (2008-2009)

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North America’s Top 10 Ski Resorts

1. Whistler Blackcomb, BC
2. Aspen/Snowmass, CO
3. Mammoth Mountain
4. Jackson Hole, WY
5. Squaw Valley, CA
6. Alta/Snowbird, UT
7. Breckenridge, CO
8. Telluride, CO
9. Heavenly, CA
10. Vail, CO

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