The Tetons

of Wyoming

Jimmy Chin, waist deep in the Teton backcountry, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (photo: David Stubbs)


⎪THE TETONS

This mountain range extends for approximately 40 miles in a north-south direction along the border of Idaho and Wyoming, and contains perhaps the highest (and steepest) concentration of skiable lines in North America. The area is home to many of America’s best known mountain guides and skiing legends, including Bill Briggs, the “father of extreme skiing” in North America, and the first to climb and ski the Grand Teton, the range’s highest and most formidable peak. The great Doug Coombs cut his teeth here, and was famously banned from Jackson Hole ski resort after “ducking the rope’’ one too many times.* The Tetons are known for their deep, dry powder and high average annual snowfall. Its unique geology makes for steep and dramatic ski lines; lines which can be dangerously unforgiving, but also wildly fun, especially in peak conditions. Teton Gravity Research, a popular ski movie production company specializing in what is sometimes referred to as extreme skiing, is based here for good reason. Unfortunately, the Teton range is situated in an area of high snowpack instability, and backcountry skiers/mountaineers must use extreme caution when navigating its terrain, especially in the early and middle part of winter. But, when approached with care, the rewards offered amidst these peaks can be life-changing (it was for this author!).

Cover photo: the Grand Teton and the Cathedral Group, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Powder Magazine



*Coombs’ expulsion served only to deepen his affinity for out-of-bounds skiing, and heighten his already mythical status. Doug’s persistence and notoriety eventually helped encourage changes in land use policy in the United States, which greatly expanded sidecountry (or off-piste) access for recreational skiers and snowboarders on public land adjacent to privately-owned/operated ski resorts.

⎪TETONS / GALLERY

click on images to enlarge

The Cathedral Group, with the Grand Teton dominating, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (photo: Powder Magazine)

Death Canyon, Phelps Lake, early winter, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (photo: Unsplash)

No Name Peak, Jackson Hole backcountry, mid-winter (photographer: Visit Jackson Hole)

Endless Couloir, Jackson Hole backcountry, Wyoming (photo: Jack Brauer)

Cody Peak backcountry, as seen from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Jackson, WY (photo: Unsplash)

The Sliver Couloir, GTNP, WY (photo: Outdoor Beta)

The Tetons, with the Snake RIver in the foreground, Ansel Adams view, GTNP, Jackson Hole, WY (photo: Getty Images)

⎪TETONS / THE BIGGEST LINES


• SYMBOLS KEY: Click on the ⚲ symbol for location on Google Maps; info for trip reports; the ▸ symbol for video links; and fatmap for FATMAP link/route info.

• RATINGS KEY: Exposure: E1=Low, E2=Medium, E3=High, E4=Extreme Distance: S=Slack, R=Remote, VR=Very Remote, XR=Extremely Remote Max Slope Angle: XX°

• UPDATES: while serious hazards exist on ALL Biggest Lines ski routes, these route updates provide additional beta from new developments and/or recent trip reports


129. Air Force Chute, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R/42°

130. Apocalypse Couloir, Prospector’s Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E4/VR/45°+

route update: very serious avalanche/fall hazard

131. Breakneck Face, Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY ⚲ info ▸ ▸ fatmap E3/R/49°

132. Buck Mountain, East Face, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/XR E3+/VR/45°+

133. Central Couloir, Cody Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info info ▸ fatmap E4/R/56°

134. Corbet’s Couloir, Jackson Hole, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/S/40°+

135. East Hourglass Couloir, Nez Perce, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info info info ▸ fatmap E3/XR/45°+

136. Endless Couloir, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R/48°

137. Grand Teton-Otterbody Route, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E4+/VR

138. Horseshoe Couloir, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R

139. Middle Teton Glacier Route, Middle Teton, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/XR/53°

140. Mile Long Couloir, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R/41°

141. Newc Couloir, Buck Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/XR

142. No Name Face, Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/VR/48°

143. Once is Enough, Cody Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3+/VR/59°

144. S&S Couloir, Jackson Hole, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/S/45°+

route update: rarely in condition; in-bounds terrain: permission to drop it must be obtained from ski patrol prior to entry

145. Son of Apocalypse, Prospector’s Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/XR

146. Spock Chutes, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R

147. The Grand Teton, Chevy/Ford/Stettner Route, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E4+/XR/56°

148. The Sickle Couloir, Mt. Moran, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/XR

route update: very serious avalanche hazard

149. The Skillet Couloir, Mt. Moran, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/XR

150. The Sliver, Nez Perce, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ ▸ fatmap E3/XR

151. The Southwest Couloir, Mt. Moran, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/XR

152. Triple-A Chute, Upper Granite Canyon, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R/50°

153. Twice is Nice, Cody Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3+/R/45°+

154. V Couloir, Prospector’s Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/XR/50°+

155. West Hourglass Couloir, Nez Perce, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/XR/45°+

BONUS LINE: Zero G, Rendezvous Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/S/48°

BONUS LINE: Bubblefun Couloir, Buck Mountain, North Face, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E4+/XR

route update: extreme fall hazard



*IMPORTANT: Exposure Level and Distance ratings are subjective and do not adequately reflect dangers inherent on approach or egress. Use conservatively.


TETONS / MAPS

WYOMING: The Tetons are the linear north-south range on the far left, just west of Lake Jackson and the valley known as Jackson Hole. The Beartooths and the Absaroka Range are on the upper left, northeast of Jackson Hole, and E/SE of Yellowstone Lake. The less traveled and infinitely more remote Wind River Range is the snowy line of mountains southeast of Jackson Hole. They are not covered on this site.  Click here for Google Map.

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK:
(Image: National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior) Click here for PDF version.

 

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EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
— Tetons (Wyoming) —


Teton County Search and Rescue

TEL: +1 307 732-8337 or 911