The Longest Vertical Ski Drop In North America Is Right Here In Wyoming

It’s time to wax those skis and hit the slopes. Many of the world’s best skiers choose Jackson Hole as their skiing destination since the terrain is considered to be some of the most challenging in North America. Ski magazines consistently rate this ski resort in Wyoming as the top place to ski in the United States, partly because one of the longest vertical ski drops in North America is right here at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Jackson Hole

Teton Village is a census designated area with a population of around 330. The village surrounds the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Moose-Wilson Road also known as Wyoming Highway 390 leads right into the village.

Jackson Hole

From there, an aerial tram takes you to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. Jackson Hole's tram is known for traveling over the longest continuous rise in the U.S. This incline is made up of more than 4,100 feet of steep challenging terrain. By the way, you never know who you might find hanging out or under the tram.

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You'd better enjoy the ride up because coming down is a different story. It's a 4.5 mile ski run of challenging terrain. The mountain view is absolutely breathtaking. Jackson Hole Resort is nestled in a valley at the base of Teton and Gros Ventre Ranges.

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The ski area spreads out across Rendezvous and Apres Vous Mountains. The area receives an average of 400 inches of snow which makes it one of the areas in the country with the highest snowfall and by snowfall, I mean light and fluffy powder.

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Apres Vous Mountain attracts mostly beginner to intermediate skiers with its milder terrain. More advanced skiers tend to gravitate towards Rendezvous Mountain because of all the bowls, glades, chutes and drastic vertical rise in terrain.

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Jackson Hole is like heaven on earth to free skiers. If the inbound terrain wasn't enough, there's an even larger area to explore out of bounds. Off-piste areas are accessed through marked gates and skiers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.

One of the most challenging runs is located to the skier's left after exiting the tram. Corbet's Couloir is an expert run with a narrow entrance that is 10 feet wide and rock walls on 3 sides.

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In order to embark on this run, the skier must free fall 10 to 20 feet landing in the narrow couloir with rock walls on both sides.

With this pictured approach, the drop is less but once down the skier has to make an immediate right turn to steer away from the massive rock wall.

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Corbet's Couloir is known by expert skiers from around the world as "America's scariest ski slope."

Jackson Hole has hosted World Cup ski races and held the first national Powder 8 Championship.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is known nationally for its limitless terrain, longest vertical drop in North America and high average snowfall while internationally it is known as being home to “America’s scariest ski slope.”