JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Consultations between the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR), Grand Teton National Park, Bridger Teton National Forest, and Teton County Search and Rescue have determined that the backcountry gates will remain closed tomorrow.
This closure includes all gates that provide access to the Granite Canyon drainage and all gates to the south of the resort’s boundaries. Road closures, elevated avalanche danger, potential risk to rescuers, and continued weather events are all factors in this decision to close the resort exit points.
“We’re in another massive snow cycle,” said VP Operations Tim Mason. “We have been working very closely with key community stakeholders and feel it is in the best interest of safety to keep the backcountry access points closed for at least one more day. We are monitoring the storm, and will re-open the gates as soon as we feel comfortable.”
The mountains around the Jackson Hole area have received some four feet of snow in the last 72 hours, with perhaps another 2-3 feet of additional snow anticipated in coming days.
The current Teton area avalanche forecast is ‘high’ at all elevations and backcountry travel is not recommended.
JHMR has experienced record snowfall for the month of February thus far at the upper mountain and mid-mountain snow plots. Base area snow depths are also on track for a record for the month.
