TETON VILLAGE, Wyo. — Until next year, Gaper Day!
Buckrail photographer Nick Sulzer hit the slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) on April 1 to join the annual Gaper Day celebration, which is something of an unofficial local holiday.
Local skiers and snowboarders celebrate Gaper Day to gently poke fun at inexperienced skiers. They’re the namesake of the “gaper gap,” the gap between the top of the goggle and the brim of the helmet, an easily identifiable marker of a newbie.
Coupled with the April Fools’ Day holiday, good-natured mischief is a hallmark of the April 1 atmosphere in Jackson Hole. The spring skiing event usually comes with more scenic views, though.
The unseasonably dry warmth of the past few weeks made for a less-than-photogenic day on the mountain. Photos from last year’s Gaper Day celebration highlight the difference.
