JACKSON HOLE, WYO – It was a bit touch-and-go but Snow King is up and running today for its first day of skiing. The town hill hosted a few US Ski Team members and crew to kick things off in style.
General Manager Ryan Stanley also said he was pleased with the stepped up snowmaking efforts over the past 48 hours. The guns have been blasting, trying to get a base down for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross this weekend. Track building got underway today thanks in part to some unexpected volunteer efforts.
Trucks from Westwood Construction and other local companies have been making nonstop trips from Teton Pass to the base of the King with fresh snow.
“Their efforts have been amazing and much appreciated,” Stanley said. “It’s like thousands of dollars in in-kind labor they have contributed. We didn’t ask, they just started trucking in snow.
Stanley added that many were to thank for helping get the show on the snow this weekend.
Already race teams are arriving for the event. Locally-based Woodies Racing is onsite (currently staged at the fairgrounds). They are one of the circuit’s largest race teams and won ISOC Team of the Year in 2016. Woodies will have seven racers competing including two pros from Sweden, one from New York, one from Norway, and Paul’s own offspring—son Kaden and daughter Taven, who just turned pro this year.
Snowmobile superstar Tucker Hibbert granted Buckrail an interview on his way from his residence in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota to his hometown in Driggs, Idaho. Watch for more insider coverage of the inaugural Jackson stop for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross this December 8-9.
Street closures
In order to accommodate the preparations for this event, the Town of Jackson will close a portion of Snow King Avenue (between Cache Street and King Street) along with a portion of Cache Street (between Snow King Avenue and Pine Drive).
It is anticipated that these closures will begin late Thursday night and the streets will reopen again on Sunday morning. There will be limited ‘local traffic only’ access during these closures; however, motorists should plan ahead and be aware of a possible detours.
“These closures are essentially identical to the Snow Devil’s Hill Climb closures that we do every year,” said Sam Jewison, Streets Manager. “The only difference is that the duration of this closure will be shorter.”
The Snow King parking lot will also be closed for the duration of this event and several streets will be designated with No Parking signs. “This is a very professionally produced special event,” said Ryan Stanley, Snow King Mountain General Manager. “We have worked closely with the Town of Jackson and with the event production organization in requesting these street closures to maximize public safety and minimize set-up time.”
Event trailers have already started to roll into town to begin set-up and Snow King Mountain has been making snow whenever the weather permits in order to prepare for this new special event.
The event will kick-off on Friday, December 8 at 8:00am and is scheduled to conclude at 8:30pm on Saturday, December 9.
In conjunction with the SnoCross event, Snow King Mountain is offering a free ski day on Friday, December 8. In addition to the youth, amateur and pro snow mobile racing events there will be free children’s sled demos, autograph sessions, give-a-ways, and games and activities for kids.
