The backcountry skiing access on Teton Pass is as good as it gets. Drive over Teton Pass on any given day in the winter and the lot at the top will be packed with backcountry skiers gearing up for a ski tour. Heck, 6:30 a.m. during a weekday snowstorm can often be one of the busiest times, a testament to Jackson residents’ commitment to earning turns.
From the top of the pass, you have two options: Mount Glory and the powerline ridge
Strap your skis or board to your pack and head up the 1,600-foot Mount Glory bootpack (the north side of the road) or skin along the powerline ridge on the south side.
Booting up Glory is a quick way to get your heart rate up, and the best bang for your buck if you’re looking for some fast, rewarding turns before work. The south side offers a slower, more gentle pace to get started if you’re not in a hurry.
A mellow walk along the powerline ridge allows you to drop east or west into various tree runs and open bowls. Even a 15-minute walk can lead to a fun, playful tree run. Once you’re out there, you can link together short laps, climb back out, or ski out the closest drainage and end up a few miles down the highway. Hitchhiking is tolerated if not fully encouraged, and since every 3rd vehicle is a massive truck, it doesn’t take long to get picked up.
Avalanche danger
Be mindful that if you head up Mount Glory, especially after a storm, there are large slide paths that you have the potential to trigger. Glory Bowl and Twin Slides frequently bury the road, and it’s not uncommon to have morning traffic halted on storm days because of skier-triggered avalanches.
Join the community at Edelweiss
Located south of Teton Pass, Edelweiss is a small area famous for its bowl skiing. Its easy approach to high-grade powder makes it a great place for beginners to earn the first turns without much effort.
To reach the top of Edelweiss, start at the parking lot at the top of Teton Pass and gradually climb southwards over ridges and hills. When you reach the bowl, you’ll be treated to treeless skiing and spectacular views all around. Once you reach the bottom, it’s about a 900-foot skin back to the top.
Enjoy the intermediate playground of Mail Cabin Canyon
If you head to the west side of Teton Pass, you’ll find a host of exquisite bowls and slopes for intermediate backcountry skiers and the occasional open glade that will make any beginner giddy. Diversity is the name of the game here, and the numerous 500-foot laps are the icing on the cake. The best example is the Mail Cabin area.
Starting from the Coal Creek parking lot, cross the highway then skin up along Mail Cabin Creek. After around two miles, you’ll reach a fork which leads to East Mail Cabin Creek and West Mail Cabin Creek. On both sides you’ll find plenty of options for both short laps and all-day tours.
The east side holds runs such as the East Super Bowl, the moderately treed Moose Brush, and the lower and upper Columbia bowls.The west side is home to classic descents such as the Lone Pine Bowl, West Super Bowl and Windy Ridge.
Ditch the crowds on Mount Oliver
Another stellar area on the west side of Teton Pass is Mount Oliver, beloved for its mellow powder turns and expansive views—all without risk of running into crowds like the ones at Edelweiss.
Starting from the parking lot south of Highway 22, there’s a little over 2,000 feet to reach the summit above. From there you can enjoy some 500-foot laps on the northeastern face or hit the gentle north-facing slopes. On the northwest side you’ll find two equally exciting options that funnel into a gully which ultimately expands into a gorgeous flat meadow. This is where you’ll find the out track leading back to the parking lot.
Test your skills on Taylor Mountain
Taylor Mountain is located about two miles northwest of Teton Pass and can be reached either from Mount Glory or via the South Ridge, which provides an easier approach and descent. This is the go-to area for experts who seek out the adrenaline rush only a steep slope can provide.
Starting from the parking lot at Teton Pass, follow the north ridge to reach the summit of Taylor Mountain, where you’ll find two different descents. The first one will take you down the treeless East Face and into the valley below. This option will bring you a lot of vertical feet, but also high risk of avalanche. The second option goes down a stellar southeast-facing chute located close to the parking lot.
If you’re planning on backcountry skiing on Taylor Mountain, advanced avy skills, as you’ll learn in an AIARE Avalanche Level 2 Course in Jackson Hole, will go a long way to help prepare you for the unpredictable conditions that can arise in the wilderness.