Jackson Hole
Teton Village, Wyoming
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Any guy who calls himself a skier or snowboarder has Corbet's Couloir -- the laundry chute of snow, cliffs and blue sky that sends Gore-Tex into the spin-cycle -- on his list of "Things to Do Before I Die." (Never mind that this particular task could actually cause said death.) For those who need a warm-up before leaping into the marquee run, Jackson Hole has 2,500 acres of in-bounds terrain, along with 3,000-plus acres of backcountry accessed through the resort's open gates. The mountain also has an astounding vertical drop of 4,139 feet, the longest continuous such drop in the country. These are meaty, rugged and snow-endowed -- 459 inches a year -- rollercoaster drops that will shiver the timbers and soothe an office-frazzled soul. Once Corbet's and other backcountry beasts have been slain, the triumphant can soak in the outdoor pool at Amangani, the classy/rustic hilltop resort that peers out over the Tetons. For soaking up some suds, more than 140 cowboy bars, sushi bars, disco bars and dive bars stud Jackson and Teton Village.
Corbet's 500 vertical feet, width of 40 to 50 feet and slope angle of near 90 degrees to 50 degrees provide bragging rights for the rest of your life. Leap up to 20 feet, stick the first turn, stay upright and you're golden.
The Mangy Moose is the real deal ski saloon at the base of Jackson that's been slinging Western brews since 1967. In the town proper, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar's been two-stepping, pouring Jack and saddling tourists into its barstools even longer.
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Photo #1: Tristan Greszko/JHMR
Photo #2: Colin Meadows/JHMR
