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Show The Park Record B-10 Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 12-14, 2005 Jackson Hole: The biggest ski runs AMAZING HOME Resort town clings to cowboy roots, unparalled view of Teton Mountains Secluded four bedroom, five and one half bath home: 7,144 iq. ft. built in 1994 with granite counters, marble flooring, cherry wood office and master bedroom, spiral staircase, custom oak doors throughout, indoor * swimming pool on 5+ acre* with private drive and gau. Views that beat all others, Heber Valley, Deer Lake, Timpanogos and more. Uave SCHORI ! Office: 435-655-491.7 Mobile 435-901-2222* dschorittpnrmt ah.com « 1 \ l u V5i''nnilio/fi« Prudential [OpInehrookRJ *~ ' JACKSON. VVyo. ' (AP) Bleary-eyed skiers and snowhoarders dambered into Teton Village's distinctive red tram car Tor its opening run, squinting as they glanced up at fresh snow sparkling under the morning sun. Some had been out late at the Mangy Moose Saloon the night before, but a storm had passed through, so those intent on first tracks managed a short nights sleep. And they wouldn't feel tired for long - not with eye-widening views of hulking open bowls and pine-speckled snow fields as the lift glided swiflly up 4,100 vertical feel. And not with the accompanying mood music pulsation from retrofitted speakers - AC/DCs "Hack in Black" on this particular morning. Fresh and abundant powder can make for a memorable day at goliath Jackson Hole. But even those skiing under clear skies generally get no worse than a mixture of mammoth moguls and long, invigorating groomed runs -• not to men- lion a panorama of one of the most photogenic mountain ranges in North America. The view was captured in a famous Ansel Adams' photo of the Tetons taken from the Snake River Overlook. "I ski there day in and day out in the winter and I never get bored," says former Olympic gold medalist Tommy Moe, who has lived in the area for about 10 years. Throw in the historic town of Jackson - which clings to its cowboy roots even as the superwealthy, celebrities and artists converge - and you've got a place that satiates senses both primordial and refined. By its simply awesome nature, Jackson Hole will always be a place best suited lo courageous and motivated skiers. After winning the downhill at Lillehammer in 1994. Moe could have settled anywhere in the mountain West. He decided lo set up an advanced ski school at Jackson Hole. The skiable terrain rises from Thanks to Stein Eriksen Lodge we're moving closer to a sustainable future! 'T<irticipatin£ in Blue Sky helps u> encourage the use of renewable energy and shows our pride in being part of the P.irk City community." Michelle MacDonaJd Director of Uuwan Resources Stein Lriktoi Lodge Stein Eriksen Lodge is leading tho way in bringing the boncfits of renewable energy to our region. Tho Lodge is making a positive impact on the environment with a significant commitment to wind energy through our Blue SkySM program. Buying Blue Sky wind power: •' encourages a more diversified energy supply • preserves energy resources for future generations • improves air quality Stein Eriksen Lodge's Blue Sky wind energy purchase is as good for the environment as not driving a car more than 21,450 miles or planting nearly 2,000 trees every month. Purchasing renewable energy is a simple way you can make a difference. To enroll in Blue Sky, please go to utahpower.net/bluesky or call 1-800-842-8458. STEIN EKIKSLN LoiK.t Blue Ski/ is in addition to wind power pitrcltan.^ Utah Power make* on Mmlf of all our customers as part of our basic generation resource mix. Sustainability it's in our nature. # UTAH POWER about 6,000 feel above sea level lo higher than 10.000 feet, with more than 2,500 acres of terrain. It is about as big as they come in North America - a top-to-bottom run can take a half-hour or more with periodic stops to rest and survey the terrain. "No matter who you arc. it's going lo make you feel it a little bil when you gel to the bottom," says Moe. Taking the tram to the summit is worthwhile if only for the view. but beginners may want to ride the lift back down as well - a common practice here. Approaching the summit, the tram glides alongside a towering cliff, offering a clear view into the heart of Corbet's Couloir, a steep, snow-filled chute carved out of the rock. The best (craziest?) skiers drop into it, landing in a deep bed of snow and carving a couple of hair-raising, highspeed turns before casing out into Tenslcep Bowl below. "You've got to do a highspeed, controiled-slide turn, and once you gel over the hard part, the best is Ihe next few turns in the wider part of Ihe couloir, which is blown in with deep snow and it's unbelievable," Moe says. "I once flew 40 feet down the chute." Many of the ski runs are named with a nod to the French trappers who traded with American Indians here two centuries ago. Rendezvous Bowl, a common way down from the tram, is steep but largely devoid of trees and often has a base of soft snow, which makes the skiing easier than it looks. When conditions arc al their best, advanced skiers flock • directly from Rendezvous to the Hobacks - legendary because of their vast expanse of mostly treeless terrain that provides seemingly endless powder skiing after a good snowfall. Bui there are some treacherous, often snowdisguised boulders, along with challenging ravines, so intermediate skiers who can't resist trying it should have companions who really know what they're doing, or a paid guide. Terrain classified as "beginner" is limited compared to the overall expanse. It is among the reasons - along with its relative isolation - that Jackson Hole has struggled to get the number of ski visits of more popular Colorado or Utah resorts. But Jackson Hole has improved options and lift service for beginner and intermediate skiers - with two new four-person lifts since 2000 - and has begun to come into its own as a destination resort, The telltale signs are the multimillion dollar homes sprouting up like the area's renowned wildflowers in spring. There arc now several spas, one of which boasts the upscale Granary restaurant. built on a hilltop with giant windows overlooking the Snake River valley toward the rocket ship-shaped peak of Grand Teton. Last spring, the Internal Revenue Service listed Teton County as America's richest in terms of average household income. And the mixture of businesses around the main square in the town of Jackson - distinc- Check out 7772 Park Record's updated website at www.parkrecord.com for city and county news, community events, classified ads and more. ;;: SPEND AN; EVENING ;\7^-:'^^^ s "^>-.?^/^ rt ;.>v* i ;;i?--^iei-M>i^.);- WITHA FROM THE COAST: Deer Valley Seafood Buffet 1, 1 "J\ With a selection that consists of incredibly fresh seafood, it's n o wonder t Ajigat Restaurant Guide rated it a* o n e of America's T o p Restaurants. . The Seafood Buffei is located in the Snow Park Lodge, and is open Monday - Saturday 0:30 - 9:OO p.m. tive for its arches made of antlers and wooden sidewalks - sucm to symbolize what the area has become. There's a drinking and dining spot called the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - worth seeing whether or not one cares for I he country swing played by live bands inside. With ils sadillelopped bar stools and glass cases cluttered with the gaudiesi displays of vintage Frontier days weaponry, it's as much museum as social gathering place. Right next door is ihe Cadillac Grille, with its arl-deco decor and haute cuisine thai should make those with a more cosmopolitan bent feel right al home. Tliere are numerous fine restaurants around town and ;ti the base of ihe mountain, home lo the Four Seasons' first hotel u\ a ski resort. Popular dishes include big game plates such as venison as well as buffalo burners and slcaks. A lop apres-ski hangout on the mountain has long been the Mangy Moose, a multilevel bar and rest an rant that hosts live music, often to packed-in. lively crowds. Stores and boutiques in Jackson sell an array of local arl. crafts and goodies. A local candy maker makes bonbons found throughout town - the filling made from huckleberries picked over summer from around ihe Teton National Forest. There's also a popular bakery-restaurant, called The Bunnery. known for its signature OSM (oats, sunflower and millet) bread. Galleries throughout town display photos and paintings of the Tetons from seemingly every angle, along with scones Irom Yellowstone National Park, only an hour-and-a-hall' drive north and an easy trip for those who visit in summer. But those who ski musi come in winter - and not just for Teton Village. There's night skiing at the small but duillenuing Snow King area righl in ihe hcjri of Jackson. And those who have lime for a day trip would cheat themselves terribly by ignoring Grand Targhee. First, ihe drive takes one over the stunning To ton Pass, where parked cars and ski tracks are the clearest sign of ihe pull ihe Tetons have on backeouniry ski enthusiasts. Second, Grand .Targhee has been long r e g a r d ^ ' as one of the best-kept secrets in ihe West. With its base lodge sel alop foothills close to the timberline. Grand Targhee looks from a distance like a 2.400-fool mound o! snow just wailing lo be played upon. Its western exposure keeps ii in daylight later and ii seems lo sit in a portion of ihe riinge lhat captures the most snow. Powder days here are routine - .HKI routinely "epic." as younger skiers and boarders say. 'Hie tree skiing in ihe lower portions is exceptional because the snow is deep but Ihe slopes not too steep, allowing for speed control that helps one navigate the woods with relative ease. And the detachable, highspeed quad lifts, often with short or no lines, allow for enough runs to wear out oven advanced skiers. SEAFOOD •BUFFET- www.decrvnllcy.i-om 435-64-5-^32 |