2022 Jack n Jill Rando Race

Mention Teton Pass to backcountry skiers and they will immediately have some story about the time they skied Jackson Hole, Wyoming or toured on Teton Pass. Mention Teton Pass, Montana, and you will be met with blank stares and a look that says “this person has no clue what they’re talking about”. Little does literally anyone know, there is a ski area in Montana called Teton Pass. This quaint ski hill is tucked away amongst the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountain Front. Teton Pass is perched high up in the headwaters of the Teton River along the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness some 34 miles from the nearest town. Most people also don’t know that this ski area is perhaps the greatest ski area in America. And it happens to host a damn fine skimo race each March.

Approaching the top of the first climb. Photo: Steve Wolff

Teton Pass has 1000’ of lift-accessed terrain under the towering summit of an unnamed peak. Regionally known as “False Lockhart”, the 1500’ of mountain above the lift offers some magnificent backcountry skiing. It’s also home to the Jack n Jill Randonee Race, my favorite skimo race I’ve done yet. I was lucky enough to do this race last year and to my surprise placed second. One of my prizes was an avalanche course, which brought me back to Teton Pass a few weeks later. Between the race and that class, I absolutely fell in love with this ski area and the people that work so so hard to make it a reality. Going back this year to race felt a bit like going home (maybe that seems excessive, but this place feels like the birth of my love for skimo).

With the bang of an avalanche charge from the mountain top, the race began with a les mondes start (a bunch of people in spandex manically sprinting across their snow to their skis). The puff of smoke blew away from the top of the mountain 2500’ above us, and 100-some racers skuttled across the base area of Teton Pass. I found myself up front and quickly pulled ahead doing my beloved “cat track run”. At the top of the lift, we exited the groomers and skinned another 1000’ into the backcountry on a switchbacking skin track. Unlike last year, I was actually able to go through the kickturns with some semblance of proficiency. The skintrack track ended, wind picked up, and our skis went on our back for a 500’ bootpack to the summit. 

Headed up the first climb. Photo: Steve Wolff

At the first top transition, I stood alone on the snow on top of a 2500’ descent stretching out before me. I fumbled with my boots and bindings before dropping into the 1500’ chute that hangs above the ski area. Unsure of the snow conditions, I took a few tentative turns. I quickly realized I was about to ski a steep 38 degree powder run all-out in skinny skis. It was a freaking blast!! Powder was knee deep and at times billowed up to my chest. I was definitely self-conscious of my turns, knowing people were watching from the ridgeline and would soon follow me on the descent. I did my best to ski as fast as I could without letting my tips dive under the powder. After a few minutes of glory, I hit the ski area and straightlined to the bottom.

From here on out, I was very alone. The skin to the next bootpack was uneventful but fun. The bootpack was up a different windswept ridgeline than the first ascent. At the top of it, I was stoked to run into a ski patroller named Rob, who had taught my avalanche course a year prior. We chatted briefly before I scooted out into the chute that was our second descent. Again, it was some glorious powder skiing. Well, until the chute tightened and filled with avalanche debris from a slide the previous week. Then it was a bit of high-speed slalom around frozen ice hunks.

Two happy people after the race. Madison finished her first full length skimo race!!!

The final climb, things got a bit interesting. The heel flap on one of my bindings bent, so my binding wouldn’t stay in ski or walk mode. Luckily, I wasn’t accidentally clipping into ski mode, but it was close. I cruised to the top of “No Name” and had to fuss with my binding a bit to finally clip in. Once I did, I just had to not fall (sometimes easier said than done) and I’d be able to ski to a win. I kept my wits about me, and managed to ski across the line in first place at my favorite ski area and race ever!

The Missoula gang + Teton Pass owner Chuck after a successful day of racing!

Out for a ski the day after the race.