Sending it huge at Targhee in 59" of New Snow
An Epic Week at Grand Targhee
I got a call from Greg, a photographer based in Jackson, saying that Julian Carr was headed to Targhee and asked if I wanted to join. I’d never skied Targhee while the lifts were running—only early season before they opened. In five winters in Jackson, I had yet to explore the famous cliff-hucking zones in the Targhee backcountry. With the next five days off work, I was in for sure!
First Impressions
The first day was overcast, with 10 inches of fresh snow. Greg and I met Julian up on the hill, where he was already working on the takeoff of the infamous "Diving Board," a cliff featured in many early ski films. Standing on top, I realized just how far it was to the landing.
We stomped out the perfect takeoff, throwing tree branches off the edge for depth perception. Julian sent a massive front flip into the flat light and invisible landing, sticking it deep in the snow. Climbing out, he gave the thumbs-up—it was good to go. I followed with my own front flip, landing safely and immediately ready for more.
We spent the rest of the day hitting smaller airs and scoping out lines for the next day.
The Deepest Powder of My Life
The resort reported 9 inches of new snow overnight, but as we drove from Jackson, it was clear there was much more. By the time we reached the mountain, the upper slopes had at least 25 inches of fresh snow!
After a few insanely deep inbounds runs, we headed toward the gate to Mary’s Nipple, encountering a patroller trenching through waist-deep snow. We offered to punch in the trail if she let us through before closing the gate. What’s normally a 10-minute hike took us over 35 minutes in the deep snow. At the top, we were waist-deep and could barely move.
The descent was unreal. With snow instantly covering my head as I skied, I had to stop halfway down just to see where I was going. It was the deepest, lightest snow I’ve ever skied—easily 50 inches of blower powder. Julian and Greg followed, barely visible beneath the snow.
We ended the day with drinks at the base, stoked on an unforgettable experience.
A Change in Conditions
Thinking the snow wouldn’t be as good, I spent the day skiing at Jackson Hole. The wind had affected the snow, and it wasn’t nearly as enjoyable. A quick weather check revealed sunny conditions in the forecast, so Julian and I decided to head back to Targhee.
The fog rolled in and out of the cliff zone, making it tough to get shots in good light. Still, we managed to hit the Diving Board again, this time with more speed. Using my laser rangefinder and inclinometer, I calculated the cliff height at roughly 90 feet. Secondary measurements from video screenshots confirmed it—an incredible 90-foot drop!
Clear Skies and Big Airs
The next day dawned perfectly clear. We started the morning on the upper cliffs, taking advantage of the golden light to shoot photos. One thing Julian and I had always talked about was doing a simultaneous air. Finding the perfect spot, we lined up and sent it together off a 40-foot cliff with Greg positioned below to capture the shot.
Stoked from nailing the simul air, we returned to the Diving Board. Julian hit it first and confirmed it was still soft. I followed, sending it with confidence under the clear blue sky.
The Corner Pocket
For our final day, we had our eyes on a feature we called “Corner Pocket.” It was a triangular rock with a perfect takeoff tucked away at the end of the bowl. Julian dropped in first, sending a massive 70-foot front flip. The landing triggered a small slide, and I was concerned it had wiped out my landing.
Julian radioed up, saying to aim far right where there was fresh snow. Trusting his call, I launched my own front flip. I landed softly but started falling upside down, sliding into what turned out to be a deep cave near the rock. Thankfully, my skis stayed on the surface, and I was able to climb out. Looking back, I realized how lucky I was to have avoided falling further.
We celebrated an epic week with high-fives and beers at the base. The incredible snow, huge airs, and safe landings made it the best week of the year—one that will be hard to top!
Follow the adventure on Instagram: @o_leeps