Jackson Hole Trip, Feb 13-20, 2021 By Rene Reed
After hurdling all the possible Covid issues that effected other trips, the Jackson Hole trip was on its way to departure on Saturday, February 13th. Nothing could stop us!!! Twelve of the thirteen Full Package members were able to board the plane without incident…. and I won’t tell on the number thirteen, except to say her self-reliance was a Blessing, and she was able to arrange another flight. For land package members, it was a little more dicey. Flights were cancelled, flights were delayed, and some flights took off for Jackson Hole with no guarantee that they would be able to land. That is the power of weather….it can mess up flights while providing pristine powder for skiers. Luckily, our entire group of 26 made it into Jackson Hole, all on the same day, and was able to enjoy the bounty of snow on Sunday.
Saturday afternoon was spent exploring the ski village and arranging ski rentals for many. The Alpenhof Lodge provided a lovely Fondue on Sunday evening. Big fondue pots of yummy, melty, Gruyere and Emmenthler cheese with white wine were served with bread and apples. Thermos Pitchers of hot cider and mulled wine were offered up as well. The bar was open with a nice selection of beers and cocktails. This welcome hour gave everyone a chance to meet & greet and get the down low on best lifts to take in the morning, the impact of Covid restrictions on the aerial tram (reduced from 100 to 25-person capacity), and best lifts for quickly getting onto the mountain.
Sunday was made for powder hounds!! Jackson Hole Ski Resort had been a dumping ground for snow the week before we arrived. That low cloud ceiling had made it difficult for plane landings on Saturday and this continued right into Sunday. It seemed to be a LOVE it or HATE it kind of day. Great snow with low visibility. Caspers was the lunch gathering spot for the day….but it is a big mountain with lots of dark blue and black runs….easier said than done to get there in a timely fashion. RPK3 was the hit for après ski. Only 25 yards from the Lodge and very attractive Happy Hour pricing. Fourteen happy people met up for drinks. The hardest part for many of us Boomers was trying to figure out how to place the food and drink orders on our phone!! Luckily, bar service was available for those with all thumbs.
The Alpenhof provided a complimentary breakfast every morning. Each day included a new special….always yummy. The San Antonio Los Amigos contingent of Kimberly and Steve Finder, Michelle and John Marshall, along with Ross and Diane Baker could be found each morning in the dining room booth with good conversation. Another enjoyable aspect to the dining room was the visits by “B” the Basset Hound and “Lucy” the sorta-kinda Labrador. They were quite the hotel ambassadors and Fred Keinz was B’s favorite….because he shared his breakfast.
Monday was more powder and more low cloud ceiling. I struggled to enjoy myself….not very successfully. Cathy Boyer and Lynn Bodfish headed into the town of Jackson to visit the Galleries. . . We didn’t do an immediate apres ski, but instead all 26 of us gathered for dinner at the AlpenRose restaurant in the Lodge. The dining room was beautifully transformed and very welcoming. First course was a Caesar Salad Our main entree was very entertaining — Fondue Chinoise. We cooked our beef, chicken, and vegetables in a hot broth Occasionally, you could hear the exclaim, “I lost my cauliflower!” This slow and relaxing dinner gave everyone lots of time to get to know each other better. Stan Kuper showed off his drawing talents. We all played Guess What Stan drew? The guesses were very entertaining….as was Stan’s actual answer. A freshly made warm, apple, cranberry, and almond Strudel with cream Anglaise was served for dessert. I think I heard people groaning in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Houston was in the clutches of an Arctic Invasion. Facebook posts, friends and family kept us abreast of the power outages and icy conditions.
After two days of intense skiing, many people took off Tuesday and met up in town. Miranda Kelly, Tammie Naddall, George and Rene Reed, met up at The Roadhouse. Miranda was able to test a few local craft brews. Tammie got Loose Boots!! And Rene’ has now become a lover of Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese dipping sauce. And if that wasn’t enough fun, we hustled back to join the after ski group at the Mangy Moose! The Moose is not very Mangey — it is actually a pretty nice bar and restaurant.
Wednesday was FINALLY A BEAUTIFUL DAY!! Sunshine and happiness!! Several people were super excited to see a Moose on one of runs. It was best to see him from the Lift, so you didn’t risk actually running into him. Tammie Nadell got in over her head on one of the runs and was taken down in a Toboggan by a very handsome member of the ski patrol. She wasn’t entirely sure if she was taken down because she was weak kneed or if she became weak kneed when he came to her aid. Terri Barnes and Mary Jones spoke highly of the spa treatments at the Snake River Lodge.
Rather than an immediate après ski hour, the adventurous met up in Jackson at the Silver Dollar. What a great place. Good music and fabulous art. Deb and Ken Gordon saved us some seats.
Many of us went to The Kitchen for dinner. Deb and Ken Gordon, Fred Keinz and George and Rene at one table, Chile Hile, Carlos Gonzales, Cathy Boyer, and Lynn Bodfish at the second and Miranda Kelly and Tammy Nadell at another. The wine flowed and we all agreed our dinners were superb!!!
While waiting on the shuttle bus back to the village. A young man drove by and asked if any ladies needed a ride. He was told to come back when he had a vehicle with enough room for everyone! He returned 5 minutes later, (same vehicle) with the stereo CRANKED UP! He and George Reed had a dance off in the street much to the laughter of everyone watching, dancing, AND singing along. Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy!
By Thursday, the news from Houston was somewhat dire with power and water losses at many homes and businesses. We joked that we came to Jackson Hole to be warmer.
A partly cloudy day with snow on Thursday morning and NO lift lines. It was ski down to the lift, get on the lift, and go ski again. After that kind of work out, The Alpenhof Bistro had a cozy fire going and more than a dozen of us gathered for après ski. Hot toddies, beers, coffee are all great after a cold day!!!
Friday was a HOLY COW kind of powder day! Fourteen fresh inches. Foggy and snowy conditions. Linda Kuper continued her conquering of the Green by skiing in thigh deep powder. Bravo Linda! Of course, Linda is petite! It was only calf height for everyone else!
Our last happy hour was back at RPK. Who can resist $4 drinks!! We made a cheerful dent in their liquor supply. Robert Reidenbach, Keith Kirkman, Paul & Sandra Stolnacke, Craig Campbell, Ken and Deb Gordon, Fred Keinz, Stan & Linda Kuper, Tammie Nadell, Miranda Kelly and Rene & George Reed made the most of our last night on the Mountain.
We watched the snow come down over breakfast at the rate of 3” per hour. Chile Hile, Carlos Gonzalez, Cathy Boyer took an early morning trip to the Elk Refuge for Photos. I cannot wait to see those!
Always sad to leave and for many of us, we were not exactly sure what kind of damage from the Arctic Invasion that we would be addressing. Kudos to every for keeping it positive and upbeat. And warm thoughts to all of our ski club members that faced difficulties in Texas.
Despite heavy snow, our two airport shuttles arrived on time!! Craig Campbell pronounced it the Fasted Load Up he had ever seen on a ski club trip. It was seconded by Miranda Kelly. What a great ending.