Grown Man Mission at Jackson Hole If you ever...

Grown Man Mission at Jackson Hole

If you ever want to gauge your skills on a snowboard, take a trip to Jackson Hole. With a 4,139 vertical foot tram servicing one of the longest, steepest vertical drops in North America, Jackson will quickly let you know how good (or bad) of shape you’re in. Throw in hundred-foot rock faces off the side of any given run, backcountry gates leading to un-patrolled terrain and enough chutes, couloirs and cliff drops to challenge even the most seasoned rider, and Jackson earns its place among the great resorts of the world. The mountain is so massive, it’s almost mandatory to have a guide. And there are few better than Lance Pitman, born and raised in Jackson and owner of Illuminati Snowboards. Lance guided us to the goods through a foot of fresh snow, and after several top-to-bottom leg burning tram laps, it was obvious why so many pro riders called Jackson home.

Words and photos: Larry Nuñez