It doesn't get much more spectacular than Alaska. Freeride cracks from all over the world come to the far north of North America to ride breathtaking lines in extremely steep terrain in the Tordrillos and Chugachs.
But where do the cracks come from who not only go on freeride vacations up here, but have also set up a freeride business? The crew at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge comes - unsurprisingly - from Jackson Hole.
The small village in Wyoming at the foot of the Tetons could be the setting for a western movie. The bar stools in the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar are real leather horse saddles, the beer comes from the private brewery opposite and at least half of the guests are local farmers. The other half, however, does not fit the Western movie image at all. And yet they are the real charm of the legendary Jackson Hole ski resort.
It is the powder-hungry freeriders who populate Jackson throughout the winter. The dust-dry snow falls there in masses and guarantees almost perfect conditions in freezing temperatures. The terrain away from the groomed slopes is not for the faint-hearted. While grandiose forest descents near the valley get your pulse racing, above the Rendezvous Bowl you will almost go into cardiac arrest. Corbet's Couloirs is one of the most extreme runs in the world and is a key reason for the cult status of the Jackson Hole ski resort.
Anyone who grows up here and learns the craft of off-piste skiing on these slopes is undoubtedly ready for the next step - Alaska. So it's no wonder that numerous Jackson locals are making their way to Alaska to take what they started in the Tetons to the next level.
At Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, almost the entire crew is originally from Jackson Hole, with Tommy Moe leading the way. The former ski racer and Olympic champion is co-founder of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge and lives with his family in Jackson Hole when he is not looking for new spectacular runs in Alaska. His partner Mike Overcast even grew up on the slopes of the Tetons. Together they have over 50 years of Alaskan experience. Their companions Hugh Barnard, Mike Rheam and Jon Hunt are also either originally from Jackson or have spent a significant part of their winter sports lives in the Tetons. They all share an incredible wealth of experience in rough terrain and unbelievable amounts of snow. And if you don't meet them at the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, they are probably at Corbet's Couloirs to get at least a little Alaskan feeling.
Good advice from real heliski experts makes all the difference. That's why I book with Kenny and his team. I have already experienced many a **secret tip** and many unforgettable heliski trips.
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Not sure if you are strong enough for heliskiing? Get in touch with us. We're also happy to do a video check-up. We have been heliskiing with thousands of skiers and know all the areas. So we can assess with you where you will have the most fun in the powder!
