JH Underground – news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

They spent a little time on the mountain, and now they’re coming back for more.

Widespread Panic, the Southern rockers who celebrated their 25th anniversary tour in 2011 with a three-night run at Grand Targhee, will return to the Alta, Wyo., resort this summer for another holiday blowout.

Panic again will play three nights, from July 4 to 6. A host of supporting acts will make for a festival atmosphere, as in 2011. Tickets go on sale March 8.

These will be the 18th, 19th and 20th shows the band from Athens, Ga., has played in the Tetons. Over the years Panic has performed at the Mangy Moose, Snow King (many times) and The Spud Drive-In, also on the Fourth of July. The verdant slopes of Targhee, with a stage nestled beside the forest at 8,000 feet, have become a favorite. The band inquired about a return last year, and — in no secret to local Panic fans — plans have been in the works for months.

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Posted under Music, Ski Resorts

Tags: festivals, rock, targhee, widespread panic

Today the Jackson Town Council will consider a request by operators of the Snow King Ski Area to build a zip line on town land at the bottom of the mountain.

Snow King first floated the idea last May, and the reaction (here and here) has been less than enthusiastic.

This clip, apparently a promotional video made by the manufacturer, illustrates how the zip line would operate. Snow King has provided little information about the design, other than a diagram showing the proposed location.

The zip line would be 700 feet long, constructed east of the Cougar chairlift and west of the ice rink. The top and bottom stations would be on two parcels of land owned by the Town of Jackson. Snow King owns the parcel in between.

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Posted under Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Politics, Ski Resorts, Sports, Town Government

Tags: development, mountain biking, skiing, snow king, snowboarding, tourists

Snow King Ski Area will open its Cougar and Summit chairs to the public Saturday, finally kicking off lift service this winter at the Town Hill.

Skiers and snowboarders did not wait. As documented in the clip above, many hiked the mountain Monday and rode deep, smooth powder, after a storm dumped a foot of snow on the upper slopes.

Wyoming’s first ski area originally planned to open Dec. 8, but warm weather hampered snowmaking and rendered the mountain Rain King.

With a little help from Mother Nature, snowmakers have been catching up. Today the Cougar chair operated for a race, and the resort finally groomed the frozen chunks of death cookies on the lower slopes into a carpet of corduroy.

A two-hour lift ticket is $20. The warming hut by the Alpine Slide is serving as season pass office while Snow King Center is undergoing renovation.

(Video courtesy David Gonzales of TreeFight)

Posted under Economy, Ski Resorts, Sports, Weather

Tags: powder, skiing, snow king, snowboarding

Nine months after suffering critical injuries in a ski accident, Sally Francklyn returned to Jackson Hole this week, grateful to those who saved her life.

Walking with the aid of a cane, Francklyn sat at her old desk at the public relations firm Denny, Ink. and greeted friends and former co-workers. “The band is back together,” beamed owner Chris Denny.

Tonight Francklyn’s family has organized a benefit to thank those who provided care following her fall in the Once Is Enough chute on March 24. Proceeds from the “Super Sally Celebration” at the Pink Garter will go to Jackson Hole Ski Patrol, Teton County Search and Rescue and the High Fives Foundation, which aids athletes injured in winter sports.

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Posted under Ski Resorts, Sports

Tags: jhmr, skiing

After a big week of snow, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will open its upper mountain earlier than expected. The Bridger Gondola and Marmot chair will open tomorrow, followed by the aerial tram and Thunder and Sublette chairs Saturday.

The resort has received 33 inches of snow in Rendezvous Bowl since Dec. 1. Also, ski patrol has completed preparatory work on the upper mountain faster than anticipated, spokeswoman Anna Cole said.

Today the resort opened the new Casper high-speed quad at mid-mountain. Aimed at intermediates, the $5 million lift replaces a 38-year-old triple chair.

Warm weather has made the snow dense, padding rocks. Colder temperatures and intermittent snow are expected for the next week.

(Photo by Julie Weinberger, via JHMR)

Posted under Economy, Ski Resorts, Sports, Weather

Tags: jhmr, powder, skiing, snowboarding