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Swift. Silent. Deep. : The Story of the Jackson Hole Air Force - Ski Mag

Swift. Silent. Deep. : The Story of the Jackson Hole Air Force

Author:: Skiingmag.com Editors
Publish date:: Jun 3, 2011
Social count:: 0

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A new documentary about the legendary – and recently controversial – Jackson Hole Air Force.

Ski Resort Life

Crystal Wright

Inclusivity, encouragement, and education reign in this mountain girls’ club.

Also check out: Women of Vail | Women of Snowbird | Women of Whistler | Women of Squaw What hasn’t Lynsey Dyer done? The 27-year-old has won big-mountain competitions, she’s appeared in Warren Miller and Teton Gravity Research films, and this winter, she won Female Skier of the Year at the Powder Video Awards. She's hosting a television show with Outside TV, and she co-founded a non-profit called She Jumps, which seeks to get girls into outdoor sports and offers avalanche safety and learn-to-ski clinics. Lynsey grew up ski racing in Sun Valley, Idaho, and went on to win a downhill gold at the 1996 Junior Olympics. She majored in graphic design at Montana State University and currently works as a graphic designer and artist at her home in Jackson. "I live in jackson because it's the most beautiful place to come home to," Lynsey says. "My commute to the mountain alone gives me all kinds of ideas for art and photography projects. This place also keeps me humble, from the massive terrain and crazy weather; even getting to the airport is often an adventure."Photos by Heather Erson Photography.

Jackson Hole is home to a lot of ripping skiers. And turns out, a lot of ripping female skiers. Here are photos and bios of 10 of the best women skiers on the planet—from Lynsey Dyer to Jess McMillan to Resi Stiegler—who all happen to live in Jackson, Wyoming. Photos by Heather Erson.

Skiers hike to the tough terrain Jackson Hole is famous for.

Features

Cool Factor: It's been said many times over, but the truth is there's no place in the U.S. like Jackson Hole. Beyond the unreal backcountry access, the tram at Jackson gives skiers and riders access to 4,000+ foot inbounds laps. Your terrain selection is endless, from mellow slopes to big airs, tight couloirs, and steep tree skiing. The locals who live and breathe this place are akin to those you'll meet at Squaw; they rip hard and focus their lives in one way or another to make sure whenever the Hole is reporting something fresh they're going to be in tram line.  Why Wait: The tram only holds 100 people. Getting first box means it’s just you and 99 others on top of a big mountain with a whole lot of terrain. While locals may have another opinion, Rendezvous Bowl to the Hobacks is nothing short of a heli-run. The trick is getting your legs in shape so you can hang from top to bottom without stopping. Ask a Local: Derek Depiero epitomized the ski bum roots of Jackson Hole by sleeping overnight at the base of the tram a few years back to ensure he was the first person to board the new tram after it was replaced. “I get so psyched. This is what I think about all year long,” he says “As soon as that tram closes in April, that’s what I start doing — counting the days until it opens again.”

19" and still snowing in Jackson Hole as a big storm dumps powder.

On December 27, an avalanche off of Tower 3 took 31-year-old David Nodine's life. A Second Avalanche was set off on December 30.