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Opening Date Set for Jackson Hole's Iconic Aerial Tram

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 1:27 PM ET

Following a bit of a lackluster start to the season in terms of snowpack, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has announced the opening of their famous aerial tram and the new Sublette lift for this Friday, December 20, 2024.

The Tetons received a massive storm this past week, totaling more than 36 inches of snow and bringing their summit total to 113" for the season. Mountain operations and ski patrol have been hard at work performing terrain assessments and avalanche mitigation to ready the upper mountain for opening.

Tram opening day is always an exciting one at Jackson Hole. Affectionately dubbed 'Big Red,' the Tram provides top-top-bottom access to Jackson's 4,000+ vertical feet of skiing including the famous Corbet's Couloir and Rendezvous Bowl (famous for being good when it's good and bad when it's bad, if you know what I mean).

For seasoned backcountry skiers, the Tram also services some of Jackson's iconic backcountry terrain like Cody Bowl, but as the Tram operator will remind you, if you don't know, don't go. On Tram opening day (and powder days!), it's not uncommon to see folks lined up as early as 6am waiting for the first box of the season.

The Tram is also the only way to access waffles from Corbet's Cabin, situated on top of Rendezvous Mountain, and let me tell you, there's nothing like a cookie butter waffle on a pow day.

Alongside Big Red's seasonal debut, the all-new Sublette lift will also spin for the first time on Friday. After 37 years of operation, the old Sublette lift was removed over the summer. A brand new, high-speed quad with 72 European-style comfort chairs replaces the old lift and cuts ride time from 8 minutes to 4 minutes. Sublette provides access to all of Jackson's upper mountain terrain except for Corbet's Couloir, S&S Couloir, Rendezvous Bowl, and the upper most backcountry gates.

If you've ever ridden the old Sublette, especially in a storm, you know that it was not for the faint of heart. The chair climbs over some of Jackson's most famous, and terrifying terrain, including the classic Nightmare Cliff and the Alta Chutes. Jackson Hole released a short film chronicling the history and replacement of Sublette lift that paints the full picture of the lift and it's terrain in all their majesty. Sublette's replacement comes just two years after JHMR replaced the other main upper mountain lift, Thunder, with another high speed quad.

Check out the video below.

A Grand Opening ceremony will take place at the new Sublette lift at 10 a.m. on Friday December 20 with remarks from JHMR CEO Mary Kate Buckley and a blessing of the lift by Rev. Ben Pascal of the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole. There will also be a DJ and food and drink specials available at the Bear Flats Snack Shack adjacent to the base of Sublette.

Bonus challenge: if you can eat a Bear Dog from Bear Flats in the 4 minutes it will now take to get to the top of Sublette, I'll give you a high five next time I visit Jackson.

Alongside Sublette and the Tram, Jackson Hole currently has Teewinot, Après Vous, Sweetwater Gondola, Teton, Bridger Gondola, Marmot, and Thunder lifts open. While recent snowfall has improved conditions significantly, JHMR reminds guests that early season conditions still exist, and it is important to stay within open areas and ski or ride with caution.

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This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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