Riding Jackson Hole With People You Just Met: SkiBuds Meetups in 2020
SkiBuds
Jackson Hole has a reputation that can make a first visit intimidating: steep chutes, a famous tram and a crowd that looks like it walked out of a ski film. In January and February 2020 the SkiBuds crew spent about a week there and met riders through the app almost every day. This story follows the SkiBuds Instagram posts from that trip, with their publication dates, and what they suggest about riding a big mountain with people you have only just met.
Before the trip: the app's Jackson Hole page
The first Jackson Hole meetups happened before the crew arrived. On January 15, 2020 the account shared a photo of Demi and Gates, who “met up via SkiBuds in Jackson Hole,” and asked other riders to send in their own meetup stories. Two days earlier it had featured a photo it found on the app's Jackson Hole general page. The original app sorted riders into channels by mountain, so the people on that page were all planning to ride the same place.
Send for send on the Hobacks
On January 30, 2020 the account posted that it had “met up with @dakota_skrtchul on the app today and had the best day of the season so far. We literally went send for send dropping everything in sight on the hobacks, hit some chutes, trees, and park laps!”
That day worked because both riders wanted the same thing. Before you meet someone at a mountain like Jackson Hole, say honestly what you want to ride. Our Jackson Hole guide notes that the resort also has dedicated lower-mountain learning terrain at Teewinot and Eagle's Rest, with groomed progression runs such as Casper and Après Vous. A first visit does not need to start on the terrain from ski films. If your group has mixed abilities, pick a reunion point that everyone can reach without a steep descent.
A birthday crew at Teton Village
The next day the account posted a group photo under the big red sign at Teton Village: “Crew hits Jackson! Happy bday,” followed by “Drops for days.” Birthdays, trips and season goals are an easy way to make new friends. Most riders are happy to have one more person to celebrate a big day with.
Teton Village is where a lot of Jackson Hole days start, but it is not the only meeting point. Many lessons and rentals use Solitude Station at the Sweetwater Gondola's mid-station. When you invite someone, say whether you mean Teton Village base or Solitude Station, and keep a backup plan at the base in case weather closes the upper mountain.
Beers and boots
On February 5, 2020 the account posted: “Met another 2 shredders on the app today for some beers and boots.” Meeting at a table in your ski boots is about the lowest-pressure meetup there is. You can talk about the day, find out where everyone rides and how they ride, and decide whether to share a lap tomorrow.
The same post signed off with “Back to Colorado tomorrow,” where the rest of that season played out; read Finding ski buddies in Colorado.
Drinks are optional. A coffee or hot chocolate works just as well, and anyone who drinks should already know how they are getting home. If you are new to après, read our relaxed guide to après-ski.
Leaving in a storm
The trip ended the way many Jackson Hole trips do. On February 6, 2020 the account posted a photo of a snow-covered plane: “Leaving Jackson was hard today with the insane storm they were getting.” Four months later it was still thinking about that day, with a throwback captioned “leaving Jackson on a heavy pow day.”
If you can, leave room in your plans for weather days. Storms close roads and upper lifts, and they also bring the best snow of the trip. A flexible last day gives you a chance to ride it with the people you met earlier in the week.
How to find ski buddies at Jackson Hole
- Be specific about what you want to ride. Chutes, groomers, park or a mix: say so before you meet.
- Name the meeting place. Teton Village base and Solitude Station are different places.
- Plan for mixed abilities. Choose a reunion point that learners can reach without steep terrain.
- Keep a weather backup. Wind and storms can change which lifts and areas are open.
- Meet off the snow first if you prefer. “Beers and boots” or a coffee is an easy start.
- Check access rules before you go. Our guide notes that Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders must reserve lift access for 2026/27.
For more, read how to find people to go on a ski trip with and skiing with friends of different abilities. Elsewhere in the archive, the same season took SkiBuds across Colorado and up to Whistler and Kicking Horse.
Questions riders ask
Is Jackson Hole too hard for intermediate riders?
No. Jackson Hole is known for steep terrain, but it also has dedicated lower-mountain learning slopes at Teewinot and Eagle's Rest, and groomed progression runs such as Casper and Après Vous. Choose actual open trails that suit the group, and save the upper mountain for days when everyone is ready.
Where should I meet friends at Jackson Hole?
Name either the Teton Village base or Solitude Station at the Sweetwater Gondola's mid-station; they are different places. If friends split by ability, pick a reunion point learners can reach without a steep descent, and keep a base-area fallback for weather.
Photos and quotations come from posts on the SkiBuds Instagram account between January and June 2020. Dates are the dates the posts were published.