Yesterday it snowed. Facebook updates abounded with “status” updates about getting out rock skis, catching snow on your tongue and watching flakes as big as butterflies.

So, it’s perfect that crews at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort continue to kick ass on tram construction. Last week, crane operator Hans Burkhart lifted platforms into the sky that Swiss crews from Garaventa affixed to the recently tensioned track ropes. This week, crews stood on those platforms to splice the new haul rope. Resort crews said they took out about 200 feet of rope and spliced it back together — all while suspended on the “Stairway to Heaven.”

It’s coming. … Get psyched.

Here is the official Teton Village release from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort communications manager and Cloudveil ambassador Lisa Watson:

One step closer to completion of the NEW Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole!

(Teton Village, WY. October 7, 2008) – Crews have been on top of a temporary bridge nicknamed the “Stairway to Heaven,” suspended 60 feet above the ground on the Aerial Tram track cables, working to complete a 220 foot splice of the haul rope yesterday and today. Norm Duke, one of the top rope splicers in the United States, who also happens to be a Jackson Hole local, is splicing the haul rope with the help of a crew of up to 15 workers.

Spectators have come out to watch the workers on the bridge and take photos of this construction milestone. “Energy is high out here,” said Tim Mason, VP of Operations at the resort, “People are beginning to realize that there really is going to be a new Aerial Tram ready for this winter.”

The splice is expected to be completed by the end of today [Wednesday]. The Tram cars have been delivered to Teton Village and should be hung on the track cables by the end of the month. All construction updates, photos and video can be found at Tram-Formation.com, along with your chance to win a spot on the FIRST TRAM this December!

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will begin operations on November 29, 2008 and the new Aerial Tram is due to launch on December 20th, stay tuned for progress at www.tram-formation.com, or listen to weekly construction updates and chances to win FREE lift tickets for the 2008/09 winter season with Fish on KMTN radio each Friday morning at 8:40am.

The new Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will be twice the size of the original, carrying 100 passengers. The sleek, new cabins, and visually inspiring base terminal only add to the faster and more efficient “cable to the sky”. As well as the journey, it is the destination that captures the spirit of the Jackson Hole Tram. Soaring 4,139 vertical feet in 9 minutes to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain is unrivaled in the ski industry, cresting the Tetons with an endless choice of ski routes below, not to mention incredible 360 views.

We continue to share our excitement through words, images and video capturing the enormity of this project on www.tramformation.com. For a preview of the full “Cable to the Sky” documentary please click here.

Today’s post is all about The Sky.

1. We have a trailer from Peter Pilafian’s Cable to the Sky, which documents the construction of the new 100-person aerial tram.

2. JHMR:
Get excited. The resort opens November 29, with the tram opening December 20!

If you aren’t flying high up to 10,450 feet on the new Aerial Tram this winter, then you will be left out in the cold! Go to www.tram-formation.com for the latest photos, press releases, videos and updates on tram construction and official launch details! The tram cars have arrived in Wyoming and will be hung on the cables this month.

The new Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will be twice the size of the original, carrying 100 passengers. The sleek, new cabins, and visually inspiring base terminal only add to the faster and more efficient “cable to the sky”. As well as the journey, it is the destination that captures the spirit of the Jackson Hole Tram. Soaring 4,139 vertical feet in nine minutes to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain is unrivaled in the ski industry, cresting the Tetons with an endless choice of ski routes below, not to mention incredible 360 views.

Be a part of history by entering to win a spot on the FIRST TRAM this December.

3. Open Air:
Jackson Hole Airport IS Open this Winter and Ready for Business!
A recent news story picked up by the Associated Press stated that Jackson Hole Airport may cease operations this December due to a discrepancy between local agencies. We are happy to report that Jackson Hole Airport will be open and fully operational this winter.

4. Sky Savvy:
Delta, United and American Airlines are each allowing ski and snowboard baggage to be treated as regular baggage this winter, as long as the bags weigh under 50 pounds. Delta and United Airlines are being even more progressive and allowing one ski (or snowboard) and one boot bag combined to count as ONE checked bag. (Read More Here.) The combined weight of both bags may not exceed 50 pounds, so let’s hope that if you are bringing your own equipment rather than checking out the latest Demos and Rentals at Jackson Hole Sports, your equipment is super light. … Or, just bring your boots and rent the rest!

In addition to skiing for Cloudveil, Lisa Watson is the communications manager at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

It’s been a crazy, eventful, long summer in Jackson Hole and we’re having a party in Teton Village to celebrate it! Starting Friday, we’ll have four days of live music, food, arts, movies, and sales!

Come out to the Village to see the tram construction, get screaming ski deals, look at art, take your pup through an agility course, play disc golf, listen to live music and eat BBQ! Ladies - come out for the Marmot Ladies Day!

Read More »

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Hotel Terra and the new BeThree daily newsletter just announced their inaugural Women’s Eco Adventure Getaway.

It’s a girl-only thing and all it asks is for your first name, last name, email address and postal code. Then voilà, you’re entered to win three nights and three days in Jackson Hole, WY for you and three of your friends:

* Round trip air for winner plus three friends.
* Carbon offsets for your plane travel.
* Two rooms for Three nights at Jackson Hole’s new eco boutique Hotel Terra- on Travel + Leisure’s “It List.”
* Three days of skiing or snowboarding and riding the NEW TRAM .
* Organic spa treatments at the Chill Spa in Hotel Terra.
* A Hybrid Chevy Tahoe for your group to drive while in Jackson Hole.

The only downside, they say, is that the trip will come to an end. “But at least you’ll bask in heaven with three of your coolest girlfriends (all the while, not harming Mama Earth one weentsie little bit),” The ladies at Be Three say.

This is the same site with this Jackson Hole ad:

You can enter the contest as a Jackson resident, as well. Your carbon offset will be implicit in your presence in the valley already. Think about taking the START bus out to the Village before picking up the hybrid.

Sign-up for the Getaway sweepstakes closes on Sept. 30.

For $130, those who love shaking their money makers to good vibrations can see the Black Crowes, Wilco, Ben Harper and tons more at the inaugural Jackson Hole Music Festival this weekend at The Village.

If you only want to listen to heavy metal drumming for one day, it costs $72.50. Buy your tickets here.

The Festival Network chose Jackson Hole as its concert venue because of the company’s “commitment to holding premiere music festivals in the most beautiful settings the world has to offer.” The company promises an experience you’ll remember forever.

“Jackson Hole truly embodies the ideal type of location that we want to define our festivals,” said Tom Shepard, CEO of Festival Network. “We can’t imagine a better place than under the Tetons to host such an amazing festival.”

Saturday’s Lineup:
Henry Butler 11:00-12:00
Kaki King 12:30-1:30
Medeski, Martin & Wood 2:00-3:15
Brian Wilson 4:00-5:30
Wilco 6:00-7:45

Sunday’s Lineup:
The Avett Brothers 11:00-12:00
Son Volt 12:30-1:45
Robert Randolph & The Family Band 2:15-3:30
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals 4:00-5:45
The Black Crowes 6:15-8:00
If you need a remedy for fatigue from all the action under Jackson Hole Stars, you can buy food, beer and gear there. Alcohol sales start at noon.

If you hang out at Teton Village this coming week, you’ll see crews from Swiss company Garaventa winching track and hauling cables into place for the new aerial tram. Read More »