Stephen Koch

A major avalanche occurred at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort today. The avalanche apparently occurred naturally after the ski patrol had finished their initial avalanche control and were preparing to do a secondary. The avalanche traveled down the mountain and over cliffs and struck the Couloir Restaurant, knocking out windows and toppling tables and chairs inside. All JHMR employees have been accounted for. One member of the Ski Patrol was stuck inside the building with his dog and apparently made and ate popcorn until he was rescued.

The mountain was not yet open to the public at the time the avalanche occurred.

Nature’s indifference to man – our hopes, plans, structures and even our dreams, continually impresses me.

I feel for my friend, Connie Kemmerer, who, along with her brother Jay, own Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. They have put millions of dollars into JHMR, specifically for construction of the new tram and Couloir Restaurant. I send them, along with all Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Employees, frustrated snowboarders, skiers and visitors compassion and positive energy to get through these challenging (who would have thought a lot of snow could have led to such limited riding and so much trouble?) times. That being said, at least we are not yet suffering the wiping out of entire villages as they did in Europe several years ago! Let us prey this doesn’t happen to our beloved Teton Village.

I sure enjoyed riding up the tram this morning and look forward to doing it again soon, but next time I hope to be able to ride my snowboard down instead of taking the tram down.

Thank you to the ski patrol for continuing to work their asses off during this amazing series of storms we have received over the past week. Keep up the great work and know your efforts are appreciated.

Please join me in raising my glass (filled with a tasty beverage) to the men and women of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol.

Cheers!

May we all be safe, happy, peaceful and healthy.

Stephen Koch