In many ways, the second half of the ski season in Jackson Hole is the most lively time in the valley. By February and March, the snowpack is solid, the light lingers a little longer, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort becomes the stage for a season of ski events and music festivals that celebrate the culture and community of the valley.
At the heart of it all is one of freeride skiing’s most electrifying spectacles: Kings and Queens of Corbet’s. Elite athletes from around the world launch themselves into Corbet’s Couloir, known as “America’s scariest ski slope,” and self-select winners based on speed, control, and style.
Kings and Queens of Corbet’s (February 7–14)
“Couloir” is a French word for a steep, narrow gully in a mountainside. In 1960, mountaineer Barry Corbet spotted the funnel-shaped chute while surveying the mountain and famously said, “Someday, someone will ski that.” Since then, the couloir has gained a reputation among skiers and snowboarders from around the world.
Now in its eighth year, Kings and Queens of Corbet’s is a freeride competition that has become one of the most anticipated events in skiing and snowboarding. Invited athletes, among the world’s best, drop one at a time into Corbet’s Couloir and attempt to impress their peers with their airtime and tricks—or even by just staying on their feet.
Each competitor begins with a mandatory cliff drop of roughly 30 feet, followed by a fast, technical descent where they balance creativity and style against line choice and control. Athletes are judged by their peers on execution, style, difficulty, and overall impression. Big airs, spins, flips, and bold recoveries that push the limits of what’s possible in such a high-skill setting are rewarded.
For spectators, the drama unfolds in full view near the Tram. Cheers erupt for clean landings; collective gasps follow near-misses. Whether viewed on the mountain in person or via live stream, Kings and Queens of Corbet’s delivers an unmatched winter spectacle.
The Roots of the Competition
Kings and Queens of Corbet’s was founded in 2018 by Jess McMillan as a tribute to Doug Coombs, a pioneer of extreme skiing and the unofficial King of Corbet’s. From the very start, the competition was designed to feel more like a high-level freestyle session and less like a formal contest.
In 2019, just one year after the competition began, Trevor Kennison became the first sit-skier to drop into Corbet’s during the event. His successful run reshaped perceptions of what elite skiing can look like and remains a milestone in the competition’s history. The moment carried added resonance given that Barry Corbet himself was paralyzed from the waist down later in life, making Kennison’s achievement not only a breakthrough for adaptive athletes, but also a powerful continuation of Corbet’s legacy of determination and unwavering love of the sport.
Since then, Kings and Queens has grown into a globally watched event, drawing tens of millions of viewers per year.
Jackson Hole Downhill (March 13–15)
While Kings and Queens of Corbet’s is invitation-only, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort also hosts events where everyday skiers and riders can test themselves, no resume required. One of these alpine racing traditions is the Jackson Hole Downhill, hosted by the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club.
Dating back to 1982, the Jackson Hole Downhill is one of the few remaining open, non-sanctioned community downhill races in the country. Racers aged 12 and up can compete in up to two event categories, including amateur, snowboard, telemark, and “fat and baggy”, where a racer’s skis must be of a certain thickness and their clothing must flap in the wind.
Alongside the traditional community race, the event now features a high-powered team competition that pairs current and former World Cup athletes with local racers. Teams compete for the Campbell Cup, honoring longtime JHSC supporter Bill Campbell, and must include a mix of professionals, juniors, masters racers, wildcard entrants, and at least one female competitor.
The result is a uniquely Jackson Hole expression of alpine racing—fast, demanding, and deeply rooted in community.
Dick’s Ditch (March 6–March 8)
Dick’s Ditch is a thrilling two-day banked slalom race that blends competition with pure fun. Known for its playful yet demanding design, the course twists and drops through a mix of man-made and natural terrain, carrying racers from the high alpine down toward the finish in a breathless rush.
For racers, it’s a test of speed, nerve, and balance. For spectators, it’s equally entertaining: bodies and boards fly by the red and blue slalom gates, cheers echoing as competitors thread the needle between control and collapse.
The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa’s general manager, Brandon Harrison, is among the list of Dick’s Ditch winners. If you run into him at the lodge, be sure to get some pointers.
Music on the Mountain
Late winter at Jackson Hole isn’t only about competition. As March unfolds, the mountain becomes a live-music venue.
Road to Rendezvous: Time Machine runs throughout March, with free concerts every Saturday beneath the Tram. Each weekend highlights a different musical era, from the ’60s and ’70s through the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. The series culminates on March 27 with a free performance by Souls of Mischief, closing out the month-long lead-up.
The following day, Rendezvous Music Festival on March 28 brings the season to a celebratory peak. Grammy-winners The Flaming Lips headline, joined by Umphrey’s McGee and DJ Blake Horstmann.
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wilden McIntosh-Round brings a deep-rooted love for the area into his work as a writer. In his versatile career as a content creator and copywriter, he has worked with brands like Samsung and Rolling Stone, but the best part of his job is partnering with local businesses to share their unique stories.
