Small Ski, Big Redemption
- Cathy Campo
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
By: Mikey Griglak, Staff Writer
After Big Ski’s disappointing snow in Colorado's Steamboat Springs, the only thing all of ski club wanted for Small Ski was some fresh powder and running chair lifts. Jackson Hole more than delivered for the 190 Kellogg students in attendance.
“The snow in Jackson was amazing,” said Chase Olsen (2Y '27). “Way better than I was expecting it to be.”
For me and many other skiers, it was our first powder day of the season. Noah Korn (2Y '27) commented, “My first fresh powder of the season made for an incredible time. The views from on top of the tram were stunning, and we could even spot Grand Teton National Park in the distance.”
Jackson Hole is known as a tough mountain, even in the best of conditions. I knew better than to attempt some of Jackson’s most famously difficult runs, but the more daring and more talented skiers in our group were undeterred. Corbet’s Couloir is Jackson’s, and possibly North America’s, most difficult run, and Kellogg students gave the course an impressive showing. As McKinley Dumm (2Y '27) put it, the highlight of the trip was “sending Corbet’s with a go-pro for #GameofGnar points.”
Compared to Big Ski, the Small Ski experience was far more focused on maximizing time on the slopes. Most people headed home from the après and evening events early to be able to save up their energy for an early morning shuttle to the mountain. Though that is not to say the social side disappeared entirely.
“There’s something special about coming down from the mountain and being immediately greeted with an Aperol Spritz,” as Chase put it. The Mangy Moose was a favorite après spot at the resort certainly in part due to the abundant all-you-can-drunk trays of Aperol Spritz being passed through the crowd. Later in the evenings, we explored the town of Jackson’s nightlife scene. The Million Dollar Cowboy provided a great opportunity for the Kellogg student body to mix and mingle with the local Wyoming trade. Bar stools were made of horseback saddles, and the dance floor was f
illed with square dancers, with one notable exception: Kellogg’s own Walker Ivy (2Y '27) revealed an impressive repertoire of swing dancing skills on the Million Dollar Cowboy dance floor.
The trip had moments of heroism as well. After crushing Corbet’s, McKinley lost her phone on a black diamond mogul run. It took a team of seven of us fanned out across the run listening for the Find My iPhone ping to find it. In the end, Kellogg Leader Cami Steppe (2Y '27) saved the day and dug McKinley’s phone out of a foot of Jackson’s fresh powder—the one downside to a powder day experience.
Although Big Ski set the standard for partying this winter season, Small Ski more than delivered the fresh powder redemption arc ski club needed. The whole crew left with tired quads and hungover heads, a sure sign of a successful Small Ski.