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A little over a month ago, I packed up and moved across the country to Driggs, Idaho. I quickly found a job at a small bakery, despite having zero baking experience—aside from binge-watching “The Great British Baking Show” and “Cake Boss.”

As part of my exploration of the area, I’ve been throwing on skins and heading into Teton Pass—first alone, then with friends. Having spent my life skiing on the East Coast, I find myself salivating at consistent snow, deeper powder and wide-open spaces. And of course, as any excited 20-something in a ski town, I’ve been out swing dancing, staving off colds with Emergen-C and collapsing into bed at night. Then I find myself back at the bakery, looking longingly at the mountains.

Last weekend, after weeks of snow drought, forecasts predicted up to 35 inches in the Tetons. The air in town was dripping with excitement. But of course, I had to work.

Come Saturday, the bakery was packed with locals heading up to ski. I was trapped, itching to join them. The snow came in, but conditions turned wet, windy and messy. Folks returned from the mountain disappointed.

So I settled into glazing gallettes, forgetting I wanted to be outside, mechanically moving up a skin track.

When I finally got off work on Sunday, still eager to ski, I found avalanche danger high at all elevations, with faceted snow prickling beneath a heavy, wet layer. Reports said snow was breaking off as easily as the quiche crusts I struggled to remove from their tins that day. Instead of risking it, I called a friend, grabbed some beers and we relaxed in a hot tub.

Though the promised powder didn’t arrive, I was reminded that slowing down isn’t always a bad thing. There’s value in taking a break—whether it’s letting go of FOMO, skipping a ski day or catching up on laundry. And, of course, it helps to have a friend with a hot tub.

—Kira Corasanti, Editorial Intern

Gear

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Resort Skinning Policies

We’ve compiled a database of U.S. resorts with a little about each individual policy—where and when skinning is allowed, whether or not it’s free during operating hours and the link directly to the resort’s guidelines.

View our resort skinning policies guide »

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