Jack Skiing - Four Shadows - Cody Bowl - Jackson Hole Backcountry

[@tclay2663]

Awesome job Jack! Awesome job dad! Memories for a lifetime!!

[@travisbacon1974]

Thanks T. The best seasons of my life have been these one’s with the kids.

[@BrennenL]

If they learn to do it young, they'll be able to do it for life!

[@bgw9906]

My best days are when I'm skiing with my young son, allowing him to gain the confidence he'll have for a lifetime! I remember vividly him saying the same thing Jack said "My back hurts!" while he was traversing a chute. As father we try to show confidence but theres been some hairy situations where it was hard! Great job Jack!

[@garyvee2314]

i know a local when i see one

[@coloradosheets]

Yeah, I kinda agree with some of the other comments. Plenty of steep stuff in-bounds, especially at JHMR, and there's plenty of fun, less consequential stuff out of bounds there (like the comment that suggested 4 pines, or even rock springs just because). It's not so much a question if he was skilled enough to ski that terrain, it's more about what happens if something goes wrong. Sure, he said he wanted to ski it, but as a young kid he doesn't have the capacity to fully understand risk/consequences, that's your job. As a recovering kayaker, I'd say this is a class III run with Class VI consequences.

[@Osnosis]

I would have started with 4 Pines!

[@alehax27]

Looked a little gnarly for a kid

[@bgw9906]

Jack has the skill- its only the confidence in making that first turn he needs (and WILL get)

[@dfsimon]

@@bgw9906 Is it really a good idea to take your kid into what amounts to a no-fall zone in those conditions beyond the resort boundaries? One mistake and either one could have easily slid all the way down. Perhaps not the right day to hike out there.

[@travisbacon1974]

David, thanks for the comment. Letting Jack take on increasing amounts of risk is extremely difficult. No loving parent wants to see their child get hurt in a situation that you allowed or even facilitated. He wanted to ski there and I felt he was ready. There was the possibility of him getting hurt. And yes, getting hurt in the backcountry compounds the risk and consequences. We specifically talk about that every time we go out a gate. Here is a video by Deb Armstrong that I think is valuable to parents regarding Risk:Reward…especially ski/board parents! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGiTmpqweJqFZqs

[@stephenclark15]

@@travisbacon1974 You're doing a good job focusing on the little man making good decisions and planning turns. How will he ever know what his abilities are if he never tries?

[@stevefisher8323]

Jeez this kid was only 8 or so, looks like Sir Edmund Hillary type stuff. No way that kid should have been up there IMO.

[@travisbacon1974]

Good guess, he turned 7 that December.

[@stevefisher8323]

@@travisbacon1974 The missing front tooth :)

[@thomaswood2219]

I’m never having kids

[@the516man]

Epic stuff!!! I skied pucker face in icy conditions like that it was an awesome experience