Disclaimer: “Backcountry Zones” is by no means any sort of guide book. Rather, it’s a broad, very broad sometimes, overview of areas in the Jackson Hole backcountry. Lines and areas described in these pages are meant to give readers a beginning to their backcountry adventures, rather than a specific plan. Areas change drastically from year to year, and even storm to storm. The user is expected to do their own reconnaissance, route finding, and decision making in the backcountry and is also expected to be prepared with appropriate avalanche, medical, and rescue training.
Like a lot of the classic lines in Jackson, “Once is Enough” can be pretty straightforward, or completely live up to its name. Weather and snow-conditions will likely determine if your trip through “Once” is a nightmare or one of the best runs of your life. The line faces southeast off of Cody Peak, so it benefits from north and westerly winds, but it’s also subject to getting baked during inversions. The line can be anything from blower pow to corn to re-frozen coral reef- and often it’s hard to know until you’re up there.
Once is Enough from the bottom
To get up to once, climb Cody via the top gate from the Jackson Hole Tram. From near the summit of Cody look south and the entrance should be fairly obvious. The actual line you take depends on how spicy you’re feeling. Generally things are more mellow skiers left and more “extreme” skiers right. Also, it should be noted that there are anchors at the top of the couloir.
Once from the saddle between No Name Peak and Cody Peak
Perhaps the best part of the line is that it sets you up nicely for a lot of other options to the south. No Name Peak, No Name Canyon, Pinedale, and even the North Shore are easily accessible via Once is Enough.
Once from the top of Pinedale
All in all it’s not only a great ski, but the great start of an even longer tour of the southern boundaries of JHMR.
