Last weekend was the annual Hill Climb on Snow King. Since 1974 snowmobilers have gathered in Jackson at the end of the ski season to race their snowmobiles up Snow King mountain at the South edge of Jackson. The event now draws over 10,000 viewers to watch over 300 snowmobilers race up the mountain. Top racers tackled the 1600-ft vertical climb in about 1 minute. Some sleds topped 325 horsepower and weighed only about 500 pounds!
The race track ran directly underneath the occupied ski lift. While speed was key, traction was a serious consideration as well. Without enough momentum and traction the snowmobilers slid backwards or tipped over on the steepest part of the ascent near the top. The above picture shows many volunteers stationed along the track to catch run-away sleds.

Jackson was overrun by "Slednecks" a clever variation on rednecks who race sleds. Rigs like the one shown below crowded our small streets and brought in a culture largely unseen in Jackson. The unceasing sound of the racers reminded one of the chainsaw whose work is never finished. Of course the entire event was fueled by cheap beer, but police reports indicated that this year's event was comparatively tame. The official website for the event is www.snowdevils.org.

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