There are a few classic ways to travel in the backcountry: skinning up a crisp skintrack, bootpacking up a steep couloir, or maybe catching a bump on a snowmobile. But loading up pack mules and riding horses to the snowline in June? Now that’s a legendary way to earn your turns.
During the first week of June, long-time G3 athlete Amy David hosted a group of six adventurous women for a week at Jackson Hole Outfitters’ hunting basecamp in the Wyoming mountains. Each morning, they saddled up and rode through the lower trails with their ski gear packed onto mules. Once they hit the snowline, the horses took a well-deserved breather while the crew bootpacked up, ripping t-shirt couloir laps in late-spring corn snow.
We caught up with Amy to get the inside line on how this wild multi-sport trip came together, why G3 Tension Straps are a wrangler’s best friend, and what it’s really like to trade ski boots for cowboy boots.
First off, how did you come up with this concept?
Amy: I grew up in Wyoming riding horses and skiing, which are still two of my favourite ways to enjoy the mountains. My parents and grandpa had an outfitting business when I was a kid, so my earliest memories are on horseback and learning to ski. In 2024, TGR and I made a short documentary film called The Way Back about using a horse pack trip to access backcountry skiing. On that shoot, Tre Heiner (owner of Jackson Hole Outfitters) and I agreed it would be amazing to open this up as a real experience for others. We teamed up, put the word out, and opened it to the public the following summer!
How did people sign up, and did they need to be seasoned horse riders?
Amy: I promoted the trip through my Instagram (@AmyJaneDavid), and whenever folks showed interest, I sent over the information packet and booking form. In terms of prerequisites, I encouraged participants to have backcountry skiing experience and feel confident on most resort terrain. They didn't need much riding experience at all! The main requirement for the riding side was an eager sense of adventure. It’s definitely not a simple trail ride, but the horses are insanely capable and super mellow.
Location and timing, how did you nail down the spot?
Amy: We found the absolute sweet spot for combining horses and skis. Early June has enough snow melted at lower elevations to ride horses in a solid distance, but plenty of consolidated snow left in the alpine for satisfying ski laps. The Salt River Range offers the perfect scale: a gorgeous morning trail ride, a peak summit ski lap, and back to basecamp for dinner.
Tell us about the skiing!
Amy: It’s a hidden gem. The range isn't a mainstream ski destination, so this time of year, you have the entire alpine to yourself. There’s terrain for every ability from open bowls to steep and narrow couloirs to fun tree runs. By afternoon, the snow warms up into immaculate corn. I love adventure skiing, so hunting down the best lines and dodging a couple of dirt patches along the way just makes it all the more fun!
G3 Tension Straps are pretty much the Canadian utility tool of the backcountry. Did any of your straps pull double duty on the horse tack or pack saddles?
Amy: Duct tape is great, but G3 Tension Straps are even better! Minimizing gear movement while riding in is crucial, so they came in super handy when rigging ski gear onto the mules' pack saddles. We strapped each pair of skis together, and the wranglers used ropes, canvas, and straps to secure them onto the pack saddles. Poles were collapsed and strapped into tight bundles for the pack bags. Once we hit the snowline, those same straps transitioned straight onto our packs for an A-frame carry. Because June snow is so consolidated, we hiked in our trail shoes as far as possible before clipping into boots and bootpacking up the couloirs.
What’s your number-one piece of advice for a newcomer looking to blend multi-sport adventure with remote touring?
Amy:
Keep an open mind, bring a positive attitude, and stay flexible! When you mix sports like this, the focus shifts from chasing perfect snow to embracing a wild mountain adventure.
What was the highlight of the week for you?
Amy: The women who travelled from across the country were so incredible. Trips like this attract a very specific type of person I love being around. As the host, I love helping facilitate the evolution of someone expanding their comfort zone and grow in their confidence from day one to day five.
Any unexpected surprises along the way?
Amy: The snow was surprisingly fast and fun! The western US had a lighter snow year, so I kept my expectations low, but the north-facing cirques delivered smooth corn.
Did you have a phrase or mantra on repeat?
Amy: "Trust your horse." It was a simple daily reminder to trust your animal and trust yourself. This wasn’t a standard nose-to-tail pony ride; think Man from Snowy River style! We were riding off-trail switchbacks up steep mountain faces, crossing snow patches, and picking through rocky outcrops. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but if you learn to let go of a little control and trust the horses and trust yourself, a whole new world of possibilities opens. JHO horses are raised in this terrain as mountain athletes. Simply experiencing the way the horses move through the terrain is one of my favorite parts.
Be honest: what’s harder on the legs, a full day on the skin track or a long day in the saddle?
Amy: A long day in the saddle is harder on the booty and knees, but sure feels nice on the quad muscles!
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