2023 Annual World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb

Snow clumps flew several feet in the air as men in bright vests raced after the massive roaring machine. They waded through the dense snow and churned up dirt until one of them caught hold of the handlebar, yanking it away from down the slope, a worthy feat of its own, as the thousands of spectators worriedly gazed from above and below.

On March 23-26 of this year, the Annual World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb took place in Jackson for its 45th year. Competitors travel from across the US and Canada to compete for the coveted prize: their name in history.

Gasoline fills the air in the competitors' section as the roars of twenty different snowmobiles echo across the packed snow. What used to be an even among locals daring each other quickly turned into one of the largest events of the Winter season in Jackson. Each participant brings their team of people, several back-up snowmobiles, and trucks, which back-up the several smaller streets nearby.

In the viewers' section, beer, fried foods, and fold-up chairs circle the start of the race, the announcer's voice blaring through the large speakers near the front. Flashy pink and green snowmobiles line the back, as concession stands and food trucks are parked in the back, tantalizing smells floating on the crisp frozen air.

The VIP section boasts free snacks and warm food, a tent, and a projected screen providing larger-than-life details on the current racer.

Many hopeful challengers fail, and a few succeed in battling the 1,500 vertical ft battle to the top. In fact, it is so vertical, that the snowmobiles can flip over the banks of snow, and can sometimes fall for far distances until the volunteers can reach them.

Lastly, this entire spectacle can now be seen from above, on SnowKing's new and improved gondola, providing, in my opinion, the most scenic view: snowmobiles and racers, viewers and food stands, and SnowKing and the Tetons. Come and join the event next year on March 21-24, 2024.