In the world of equipment testing, we usually look for the failure point. At what degree of flex does a boot buckle? At what speed does a ski start to chatter? But sometimes, the most interesting data point isn't a piece of gear—it's a skier who refuses to regress to the mean.
On January 8, 2026, Bob Kilmain became the first skier to drop into S&S Couloir at Jackson Hole this season. For the uninitiated, dropping S&S is not the same as sliding into Corbet's. It is a completely different calculation of risk and physics.
The Terrain Specs: S&S vs. Corbet's
Most visitors to Jackson Hole (which holds a ShredIndex score of 67.2/100 largely due to its difficulty and cost) peer over the edge of Corbet's Couloir. However, S&S Couloir, located to the looker's left, presents a much tighter margin for error. If you're looking to book your stay to witness these lines in person, bring your binoculars—S&S is notoriously difficult to view from the bottom without knowing exactly where to look.
Here is the technical breakdown of why S&S is the superior test of capability:
| Feature | Corbet's Couloir | S&S Couloir |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Cornice drop / Goat path slide | Mandatory air into sheer wall |
| Technicality | High (Variable landing) | Extreme (Wall ride required) |
| Consequence | High | Severe (Rock exposure) |
| Width | Open apron after entry | Narrow choke |
S&S typically requires a "wall ride" entry—skiers must air off the top, land on a near-vertical rock face, and make a precise turn to exit the choke before the terrain opens up. It is a move that requires high-DIN bindings and zero hesitation.
The Skier Profile: Bob Kilmain
Kilmain isn't a fresh-faced Freeride World Tour rookie. He is a 40-plus-year-old East Coast transplant who has been skiing Jackson for roughly three decades. In my line of work, we call this "proven durability."
Kilmain first made waves in the data logs back in 2009 with a front flip into this very couloir. Today, he is considered the patriarch of the "First Family of S&S." His durability seems hereditary; his daughter, Morgan, was the first woman to drop the S&S wallride in the 23/24 season, and his son Jack is also a known entity in this zone.
As Powder Magazine documented, Kilmain's run on January 8th was textbook:
As [Powder Magazine] posted: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1-0W-1r-6K/
Gear For The Steep & Deep
While skill is the primary variable in a line like S&S, equipment failure is not an option in high-consequence terrain. You generally won't see lightweight touring setups here. You need heavy, damp skis that can absorb the impact of a 20-foot air and stiff boots that transfer energy instantly.
If you are aspiring to ski technical big mountain lines (even if you aren't hitting S&S), here is the class of gear you should be looking at:
- The Charger Ski: You need a directional ski with metal laminates for stability at speed. The Volkl Katana 108 is a benchmark in this category.
- The 130+ Flex Boot: Soft boots fold under the pressure of a landing like this. Look for a solid 130 flex, like the Tecnica Cochise 130.
- Impact Protection: Never enter the white room without a MIPS helmet. The Smith Vantage MIPS remains a top tester pick for ventilation and protection.
The Verdict
In an industry obsessed with the "next big thing," Kilmain's descent is a reminder that experience and technical precision often outperform raw youth. S&S remains one of the hardest inbounds lines globally, and opening it for the season is a badge of honor that few—regardless of age—can claim.
Source: Powder Magazine
