Moose Hits the Slopes in a Full Gallop at Jackson Hole Ski Resort
It's the perfect time of the year to hit the slopes up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The powder is plentiful, and the conditions are ideal for skiing, snowboarding, and plenty of other thrilling winter sports. Everybody is heading up to the ski resorts; some decked out with state-of-the-art gear, others just walking on all four hooves.
While snowboarding down the slopes at a Jackson Hole ski resort, a group of friends noticed something else keeping pace with them. It wasn't another snowboarder or a fast-moving skier; it was a large moose, pounding down the slopes beside them at a full gallop!
On TikTok, @abcnews shared the thrilling footage taken by skateboarding Alex Momot, Billy Fohey, and Kenny Rynearson as the fast-moving moose tore down the slopes beside them at full bore. The moose didn't just briefly cross paths with the snowboarders before ducking back in the woods; it kept up with the friends all the way down the mountain, nearly closing in on Kenny Rynearson at times! From the footage, it was unclear whether the moose was chasing them intentionally or if it was running down the mountain in fear. Either way, it was a hair-raising experience for the three friends!
While other skiers and snowboarders crossed paths with the moose during the epic chase down the mountain, it seems that no one was injured by the wild animal, and the moose eventually went its own way.
Kenny Rynearson, who 9 & 10 News reported is a chiropractor from Traverse City, Michigan, was duly surprised by his close call with the speedy moose. "I did not have Moose chasing us down the Mtn on my bingo card," Rynearson joked in the caption of his Facebook video post showing his side of the ski resort chase.
Safety Skills for Wild Moose Encounters
Don't let their quirky appearance and vegetarian nature fool you: moose are large, strong, and fast-moving animals that can pose a formidable threat during an aggressive encounter. The videos from Jackson Hole evidenced the speed and stamina of a moose on a move- now imagine that thing running up and kicking someone in the head.
Moose are not normally aggressive, but they can become agitated when humans come into close proximity with them. If you encounter a moose, back away slowly, especially if it's exhibiting aggressive behavior (stomping, huffing, ears pulled back, neck hair raised, lip smacking or licking). If that moose starts charging, though, book it out of there! According to Outdoor.org, a moose will break off the chase once it has driven you far enough off. Run away as fast as possible, and if you can, try to get behind something solid like a tree or boulder. Or, if you're already snowboarding away at high speeds like these pals were, keep going!
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