Jackson Hole
THE AMERICAS · SKI · MOUNTAIN TOWN
Jackson sits in a valley floor with the Tetons rising straight up out of it, no foothills, no warning. In winter it is one of the hardest ski mountains in North America; in summer it is the gateway to two national parks. The town square has elk-antler arches and a saloon with saddles for barstools, and somehow it isn't a theme park.
The plan
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
1,260m of vertical and the Aerial Tram to Rendezvous Bowl. Corbet's Couloir is the entrance test you should probably not take.
Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake boat shuttle to Hidden Falls, or the Schwabacher Landing reflection at sunrise. Twenty minutes from town.
National Elk Refuge sleigh ride
Thousands of elk winter on the flats north of town, and you go out among them in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Snow King at night
The town hill, lit until 8pm, walkable from the square and a fraction of the resort price.
Float the Snake
Scenic floats through Grand Teton with the range over your shoulder, or whitewater through the canyon south of town.
Book before you fly
Jenny Lake shuttle boat
Saves four kilometres each way; first boats fill by nine in July.
Sleigh rides on the elk refuge
December to March, booked days ahead over Christmas.
Ski week accommodation
Presidents' week and Christmas book out by September.
Getting there
Fly Jackson Hole (JAC)
The only US airport inside a national park, twenty minutes from town, with direct flights from a dozen cities. Expensive but unbeatable.
Fly Idaho Falls (IDA) or Salt Lake City (SLC)
Idaho Falls is two hours and much cheaper; Salt Lake is five hours but has the fares and the car hire.
Getting around
START buses run free through town and cheaply out to Teton Village, so you can skip a car if you're only skiing. For the parks you'll want one.
When to go
Best time to go
Late January to early March for the deepest snow, or September for golden aspens, elk bugling and empty trails.
Cheapest months
April to May and late October — mud season, everything half price, and most restaurants take their break.
If you've got one day
Morning
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Late morning
Grand Teton National Park
Lunch
Snake River Grill
Afternoon
National Elk Refuge sleigh ride
Evening
Dinner at Local Restaurant & Bar, then Snow King at night
If you've got a week
Day 1
Arrive, settle in around Amangani, and take it slowly — Snake River Grill for dinner.
Day 2
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Day 3
Grand Teton National Park. Dinner at Persephone Bakery.
Day 4
Day trip — Grand Teton National Park.
Day 5
National Elk Refuge sleigh ride. Local Restaurant & Bar at some point.
Day 6
Snow King at night.
Day 7
Float the Snake. Finish with Bin22.
Staying longer?
Nearby & day trips
Grand Teton National Park
Twenty minutes north and the reason the valley looks like that.
Two hours north through the parkway; most people do both in one trip.
Teton Village
Twenty minutes out, where the tram and the ski-in hotels are.
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