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Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is the biggest ski resort in Wyoming and one of more than 500 in the US with over 130 slopes of 72 mi (116 km) in total, which are best suited for intermediate and advanced skiing, and 13 ski lifts. The resort boasts the largest vertical drop in the US of 4,139 ft (1,261 m). However, its main feature is not the size, the lift infrastructure, or inbounds skiable acreage, but the sheer amount of steep, off-piste skiing accessible from the lifts in the legendary Teton Range. At a reported 450 in (11.43 m) a year, the mountain receives copious amounts of snowfall and features a long season lasting from late November to early April.

The toughest ski line in Jackson Hole

Location

On the US administrative map, the Jackson Hole ski area is the centerpiece of Jackson, a charming and chic town located in Teton County in the northwestern portion of the state.

Geographically, JHMR occupies the central-eastern flanks of the iconic Teton Range, a subrange of the larger Western Rocky Mountains. The Tetons are massive peaks and stretch 40 mi (54.3 km) from north to south, but only 12 mi (19.2 km) from east to west.

The “Hole” in the name of the resort refers to the deep valley encompassing 55 sq mi (142 sq km) of pristine habitat surrounded by towering mountains. The vertical relief found in this valley is some of the greatest in Western North America. The town of Jackson sits at 6,237 ft (1,901 m) while the Grand Teton reaches 13,775 ft (4,198 m).

The aerial tramway, Jackson’s signature lift, reaches the summit of Rendezvous Mountain (10,449 ft / 3,814 m) and the crest of the range from the base at 6,311 ft (1,923 m) at the Teton Village. That's the biggest vertical drop in the US for a ski resort — 4,139 ft (1,261 m).

Aerial Tram

Proximity to the Cathedral Group

Many visitors are eager to know whether they can see the so-called “Cathedral Group” of the Tetons. The name refers to the majestic high peaks of the north-central portion of the range, including Mount Owen (12,881 ft / 3,926 m), and three Teton peaks: Grand Teton (13,1776 ft / 4,198 m), Middle Teton (12,805 ft / 3,902 m), and South Teton (12,513 ft / 3,813 m). While JHMR is just a few canyons to the south of these high peaks — hardly a couple of miles as the crow flies — they aren’t as striking from the south as they are from the east.

Cathedral Group

View of the Cathedral Group from JHMR. Photo: Sergei Poljak

The most iconic image of Jackson is an old T. A. Moulton Barn with the Tetons as a backdrop, but that’s not what you’ll see from the resort. Rather, you get an incredible panorama of Jackson Hole and the mountains beyond. Fortunately, the incredible skiing will quickly become the focus upon your arrival.

Tetons with Moulton Barn

Getting to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is relatively simple and easy to get to in three main ways: by plane and public transportation, or by your own or rented car:

Nearest Airports

Despite its population of only 10,700 inhabitants, Jackson is an important economic hub and hosts the busiest commercial airport in Wyoming, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). It’s easy to find flights to Jackson — there are non-stop options from 13 cities across the US, including every region of the country. There are also more distant airports:

  • Salt Lake City is 4.5 hours northeast. Flights to Jackson, while convenient, can also be expensive or just booked out. Salt Lake City’s airport is a major hub and flights there will be much cheaper. There are also dozens of direct flights from all over the world. Because the weather is less severe, your flight is less likely to get delayed or canceled than in Jackson.
  • Idaho Falls is a small city 1:45 hours from Jackson, but its airport is only regional and flight options may be marginal. When you factor in renting a car, it’s likely that this is not a desirable option.

Shuttle Services

Once you’ve arrived at the airport, it’s only 10–20 minutes to town and 30 minutes to Teton Village. Many hotels and other types of lodging provide complimentary shuttles. But if you are not staying at the resort, the main option for transportation to Teton Village is to take the START Bus. It is great. It stops in all the best places, it’s easy to use, and it’s free if you have a season pass to JHMR. It’s also free within Jackson town limits, although if you are going to the resort the fare is required. The fare is cheap, no more than a few dollars depending on your route. The bus also goes over Teton Pass into Teton Valley, Idaho, where you can stay in cheaper accommodation than on the Wyoming side.

Parking Lots

Jackson is also a decent option for a road trip. It’s not close to anything, but it's also not extraordinarily far away from anything out west. Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Boise, and Seattle are all major metropolitan areas within a day’s drive of the resort. Load up your skis and your buddies and make that trip.

There are two main parking lots: the Village lot ($30–40 per day) and the Ranch lot ($15–20 per day). Both are paid and the price varies between holidays, weekends, weekdays, etc. However, the Ranch lot is free if you arrive with more than three people in your vehicle. Another free option is to park at the Stilson lot at the junction of Route 22 and N Moose Wilson Rd and then take the free bus 10 minutes up to Teton Village.

Snow and Weather Conditions

From the summit of Rendezvous Mountain

Jackson Hole is undoubtedly a geographically ideal location for a big mountain ski resort. First, the vertical orientation of the Teton Range efficiently captures moisture from a predominantly west-to-east flow of weather. The narrow character of the Tetons means the skiable terrain stretches from the crest of the range to the valley floor, hence the massive vertical drop.

However, the Tetons are the only range in the Rocky Mountains that receive truly coastal amounts of moisture. The secret is a geographically low-lying moisture channel comprising two main features: a break in the coast range between Mount Shasta (14176 ft / 4321 m )and the rest of the Cascade Range, and the Snake River Valley in Idaho. Storms funnel their way up this valley and collide with the Tetons. The range, with its vertical orientation and massive prominence, causes moist air to rise and condense into precipitation which falls as snow.

Big storms regularly buffet this region. The Tetons are known for high winds, low visibility, and frostbite-inducing temperatures. When the storms finally break, the weather can be stunning. Low humidity, abundant sunshine, and perfectly crisp temperatures can make for memorable skiing.

Naturally, there are also some disadvantages regarding JHMR’s location:

  • Aspect. The main one.Because the Tetons are a narrow north-to-south oriented range, the main exposure is to the west and the east. With its location on the eastern side of the range, Jackson Hole Ski Resort slopes are generally east-facing. The exact breakdown of exposure on skiable terrain is 60% east, 30% south, and 10% north. The slopes get a lot of exposure, even midwinter, and the snow quality is likely to diminish quickly when the sun comes out.
  • Distribution of snow. Another issue with the resort stretching from the crest to the valley floor is that the top of the mountain gets exponentially more snow than the bottom. Snow scientist Jim Steenberg estimates that the top of Rendezvous Mountain likely receives more than 500 in (12.7 m) of snow a year, while the base area scrapes by with 100 in (2.54 m) due to a rain shadow effect from storms passing over the Tetons from the west.

Season

The Tetons are a mecca for skiing, and it’s possible to make turns for the majority of the year in the backcountry. However, Jackson Hole Resort is generally open from Thanksgiving to the first or second Sunday of April each season. For example, in the current 2022–2023 season at the time of publication of the guide it is November 25th — April 9th. However, not all parts of the season are created equally. The season has a beginning, a peak and an end, as well as the best time to ski at Jackson Hole. Below I'll talk more about each of them:

Early Season

The first month of the season — Thanksgiving to Christmas — is likely to feature more limited terrain options compared to later in the season when the snow has had a chance to stack up. That said, the early season can feature significant discounts on lodging, parking, or even lift passes (think Liftopia). It might be easier to find availability. The resort will be relatively uncrowded, at least in comparison to Christmas, President’s Day Weekend, MLK Weekend, and Spring Break. Moreover, JHMR gets a ton of snow and conditions can be epic by mid-December.

Because Jackson is very much on the radar as a fantastic destination for both free-riders and well-heeled clientele, it gets crowded. I have to be very honest about this — sometimes lines at the Tram can be hours long, even on non-powder days. Jackson Hole Resort is still incredible. But if you have a flexible schedule, want to avoid lines, and still have a chance at some great skiing, I highly recommend checking out early-season deals.

Peak Season

Peak Season at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is Christmas and the New Year, President’s Day Weekend, and MLK Weekend. These are not only the busiest days at Jackson, but the busiest days to ski in the US. So I do not recommend trying to ski at the resort on these weekends, despite the fact that it is one of my favorite places to ski in the world.

In recent years, JHMR has fallen victim to two things: its reputation as the fiercest freeriding in the country, and its inclusion on the Ikon Pass. The accessibility provided by the Ikon Pass has drastically increased skier visits, especially during holiday weekends. The resort has incredible lift infrastructure, but with only 13 lifts, the mountain can become overwhelmed. Long wait times, crowded slopes, and unhappy patrons are the result.

Fortunately, if you take a ski vacation at Jackson Hole Ski Area at any other time besides Peak Season, it’s possible to find walk-on lifts and uncrowded slopes.

Late Season

February, March, and early April are characterized by winter conditions during storms, while warm sunny days fill the gaps. In my experience, the snow can deteriorate fast once the sun comes out, especially later in March. You can start the morning with beautiful powder skiing and sweat your way down knee-twisting mashed potato snow by mid-day. You can also have days on end of snow, wind, and general mid-winter conditions.

The best spring skiing I have ever done was at JHMR during a couple of weeks of high pressure in March 2017. There was a huge base and the snow was consistently soft throughout the upper mountain. Everybody was having a great time, making nice turns, and wearing short sleeves in the sunshine. These days are almost better than powder days because you don’t feel like you have to compete for turns. So I recommend mid-to-late March for the best chance of uncrowded slopes and soft snow.

Best Season

I skipped January above because it is the best time to ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. They call it “Japan-uary”, but it’s actually “Jackson-uary”. January is the snowiest month here. Often it can snow for weeks without pause.

We have already attributed this abundant precipitation to our friendly neighborhood “moisture channel,” funneling in the good stuff on express delivery from the Pacific Ocean. The western US receives a lot of snow and this precipitation can fall at any time from October to May. Any time of the season can be snowy in the Tetons, but in January you have the statistically highest chance of receiving fresh snow on your trip.

January is especially great in Jackson for a few other reasons as well:

  • The proper base. The resort generally receives the proper snow base by Christmas. This is more than I can say for many ski resorts throughout the world: It really doesn’t matter how much it snows on your trip. If there is no base, the skiing will be bad. JHMR can often be reporting an 80 in (2.03 m) base on the upper mountain by the New Year, which is more than most Colorado ski resorts will report in a season.
  • The sun angle. The angle is still low in January. We discussed how JHMR has many east and south-facing slopes. These slopes are susceptible to deteriorated snow conditions on account of how much sun they receive in February and March. However, the sun angle is still low enough in January to preserve the powder for a few days after a storm.

But we live in a competitive world and skiing is no exception. While Jackson’s notorious storm days once kept the frothing crowds at bay, they now throng the gates begging for more. We can attribute the change of attitude to the advent of better gear — fat skis, rigid plastic boots, and gore-tex jackets, to name just a few of our new gadgets. It’s a blessing and a curse. Each one of us can ski with more prowess than before, but it also means that the challenging terrain is accessible to more people.

So one way to rise above the competition is to make time for skiing when others are occupied. January is a tough time for tourists to get away — it’s so soon after the Holidays that many folks cannot take time off. The slopes are relatively empty.

On the other hand, I recognize that not everyone is an ambitious powder skier. Those who prefer fair weather have reason to avoid Jackson in January. The probability of bluebird days is low. The sun is meager and does not radiate warmth. January can often feature brutally cold temperatures in Jackson Hole because cold, dense air sinks into the valley at night. Even if it’s warmer at the top of the mountain, this can make for difficult ski conditions, especially for folks looking to cruise groomers in the sun.

Cody Peak

Jackson Hole Ski Resort Map

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, while the largest in Wyoming, is relatively small compared to others in the US and the world. There are at least 12 main ski areas, namely (from the base to the main summit, and from east to west, then back to the base):

  • Teewinot Face
  • Saratoga Bowl
  • Apres Vous Mountain
  • Moran Face
  • Teton Lift Summit
  • Headwall
  • Cirque
  • Tensleep Bowl
  • Laramie Bowl
  • Rendezvous Mountain and Bowl
  • Cheyenne Bowl
  • Bernie's Bowl

As a general rule, the lookers’ right (east) of the mountain is beginner and intermediate-friendly while the lookers’ left (west) caters to advanced and expert skiers.

There are also Casper Bowl in the east of the resort, and Cody Bowl and Rock Spring Bowl in the west — exit through gates only.

So the Jackson Hole map is easy to understand and you will figure out the basics of the lift system in one day. The layout of the lifts makes it extremely easy to get from one part of the mountain to another. There is only one base area and very little traversing.

However, it will take years to explore the intricacies of all the terrain packed in between!

More: the main attraction at JHMR is backcountry skiing rather than the groomers. The grooming is not as consistent compared to other resorts. Much of the rest of the mountain is ungroomed or off-piste. The Tetons mountains are great for tree skiing because of the widely spaced trees at all elevations. The open space gives the terrain an alpine feel while the trees give depth perception and provide great visibility, even on stormy days.

Jackson Hole Ski Lifts and Slopes

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has 13 ski lifts. There are 9 quad chairlifts, 2 gondolas, 1 double chairlift, and 1 cable car. The resort reports a lift capacity of over 22,000 skiers per hour.

The resort also has some of the best slopes in the entire country. With quick access to so much enjoyable terrain, it’s easy to rack up the vertical on massive thigh-burning descents. Skiers of all levels will challenge themselves and improve their technique at JHMR.

The Eagles Rest chair is great for absolute beginners. These are short, flat runs for those just learning how to ski.

Teewinot is next on the progression. Jackson Hole is steep, but Eagle’s Rest and Teewinot take advantage of a flat shelf above the valley to provide excellent skiing for beginners. Teewinot is slightly longer and more engaging than Eagles Rest, but the terrain is similar overall.

The Sweetwater Gondola also has a mid-station serving the same terrain as Eagle’s Rest, for those who want the comfort of a gondola on the ride up. So this is where skiers can advance to after Teewinot, as well as to the Casper and Apres Vous chairs.

The Bridger Gondola offers some great intermediate terrain as well, but it is long and may be difficult for skiers who are still building their strength. At the same time, both Sweetwater and Bridger are great for the family on cold stormy days because they provide protection from the elements and have plenty of intermediate terrain on tap.

Gros Ventre and Sundance, which work their way down the mountain from the top of the Bridger Gondola to the base, are my favorites. The Casper chair also has a few fun groomers like Sundog and Easy Does It. From the top of the Apres Vous chair, you can ski Werner to the base. All of these are intermediate slopes.

The Tram Lift is the only lift at JHMR that is truly expert-only. Other chairs have access roads and cat tracks that a beginner skier could slide down if they somehow ended up in the wrong place. Once a skier heads down Rendezvous Mountain, there is no choice but to finish the descent. On a bluebird day in the right snow conditions, Rendezvous Bowl skis like an intermediate piste. However, the conditions up here are often so gnarly that only expert skiers should ride down. If you’re a beginner and want to visit Corbet’s Cabin, you’re allowed to take the Tram up and down roundtrip.

The Tram is not only a Jackson Hole Resort staple but one of the most iconic ski lifts in the world. Kudos to the guys and gals that keep this beast running. This mini-doc is some of the best content I’ve seen coming out of a ski resort, and it does justice to the magnitude of this machine. The Tram stops at nothing to get you to the goods. 4.3 miles (6.92 km), 4,139 ft (1,261 m) vertical, 9 minutes to the top, and the Tram will get you there in winds up to 70 mph (112.6 km/h).

Marmotte, Thunder, Sublette, and Teton are also all great lifts for advanced and expert skiers who want to experience the upper mountain.

The lift infrastructure will run even more smoothly now that the Thunder triple has been replaced with a high-speed quad — this was a major bottleneck for skiers trying to get to the upper mountain. The Teton lift was also upgraded within the last ten years. Most of the lifts are now high-speed and detachable.

The Sublette and Marmotte are the only slower fixed-grip chairlifts left on the upper mountain.

Jackson Hole Ski Lifts Lines

Jackson Hole Ski Area experienced an identity crisis in 2019 when the resort management joined the multi-resort Ikon Pass. That season, the resort became overrun with skiers. Lines were out of control, and photos started circulating online showing lift lines that looked more like the crowd at Woodstock. Some clients were paying tens of thousands of dollars for vacation and only getting a few runs a day. After holding the number 1 spot for years during the 2000s, JHMR’s rating slipped on many ski resort ranking sites.

The debacle prompted locals to start a petition to back out of the Ikon deal. It wasn’t just crabby locals exercising their right to complain. The situation affected the quality of Jackson’s legendary product for tourists and old-timers alike.

Although they didn’t terminate the contract with Ikon, the JHMR management made changes. They restricted the number of skiers per day on multi-resort passes, chopped sales of day passes at the ticket office, and implemented a reservation system.

Lift lines at Jackson Hole have improved significantly since the changes. The line at the Tram is still long because cable cars don’t have a lot of skier capacity and because the Tram is one of the best in the world. At the other lifts, there is unlikely to be a significant line unless it is peak season or a big powder day.

Here’s a ski lifts and slopes summary of the Jackson Hole Ski Area:

Slopes

  • Slopes total length: 72 mi (116 km)
  • Types of slopes: easy (green) — 9.9 mi (16 km) or 14%; intermediate (blue) — 31 mi (50 km) or 43%; advanced (black) — 31 mi (50 km) or 50%
  • Popular slopes and ski areas: Rendezvous Bowl, Amphitheater, Hobacks, and others
  • Total skiable terrain: 2,500 acres inbounds, 3,000+ acres out-of-bounds

Ski lifts

  • Total lifts: 13 (9 quad chairlifts, 2 gondolas, 1 double chairlift, and 1 cable car)
  • Lifts operating hours: 9 am to 4 pm in general during a winter season
  • Top station: Rendezvous Mountain (10,450 ft / 3,185 m)
  • Base station: Teton Village (6,311 ft / 1,924 m)
  • Difference between stations (max vertical drop): 4,139 ft (1,262 m)
  • Lifts capacity: 22,000+ skiers per hour

Other skiing-related features

  • Artificial snow: yes (210 acres)
  • Night skiing: no
  • Cross-country ski trails: Shooting Star Nordic Track (9.3 mi / 15 km) with many terrain options and a dog-friendly loop; and Teton Pines Cross Country Ski Center in 4 miles (2.4 km) south of Teton Village with a total length of trails of 10 mi / 16 km.
  • Snowshoe trails: virtually limitless in the backcountry
  • Snowboard park: yes
  • Sled slopes: yes
  • Snow tubing: no
  • Ice-skating field: yes

Jackson Hole Backcountry Skiing

Backcountry skiing is the name of the game in Jackson Hole. Many pro skiers choose to live here because of the ethos of personal responsibility and access to the mountains.

The Moran Face off the Teton lift has great terrain and it’s easy to lap over and over again. There are fewer people over here, but the area is south-facing and the snow quickly becomes heavy. Off the Apres Vous chairlift, Saratoga Bowl offers good tree skiing and holds stashes of good snow long after a storm. Pick your way around back here and you’ll be rewarded. This side of the mountain is often less crowded on powder days because skiers gravitate toward the Tram side of the mountain (lookers’ left).

The Hobacks are legendary. They hold good snow because it’s hard to access them. You have to take the Tram or the combination of Bridger-Thunder-Sublette lifts. The small egress leading to the Hobacks can be easy to miss — it’s on your right where the Rendezvous Trail starts sweeping to the left. It’s tight at first but opens up into an expanse of fall-line powder skiing.

Everything off of Thunder and Sublette is fun for advanced to expert skiers. The terrain is playful, with plenty of steep shots, cliffs, trees, and bowls. It’s also a big attraction on powder days.

Rendezvous Bowl can offer many folks their first experience of sublime, alpine powder skiing. This Bowl collects even more snow than the rest of the resort so the turns here can be deep when the base area has only a dusting.

The Backcountry Gates effectively triples the size of the ski resort with JHMR Access Gates, Grand Teton National Park, and Teton Pass. Below I will tell you more about each of them.

JHMR Access Gates

The JHMR Access Gates offer some of the most incredible lift-access backcountry skiing in the US. Although many other resorts have jumped on the bandwagon, they were the first of their kind in America.

The saga of these access gates is one of the great tales in skiing. For decades, the backcountry surrounding the resort was closed to skiers. However, an exclusive and rogue group of skiers called the “Jackson Hole Air Force” was sneakily “poaching” the terrain because the conditions were so good. Eventually, the contest between JHMR Ski Patrol and the Air Force came to a head, and some renowned local skiers were banned from the resort. A few years later, the resort, in conjunction with the forest service, finally opened the Gates. The whole mythology is documented in the film “Swift, Silent, Deep.”

Down the hatch at JHMR

Out the gate and down the hatch. Photo: Sergei Poljak

Nowadays, the Gates are more like an extension of the ski resort. You will be seeing other tracks and the folks who made them. But it’s still my favorite thing about the Jackson Hole. It’s also still very dangerous, especially Granite Canyon. “If You Don’t Know, Don’t Go” is the slogan you will become accustomed to hearing at the top of every Tram ride. JHMR offers an in-house guide service for clients who wish to explore this terrain safely. If you’re a knowledgeable backcountry skier, I recommend going with a partner who knows the routes, at a minimum. Be sure to check out the “Jackson Hole Ski Atlas” for the visual beta.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park in March. Photo: Sergei Poljak

The best backcountry skiing around Jackson is within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. It is just extraordinary, and so is the skiing experience. All of the famous big routes, like the Grand, are in the park. However, for first-timers, I recommend starting with a wonderful route called “25 Short” named after the summit which is 9,975 ft (3,040 m) — 25 ft (7.2 m) short of 10,000 ft (3,048 m).

The routes back here are far more committing than most of the resort gate access. Even 25 Short, which is by far the easiest route, is a 3,300 ft (1,005 m) climb with a descent through significant avalanche terrain. There is an abundance of mountain guide services operating within the region. The most famous is Exum. Hire a guide if you don’t know the ropes.

Teton Pass

Teton Pass is the most popular backcountry zone in the area around Jackson. Sometimes it seems like there are more people at the pass than at the resort. It’s easy to understand what all the fuss is about once you experience the quality of the terrain and the efficiency of access. In just an hour, you can bootpack up past the billboard (north side of the road) to Glory Mountain (10,032 ft / 3,058 m) and ski down 2,000 vertical ft (610 m), hitchhiking or shuttling your way back to the top. Watch out for other people, though — one issue with the pass is that folks will be skiing on top of each other. There are also a lot of beginners, and this exacerbates the problem. But beginners have to start somewhere and Teton Pass is as good a place as any.

If you want to strap on the skins, Taylor Mountain (10,341 ft / 3,152 ft) is my favorite proper ski tour on the pass. It’s much less crowded than Glory, but it's also much more of a commitment. All these routes are in the Jackson Hole Ski Atlas that I just mentioned above.

Descend from Taylor

Ski Pass and Discounts

Ski passes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are undeniably expensive. Moreover, they can sell out on very popular days so be sure to book in advance.

Day Passes and Season Passes

The price of a day ticket at the window varies depending on the day, but it is over $200. On peak season days, it can run as high as $230. Luckily, there are at least two ways to avoid paying full price:

  • Book your pass online in advance. This method will save you 10% on regular days and 5% during peak season. Book early, because the resort has begun limiting the sale of day passes during the busiest days to prevent massive queues at the lifts. As of December 10th, day passes during Christmas are sold out for 2022.
  • Season Pass. But this is unlikely to be economical unless you plan to stay for at least a few weeks. There are a few different options to choose from. The Rendezvous Pass ($2100) comes with an Ikon Base Pass and a Mountain Collective Pass attached, while the Grand Pass ($1900) is just unlimited days at Jackson. The Mid-week ByPass blacks out weekends and some select holidays.

Multi-Resort Passes

The best option for tourists is to buy either the Ikon Pass or the Mountain Collective Pass:

  • The Ikon Pass ($1299 adult with $999 renewal) allows for 7 days and the Ikon Base Pass ($919 adult with $739 renewal) allows for 5. If you only use your days at JHMR and no days at other resorts, the Ikon offers little savings over buying day passes. However, the Ikon Pass is an incredible deal because you have access to over 50 resorts across North America. Even if you use all of your days at JHMR, you can still visit many of the best ski resorts on the continent. More than a dozen of these resorts have unlimited access — the Ikon Pass serves as their season pass. Ikon Passholders receive other benefits including a 25% family and friends discount on day passes, and a discount on food, lodging, and retail (varies depending on the location).
  • The Mountain Collective Pass is another great option that gives you 2 free days at 25 great ski resorts in North America and Europe. Retailing at $599, it is about half the price of an Ikon Pass. If you want to stay for longer than two days, additional days are 50% off.

Jackson Hole Reservations

All multi-resort pass holders are subject to the new reservation system that Jackson has put in place to limit overcrowding, especially on weekends, holidays, and big powder days. All Mountain Collective and Ikon Passholders are required to reserve their visit in advance.

The glory days of just rolling up on a powder day with a multi-resort pass are over. However, the JHMR lift infrastructure was buckling from the increased traffic and the reservation system will help alleviate some of the strain. Guests will have a better resort experience. Reservations can sell out, so reserve early. You can always change your reservation, and there is no fee for canceling a reservation. If you’re not going to show up, please cancel your reservation by 11 am the day of, so that somebody else can have the opportunity to ski.

Make Ikon Pass reservations by going to “My Account” at Ikonpass.com. Mountain Collective reservations are made on the JHMR official website.

Services

As with most resorts there are many different services available for skiers at Jackson Hole, including outdoor stores, equipment rentals, and many others. JHMR runs a ski school with a variety of programs for adults and children to improve their skills in the mountains such as private and group lessons and a variety of camps. Jackson Hole’s private instructors are PSIA Level III Certified. You can also find backcountry guides at the resort.

Tourist Information

The Visitors Centers of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce are state-of-the-art facilities that will point you in the right direction on any topic. Here’s the main one at Jackson:

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center

532 North Cache Street (next to the Elk Refuge), Jackson, Wyoming, 83001, USA

Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

info@jacksonholechamber.com

Jacksonholechamber.com

Dining

There are close to 100 restaurants in the whole valley if you were to count them all. Jackson is big enough that you can get any type of fast food you want or an expensive fine-dining excursion. A quick search on the Internet will find exactly what you're looking for, but here are a few of my favorite spots around town.

  • Pearl Street Bagels (145 W Pearl Ave., Jackson; and 1234 Ida Lane, Wilson). I love bagels so I was excited to have a good bagel joint in the valley. This is the spot to get breakfast, every day, with no exceptions. Don’t give me any nonsense about bagels making you bloated — you will burn it off skiing. Breakfast here will fill you up until the Mangy Moose comes calling. Affordable, convenient, and charming, there are locations in Jackson and Wilson.
  • Corbet’s Cabin (top of the Tram Lift). This place is as legendary as the couloir below it. Luckily, it’s much less intimidating — unless there is a queue. Then I would choose Corbet’s Couloir any day! The bottom line is that the waffles here are incredible but there is often a huge line. So you’ll have to wait, or just go when it’s not crowded (think stormy weather).
  • Teton Thai (7342 Granite Loop Rd, Teton Village). This is the best Thai food in the valley and affordable by Jackson standards.
  • The Blue Lion (160 N Millward St, Jackson). This local establishment has been serving up the fine-dining experience for decades. Mostly American bistro-type food, they have local offerings on their menu like Elk and Trout. Go here only if you’re not concerned about how much your meal costs. Oh, and make reservations.
  • Miazga’s (399 W Broadway Ave between TJ Maxx and Loaf 'N Jug, Jackson). You wouldn’t come to Jackson expecting to get incredible Polish food, but that’s exactly what’s on the menu at Miazga’s. The prices are nothing for folks who can afford to stay in Jackson, and customers are raving about the Pierogis and Kielbasa. Give yourself a break from all the bistros and try something new.

Jackson Hole Lodging

Many folks choose to stay in Teton Village over Jackson. There are a plethora of options from condos to luxury hotels. It is a good choice for individuals and families looking for the ski-in-ski-out experience. The accommodation here is more expensive but avoiding the hassle of commuting each day is worth the extra money for many people. So convenience is a major advantage here.

However, there is still one killer deal for serious skiers looking to stay in Teton Village. Known simply as The Hostel, this legendary locale has been the temporary home to hundreds of thousands of skiers since it opened several decades ago. You shouldn’t be disappointed, but you need to book early because these rooms sell out fast.

The main reasons to stay in Jackson are the following:

  • The ability to go out. Most of the best restaurants, bars, and other activities are in town. The town is pretty small, and you can usually walk to wherever you’re headed.
  • The old-west charm in Jackson is unmatched by the newly developed Teton Village.
  • Snow King, a small ski resort located right in Jackson within walking distance. Sometimes they get dumped on while JHMR stays dry (more often the other way around).
  • All the shopping is nearby.
  • Despite the fact that Jackson is one of the most expensive zip codes in the United States (obviously, there are boutique accommodation options), there is still some affordable lodging in the valley, which is way cheaper, especially in the winter. As crowded as this place is in the winter, it’s busier in the summer. The hotel and resort infrastructure was built to accommodate the summer crowds (all five million of them) who visit the Teton National Park. That’s why there are a lot of winter beds.

The only disadvantage of staying in Jackson is that you will have to commute to the resort each day you want to go skiing.

Events and Après-ski

You may have had the best powder day of your life. Or perhaps you have taken a spill, tweaked your knee, and ended your vacation. Either way, good times are waiting for you after the lifts close. Whether you’re celebrating those soft turns or trying to mask the soreness — often simultaneous occurrences in Jackson — you will not be disappointed with the Après-ski options around here. There are dozens of spots to grab a pint throughout the valley, but these are my two favorites:

Mangy Moose Saloon & Restaurant

The Mangy Moose at Teton Village base areas pops off Austria-style after any given day. This place is loud and packed, and there is a great vibe. Just take your skis off out front and stomp right in — the floor is tattooed with a patina that only decades of ski boots and beer can produce. This is the spot if you want to meet friends and share tall tales about your day of skiing.

Don’t expect fast service or great food. The place is usually mobbed and it might take a second to get everyone's order in. The fare is the usual greasy bar food, but hey, it hits the spot after a big day on the mountain. When you stumble out the door several hours later, still in your ski boots, you’re guaranteed to have a smile on your face.

Sometimes local musicians are jamming out in the afternoon, but the Moose puts on big concerts too. These always happen at night.

The Stagecoach

The Stagecoach is located right at the base of Teton Pass in the hamlet of Wilson. Founded in 1942, this place is a little taste of the old cowboy Jackson that has slowly faded away over the years. Before all the ranches got sold off to developers, cowboys and girls rode their horses right through the front door.

The food and drinks here are very reasonably priced and you can always get into a great game of pool. They still operate a drive-through liquor store in the back, too. The management seems pretty chill — they didn’t seem to have any problem with me sleeping in my van a few times in the back parking lot. They have some big dance parties that go late and get the house packed with young people.

As long as the Stagecoach is still in business, there will always be that little part of Jackson that still caters to the humble ski bum.

Like all the best ski towns, Jackson has a sick music scene. There are usually about a dozen top-tier bands every winter. I already mentioned the Mangy Moose, but the Center for the Arts also has several great concerts every season. They also feature other events like film showings and avalanche awareness programs.

There is a large Aquatic Center in Downtown Jackson with a pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, gym, basketball court, and waterslide. It’s a great place to check out if you have kids or want to recover after a big day on the slopes.

Don’t forget the movie theater, Movieworks Cinema 4, and bowling alley in Downtown Jackson if you’re looking to spend a chill day inside.

mountain lifts
Status Type Name
Opening Hours
open
Aerial Tram
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
1 927 m - 3 169 m
open
Apres Vous High Speed Quad
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
2 034 m - 2 568 m
open
Bridger Gondola
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
1 935 m - 2 778 m
open
Casper Bowl High Speed Quad
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
2 290 m - 2 606 m
open
Marmot Double
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
2 400 m - 2 766 m
open
Moose Creek Quad
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
1 936 m - 1 994 m
open
Sublette Quad Chair
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
2 524 m - 3 026 m
open
Sweetwater Gondola
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
1 941 m - 2 317 m
open
Teewinot High Speed Quad
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
1 938 m - 2 055 m
open
Teton Lift
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
2 228 m - 2 749 m
open
Thunder Quad Chair
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
2 414 m - 2 845 m
open
Union Pass Quad
09:00-16:00
09:00-16:00
Status
opened
Opening hours
09:00-16:00
Schedule period
3.28.2024 - 4.4.2024
Start - End
1 979 m - 2 060 m
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