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Snow King Mountain is a ski mountain located on the Southeast corner of Downtown Jackson, WY. Snow King was constructed in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and is the oldest of 13 ski resorts in the great state of Wyoming. The mountain is affectionately nicknamed “Town Hill” by locals. Although its terrain and facilities pale in comparison to nearby Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) and Grand Targhee, the ski hill gets plenty of use from the local ski racing club. It’s also a popular ski touring destination, as locals like to get some quick exercise skinning or booting up the mountain.
The base elevation is 6,237 ft (1,901 m) and the top is 7,808 ft (2,380 m), for a vertical drop of 1,571 ft (479 m). Currently, there are three chairlifts, two magic carpets, one rope tow, and one gondola servicing 400 acres (1.6 km2) of terrain. The Summit Gondola and Sunnyside chair are both new for 2022 - 2023. The resort averages 150 in (380 cm) of snow per year and they have snowmaking capability on 150 acres (.6 km2). The season runs from December to late March, but uphill travel is still allowed when the lifts are not running.
Nearly all winter visitors to Jackson come to ski JHMR and Grand Targhee. However, with all of the new infrastructure, there has never been a better time to check out Snow King Mountain during your trip.
Despite its population of only 10,700, Jackson is an important economic hub and hosts the busiest commercial airport in Wyoming. In fact, Jackson has one of the best ski resort airports in the world. It’s easy to find flights to Jackson - there are non-stop options from 13 cities across the U.S., including every region of the country. Once you’ve arrived at the airport, it’s only 10 minutes to town and Snow King Mountain. Many hotels and lodging provide complimentary shuttles, but there are several options for transportation to choose from if you need a ride.
Another way to experience Jackson is to get a flight to Salt Lake City and drive 4.5 hours Northeast. Flights to Jackson, while convenient, can also be expensive or just booked out. SLC’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 hour and 45 minutes 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.
Lastly, Jackson is 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 three main options for transportation to Snow King Mountain if you are not staying at the resort. The first is to take the START Bus. The start bus is great. It stops in all the best places, it’s easy to use, and it’s free within Jackson town limits. If you’re headed from out of Downtown, the fare is cheap, no more than a few dollars depending on your route. Check out the map to dial in your commute.
Depending on where you're staying, you can walk. Snow King is only six blocks from the Town Square in Jackson.
Lastly, it’s very easy to drive. There is an abundance of free parking in the base area.
Snow King is in the precipitation shadow of the great Teton Range to its West. The Tetons squeeze the moisture out of incoming storm clouds before they reach the King. While the summits of JHMR and Grand Targhee regularly receive more than 500 in (12.7 m) of snow a year, Snow King clocks in at about 150 in (3.8 m) per annum.
The King is relatively low elevation so it can be susceptible to rain and warm temperatures in the valley. However, it can also become frigid as cold, dense air from the mountains sinks into Jackson Hole during some weather patterns. These factors in combination with relatively low snow totals results in icy conditions reminiscent of New England resorts. The mountain is also North facing, adding to the slick nature of the slopes.
Lift tickets are about ⅓ the price of nearby JHMR at $75 a pop for adults. You can visit the website for more information.
Snow King is also on the Indy Pass, one of the multi-resort passes. Passholders get two free days and a third day discounted at the resort.
The King is steep. It’s got a gritty, local vibe that is exactly the opposite of JHMR. There are lots of ski racers in Jackson and they all train at Snow King, so you’ll always see gates set up and young athletes shooting for the stars. It’s also popular with locals who want to take a quick ski in the morning - sort of like the ski touring equivalent of going for a jog. Here are all details on the slopes and lifts at the King. You can also check out the map here.
The Visitor Center is a state-of-the-art facility that will point you in the right direction on any topic. Here are some of the services they offer, according to their website.
Jackson Hole Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center (next to the Elk Refuge)
532 N. Cache Street
9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. – Open 7 days a week
A great stop to make sure you are all geared up for your trip: park passes, camping supplies, guidebooks. Find a souvenir, watch one of the wildlife films or just take in the view from one of the wildlife-viewing decks.
Home Ranch Welcome Center
210 North Cache Street
9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. – Monday - Friday
*parking lot attached
Walk across the street to the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum and then continue to the Town Square for a bite to eat.
Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce
260 W. Broadway
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. - Monday-Friday
9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. - Saturday-Sunday
Snow King was the first ski resort in Wyoming and was once the main event in Jackson Hole. However, those days are over. Now, this small resort is overshadowed by JHMR and Grand Targhee.
But some great things about this small ski area are worth noting. The King is the only place in Jackson you will find uphill access to the mountain, night skiing, and snow tubing.
There is some fun terrain when the conditions allow. The best time to ski at Snow King is during a big storm when JHMR is closed due to avalanche danger. Sometimes you can find great skiing with no crowds. Another “Snow King Scenario” is when there is a bluebird powder day at Jackson on a weekend or during Peak Season. Check the snow report. Consider a sojourn over to the King, even if they get less snow. It’s better than waiting in line all day.
