While there are countless trails to hike in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National parks that are amazing, they can take a while to get to and many of them require most of the day to complete. For those staying in the town of Jackson that want to get a hike in but don’t want to make an entire day of it, you are in luck! There are several great hikes right on the edges of town that can be completed within a couple of hours or much less depending on your speed and how far you wish to go. Below are some of the more popular hiking trails within a short distance of town.

Snow King Summit

Right in the heart of Jackson sits Snow King Mountain, you can’t miss it, as it is the gigantic hill right on the south edge of town with chair lifts going up in various directions. This hike is sure to get your heart rate going, with about 1,500 vertical feet in elevation gain along just 1.8 miles of trail. Short but steep, this hike is a local favorite and for good reason, with gorgeous views overlooking town and the entire valley. On clear days you can see all the way over to the Grand Teton and out into the Gros Ventre range. 

Josie’s Ridge

This hike is similar to the Snow King Summit hike as it takes you to the top of a separate ridge of the same mountain, but with a more secluded feel as it goes along a single track rather than the wide service trail of Snow King. The views are essentially the same but will give you a panorama of the more southern areas of the Tetons and town. The climb amounts to about the same as well. However at the top of this hike there is a gorgeous meadow of wildflowers if you venture up at the right time, and a nice rocky outcropping at the very top to relax on and soak up the views. This trail can be accessed from the Wildlife Drive trailhead.

Cache Creek

For those looking for a hike with a much more mellow incline, Cache Creek road and it’s offshoot trails provide this all while still offering great scenery. The trail can be accessed from the far southeast corner of town by following Cache Creek Dr. which eventually turns to a dirt road and there is a small parking before the true wilderness road begins. The road travels alongside the creek, and there are singletrack trails on both sides, with Hagen being the main one to your right as you head out and Putt Putt and Cache Creek Sidewalk to your left. These are popular mountain biking trails so keep an eye out for fellow trail users. Putt Putt on the left will take you higher above the road and into more open meadows of wildflowers and sage brush while Hagen is lower along the creek and is heavily shaded by pine trees. The road itself is a great hike to take as well offering a bit of both types of scenery, it will ultimately take you out to game creek if you are looking for a longer hike.

Jackson Hole and its surrounding areas are home to a large variety of unique wildlife in high concentrations, due to its relatively remote location, distinctive ecosystem and the active preservation of the area. As part of the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Jackson Hole is part of the migration patterns of bison, elk, bears, wolves, antelope and many other species that Yellowstone is known for. Unless you know where to look, many of these animals can be elusive, but lucky for you there are plenty of wildlife tour companies in Jackson Hole to put you right where you want to be for wildlife observation. There are a variety of companies that specialize in different areas, specific wildlife, photography, and more in depth information about the wildlife and history of the areas. Read below to learn about some of the top Wildlife tour companies in the area.

Ecotour Adventures

This company has something for everyone, with trips that take you to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and the wilderness throughout Jackson Hole, and specific tours tailored to nearly anything you may have interest in. They offer both winter and summer tours so you can enjoy the wildlife and scenery while learning a thing or two any time of the year. Some of their specialty tours include trips focused on geology, birding, and a 9 day photography workshop. The winter tours also have specialty options for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, as well as the normal tours by vehicle. Trips are offered in morning, afternoon and full day excursions and if you are looking for something that is not listed with them they offer fully customizable private tours as well.

BrushBuck 

Offering “one-of-a-kind wildlife tours”, as they say on their site, BrushBuck is one of the premier wildlife tour companies in the area that also operates year round with both winter and summer tours. They provide most of the same basic tours with options for half, full and multi-day trips. Some of the tour options that set them apart are their Bighorn Sheep Native American Petroglyph tour and their Wet N’ Wildlife Float combo tour in conjunction with Dave Hansen Whitewater that includes a rafting trip as well as a wildlife tour. During the winter they also offer snowmobile and snowcoach tours to get to the hard to reach areas during the frigid winter months. If you enjoy an experience with them and happen to take a trip to Africa or Alaska, they operate tours in those areas as well.

Alpenglow Tours

If photography is your thing, or perhaps you want to start having it be your thing, then Alpenglow Tours is right up your alley. Offering trips for both beginners and seasoned photographers, Brad Schwarm, the sole guide for Alpenglow, will show you the optimal locations at the optimal times for shooting incredible photos. With over 30 years living and shooting in the area, you know that you will be in good hands with Brad as your definite guide. He also offers strictly wildlife tours for those who may not have interest in photography but still want to be guided by an expert. Trips range from full, half and multi-day tours, in both the winter and summer.

While skiing is quite the thrill and one of the biggest reasons for tourism in Jackson Hole in the winter, sometimes it can be nice to switch it up, and what better way to do so than snow tubing! Snow King Mountain is the place to do it, with three smooth groomed lanes and a “magic carpet” to get back to the top of the lanes, you will be hard pressed not to smile.  A perfect activity for the whole family to take part in, so long as the kiddos are at least 42” tall.  The only things you need are yourself, warm clothes and a ticket to ride. 

The Tube Park

The park is located right at the base of the mountain, in the parking lot across the street from Still West, looker’s right. Tickets can either be purchased on location or online on the Snow King Mountain website. Prices are the same for all ages, with a 1 hour pass for $20, and a 2 hour pass for $30. There are also options for bundle passes, one for the Cowboy Coaster and 2 hours of tubing for $45, and the other is the Big King Pass, which includes both of those plus unlimited skiing for the day at a price of $90. 

Cowboy Coaster & Skiing

The Cowboy Coaster is located on the other side of the mountain nearest to the Snow King Hotel, and is a thrilling ride through nearly a mile of loops, curves and tight turns. Skiing at “The King”, is also an incredible experience with steep slopes, 32 different runs, and a bunny hill slope equipped with magic carpet for beginner skiers and boarders, not to mention the views from the top overlooking town and across to the Teton Range (on clear days). 

So if you are staying in the Town of Jackson just know that you don’t have to go very far to have some unforgettable fun in the winter!

While Jackson Hole is a relatively remote destination, situated about 5 hours from the nearest major city, you would never know based on the restaurant selection. Fine dining in Jackson Hole can provide the feeling that you are not in a remote mountain town, with exquisite local dishes and even seafood that normally most would stray away from in a landlocked state. Below are some of our favorite high end restaurants serving up some of the finest cuisine in the Rocky Mountains.

Snake River Grill

Widely considered one of the nicest places to have a meal in the area, Snake River Grill touts elegantly plated “new american” dishes in a refined log-cabin-like setting. This restaurant has been on the Jackson town square for over 25 years, and offers a menu that changes seasonally to reflect market availability. The menu features an extensive wine list and many locally inspired dishes, that include elk, bison, and beef from Mead Ranch, along with the professional touch of managing partner and culinary expert Jeff Drew. Some of their featured dishes include the SRG Steak Tartare Pizza to start, New Zealand Elk Chop, Bison Ribeye and Fresh Fettuccine Bolognese. 

Glorietta Trattoria

For those looking for a nice Italian style dinner in Jackson, Glorietta Trattoria offers just that with a quaint atmosphere that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into an old school Italian American eatery. Their menu features traditional handmade Italian pasta dishes, as well as a selection of wood-fired meat based dishes including a dry-aged ribeye, Bison Osso Buco and their Skuna Bay Salmon. Glorietta also prides themselves on having an intricate and delicious cocktail and wine selection.

Amangani Grill

Situated atop the East Gros Ventre Butte at the Amangani Resort, a part of the world famous Aman resorts, the Amangani Grill offers exquisite meals with an unmatched view overlooking the Snake River Valley. Their offerings specialize in American Regional cuisine consisting of local, sustainable ranch meats, fresh fish and seasonal produce. Some of their featured menu items include Snake River Farms Wagyu Tartare, Bison Short Ribs, Poached White Hake, and Elk Medallion.

While downhill skiing is certainly a blast, sometimes you need a little vacation within your ski vacation, away from the crowds in a more relaxing setting. Cross country skiing can provide exactly that type of experience, while it is still a good workout that will get your blood flowing some. The greatest part of cross-country skiing, also known as nordic skiing, might just be the serenity and beautiful scenery that you can travel to on the various trails throughout the area. Getting out on nordic skis in Jackson Hole is fairly easy and affordable and there are several places to rent them. We will break down some of the details and information needed to get out on the trails.

Rentals

There are many different options for renting in the area. Skinny Skis, Teton Mountaineering, Hoback Sports, are the main ones within town. Aside from those there are a few other options just outside of town such as Dornan’s just outside of the entrance to Grand Teton National Park, as well as Teton Pines Nordic Center in Wilson and Turpin Meadows up in Moran which both have groomed trails for nordic skiing as well.  Skinny Skis is the only rental option that is a shop dedicated to nordic skiing so they have a wealth of knowledge about the sport and the various trails and conditions in the area.

Trails

As was just mentioned, Teton Pines Nordic Center and Turpin Meadows have both rentals and trails to ski on all in one place, and they are both respectively beautiful locations to XC ski. The nice thing about these designated areas is that the trails are neatly groomed which is perfect for those just learning to nordic ski. Outside of those there are many trails elsewhere that are also groomed and others that are ungroomed. Some of the popular ones are the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park, and Cache Creek which is right on the east edge of town in Jackson. For more information on all of the different trails in the area visit JH Nordic where you can browse all of the known trails and get plenty of information about them.

JH Nordic

If you are looking for information in general about nordic skiing in Jackson Hole, JH Nordic is the one stop shop. They also have info about fat biking, which, for the uninformed, is bikes with extra large tires meant for riding across snow. JH Nordic not only provides information about the trails in the area, they also report on trail and weather conditions throughout the winter. Check them out at JHNordic.com.

As with any good mountain town destination Jackson Hole is chock full of unique souvenirs to bring home to your friends and family. And with the gift giving season upon us, we at Jackson Hole Reservations thought it would be of the utmost importance for those of you planning to visit our valley to know the best spots in town to claim your JH souvenirs. Our iconic valley and Teton Mountain Range offers so many different things to commemorate throughout your visit to Jackson Hole. The town itself, the ski resort, the national parks, the local charm, and most of all the wildlife – you won’t want to forget.  From t-shirts to knick knacks for your home to local outerwear gear companies this is our comprehensive list of the best places to shop in Jackson Hole. 

Jackson Mercantile – Gift shop for amazing taxidermy and locally handcrafted antler art

Made – Handmade unique gifts with a western flare

Sing Hat Company – Locally made and operated custom hats using the finest quality beaver furs in the USA

Stio – Locally based ski outerwear and clothing company

Roam – Neighborhood shop for handpicked gifts, goods, and apparel

Mountain Dandy – American made gifts and home goods geared towards the men in your life

Teton Mountaineering – The local source for high quality outdoor goods

Lee’s Tees – T-shirts and souvenirs

New West Knife Works & Mtn Man Toy Shop – American made chef knives

Teton Toys – Locally owned and operated toy store

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Gift Shop – A gift shop unique to the iconic Jackson Hole bar and restaurant

Belle Cose – Luxury lifestyle boutique

Fighting Bear Antiques – Antique furniture and gifts

Jackson Hole Resort Store – Souvenirs and clothing related to all things Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Jackson Hole Jewelry CO – Local jeweler 

Beaver Creek Hats & Leather – Premium hats, leather, apparel, and accessories for the mountain west

Women Folk – Vintage and designer consignment clothing curated and sourced in Jackson Hole

JD High Country Outfitters – Jackson Hole’s one stop shop for the outdoors

Vertical Harvest – An urban hydroponic farm that produces fresh, local food year-round, and provides jobs to underserved populations – visit their gift shop and take a tour of the greenhouse

Wyoming Outfitters – A boutique store for the western and outdoor lifestyle

Two Grey Hills – Shop the finest Native American art, including Navajo Indian jewelry, Navajo rugs, Pueblo Indian pottery

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is consistently ranked at or near the top of nearly every annual list of top ski resorts in the United States, but it is what lies outside of the confines of the resort boundaries that draw many to the region. The untouched powder of the Jackson Hole backcountry and side country is the stuff of ski lore. Now backcountry skiing is not for the faint of heart, and is recommended for well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced skiers and snowboarders only. With that being said, it is not advisable to go into the backcountry in Jackson Hole without someone who knows the terrain and is taking all necessary precautions, with regards to weather and snowpack conditions. So for visitors of Jackson Hole with eyes on the precious powder outside of the resort, it is a wise choice to go with a backcountry guide if you are not lucky enough to have your own friend with expertise to chauffeur you. Below are some of the best backcountry guide services in the area that can safely lead you to deep, steep terrain and face shots you will not soon forget.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

One of the best options for guided backcountry tours is actually run by the resort, and enables you to ride up on the aerial tram early, which is pretty cool on its own. The day starts with the early tram ride at 8:30am to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, after which you will learn the basics of performing an avalanche transceiver search before exiting the resort boundaries to start the real adventure. The rest of the guided tour is essentially up to what you prefer, with options for either skiing faster, more accessible runs or touring farther out for one or two epic runs, or even taking your time to learn more about snow science. These expert guides are able to cater to your desires. They also offer tours on Teton pass which is south of the resort, as well as a 4 day backcountry camp. Backcountry ski gear and equipment are necessary for the trips and cheaper rates are available when you book with a group. Learn More.

Exum Mountain Guides

While there is no privileged lift access for this option (isn’t the point to get away from lifts?), Exum Mountain Guides will lead you to some of the best backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the United States. Their tour options include runs located in Grand Teton National park as well as around Teton Pass. Similar to JHMR trips, their trips are basically a la carte, with options to do shorter, more frequent runs, big time lines, and everything in between so long as you have the chops to handle it. Also similar to JHMR trips are cheaper when you book with a group up to four. Learn More.

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides

As they say themselves “Arguably the best value in the valley”. Catered towards intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers and riders, JHMG will guide you through Grand Teton National Park and areas on Teton Pass. Expect to get around 2500-6000 vertical feet of riding in and the days to last around 6-8 hours in total including check in, gear check and beacon refresher session. Untracked powder awaits you when you take a trip with these AMGA certified guides.  Learn More.

While many avid skiers flock to Jackson Hole each winter to revel among the majestic terrain and top tier snow conditions, others who may not be so avid like to do so as well, and are in need of ski gear to get the most out of their trip. Whether they are beginners, ex ski bums who gave up the lifestyle and ditched their gear, or even avid skiers who trashed their skis or board on their last trip, Jackson has plenty of options for you to rent great ski equipment. If you fit into one of these categories or even if you are just wanting to try out some new gear to see if you would like to buy it, read on to see our breakdown of some of the different options for ski rentals in Jackson Hole.

Door 2 Door Ski Rental Delivery

With Door 2 Door Ski rentals, there is no need to rush into a rental shop the morning of going skiing, wasting precious time that you could be spending on the slope. D2D will come to you, in the comfort of your lodge, private residence or hotel room and custom fit your ski or snowboard rental equipment to suit your needs when getting out on the JHMR terrain. Our reservations agents can arrange D2D Ski Rentals with your lodging reservation and you get 20% off too!

Jackson Hole Sports

While there are a few rental shop locations right in Teton Village, Jackson Hole sports is located just a literal stone’s throw from the Bridger Gondola and the other base lifts, essentially right in the thick of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. JH sports has a massive rental inventory and also serves as a full service ski and snowboard tuning shop. Their rental options range from beginner to intermediate equipment for both skiers and riders. They also offer top of the line demo skis and snowboards designed for all ability levels and snow conditions. The helpful staff will get you on the right ski or board for you, making sure that boots fit properly and have you on the snow in no time. JH Sports also has a wide range of apparel, gear and more in their retail shop as well.

Teton Village Sports

Another favorite in the village for renting ski equipment, TVS is located at the base of the ski resort right next to the Mangy Moose Saloon and one building over from the aerial tram.  They have been in business for over fifty years helping customers at JHMR get fitted and get pitted. Similarly to JH sports, TVS offers gear and equipment for skiers and riders of all skill levels, as well as a great retail selection.

Hoback Sports

If you happen to be staying in the town of Jackson rather than in Teton Village, Hoback Sports may be the best option for you as you can take care of sorting out your rental gear ahead of time before making the trip to the village, or even if you plan on staying in town to ski Snow King. Hoback Sports provides everything that TVS and JH Sports offer with the addition of touring skis & boards as well as fat bikes. To sweeten the offer even further, you can buy JHMR tickets at Hoback and there is a bus stop right outside of the store that will take you to Teton Village.

Choosing where to stay on your vacation to Jackson Hole can be a bit of a confusing process. Depending on the season and the activities you have in mind, proximity to town or to the ski resort will play an important role. You want to make sure to factor in your plans for transportation, where you would like to dine out most, and how often you might want to visit Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park. It is important to note that the town of Jackson and Teton Village are separate areas that require planning to be able to experience both. Here is the basic run down on choosing to stay in either Teton Village where Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is located or the town of Jackson itself.

Teton Village

Teton Village sits right at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, about twenty minutes away from downtown Jackson, and offers a beautiful and scenic backdrop to your vacation. Views of the resort itself, Sheeps Mountain to the east, and the wide open valley in between create a peaceful and serene environment for you and your family to enjoy. Though there are limited dining options in Teton Village, they do include some of the best restaurants in the valley, including one of the best Thai restaurants. The ease of access to the ski lifts, rental shops, and apres scene make for an easy one stop shop for all of your skiing needs. The Mangy Moose Saloon is also one of the valley’s only live music venues around. If you plan to stay in Teton Village, renting a car will greatly expand the options you have for dining and ease of access to town and the national parks. While the local bus system, known as the ‘Start Bus’, is inexpensive and easy to navigate – it does stop running after a certain hour making your options for a night out in Jackson a bit more limited. Be sure to plan for your own car or a taxi. Grand Teton National Park sits adjacent to the ski resort but due to winter closures, visitors are forced to navigate back through town and out to the park along the outer park road, another reason to plan for your own vehicle.  

Town of Jackson

Planning to stay in the town of Jackson throughout your winter vacation will provide a different experience of the local nightlife and culture. Your options for dining are greatly expanded and you sit about twenty minutes closer to the national park for those scenic winter drives and wildlife viewing. You will be able to depend a little less on the need for your own rental car but a bit more on the local bus system to get to the ski hill during the day. There are also more hotels to choose from at varying price points. You will have access to some of the other scenic areas of the valley that locals love like the Cache Creek trail system or the National Elk Refuge.

With the pandemic not going anywhere anytime soon and the winter season fast approaching, people around the world are toying with how to recreate safely outside throughout the colder months. Naturally skiing and snowboarding offers one of the easiest options to maintain that outdoor access and as people start to plan for their winter ski vacations we wanted to highlight one of the best locations to learn how to ski or snowboard in Teton Valley.

Learning to ski and snowboard can be one of the more challenging tasks to take on for a person of any age. The cold, the crowds, and the steep learning curve can make for a long road ahead to reach a place of true relaxation, sport, or enjoyment. Planning a ski vacation where members of the group will also be learning to ski or snowboard can make for a precarious challenge, you want to ensure that everybody has fun and remains comfortable throughout the trip while also catering to different abilities. Luckily for visitors of Jackson Hole, Snow King Mountain Resort offers some extremely friendly beginner terrain and a whole host of options for lessons to meet your various needs. Winter is just around the corner and as you start to consider the needs of your friends or family on the mountain while planning your Jackson Hole vacation, make sure to keep the options below in mind.

Private Lessons

Whether you are just beginning or a seasoned skier with years of experience under your belt, the single or group private lesson option can be truly beneficial to your ski experience. Snow King Mountain’s instructors will customize the day to suit your needs whether getting you to link turns for the first time or teaching you techniques like the falling leaf, pizza, or french fry – the instructors will serve as your guide to get you to that next level of enjoyment on the mountain. Lesson options vary from two to six hours in length and include a full day lift ticket within the price. Visit the link here to get the full run down on pricing and options.

Holiday Camp Programs

Snow King offers eight different ski camps throughout the holiday season to keep your family entertained and out on the mountain. They include all day programs of group skiing, games, a skill based drill series, free skiing hours, and various indoor activities. Visit the link here to view the full details and dates offered.

Winter 2020 and COVID-19

To learn about the precautions and protocols Snow King Mountain Resort will be taking during the time of COVID-19 to keep you safe, visit the link here.