The legendary Jackson Hole ski area located in Wyoming, offers breathtaking scenery and has the longest continuous vertical rise of any ski area in the USA. Although the skiing here is better suited to competent skiers, with there being a lot of genuinely challenging terrain, beginners and intermediates will also enjoy themselves in one of anyones top 20 ski resorts in the world. The Wild West feel of the town, with its wooden sidewalks, country music cowboy saloons and pool halls and the proximity to Yellowstone National Park, make it enjoyable for parties of all abilities.But for those who like steep slopes smothered in deep powder or plastered with huge moguls, Jackson Hole is heaven! Intermediates may find this more of a challenge with the normal heavy snowfalls and deep powder, but what a resort to learn and improve in.Ski touring is also a must for competent skiers, with guides, in the Grand Teton National Park back country, rising to nearly 14k ft.
Skiing in deep, untracked powder is something skiers must do before they hang up their poles for good.Staggering scenery and awesome terrain.Try a night too in a “yurt” or tent on the mountain.This excursion begins after the ski lifts close and you make a trip through Rock Springs in the twighlight, to a night of great food, wine and company.
The ski resort is split between the ski base area of Teton Village and the town of Jackson Hole 12 miles away, the two are linked by shuttle. Teton Village has some new accommodation and is getting more lively, but if you want nightlife, you are better off staying in the town of Jackson.
Getting to Jackson from the UK requires normally one change of plane and its a long journey over (but with a very short transfer from airport to the resort) but well worth it! Jackson is similar to say Banff and Tahoe, in that more visitors arrive in the summer for breathtaking scenery, consequently Jackson in winter is not an expensive option and you are rewarded with great prices and offers by staying longer. There are certainly plenty of shops and hostelries to compete for your dollars and prices always seem great value, compared to Europe.
Jackson Hole’s iconic Tram can whisk over 60 riders up over 4,000 ft of vertical (the longest continuous vertical in the USA) to some of the most challenging terrain in North America in just under 10 mins. Much of the skiing is below the treeline, but the forest is not dense, so nipping in and out of the trees is such great fun. The upper slopes of the mountain area is called Rendezvous which provides this exceptional vertical. Apres Vous has the gentler slopes accessed from the village by a fast quad. There is also a smaller floodlit area called Snow King which also offers great and affordable accommodations. For snowboarders think more freeride than terrain park.
Jackson Hole is a great choice for those who might suffer the altitude problems of Colorado.Though the base elevation is quite low for the USA, the snowfalls certainly are well above average for North America, so don’t let that put you off. Rarely do you get a bad season and a poor season is the equivalent of a good season in Europe!
If you are a good skier or boarder that likes challenges both on and off piste, without the need for a guide, Jackson Hole is a fantastic choice.For those not skiing, or wanting a day or two off, the snowmobiling and dog sledding (with visit to the hot springs) are worth the visit alone!Try it for yourself and see. We have also had a number of repeat visitors in summer too…Outstanding.. is the general comment.
