Video Series: Pro Skier Jess McMillian Showcases Jackson Hole

Wyoming is famous for cowboys and rodeos and riding across open range, so when you arrive in Jackson (also referred to as Jackson Hole, although that actually refers to the entire valley) it is quite a refreshing surprise from the rest of the state. Here you’ll discover world class skiing in winter, but also a chic mountain town where cowboy meets couture and elk, moose and bison still roam – thanks to strict zoning only 3 percent of the area can be developed, allowing plenty of space for wildlife to co-exist. Jackson is home to some excellent restaurants, posh hotels, old west saloons and boutique shops and art galleries, like Asymbol, which focuses on adventure style art. Co-owned by professional snowboarder Travis Rice, it offers pieces that diverge from the traditional Old West art found around Jackson, giving collectors something new to bring home. The town also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding northwest corner of Wyoming, which is a stunning natural region home to two major national parks – Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks

From Jackson it is just a 12-mile drive to the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park, and you can then drive through this park to reach Yellowstone to its north. Note that you only need to purchase one park pass to visit both parks!

The parks can be visited year round, but consider heading out in winter when you can combine a ski vacation with a day or two exploring Yellowstone or Grand Teton when there are far less crowds, better opportunities to see wildlife and the snow-covered landscape offers a different perspective than in summer. One great way to explore Grand Teton National Park in winter is on cross-country skis. There are several groomed trails, including a stretch of Teton Park Road, where you’ll discover awesome views of the Teton Rang. Start at the Taggart Lake Parking lot and head north towards Signal Mountain. The trail is 28 miles round trip.

To explore Yellowstone in winter, book a trip with Scenic Safaris, which has tours that depart from Flag Ranch, on the south side of the park, about an hour’s drive from Jackson. When the snow falls, the park is only accessible by snow appropriate vehicles or cross-country skis. Tours with Scenic Safaris give you a choice of seeing Yellowstone from the comfort of their big white vans rigged with giant snow tires called the Snow Coach or on a snowmobile, which is recommended for more adventurous types. With more geysers than anywhere else in the world as well as otherworldly geothermal features like mudpots and bubbling hot springs, Yellowstone has a one of a kind ecosystem. But the park is also home to lots of big mammals, including black and grizzly bears, bison, elk, moose, wolves and bighorn sheep. While bears hibernate in winter, you will likely see plenty of the other animals on a snowy season tour. The company offers a variety of different tour packages, but the snowmobile tour to Old Faithful is a good one to start with if you’ve never been to the park before.

Ski Jackson Hole

One of the main reasons to visit Jackson in winter, of course, is to ski the intense terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which is the largest resort in town. While it offers groomers and a few marked blue runs, most of the mountain is devoted to expert trails like Corbetts, which has a 4,000-vertical-foot drop.

Another option for skiers and snowboarders is nearby Snow King Mountain Resort, which is small but mighty. Here you will find more beginner and intermediate terrain than Jackson Hole – there are six beginner trails and 13 intermediate runs. It also has some advanced and expert tree skiing terrain to test skills on a power day.

Come summer, Snow King Mountain operates a Treetop Adventure Aeriel Park with five-courses ranging from beginner to advanced that makes use of ziplines, swinging bridges, climbing walls and nets to test your confidence and get your adrenalin pumping. Summer or winter, after a day on the mountain head to Hayden’s Post afterwards for some campfire cuisine, including an excellent bison burger with locally sourced meat.

Where to Eat

There are a number of excellent restaurants in Jackson. Try Figs, located inside the Jackson Hotel, which features Mediterranean-influenced Wyoming fare with a Lebanese twist. It’s a popular après ski destination with cozy, upscale ambiance and a variety of signature cocktails including an excellent “Lebanese Lemonade” and Hibiscus Margarita. Order house made hummus and babaganoush plate that is served with fresh baked pita.

For dinner, we also love Trio, which is a happening spot even in winter. The beet risotto or grilled elk chop are excellent here, as are any of the pizzas. For dessert, you’ll want to order the s’mores. Finally for something more casual, check out Pinkie G’s, which is ALSO great if you have the family with you. They sell New York style pizza by the slice or pie, and also do salads and wings.

Where to Stay

Jackson is filled with hotels, but for something different try renting a cabin at Spring Creek Ranch. Set just outside of town, they offer some of the best views of the Tetons around. The in-house restaurant, Granary, has a unique Wyoming/American menu with items like a goat cheese sandwich and an elk skillet, but even more awe-inspiring are the views from the dining room’s massive windows.