Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Picturesque playground in the Teton mountains
Nestled below the snowy Grand Teton mountains, the valley of Jackson Hole is a ruggedly beautiful expanse of land in Wyoming, much of which falls within the protective bounds of two national parks and an elk refuge. The area is beloved by skiers in winter, hikers in summer, and artists all year long, though autumn brings them in droves; the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival is held annually in Jackson, a historic valley community known for its bars, boutiques, and photogenic town square. Accommodations in Jackson Hole range from luxuriously modern hotels to rustic cabins and backcountry campsites.
A walk in the (famous national) park…
The first national park in the United States, Yellowstone is most famous as the home of Old Faithful, a spectacular geyser that shoots up to 32 cubic metres of scorching hot water over 32 metres in the air on an uncommonly precise schedule. However, Old Faithful is just one of about 10,000 active thermal features set amid the park’s dramatic mountains, forests, rivers, and canyons. Yellowstone National Park is open all year round, and there are many ways to explore its 8,983.18 square kilometres, from snowmobiles and canoes to day hikes, horseback rides, and backcountry camping. Though not nearly so large, Grand Teton National Park is certainly a match for Yellowstone in terms of outdoor adventure and dramatic scenery: explorers can hike up the majestic mountains for which it is named, float down the Snake River, visit the historic homesteads along Mormon Row, or take a shuttle boat across Jenny Lake, one of the park’s most popular areas for camping, boating, and fishing.
Hit some of the country’s finest slopes…
Travellers eager to try backcountry skiing (or just some spectacular food with an even better view) flock to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Created by tectonic tilting, its slopes offer skiers the longest continuous vertical rise in America, a seemingly infinite supply of pristine powder, and a swift lift to the top: affectionately nicknamed “Big Red,” the resort’s iconic aerial tram zips to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain — over 1,219.2 vertical metres in just 12 minutes. Though the resort is known for its challenging terrain, it also offers a ski school and many hills suited to beginners and intermediate skiers. Local skiers of all ages and abilities also love Snow King Mountain; just a few blocks from Jackson Town Square, the “Town Hill” offers one of the steepest sustained pitches in the country and well-lit night skiing until 7pm. And neither mountain shuts down for the summer: instead, both resorts offer a wide array of hiking trails and family fun, including bungee trampolines, treetop rope courses, and miniature golf.
Shopping, skating, and shoot-outs at Jackson Town Square
Marked by a set of four arches made entirely from elk antlers, Jackson Town Square is the heart of this mountain community; locals and travellers alike are irresistibly drawn to its leafy central park as well as the upscale shops, saloons, and galleries along its wide wooden boardwalks. Some of the most historic hotels in Jackson Hole are within a few steps of Town Square, as are many of its most luxurious. Travellers who visit between Memorial Day and Labour Day can stop by the Square at precisely 6pm daily to see a Wild West style shoot-out, while winter visitors can look forward to an outdoor skating rink and twinkling lights as far as the eye can see. Come nightfall in any season, the Town Square is lit by the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar sign’s neon glow, and happily humming with the sounds of a happy crowd at storied live music venues such as Pink Garter Theatre, Town Square Tavern, and the Silver Dollar Showroom.
Go wild for art…
Jackson Hole is the ideal base for a “wild” vacation. In addition to nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, both filled with a wide array of Wyoming’s native species, Jackson Hole is home to the National Elk Refuge, a protected intermountain valley where the magnificent animals spend the winter. Horse-drawn sleigh rides through the refuge are an unforgettable way to see elk (and possibly even a coyote, bison, or wolf) at work and play. Travellers can also get a very close look at some of the planet’s fiercest and most fascinating creatures at the National Museum of Wildlife Art; tucked into a hillside overlooking the refuge, this top-notch cultural institution features work by Georgia O’Keeffe, John James Audubon, and Andy Warhol. The museum is the only one reason, however, that Jackson Hole is known as the “art centre of the Rockies;” accomplished artists come from all over the country to participate in the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, 11 days of gallery exhibition openings, competitions, events, and parties.