Travel

The holy trail for powder hounds

Jackson Hole in Wyoming is one of America’s greatest ski terrains

Famed for its challenging terrain, raw nature — you may see moose on the pistes — and cowboy culture, Jackson Hole in Wyoming is one of the US’s most famous ski resorts. It’s also within day-tripping reach of Yellowstone National Park, for some additional offskis adventure.

Until the mid-80s, few people had heard of the cult ski area of Jackson Hole. Tucked into the top left-hand corner of Wyoming, with a Teton mountain range backdrop, it is now one of North America’s foremost resorts.

While originally famed for its tough terrain, these days Jackson Hole has plenty of facilities, lifts and terrain aimed at intermediates, families and beginners.

With elevations ranging from 6100 to 6800 ft, Jackson Hole has an alpine climate – even more so when you consider that the surrounding peaks rise an additional 7000 ft from the valley floor. Winters are long and cold here, with snow sometimes arriving as early as October, although more typically late November or early December. The ski season runs from late November through April, with the area’s three ski resorts – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee and Snow King Mountain – each maintaining separate opening and closing dates.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s ski area is made up of two mountains. Rendezvous provides most of the powderkeg runs, while Apres Vous has more accessible slopes. Altogether (but not counting the extensive backcountry) the two mountains share 2,500 acres of in-bounds terrain, with a vertical drop of 1,260 m – one of the biggest in the US.

Powder hounds will be perfectly happy with these conditions, of course, but non-skiers will find plenty to occupy them as well, from snowshoeing and snowmobiling to sleigh rides, dog sledding and fat-tire biking.

A quintessential winter activity, sleigh riding is a must when visiting Jackson Hole during the holiday season. In this horse-drive sleigh ride, passengers will be able to get up close and personal with the elks at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole.

The town of Jackson Hole lights up the long winter nights with holiday cheer and there are plenty of fine dining options.

The Four Seasons is the smartest place to camp as the only ski-in, ski-out property. Essentially, staying here means you can roll out of bed and onto the mountain. ●

“Welcome to cowboy country ”