Located near the tram, in Teton Village, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
PUBLIC WELCOME. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we invite you to test your skills on this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. championship golf course. We’d like to share the experience that has once again landed us the Best of Jackson Hole Gold Award. Come on out for a day on the course or enjoy traditional country club fare for lunch or dinner on the fireside patio or in our comfortable restaurant and bar. Get away from the crowds and into the views!
Something exciting is coming to JD High Country Outfitters
For decades, we’ve been honored to serve Jackson Hole’s hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts—sharing our passion, our expertise, and our commitment to the traditions of the wild. Now, we’re stepping into the next chapter with a renewed focus, a refined space, and the same JDHCO spirit that has made us a part of your adventures.
WHAT’S NEXT?
You’ll have to wait and see. But trust us—you’re going to love it.
AARON KRAFT
Featuring Best of Jackson Hole 2025
THE 2025 CONTEST FEATURED:
6,500+
2,500+ LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS NOMINATED LOCAL BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS NOMINATED
Celebrating the heart and soul of Jackson Hole! Discover the vibrant pulse of our beloved community with The Locals’ Guidebook, an annual publication that honors the remarkable businesses and individuals that make Jackson Hole truly special.
At the core of The Locals’ Guidebook lies the renowned Best of Jackson Hole contest—an annual celebration that recognizes the local favorites, the tried-and-true establishments and the movers and shakers that make life in this valley so special.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Managing Editor
Marianne Zumberge
Best of Jackson Hole
Director
Caroline O’Neill
Advertising Director
Alyson Klaczkiewicz
Designer, Illustrator & Cover Artist
Maria Sengle
Contributing Photographer
Nick Sulzer
90,000+ VOTES CAST
Within these pages, get to know local legends, find the best places to boot-scoot and learn the ins and outs of wearing a cowboy hat the Jackson way.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or a curious traveler, The Locals’ Guidebook is your trusted companion to navigate the richness of Jackson Hole. To learn more about The Locals’ Guidebook and the Best of Jackson Hole contest, visit BestOfJacksonHole.com.
Ad Design
Sarah Wilson
Lydia Redzich
Luis F. Ortiz
Chelsea Robinson
Heather Haseltine
Contributing Writers
Tibby Plasse
Leigh Reagan Smith
River Stingray
Henry Quinn
Marianne Zumberge
Circulation Manager Jayann Carlisle
Copy Editor
Cherisè Forno
Publisher Contact Info@BestofJacksonHole.com (307) 222-8609 1225 Maple Way Jackson, WY
Dave Hansen Whitewater and Scenic River Trips DaveHansenWhitewater.com
Astoria Hot Springs Park | AstoriaHotSpringsPark.org
Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures | JHEcoTourAdventures.com
Will Dornan | JacksonHoleFloatTrips.com
Brian Shott | JHFlyFishingSchool.com
Annie King | WestbankAnglers.com
Westbank Anglers | WestbankAnglers.com
Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School | JHFlyFishingSchool.com
JD High Country Outfitters | JDHCOutfitters.com
Teton Mountaineering | TetonMtn.com
Skinny Skis | SkinnySkis.com
JD High Country Outfitters | JDHCOutfitters.com
Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club | JHGTC.com
Snake River Sporting Club | SnakeRiverSportingClub.com
Teton Pines | TetonPines.com
Cascade Canyon
Josie’s Ridge
Cache Creek Trailhead
Voted Best of Jackson Hole
Local Sports Team
Jackson Hole Moose Hockey | Moose.Pucksystems2.com
Jackson Hole High School Broncs | JHHS.TCSD.org
Jackson Hole Juggernauts Roller Derby | JHJRD.com
Mountain Guide
Rafting Company
River Guide
Bo Welden | Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures
Dave Miller | Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Garrick Hart | Exum Guides
Dave Hansen Whitewater and Scenic River Trips
DaveHansenWhitewater.com
Jackson Hole Whitewater | JHWW.com
Triangle X Ranch - National Park Float Trips TriangleX.com/River-Trips
Will Dornan | Jackson Hole Float Trips
Hailey Stines | Dave Hansen Whitewater
Jeff Rossberg
Ski Trail
Rendezvous Bowl | Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
North Hoback | Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Easy Does It | Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Wildlife Tour
Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures | JHEcoTourAdventures.com
Teton Wilderness Tours | TetonWildernessTours.com
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris | JacksonHoleWildlifeSafaris.com
Wildlife Tour Guide
Bo Welden | Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures
Gus Davis | Teton Wilderness Tours
David Howk | Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools
Teton Wilderness Tours is a locally owned and operated guiding company that was born from an idea to be different. As a collective of passionate naturalists and outdoor recreators, we have spent much time exploring the world through that lens, especially in our own backyard! It is our desire to custom tailor every trip that we do to the specific desires and parameters of each group that we take.
Q: What sets Teton Wilderness Tours apart?
A: Each of our guides with the company have at least eight years of experience guiding in a variety of ways in the region. Through our passion for the outdoors we are able to cater to our clients specific interests for every trip.
What trips does Teton Wilderness Tours offer?
A: We offer a variety of trips in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks ranging from half day wildlife tours, to multiday Yellowstone excursions. Our unique Tour and Trail ride trip is an experience that gets you off the beaten path onto our horses for an unforgettable adventure!
Q: What can guests expect out of a tour?
A: We always promise to deliver a level of professionalism on our tours; from pickup to drop off our guests will be immersed in the beauty of this place we call home. Our guides will be able to share their expertise making for a truly memorable trip!
Brought
Geyser Gazing
Citizen Science in Yellowstone National Park
By River Stingray
Y
ellowstone National Park (YNP) is known for its iconic wildlife watching, where viewers are able to witness everything from grizzlies and wolves down to the elusive pika. But for some, there’s a whole other park experience that’s become a hobby for the most patient and observant of folks: geyser gazing.
Nathaniel Dodge, a guide in YNP and an aspiring “geyser gazer geezer,” says these individuals can often be spotted in the Old Faithful area with their camp chairs, waiting patiently for eruptions. He notes they usually get to witness “geysers that rarely go off or are on the bucket list,” sometimes even receiving a radio from a ranger so they can report information about potential eruptions to visitor centers.
While the pastime has been around since the 1800s, when fur trapper and explorer John Colter wrote one of the first descriptions of YNP’s geysers, the formalized Geyser Observation and Study Association (GOSA) was founded in 1983 to solidify the community as a cornerstone of informational dissemination.
“Every GOSA associate is a geyser gazer, but not all geyser gazers are GOSAs,” Micah Kipple, president of GOSA, explains. “What it really boils down to, pun intended, is that the geyser gazing community is just people who have a passion for geysers. Geysers are one of the more unique features on the planet that deserve attention; it’s important to watch them.”
Continued on pg. 21
Brought to you by:
Kevin, Wildlife Expeditions’ lead guide, and John, Director of Wildlife Expeditions, share their thoughts:
Q: Kevin, what inspires you to work for Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools?
A: There are a number of reasons for why I have worked for Wildlife Expeditions for over 20 years now, one is Teton Science Schools is a non-profit educational organization that has been around for over 50 years and has a very long commitment to education in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the surrounding area.
Q: John, what makes a Wildlife Expeditions tour different from other experiences in the park?
A: Wildlife Expeditions is Jackson Hole’s original wildlife tour provider. Since 1999, our expert guides have connected curious guests with the magic of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. With deep knowledge, real-time field updates, and nonprofit roots, we help you see more wildlife, while supporting education for all ages through Teton Science Schools.
Q: John, how do Wildlife Expeditions guides approach their role as educators in the field?
A: Our guides are passionate biologists and naturalists who tailor each experience to your interests. Beyond wildlife, they share insights into the region’s geology, ecology and cultural history, because for us, education is at the heart of every expedition. WildlifeExpeditions.org | 877.404.6626
“It’s more than just sitting and watching geysers erupt,” says Michael Poland, scientistin-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO). “The folks that do this are really enthusiastic and collect all kinds of interesting information.”
Poland says he’ll often get anecdotal reports about geysers erupting that he can put a good deal of trust in.
“Because they’re so experienced with watching these things, you can put more trust into the observations,” Poland says. “The folks that spend time really observing Yellowstone geysers, they know the features far better than I ever will. They have that degree of credibility.”
In 2011, Jake Young founded website Geyser Times, a crowdsourced open database of geyser information. Today, with Young as president, Geyser Times has over 1.2 million observations in the database for the public to access.
“The ability to look up the recent activity of any geyser really helps people do their geyser gazing that day,” Young said.
For those interested in dipping their toes into the world of geyser gazing, Poland warns that it takes an incredibly high amount of patience,
a level he admits even he sometimes doesn’t have.
“The level of patience is, I think, extraordinary, and very admirable,” Poland says.
But once that’s locked in, Poland recommends doing more than just waiting for the eruption.
“Think about the sort of observations or data that might be interesting if you were watching it again, and again, and again,” Poland says. “You could measure the height of the column, how long does the eruption last, what’s the time since the previous eruption, how much of an opening sequence is there.”
Kipple also encourages those interested to engage with the community, although he does ask that people be mindful that geyser gazers are all different and are all human.
“If you do have questions, some of us are introverted, so some people want to answer and some are not as prone to answering questions,” Kipple says.
“‘Dedicated’ is the word,” Young says of the community. “Quirky. Unique. A subgroup of people addicted to Yellowstone. It’s kind of like Pokémon — you’ve got to collect them all.”
Devotion to the Craft: Alpine Guiding
Heritage in the Tetons
IBy Henry Quinn
n the late 1920s, an avid climber named Paul Petzoldt — who had first summited the Grand Teton at age 16 — was leading small groups up the mountain when he realized there was an opportunity to start a business.
“He’d walk around the campgrounds showing paintings of the Tetons with local artist Archie Teater,” says Kimberly Geil, founder of The Exum History Project. “After people admired the artwork, he’d see if he could talk them into going up the Grand.”
Soon after, Paul met Glenn Exum and after climbing together decided to invite Glenn to be his partner in his new guiding service. Thus, Exum Mountain Guides was born and operates today as the oldest alpine guiding service in the United States.
“This is where guiding in America began,” recalls Phil Powers, owner of Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Founded in 1968, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides is the only other alpine guiding service with permission to operate within Grand Teton National Park.
From river guides to ski instructors, guiding is one of the most popular professions for locals living in
Paul Petzoldt and Glenn Exum after Petzoldt took Exum climbing for the first time, using the Owen route on the Grand Teton in 1930.
Photo from the Exum Family Collection
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Since 1986, Westbank Anglers has been a trusted name in the world of fly fishing. Based in Jackson Hole, we are a local fly-fishing outfitter, exclusive destination travel service, fly fishing retailer with a storefront and online presence, dedicated to the preservation and protection of waters both near and far.
Q: What is the best time of year to go fly fishing on the Snake River?
A: While the peak season for targeting native Fine-Spotted Snake River Cutthroat Trout is typically mid-July through September, our favorite times to fish locally are early season and late season. March and April, just before runoff, offer hungry post-winter fish and fewer anglers. October is another special time, when the average fish size is larger and the crowds begin to thin.
Q: What are the most common mistakes you see on fishing trips, both locally and abroad?
A: One of the biggest challenges in fly fishing is being properly prepared for your adventure. Having the right gear—from your fly line to what you are wearing—and knowing how to pack it efficiently can make all the difference. That’s why we focus on sharing our experience and expertise to help anglers feel confident and ready.
Q: How is Westbank Anglers involved in conservation efforts?
A: We proudly support conservation through donations and trip contributions to organizations such as Trout Unlimited, the Snake River Fund, the South Fork Initiative and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, to name a few. Additionally, every member of our staff and guide team volunteers at least one day each year for efforts such as fish rescues, river cleanups and helping the local community.
Jackson Hole. But alpine guiding in the Tetons requires a distinct skillset and offers a uniquely demanding experience.
Each summer, in close collaboration with park rangers, the two authorized guiding services shuttle hundreds of guests up the Grand Teton.
Exum employs around 65 guides to keep the operation running smoothly. About half live locally, while others sleep in their vans, and live largely “on the mountain” during the busy summer season. Guides typically lead multiple strenuous climbs per week.
“It’s a very physical job,” says guide Nat Patridge, a longtime guide with Exum. Most summit expeditions require an overnight stay and involve over 7,000 vertical feet and an 8-mile approach — each way.
“Guiding is not the most lucrative profession in the world, yet it demands a huge amount of education and devotion to the craft,” Powers says.
However, it’s not all about the physicality.
“Guides know how to manage an ever-present risk of catastrophe in those surroundings,” Patridge says. From avoiding sudden rockfall to dodging lightning storms and avalanches, alpine guides must instantaneously adapt to changes in the environment. That element of risk, he says, is part of what makes guiding in the Tetons so powerful. “You can’t have adventure without risk, and the presence of risk bonds people — with the place and with each other.”
The summit, Patridge adds, is often more than just a physical high point.
“There’s always a deep connection between the guide and their client; they work so hard to reach the top — it’s great to watch that success,” Patrdige says.
Working in such consequential terrain isn’t for the faint of heart, but the reward of a successful trip keeps guides coming back each summer for more trips up the Grand.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
The first summit of the Grand Teton remains a hotly contested subject. Officially, the first ascent was established by climbing pair Billy Owen and Rev. Franklin Spalding, who, along with two other climbers, made the first ascent in 1898, establishing the popular “OwenSpalding” route. Nevertheless, soon after their ascent was officially recorded, mountain explorer Nathaniel Langford claimed to have previously climbed the mountain on an expedition in 1872, while Army surgeon Capt. William Kieffer also claimed a prior ascent on a hunting trip in 1893.
Regardless of which expedition officially reached the top first, evidence of Native American climbers from the Shoshone, Blackfeet, Gros Ventre and Crow tribes is widespread. A famous alpine horseshoe-shaped feature known as the “Enclosure,” believed to have been built by Native American mountaineers, sits at 12,000 feet on the western face of the Grand Teton.
Photo:
Voted Best In Jackson Hole
Illustrator/ Graphic Designer
Ryan Stolp | RyanStolp.com
Kelly Halpin | KellyHalpin.com
Haley Leeper | HaleyBadenhop.com
Local Band
One Ton Pig | OneTonPig.com
The Dangling Chains | TheDanglingChains.com
Outta Shorts | @outtashorts
Musician
David Jeremy | @davidjeremymusic
Missy Jo | MissyJoElliott.com
Isaac Hayden | IsaacHaydenMusic.com
Photographer
Savannah Rose | @savannahrosewildlife
Tom Mangelsen | Mangelsen.com
Jessica Parker | JParker.Photography
Briar Rose has been creating and delivering flower bouquets in Jackson Hole, Wilson and Teton Village for over two decades. Briar Rose can create floral designs for any occasion from a single elegant long-stemmed rose to elaborate wedding arrangements that will leave a sweetsmelling and long-lasting impression you’ll have to see to be-leaf!
Briar Rose owner, Jean Johnson, shares more about her fragrant journey to success:
Q: How long have you been in business in Jackson Hole?
A: I opened Briar Rose 24 years ago, and I had a business called The Huckleberry Patch for 16 years before that. I am also a Jackson Hole native.
Q: Has your passion always been flowers?
A: When I started Briar Rose, yes, but before that it was quilts.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Keep doing everything I do, which includes floral arrangements, weddings, tux rentals, events, celebrations, and I deliver to Jackson, Wilson and Teton Village!
Q: What do you like most about doing weddings and events?
A: I like creating beautiful arrangements for people. It will be hard to not keep doing it all; I love arranging flowers so much!
Q: What are some of your favorite flowers?
A: I can’t even choose; I love all flowers!
swingtown
A Guide to Jackson’s Swing Dance Scene
By Henry Quinn
Jackson’s lively music scene, with its abundance of local bands, has given rise to a vibrant swing dance culture. Popular dance spots vary by the day, making it easy to find a place to swing at almost any time. Every Tuesday night at the Silver Dollar Bar, known as “Bluegrass night,” offers a lively atmosphere for dancing from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Sunday night at the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson, affectionately called “Church,” is a favorite among locals and runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. For those craving music and dancing any other night of the week, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar offers plenty of both.
Swing dancing isn’t just about having fun on the dance floor — it’s a way for locals to build new connections. From twenty-somethings just arriving in Jackson to longtime retirees, dancing has helped form new friendships across generations. Dave and Josie, locals from Tetonia, Idaho, who claim they’ve danced in every room of their house, enjoy meeting new partners on the dance floor and teaching others at Dave’s Pubb in Tetonia, Idaho.
“Our entertainment is incredible for a town of our size.”
— Rick Ellensworth
Jackson resident Jackie, age 70, found a new sense of community through swing dance lessons at the Cowboy Bar after her partner moved into a nursing home in 2020.
“It changed my life,” she says. “It was a process, trying to start new … I never in my life thought I’d dance, but here I am. It’s fun, it makes me smile and the people are the best.”
For newcomers like Oliver Kendall, age 22, who only recently moved to Jackson, swing dancing has quickly become a part of his regular routine.
Continued on pg. 32
The National Museum of Wildlife Art, founded in 1987, is the world’s premier wildlife art museum holding more than 5,000 artworks representing wild animals from around the world. Featuring work by prominent artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Thomas Moran, Ai Weiwei and Carl Rungius, the Museum’s unsurpassed permanent collection chronicles much of the history of wildlife in art, from 2500 B.C.E. to the present.
Q: Where is the Museum located?
A: Built into a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is only two-and-a-half miles north of the Jackson Town Square, and two miles from the gateway of Grand Teton National Park. Situated on a dramatic cliff, the Museum appears to emerge from the earth like a natural outcropping of rock. The Museum’s location provides a rare opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat, as does the artwork that pays tribute to it.
Q: Is the Museum fun for families?
A: Yes! We have a Children’s Discovery Gallery with an art-studio, wildlife costumes, life-sized diorama, a puppet theater and a reading nook. It is open during regular Museum hours. We frequently display student artwork in our Wapiti Gallery created by local students. The Sculpture Trail is also an exciting place for families to explore.
Q: When is the Museum open?
A: During the summer (May 1 – October 31) the Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy lunch at Palate restaurant from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the winter (November 1 – April 30) we are closed on Mondays. Please visit our website for holiday and special event hours.
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“It’s just a good community,” he says. “You see the same people every Tuesday and Sunday, or dancing out at the Cowboy.”
Dancers in Jackson display distinct styles, especially when comparing younger and older generations. Younger dancers often favor dramatic aerial moves, spins and dips, while the older crowd tends to focus on cleaner footwork, rhythmic movement and following more traditional patterns, such as the two-step, triple-step or waltz.
“Every partner has their own style,” says longtime dancer Casey Singer. “It’s a language, no matter where people are from. You can do it with anyone from anywhere, and it’s never the same.”
Singer adds, “I’ve been dancing for 20+ years in this genre and now people are learning new
moves on YouTube and teaching me stuff.”
George Ryan, age 27, who sports a cowboy hat on every dance floor, enjoys the tandem nature of swing dancing.
“You can be a really good follower and/or a really bad lead, but it always takes two to pull it all together,” Ryan says.
For those new to the dance floor, the Cowboy Bar offers free swing dance lessons every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Learning just a few moves can make a world of difference, and it’s easy to pick up more along the way.
“It’s one of the more intimidating things to do, but go up and ask someone for help,” says Ryan. “There are so many people in this community who are willing to help teach you.”
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Local dancers say the key to true success on the dance floor requires letting go of selfconsciousness and embracing mistakes.
“Go dance like nobody’s watching,” says longtime dancer Rick Ellensworth, who’s been part of the swing dance scene since 1985.
WYOMING UNTRAPPED
Join us in protecting the freedom and well-being of our wild neighbors.
Together, we can create a HUMANE WYOMING for all beings.
Learn more:
“People don’t care about how you dance; it’s just about having fun. So get out there, smile and have some fun.”
The Jackson swing dance scene is a nojudgement zone, so don’t be shy — get out there and have a twirl!
Wild Journeys Honoring the Wild Ones
Wyoming Untrapped is proud to collaborate with local artist Helen Seay and Yellowstonian.org on this joyous two-panel mural. It comprises a richness of species and individuals who bring to life heroic stories of survival, persistence, and the need for all to lend our voices to their conservation.
View the murals in Jackson at 120 W. Broadway.
WOLF — PHOTO BY MIKE CAVAROC
Photo: Swing Dancing at The Wort // Nick Sulzer | PG. 33
Choose Art, Avoid the Crowds:
A Self-Guided Public Art Tour
By Tibby Plasse
Jackson Hole adventure is not limited to the backcountry. From bike paths to underpasses to trolls and grizzly bears, Jackson’s wildlife comes in all forms: murals, sculptures, lights and chairlift benches.
With so much to check off the bucket list, one of the best things to do with an with an hour or two is to go on an art quest.
Start in town at the LandSignals mural at the Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at the Elk Refuge, then take a Snow King lap to test the six custom swings that are slopeside in alpenglow colors, before biking down to explore
town looking for WildWalls — turning corners in the alleys is a great way to avoid the crowded downtown sidewalks.
The annual summer mural takeover, WildWalls pairs conservation partners and sponsor organizations with artists to educate and celebrate stories of ecology. This year’s artists include:
Olivia Ewing (JH Trout Unlimited), Susan Grinels (Snake River Fund), Gabriel Lopez (Wyoming Outdoor Council), James Overstreet (The Nature Conservancy), Miranda Raposa (Teton County Weed & Pest), Jocelyn Slack (Teton Raptor Center) and Kay Stratman (Protect Our Water JH).
Top (left to right): Snow King Chair // Sam Pope, Dan Toro painting SRB mural // Ouree Lee
Bottom (Left to Right): Mama Mimi sculpture by Thomas Dambo // Nick Sulzer, Mural by Artist Kay Stratman // Ouree Lee, Wheel of Time mural by Jeremy Collins // Robin Cameron
A new mural is also being created in the alley between Gaslight Alley and Skinny Skis.
With so many opportunities to take in Jackson’s must-dos, walking around town and getting off of the Town Square will give visitors a glimpse of what it’s like to call the “Last of the West” their home. Visitors will be quick to notice if there’s surface area to share, Jackson Hole Public Art is going to find a way to turn a utility box into a moment to celebrate heritage—and give onlookers a new way to look at the world. The program saw over 400 artist-applicants last year.
“You’ll feel welcomed, embraced and cared for when you are swinging under a cloud at the tippy top of Snow King or when you are walking on Mama Mimi’s inviting, outstretched leg,” says Carrie Geraci, JHPA’s executive director.
Mama Mimi, the Westbank’s resident troll located at Rendezvous “R” Park in Wilson, is one of the many seek-and-find experiences for families to explore in the Westbank community park space. A great place to picnic before or after active days in the area, it can provide a convenient opportunity to pause and maybe even take a dip in the swimming hole.
“Public art invites us to be curious.”
— Carrie Geraci
Geraci listed off many places around the valley to cop a squat and take in the surroundings.
Throughout summer 2025, visitors and residents alike can participate in upcoming art installation the “Garden of Lanterns” by helping to make lanterns at one of JHPA’s workshops. The light sculptures will be featured in a community celebration in October.
You don’t want to miss MADE! Worth the trip to town, their original store is located in Gaslight Alley just off the Town Square. It is where I go for gifts, and you will certainly find something that is a “Must Have.”
Q: What makes MADE a local “Go-To” favorite store?
A: We set out to be a shop where every local came to buy their birthday card. We knew if they had a reason to come we could get them to fall in love with all of our artist made goods. The shop is always changing - we work with local artists and hundreds of makers from all over the country and we still have the best cards!
Q: What’s something you’re excited about this season at MADE?
A: A couple of things... first we have a new shop on the way to Teton Village in an area called The Aspens. “M” is a sister store to our town location, but it is a totally different inventory so you will need to check out both.
Second, we are now making all of our own hats in house at MADE. We design all of the artwork and patches. Each hat is made in limited quantities, so if you see one you love, grab it before it sells out.
Q: How Long has MADE been open?
A: MADE opened 15 years ago. Over that time we have also added three other shops around the valley - Mountain Dandy, Mursell’s Sweet Shop & M. It’s been busy, but we are having fun.
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ROCK:
Live Music Abounds in Wyoming, Idaho
By Tibby Plasse
F rom longtime roadhouses to mountain summit stages, Jackson’s concert roster rivals national marquees. The Tetons may be made of granite, but evenings in town rock just as hard as their igneous peaks, especially in the summer.
Arrive by gondola or by trail to catch a show at 7,800 feet for Snow King’s King Concert Series. Summer 2025 includes acts like Wilco, Modest Mouse, Primus, Marcus King Band, De La Soul and Damian and Stephen Marley. Sitting atop the “town hill” with a panoramic backdrop of the Teton and Gros Ventre ranges, not even locals can pass up a chance to catch the alpenglow of their favorite rock bands reverberating across the Rockies.
Back down in the valley, downtown Jackson
is always ready to boot, scoot and boogie. Standby music haunt the Silver Dollar Bar is home to weekly shows with Jackson’s original bluegrass band, One Ton Pig, and rising acts performing regularly. Its sibling around the corner, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is known nationally, from its stools made out of saddles to its intimate shows with some of country music’s biggest names. Looking for an all-ages venue? The lawn at Center for the Arts is one of the best-kept secrets for a picnic and a show.
Those looking for more independent music should keep their eyes on the bookings at the Mangy Moose in Teton Village, where Ox Presents brings in everything from hip-hop to alternative rock to jam bands in the iconic roadhouse known for its ski culture vibe and intimate stage.
At Katie Murphy Insurance we’re all about helping people. We care about our customers and pride ourselves on the support we provide, allowing them to navigate the world of insurance with ease. Offering auto, home, small business and life insurance since 2016, our friends and neighbors have relied on us to protect against the unexpected, and we’re honored to support our community in such a meaningful way.
Q: What types of insurance policies do you offer?
A: Our agency offers a wide range of insurance products to meet many needs. From home, auto, life, health and business insurance to coverage for recreational vehicles and even pets, we provide customizable options and endorsements tailored to every customer.
Q: Are there specific coverages that are more important for residents in our town or city?
A: It’s important to consider any local regulations or requirements that might affect your coverage. Ultimately, I encourage residents to schedule a review with us so we can assess their individual situations and ensure they have the appropriate coverages in place to protect against local risks.
Q: Are you available for in-person meetings, and how often do you recommend them?
A: Yes, my team is available for in-person meetings, and we typically meet with clients during weekdays by appointment. We recommend scheduling an in-person meeting at least once a year to review your insurance needs and coverage options. However, if there are significant life changes or specific questions that arise, we are happy to meet more frequently. Our goal is to ensure you feel fully supported and informed, so we are flexible with scheduling to accommodate your needs.
From top to bottom: Music on Main, the Tetonia Club, Concerts on the Commons and Center for the Arts // Nick Sulzer
Photo: Targhee Bluegrass Festival // Nick Sulzer
With acts like New Orleans’ The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr. and High Step Society, Concerts on the Commons make for the perfect family outing to catch a grab-n-go meal in Teton Village, let the littles enjoy splash pad sprinklers and get one last weekend moment in before Monday comes around. The free concert series takes place on Sundays, with added shows for the Fourth of July holiday.
When Monday does come around, there’s no reason not to take in the locals’ pickin’ party at Dornan’s in Moose with the Jackson Hole Hootenanny. With a mix of musicians from all corners of the earth, the Hoots began in the 1950s and remain a cornerstone of Jackson’s music history.
Up in Alta, the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary this August with acts like Leftover Salmon, Kitchen Dwellers, Greensky Bluegrass, Mountain Grass Unit and Lukas Nelson. A
coveted week in Teton Valley, the festival follows a week of Targhee Music Camp, with instructors often playing in the festival.
The Wydaho (how the locals refer to Teton Valley’s dual state identity) music scene can be enjoyed all week and summer long with outdoor shows at the Tetonia Club every Friday and Saturday. Downtown Sounds at the Driggs City Center brings classical, folk and other genres for free shows at the band shell. And, for 20 years running, on Thursday nights, everyone and their mother heads to Victor City Park for Music on Main, Teton Valley Foundation’s free concert series. This summer’s lineup includes Neal Francis, Vandoliers, Fruition, Bamba Wassoulou Groove and Lindsay Lou.
Photo: Music On Main. Victor, Idaho // Nick Sulzer
Fitness Instructor/ Trainer
Full Service Spa
Hair Salon
Hair Stylist
Health Care Services
Health/Fitness Center
Massage Therapist
Voted Best of Jackson Hole
Mental Health
Therapist
Niki Sue Mueller | NikiSueYoga.com
Dani Perry
Carey Clark | CoreChangesJH.com
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences FourSeasons.com/JacksonHole/Spa
Thee Spa | TheeSpa.com
The Body Sage Spa at the Rusty Parrot Lodge RustyParrot.com/Spa
Frost Salon | @frostsalon
Champu Salon | ChampuSalonJH.com
Teton Barber Shop | @tetonbarber
Sofie Thompson | @StylingBySofie
Angie Logan | @coifinginjacksonhole
Hannah Poindexter Ellis | @hannahthe_hairslayer
Blackburn Drug | BlackburnDrug.com
St. John’s Health | StJohns.Health
Excel Physical Therapy | ExcelPTJackson.com
Teton County Community Recreation Center TetonParksAndRec.org
Astoria Hot Springs Park | AstoriaHotSpringsPark.org
We strive to inspire you to eat clean, healthy foods and feel vibrant and alive in your body. It is an absolute honor and joy to serve you and our entire community. Thank you for all of your support for all these years.
Q: What has changed this past year at Inversion?
A: Our Inversion Cafe is now a full expression of what we were inspired to create: a healthy, affordable cafe with fresh, organic ingredients in a gentle, positive environment. It took many iterations and we are now really proud of our cafe. We hope you enjoy our smoothies, blended broths, açaí bowls, toasts, and local Nomadic Bean artisan coffee, open 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily.
What are you working towards this year?
A: We have been building up our Pilates program. We now offer a bunch of group reformer and mixed equipment classes, so there is no longer a waitlist. We have many incredible Pilates studios in the valley but not enough teachers. We are grateful to host internationally respected STOTT PILATES teacher training programs, now scheduled through 2026. Come train with us!
Q: What is a constant at Inversion Yoga?
A: With all the growth in our business over 15 years, one steady constant is the quality and care our teachers offer our students, as well as the drive from our students to continue to grow. The caliber of both teachers and students we are fortunate to hold space for motivates us to keep going. Another constant is our wide variety of classes. All are welcome and we offer something for everybody.
Inversion Yoga, Pilates + Cafe
Jackson Practitioners Offer Wide Range of Healing Treatments
By Leigh Reagan Smith
Over the past decade, an increasing number of health practitioners have brought the Jackson community into a new frontier of overall wellness by offering a multitude of innovative approaches to healing. Whether recovering from a physical injury, in need of mental health support or looking for alternative treatments, visitors and residents now have access to a wide spectrum of specialists.
Because of the ultra-active lifestyles popular among Jacksonites, healing can be a major part of daily life here.
Delve into the world of healing by getting to know an art therapist, a microcurrent neurofeedback practitioner and a physical therapist who considers a more holistic approach.
Victoria Babanuta helps the brain’s natural ability to heal
Victoria Babanuta, the owner of Simply Health Collective, became a certified IASIS
(the Greek word for “healing”) Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) practitioner after suffering a concussion in high school.
“I spent over 15 years battling debilitating migraines that took a toll on every aspect of my life,” Babanuta says. “I tried countless treatments and remedies through the lens of Western medicine, but nothing brought lasting relief.”
Once Babanuta began studying MCN in Los Angeles, she says she learned how to heal her migraines. Babanuta says that MCN is an FDA-approved technology that gently helps the brain to reset and self-regulate by using tiny electrodes placed on the scalp to deliver microcurrents — low-level electrical impulses that stimulate the brain’s natural ability to adapt and heal.
“Most people don’t feel anything during a session, but the impact can be profound,” Babanuta says. “In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are more than just mental — they affect the entire body. When the brain is stuck in ‘survival mode,’ it becomes harder to think clearly, sleep well or stay emotionally balanced.”
According to Babanuta, chronic stress can wear down the body’s natural ability to heal. She described MCN as allowing the brain and nervous system to shift out of stress and into a more relaxed, regulated state. The treatment focuses on delta brainwaves, which are the slowest and most powerful of all brainwaves and are linked to deep relaxation, sleep and healing. Babanuta says that the treatments can help people who are feeling exhausted by chronic symptoms caused by migraines, insomnia, ADD, ADHD,
PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, autism and neuropathy.
Babanuta described one of her “most meaningful success stories during her many years of practice.” She says that a young girl had been suffering from severe, chronic headaches since middle school, and the pain affected her ability to focus, learn and fully engage in daily life.
“After completing a full IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback protocol, her debilitating headaches stopped,” Babanuta says. “She’s now thriving in high school, and although the headaches are no longer an issue, she continues to come in a few times a year — especially before stressful events like exams or big life changes.”
Founded by Henry Raynor Williams, HArtful Wellness
offers a unique approach to holistic healing that integrates the power of art-making with therapeutic bodywork. With over a decade of experience and being voted as Best Massage Therapist in Jackson Hole, Henry combines his intuition and artistry with advanced techniques in massage therapy, including Deep Tissue, Swedish, Reflexology and Reiki to help release trauma and restore balance to the body and mind.
Q: What do you think differentiates you as a massage therapist within your community?
A: I think my intuitions help me determine the nature of energies being stored in the body and how to effectively help release them. Emotional and physical trauma feel differently and my gift of “feel” helps me work between both effectively.
Leann Dzemske uses art to process emotions
Leann Dzemske, a trained artist, licensed professional counselor and art therapist registered practitioner, has been using art to help heal people of all ages in Jackson since 2020. The community has awarded Dzemske with the Best of Jackson Hole’s 2023 Silver and 2024 and 2025 Gold for best mental health therapist.
While Dzemske has always been creative, she says that she made the decision to pursue a master’s degree in art therapy and counseling after volunteering for at-risk youth in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Q: What are people saying about Henry Williams and HArtful Wellness?
“Henry at HArtful Wellness in Jackson, Wyoming is a gifted healer. His work is highly intuitive and trauma informed. ‘Massage’ does not do justice to the experience. Look no further; it doesn’t get any better than Henry.”
— J. Bressler
“Henry is not only an incredible massage therapist, but he is completely in tune to your emotions. A session with Henry left me feeling physically and mentally renewed. Amazing massage - can’t recommend enough!”
— S. Brogan
“There is no other massage therapist I would ever see in Jackson Hole! Henry has a gift, is attentive, receptive and professional — absolutely the best massage I ever had! Can’t wait to return.”
— K. Hayes
Brought
Q: What inspired Vertical Services, and how has it evolved?
A: Vertical Services, was born from local founder Max Milburn’s passion for rock climbing and a desire to apply those skills beyond recreation. Recognizing a niche for specialized services requiring expertise at heights, Max established the company to address daunting tasks. Over the years, Vertical Services expanded its offerings, becoming a trusted provider for highaccess needs in Jackson Hole.
Q: What services does Vertical Services offer to the Jackson Hole community?
A: Vertical Services provides diverse high-access solutions, including technical tree removal, window cleaning and holiday lighting installations. Our expertise ensures professionalism and safety for both routine and unique challenges.
Q: How does Vertical Services embody the values of the Jackson Hole community?
A: Raised in Jackson Hole, Vertical Services operates under the “Code of the West,” emphasizing courage, integrity and community spirit. We deliver quality work, ensuring each project is completed with care and respect for the environment. We are dedicated to preserving our region’s natural beauty and ethos.
“I would see children and teens’ entire dispositions change after an art-making session,” Dzemske says.
Dzemske says that art therapy can function in the same way as talk therapy, with the added benefit of art processes and materials applied therapeutically.
“We aren’t striving for an artistic product but instead a catharsis, sublimation of our insight into our inner worlds,” Dzemske says. “Creativity allows us to explore emotions in an externalizing format, giving distance from the event/emotion being processed, which can calm our body’s alarm system [limbic system] and allow for sensory or emotional regulation or greater insight to develop.”
In her therapy sessions, Dzemske utilizes a variety of creative exercises including drawing, painting, watercolor, printmaking, eco art therapy, collage, found poetry, mandalas, body maps, emotional and coping skills, color wheels, plaster molding, perler beads and needle felting. She says that she also guides her patients through talk therapy and offers specific directives to focus on while creating. Dzemske says that many people learn to manage discomfort and think more clearly after expressing themselves during the creative process.
“Many remark how they enjoy it or that it helped them think about something differently, or that things don’t feel as pent up as they were,” Dzemske says. “When the body becomes calm by a self-soothing process like repetitive mark-making or externalizing a scene, it has the potential to allow the body and brain to calm. When we are in a calmer state, we tend to have space in our brains to process deeper.”
Dzemske says that during art making, Alzheimer’s or dementia patients can experience memory recalls, and stroke
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patients who are limited in body movement can find new ways to express themselves. Dzemske encourages everyone to access their own creativity by exploring doodling, singing or humming the verse of a song, writing or taking in the expansiveness of the landscape.
“You create with your decisions,” Dzemske says. “This is a practice that you already do daily. My challenge to you is to try to become conscious of one joyful decision you can consciously make daily and observe what is created.”
and happiness through all four aspects of well-being (spiritual, mental, emotional and physical), the root cause of stress, pain and ‘dis-ease’ is often missed, leading to incomplete or inefficient healing and sub-par sports performance,” Bartlett writes on her website.
After directing Medicine Wheel Wellness since 2015, Bartlett chose to expand her business by founding Sacred Athlete in 2024. In her new venture, she offers Himalayan salt healing, an infrared sauna and an outdoor wood-fired sauna, cold therapies, massage, physical therapy, a climbing and bouldering wall, infrared therapy and BEMER vascular therapy.
When injured athletes book a session with Bartlett, she often uses BEMER devices, a type of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, as a tool to speed up the recovery process. Bartlett says PEMF vascular therapy, which is a 20-year-old technology from Germany, can create movement and blood circulation in muscles before and after any type of surgery. Bartlett says that PEMF increases the delivery of blood in the body’s microvessels and boosts elimination of metabolic waste.
Francine Bartlett offers electromagnetic therapy
Francine Bartlett, physical therapist, yoga teacher, athletic trainer and founder of Medicine Wheel Wellness and Sacred Athlete, has developed a more holistic approach to sports therapy.
After healing from two knee surgeries in high school, Bartlett traveled around the world to learn how to integrate modern medicine with the ancient wisdom of Indigenous cultures. She says that this led her to formulate a system of care that utilizes the medicine wheel’s “four directions” approach in Indigenous teachings to optimize the body’s healing process.
“I believe without approaching health, healing
“In an 8-minute treatment, BEMER increases micro-vascular circulation by 30%, bringing oxygen and nutrients to areas of injury and stress, which also has a significant anti-inflammatory effect,” Bartlett says. “This device encourages auto-rhythmic pulsations through the body to enhance the cardiovascular system’s function.”
According to Bartlett, depending upon the injury, her patients simply relax on a mat twice a day for eight to 20 minutes to receive the healing electromagnetic pulses.
Boss
Building/ Contracting Company
Cleaning Company
Clothing Store
Consignment/ Resale Store
Best Dressed
Eco-Friendly Business
Voted Best of Jackson Hole
Florist
Tom Fay | Pinky G’s Pizzeria
Taylor Phillips | Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures
Gavin Fine | Fine Dining Restaurant Group
Habitat for Humanity Greater Teton Area | TetonHabitat.org
New West Building Company | NewWestBC.com
JH Builders | JHBuilder.com
O2 Cleaning | O2CleaningJH.com
Premier Green Cleaning | PremierGreenCleaningServices.com
Kiss My Glass Window Cleaning | KissMyGlassJH.com
Penny Lane | PennyLaneJH.com
Browse N Buy | BrowseNBuyJH.org
Grit General | GritGeneral.com
Browse ‘N’ Buy | BrowseNBuyJH.org
Habitat For Humanity ReStore | TetonHabitat.org/Restore Headwall Sports | HeadwallSports.com
Nikki Sixx
Charlotte Alimanestianu
Andrew Munz
Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures | JHEcoTourAdventures.com
Teton Science Schools | TetonScience.org
Jackson Hole Airport | JacksonHoleAirport.com
Lily & Co. | LilyAndCompany.com
JH Flower Boutique | Shop.JHFlowerBoutique.com
Porcupine Greenhouse & Nursery
Landscape Company
Lawyer
Local Apparel Brand
Local Influencer
Locally Owned Store
MC
Mechanic Shop/ Garage
Village Gardener | VillageGardener.com
Terrain | TerrainJH.com
Frederick Landscaping | FrederickLandscaping.com
Dick Stout | TetonCountyWY.gov
Elisabeth Trefonas | TrefonasLaw.com
Katie Wackerman | MannenBrowne.com
Stio Mountain Studio® Jackson Hole | Stio.com
NoSo Patches | NoSoPatches.com
Midnight Lunch Boutique and Gallery | ShopMidnightLunch.com
Andrew Munz
Travis Rice
Meagan Murtagh
Grit General | GritGeneral.com
Creekside Market | CreeksideJacksonhole.com
MADE | MadeJacksonHole.com
Crazy Tom
Jeff Moran
Mark Fishman
Shervin’s Independent Oil Center | ShervinsAutocare.com
Levi’s Tire and Auto | LevisTireAndAuto.com
Rabbit Row Repair | RabbitRowRepair.com
Mountain Character & Alpine Living
Mustache
Nonprofit
Pet Store
Place to Learn
Plumber
Property Management Company
Radio Station
Ben Skelly
Bruce Tlougan
Tyson Slater
Animal Adoption Center | AnimalAdoptionCenter.org
Wyoming Untrapped | WyomingUntrapped.org
Center for the Arts | JHCenterForTheArts.org
Teton Tails | TetonTails.com
Pet Place Plus | PetPlacePlus.com
MODERNBEAST Jackson Hole | ModernBeast.com
Center for the Arts | JHCenterfortheArts.org
Teton County Library | TCLib.org
Grand Teton National Park | NPS.gov
Charlie’s Plumbing | CharliesPlumbingJH.com
Element Plumbing | ElementHomeService.com
Wrench It Plumbing & Heating | Wrench-ItPlumbing.com
Abode Luxury Rentals | AdobeJacksonHole.com
Outpost | OutpostJH.com
The Clear Creek Group | TheClearCreekGroup.com
KHOL - Jackson Hole Community Radio | 891KHOL.org
| KMTN.live
| KJAX.live
Real Estate Agent
Voted Best of Jackson Hole
Ashley DiPrisco | AshleyDiPrisco.com
Brett McPeak | McPeakGroup.com
Meredith Landino | MeredithLandino.com
Brooke Zutler
Gus Friendsmith
Eric Rohr
Bill Wiley Veterinary Clinic
Wedding Planner
Wedding Venue
Maggie Carruth Taylor
Kathryn Chapin
Jackson Animal Hospital | JacksonAnimalHospital.com
VCA Spring Creek Animal Hospital | VCAHospitals.com/Spring-Creek
Fish Creek Veterinary Clinic | FishCreekVet.com
Lisa Mack Events | LisaMackEvents.com
Event Planners of Jackson Hole | EventPlannersOfJacksonHole.com In Any Event JH | InAnyEventJH.com
Diamond Cross Ranch | DiamondCrossWedding.com
The Wedding Tree
The Chapel of the Transfiguration
Cowboy Hat Etiquette
Love your new cowboy hat?
Wear it right.
By Marianne Zumberge
Picture this: It’s a glorious summer day on Jackson’s historic Town Square. You’ve just spent some considerable dough on a beautiful new cowboy hat. You can’t wait to show it off, but you’re wondering if you’re allowed to wear it out to dinner.
To purchase a cowboy hat is to buy into a rich history and culture that is upheld by certain etiquette guidelines. These rules are rarely spelled out for new hat owners; usually they are learned through observation and osmosis:
1
Never touch another person’s hat.
2 Remove the hat when indoors, and during the National Anthem.
3 When being introduced to a lady* remove or tip your hat.
4 Keep your hat off of the bed. It’s bad luck.
5 When removing your hat, always place it on the crown rather than the brim. Ideally, find a hat rack.
To help out the uninitiated, we interviewed two prolific hat-wearers who model best practices: Kate Mead (lawyer, rancher) and Bruce Hayse (medical doctor).
Mead, who estimates that her hat collection includes 10 to 12 dome-toppers, places a special emphasis on rule No. 5. She says she can spot a cowboy hat neophyte based on where and how they set the hat down, which can impact its overall shape. When she sees someone storing their hat brimside-down on their car’s dashboard in the sun, that’s a dead giveaway. That hat will likely shrink, and maybe warp.
“My pet peeve is when they are not shaped,” Mead says. “A cowboy hat that is well-shaped really tends to accent whatever feature on a person, it really makes them look good. These hats they buy off the rack? They’re flat.”
Mead suspects that the hats’ rise in popularity has something to do with the “Yellowstone” suite of television shows. She adds that they come in handy in certain cosmetic capacities.
*Note: Given their roots in a bygone era, some of the rules have yet to evolve past antiquated gender norms.
“I do think a lot of men wear hats because they’re balding,” Mead says. “Sometimes, if I’m having a bad hair day, I’ll throw on a cowboy hat to go to the grocery store.”
Dr. Hayse contends that cowboy hats tend to look better on women than on men. He’s seen the hat trends come and go over his four decades in the valley.
“I put away all of my hats when I moved to Jackson 45 years ago because I didn’t want to look like a tourist,” Hayse says. “We’ve come so far from any idea of there actually being cowboys around Jackson, you don’t have to worry about being pretentious and thinking the real cowboys will get mad at you.”
Hayse places less stock in the Kevin Costner/”Yellowstone” theory, instead characterizing the recent rise in popularity as a “postmodernist type of phenomenon.” He suggests that the culture has “moved far enough away from the original meaning of the hat that people can make whatever they want out of it. I don’t know if [Jacques] Derrida ever wrote about cowboy hats.” Editor’s note: We haven’t found anything yet.
Hayse sees this exemplified in Jackson’s preponderance of bankers and real estate agents who sport cowboy hats in business meetings and upscale restaurants. He remembers fondly the days when his pal Richard “Gator” Rawley embodied ideal cowboy hat flair.
“Gator could wear a hat with real style,” Hayse says. “He was one of those guys who stood up totally straight. That’s how he’d do it: Put your chest out a little ways and take big strides down the street.”
Q: What sets Diamond Cross Ranch apart from other wedding venues?
A: Our signature horse release! Just as the couple gets to the end of the aisle, a herd of beautiful quarter horses go galloping in the pasture behind them with the Teton Range as their backdrop. It’s an amazing sight to see!
Q: Why should a couple select Diamond Cross Ranch for their wedding?
A: As a 5th generation family owned and operated ranch, we take so much pride in stewarding this land. It is our absolute pleasure to open our gates and share in your most memorable moments.
Q: Best advice to any couple getting married in Jackson Hole?
A: Your wedding day goes by incredibly fast so be sure to cherish every moment! Take advantage of the very talented vendors who live and work in this valley. Along with the Diamond Cross Team, they will take care of every detail to ensure your vision is achieved!
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Carly Butler Photography
Bunni Bishop Photography
Margaret ‘Muggs’ Schultz
Reminisces On 70 Years Of Managing Trail Creek Ranch
By Leigh Reagan Smith
Margaret “Muggs” Jane Schultz has overseen the daily operations at Trail Creek Ranch in Wilson for over 70 years, tackling tasks with an endless energy to learn.
In the 1950s and ’60s, Muggs, Marian “Sis” McKean Wigglesworth and original Trail Creek Ranch owner Elizabeth “Betty” Woolsey built the guest ranch into one of the original dude ranches in the valley. Muggs shared some of her earliest memories living and working in the valley.
In 1931, when Muggs was just 2 years old, her parents moved to Jackson to work in the restaurant business. Her parents owned and operated Eddie’s Cafe for close to 20 years, according to Muggs.
Muggs says that she was working as a waitress at the Wort Hotel when she first met Woolsey, who was captain of the first women’s Olympic ski team in 1936. Woolsey bought the first parcel of Trail Creek Ranch in 1943, eventually expanding the ranch property to 275 acres. Muggs says that Woolsey would stop into the Wort with her guests after a morning of backcountry skiing and an afternoon of skiing at Snow King. After a while, Betty invited Muggs to ski with her and the guests.
“Betty had an extra pair of soft skis,” Muggs says. “She said that she would loan them to me. Betty would have me ski as a ‘sweep’ to help the guests if they fell behind.”
At that time, Muggs says that she needed to find a new location to move a couple of her
Margaret “Muggs” Schultz in a photo that hangs at Trail Creek Ranch.
Vintage hay operations at the barn.
horses. Woolsey invited Muggs to move her horses in with the others at Trail Creek.
To help take care of the horses, Muggs moved into one of the guest buildings on the ranch during the summers. Soon Muggs was helping in many different capacities on the ranch.
“Betty had an army Jeep,” Muggs says. “She turned it over to me because I knew how to drive. I used chains to pull broken-down buildings. I dragged them all over and put them into piles. That was a novelty to me … I was 19 or 20 years old.”
Around 1952, Muggs moved full-time onto the full-service dude ranch, working many maintenance and construction jobs that included repairing fences, feeding horses,
managing the work crew and training employees. Muggs says that she built an addition onto Woolsey’s cabin, a cabin she got from Bob Bircher and a sleeping porch on Wyllis Cabin, built by Wes Bircher. Wyllis Cabin remains one of the guest cabins today. Muggs says that she learned carpentry while on the job. Muggs and Sis also built the smaller barn located on the ranch.
Over the years, almost 40 horses joined the herd, prompting Muggs to learn how to farm hay. When extra land became available, the ranch expanded its acreage, allowing for the space to grow hay instead of purchasing bales in Idaho.
Continued on pg. 58
Shoveling snow near the prized farm machinery. A horse who calls Trail Creek Ranch home in 2025
Photo: Nick Sulzer
70 Years of Managing Trail Creek
“We were going to raise our own hay,” Muggs says. “Betty wanted to cut her own field. So, we went out and bought a new tractor, a new mower — the works.”
Muggs says that her ranching neighbors, Gibb Scott and the Hardemans, were willing to teach her how to operate the large machinery. She says that she eventually learned how to attach the rake on the back of the mower to move cut hay into long rows.
“It took us half the summer to learn how to use the mower that we bought,” Muggs says. “The rake was hooked up forward and not backward. I had never used a tractor before, but a tractor is like a car. I thought it was all great fun. I could be a rancher now, along with all of the other people that we knew.”
Muggs explains that before there was modern machinery, stacking hay was an art form. She says that a team of horses and a loader with a hydraulic pulley were used to pile up the haystacks, which sat out to dry for at least 24 hours. She says that pitchforks were needed to push up the sides of a pile to properly lay down the hay.
“You can’t just throw a pile of hay on top of a pile of hay,” Muggs says. “You have to stack hay as nicely as you can, and then round it off at the top so it doesn’t fall over.”
Muggs says that she rarely saw a woman working in a hay field, with the exception of her neighbor Pat Hardeman and Pat’s sister, Laurel.
She says that men would say, “‘How come you girls are doing that?’” She would say in response,
“It doesn’t take a man to do every job in the world.”
Muggs added, “Once the war started, it didn’t take a man to do a helluva lot of jobs that women weren’t allowed to do.”
Muggs contends that today’s big farm producers prefer women over men for operating big machinery. She says that women don’t cause the machines to break down. Muggs explained her attitude when approaching something new.
Continued on pg. 60
Muggs, right, fits horseshoes with DD Sorsby. Photo:
Courtesy of Trail Creek Ranch
“If you want to learn to do it, you’ll do it,” Muggs says. “We could go riding. I could go on a pack trip.There were lots of things that I could do — that I couldn’t do before.”
Muggs says that she even stepped in for the horse wranglers when needed, which entailed catching horses in the corral, brushing and saddling and teaching riding lessons in the arena. Muggs explains that back then, it was all open space around the ranch, so guests could ride for miles and miles.
Muggs remembers many wealthy women who moved to the region back in the day, bought land and married cowboy husbands to do the ranch work. Muggs says that she never wanted a cowboy husband.
“I had a chance to get married a half a dozen times,” Muggs says. “I figured that I had enough nieces and nephews around … and we had an awful lot of nice people at the ranch. I got to go to a lot of places. It was just easier to stay single. I just saw too many complications the other way. I’m just as happy out there on a tractor as I am sitting home and taking care of a kid.”
Top Row: Cambria Miner, (dental assistant), Dr. Scott C. Larsen, DMD, Sarah Schwarz, RDH, Keaton Meyer, RDH, Bottom Row: Jessica Jorgensen, RDH, Isabel Bradford, manager, Riley Anderson, RDH, Bailey Wheeldon, (dental assistant)
PG. 60 | Illustration: Maria Sengle
Muggs says she has enjoyed meeting people from all over who have come to the ranch over the years.
“I met so many nice people in this world,” Muggs says. “A lot of our guests have come back. It was our pleasure to show them a good time. We have guests now who are in their 80s and 90s, and they used to come as young people.”
Muggs remembers a wrangler who worked on the ranch in 1953, who recently came back for a visit. She says that employees that visit over the years often say that “working here were the best years” of their lives.
The timeless quality to the ranch is valued by its visitors to this day.
“A lady came out on the balcony, and she says to me, ‘Muggs, I want to thank you very much for still keeping this place the way it was when I was here as a kid.’”
Before her death in 1997, Woolsey arranged that the ranch would be placed in a conservation easement with the Jackson Hole Land Trust to protect it from future development. Woolsey made sure that Muggs would be able to live the rest of her life at Trail Creek Ranch, as well as serve as a member of the ranch’s board.
In 1989, Alexandra Menolascino came to Trail Creek Ranch working in just about every capacity. Since Woolsey’s death, Muggs and Menolascino have been managing the ranch, with Menolascino taking on the role of general manager and caretaker. Trail Creek Ranch transitioned from a dude ranch to a bed and breakfast in 2000, and later to a guest ranch in 2005.
According to Menolascino, Muggs mowed the fields and baled hay until she was 88 years old. With her cabin overlooking the horse pasture, Muggs says that she still helps to oversee the care of the horses, visits with guests and advises on operations. At 96 years old, Muggs isn’t stopping anytime soon.
Q: What initially drew you to pearls?
A: Initially, I used many different materials in my jewelry and pearls were just a product. But as I designed with them, I became fascinated by their beautiful uniqueness. God created oysters to filter water, but they also have this amazing ability to turn a painful grain of sand into a pearl. The beauty, both of the pearls and the story they represent, became a passion for me. Out of that, Pearls by Shari was born.
Q: Why Jackson?
A: Jackson is a place of such exquisite beauty. The contrast between the mountains and the pearls creates a wonderful backdrop for inspiration. But our family loves the outdoors: riding, fishing, hiking. We feel blessed to be able to do what we love in such an exquisite place with an incredible community around us.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
A: Women often don’t realize the impact they can have on those around them, whether it be friends and family or their communities. I hope my jewelry inspires them to live their lives beautifully with intention and purpose.
Led by notable restaurateur Gavin Fine, Fine Dining Restaurant Group includes award-winning restaurants The Bistro, The Kitchen, Bin22 and Osteria. Their restaurants are complemented by their other culinary ventures - Bodega, Bistro Catering, Bovine & Swine and Cream + Sugar. Local favorites since the group began in 2001, FDRG has helped shape the Jackson Hole food scene.
Q: Which restaurants are part of Fine Dining Restaurant Group?
A: In town, we have The Bistro, The Kitchen and Bin22. In Teton Village we have Osteria and Bodega. But we offer more than restaurants! We also create artisan ice cream through Cream + Sugar (check out the Scoop Shop on Town Square!), Bovine & Swine craft meats and Bistro Catering.
Q: What kind of cuisine do you specialize in?
A: All of our restaurants are different from each other, specializing in cuisine from different countries, regions and experiences. The Bistro is our traditional French bistro, while The Kitchen serves modern American with Asian influences. Bin22 is our wine, tapas bar and wine shop. Osteria is our mountain-side Italian restaurant and Bodega showcases a curated market and bottle shop, as well as a summertime food truck.
Q: What should visitors know about dining out in Jackson Hole?
A: Jackson Hole is home to many amazing restaurants of varying cuisine and price points. Just as you choose your outdoor adventures, choose what you’re looking for in terms of culinary experience and let our team take care of the rest! Service, quality, comfort - these are all really important to us.
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Mountain Muses and Craft Cocktails in Jackson Hole
By River Stingray
The Jackson Hole landscape, featuring the Tetons, serves as inspiration for many across a diverse range of projects. One of the booming spaces where the mountains and the community they created are serving as muses is in the uniquely curated craft cocktail scene representing this iconic valley.
ingredient or inspiration,” says Andrea Kilpatrick, general manager of the Blue Lion. “Right now, we have a cocktail called Alpenglow. It touches on that beautiful glow we get on the peaks of the Tetons. That’s the color of the cocktail.”
Across the board, local restaurants are incorporating the colors, flavors, textures and even emotions evoked by the dramatic geography and the local community.
“I’m always looking to pull any sort of local
Other locally inspired cocktails include the Elk Hunter and Pine and Pear.
Kilpatrick says that she stopped through Jackson on her way home to the Midwest from northern California, and after taking one look
at the Tetons, she fell in love. The following summer, she was back for what was supposed to be a season, and years later, she still hasn’t left.
“I’m always inspired, and that could be by color, ingredient or name,” Kilpatrick says of the landscape.
But it’s not just the mountains themselves that infuse the mixology; it’s also the ecosystem of outdoor adventures created in this context that inspire local spots.
Chuy Hernandez, general manager of Snake River Roasting Co. cafe, offers a variety of coffee cocktails that cater to the community’s desire for caffeine-fueled adventures. Perhaps the most popular is the espresso martini, which
Hernandez says they served last summer on the mountain during Snow King concerts.
Those espresso martinis are also inspired by one of the most recognizable species beneath the Tetons, providing an energized boost to inspire similar behavior.
“All of our coffee blends have a special name, and we use the ‘Roam’ blend to make our espresso martinis, inspired by the bison in the area,” Hernandez shares.
Similarly, Katherine Ward of Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas says they cater their cocktails to align with people’s outdoor adventures. Most specifically, the ever-popular margaritas are made clean and fresh.
Mountain Muses & Craft Cocktails in Jackson Hole
The Espresso Martini at the Snake River Roasting Co. Cafe (left) and the Alpenglow at the Blue Lion (right). Photos: Courtesy of the respective bartenders
with Teton culture. Whether it’s an afternoon coffee cocktail or a happy-hour margarita, the valley offers a multitude of options for exploring how the mountains captivate everyone in and around them.
The Bunker - a cutting edge fusion of sports and nightlife. The Bunker was designed to suit guests that value craft cocktails, sports, and want to have an unforgettable experience with two multi-sport golf simulators, exceptional service in a vintage speakeasy atmosphere. Perfect for date nights, corporate events and more! Follow us on Instagram @thebunkerjh to hear about upcoming events and specials
Located at 50 W Broadway Ave, Downtown Jackson Hole below Pinky G’s Pizzeria
SIP. SWING. STAY A WHILE.
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Jackson By The
SLICE
By Tibby Plasse
I
f there were one food to unite and divide us, pizza takes the cake—well, pie.
There’s no meal that brings a family together as quickly as sharing pizza, with toppings to match the individual and a Lazy Susan to create camaraderie.
Whether cut by the slice or served in the round, palates no doubt judge a good pizza by its crust and a good ratio of sauce to mozzarella. Thankfully, from flatbread to thin crust to wide and foldable, Jackson has more than one style of ’za to serve up.
If you’re yearning for thin and crispy, go for
the large slices at Cutty’s and their age-old South Jersey Shore recipe for dough and sauce, or park it on Broadway at Yeah Buddy Pizza for their house-made San Marzano pasta sauce and A-game approach to bison and elk toppings.
There’s only one type of cooking appliance installed in the old Teton Theatre: wood-fired pizza ovens. Hand Fire Pizza’s hand-stretched dough champions pair organic, local and regional ingredients together. Simplicity guides the ambiance, and though it’s known for its savory options, the sweeter side of Hand Fire’s menu includes cast iron skillet desserts like fruit cobbler and brownies made while the oven still holds heat from the previous evening and before the hot wood fire is ignited for the day’s pizzas.
Courtesy of Corsa
Food Network’s favorite on-the-road chef Guy Fieri loves Jackson’s Pinky G’s just as much as the locals crave its New York-style pies for lunch, and late-night crews vow that the crust is the best in town.
With faves like the Abe Froman (marinara, shredded mozzarella, Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, fresh chopped basil) and the Guys Pie (shredded mozzarella, ricotta, blue cheese crumbles, roasted chicken, shredded pepperoni, topped with blue cheese dressing hot sauce), it’s easy to understand why locals consistently vote for this standby as their pizzeria of choice.
For a full pie experience, friends and families can head out to the Westbank for the classic Ski Bum, a staple pizza on the Calico menu featuring pesto, spinach, Canadian bacon, artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes, pine nuts and parmesan. Or enjoy a choice of deep dish
Teton Wining & Dining
and thin crust at Wilsons Pizza in the heart of downtown Wilson.
Out at Teton Village, Corsa’s stone-fired pizzas are a sight to behold as they rise into the custom-tiled hearth flanked by mountains. The “pizze” at Il Villagio Osteria weaves Italian flavors into contemporary slopeside options as it matches bechamel and prosciutto.
And last but not least, enjoy a menu named for the peaks Dornan’s Pizza & Pasta Co. sits beneath. The beloved institution serves up slices of Jackson’s history north of town, in Moose. The Dornan business began over a hundred years ago when Evelyn Middleton Dornan filed for a homestead on 20-plus acres along the east bank of the Snake River. These days, the outpost is home to seasonal shops and a cozy pizza corner that is open all year long.
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Shin Shin, located inside Caldera House, is an izakaya-style joint serving yakitori, nigiri, sashimi, craft cocktails, premium sake, and ice-cold beer. Perched on Level 3 with an outdoor patio facing the Tetons, it’s the ideal spot for share plates, après drinks, and sweeping mountain views.
3275 W Village Dr, Teton Village, WY 83025 • 307-201-5358 • shinshin@calderahouse.com
ZA GUIDE Jackson Hole
Hand Fire Pizza
Jackson, WY
PIE HIGHLIGHT: THE CHEW-BACA
Herbed Ricotta Cheese, Bacon, Caramelized Onion, Fresh Arugula With A Spicy Slide Ridge Honey Drizzle
Yeah Buddy Pizza
Jackson, WY
PIE HIGHLIGHT: BISONTE
Housemade San Marzano Red Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Housemade Bison Sausage, Roasted Yellow Pepper, Red Onion, And Fresh Sage
Pinky G’s Pizzeria
Jackson, WY
PIE HIGHLIGHT: THE ABE FROMAN
Marinara, Shredded Mozzarella, Italian Sausage, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Chopped Basil.
Cutty’s Bar & Grill
Jackson, WY
PIE HIGHLIGHT: PHILLY CHEESESTEAK PIZZA
Shredded Meat, Onions, Mushrooms, Green Peppers
Il Villaggio Osteria
Teton Village, WY
PIE HIGHLIGHT: BISMARK
Bechamel, Over-Easy Egg, Prosciutto, Scallion, Calabrian Chili Oil, Mozzarella
