Why Jackson Hole Is the Daring Skier's Dream Destination

From backcountry heliskiing to the expert run Corbet's Couloir, this Wyoming ski area is where to go for a challenge.

When it comes to advanced skiing, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a step above the rest.

The mountain more than welcomes beginner and intermediate skiers to explore its 4,139 continuous vertical feet and 2,500 acres of terrain. However, of that terrain, more than half is rated expert — and that’s not even counting its glorious backcountry.

Consider the famed Corbet's Couloir, one of the steepest open runs in all of North America. Only the most advanced of the advanced dare to try it, but it's also fun to see thrill seekers drop in from the window of the Aerial Tram while passing by.

Related: This Small Wyoming Town Is Known for Its National Parks, Luxury Hotels, and Famous Cowboy Bar

A more mellow way to level up at Jackson Hole is by hopping on a helicopter with High MTN Heli. The flight alone is a thrilling (albeit quick) adventure showcasing stunning Wyoming landscapes that will keep your face glued to the window. Once the chopper drops you off in the backcountry, you'll get a taste of what true solitude feels like — no sounds, no flashing lights, no one to get in your way. When you get your fill of silence, you drop in on the ride of your life. Then, you do it again.

That's what it's like to ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. You get as much adrenaline-pumping terrain as you can handle, plus close access to cowboy bars, fine dining, and high-end hotels in one of the most storybook ski towns of the West. Jackson Hole, a 30-minute drive from the mountain, serves as the gateway to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. You shouldn't have any trouble finding something for everyone in your party, from the die-hard shredder to the enthusiastic beginner to the snow bunny more interested in the après.

Here's everything you need to know to plan an epic ski trip in Jackson Hole this winter.

• Abundant terrain for intermediate and expert levels

• Breathtaking views from the Aerial Tram (with waffles at the top)

• Close proximity to fine dining, activities, and nightlife in downtown Jackson Hole

When to Go

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens in late November and closes in late April. This ski area is known and loved for its early snowfall, which means the slopes see some of their highest snowfall of the year in late November and December. This period also marks the holiday season, of course, and the first month or so that the resort is open draws large crowds. If you're hoping for a quieter experience, go in January. The bitter cold keeps crowds at bay (i.e., bundle up!). March is arguably the best of both worlds. You get bluebird days with deep powder, plus slopes that aren't annoyingly overrun.

Where to Stay

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole

The Four Seasons offers the best mountain access. The lifts are just feet from the door, and a ski valet remains on hand to help you put on your boots and get on your way. They’ll even have hot cocoa waiting for you when you return. And the amenities don’t stop there: At the Four Seasons, guests can relax in a world-class spa, swim in the heated outdoor pools, and grab a bite (or a beer) at The Handle Bar.

Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa

At the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, this four-star lodge entices with in-room fireplaces, epic views of the valley and mountain, and a spa that offers soothing treatments and hot tubs to warm up in after a day on the slopes. Guests don't have to go far for après libations, either, thanks to the lobby's Black Diamond Bar.

Snake River Sporting Club

Large groups should consider booking a stay at Snake River Sporting Club, located about 30 miles away from the mountain in Hoback. This ranch-slash-golf club offers plenty of accommodations including private cabins and one- to three-bedroom homes that sleep up to eight (plus pets) right on the green.

Where to Eat

Spur Restaurant & Bar

This sleek restaurant inside Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa is where "American West ingredients" meet "alpine European techniques." Fuel up with a croissant breakfast sandwich and green smoothie before hitting the slopes in the morning or stop for tuna poke tacos at lunchtime. Dinner can be filet mignon or duck leg confit and a glass of cabernet sauvignon.

Snake River Grill

Snake River Grill in downtown Jackson has delighted area skiers since 1993. The restaurant serves up elegant dishes like Wagyu flank steak, racks of lamb, and mallard duck breast, but also features some twists like bison ribeye and chorizo-stuffed dates. Reservations are highly recommended and accepted up to two months in advance.

Corbet's Cabin

It wouldn't be a trip to Rendezvous Peak without enjoying a gourmet waffle at 1,000-plus feet. This seasonal wafflery is a Jackson Hole Mountain Resort tradition. Located at the top of the Aerial Tram, it serves indulgent versions of the breakfast staple — topped with Nutella, berry compote, or peanut butter and bacon — plus hot chocolate and coffee out of a no-frills shack.

Where to Après-ski

The Mangy Moose

The Mangy Moose is a Teton Village institution. If you don’t go here to have a drink immediately off the mountain, then did you even ski at Jackson Hole? Go for a beer, a cocktail, or grab something off the wine list and stay for the live music and even livelier crowd.

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

The exterior of the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has to be one of the most photographed places in downtown Jackson (besides the antler arches, of course). Once you snap a photo, go inside through the saloon doors and belly up to the bar on a stool made out of old saddles. Just make sure to get there early as this place fills up fast when there’s a musical act.

RPK3

One of the best ways to end a day of skiing or riding is with a glass of RPK3's signature daily punch. This après spot is conveniently located under the Aerial Tram, so you don't have to travel far for happy hour. Heat up around the indoor fireplace or take your beverage to the deck on a bluebird day.

Off-mountain Activities

Go for a Sleigh Ride at the National Elk Refuge.

This region is known for its diverse wildlife, some of which you wouldn't find anywhere else in the country. The National Elk Refuge run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects a swath of land inhabited not just by elk but also by bison, bighorn sheep, wolves, bald eagles, and other iconic Jackson Hole species. From mid-December through April, you can tour the grounds on a sleigh ride.

Swap your skis for snowshoes.

Instead of zipping down the mountain on wooden planks, strap into a pair of snowshoes and walk the trails. Book a tour with the Hole Hiking Experience to learn a little about your surroundings from a local naturalist while you're at it. This group offers the most tours in Jackson Hole and nearby Grand Teton National Park.

Warm up in a hot spring.

With Yellowstone just over the road, it should come as no surprise that Jackson Hole has an abundance of geothermal water primed for soaking. Astoria Hot Springs, about 26 miles from Teton Village, is a great place to warm up in a pool surrounded by picturesque mountains. Sessions are sold in hour, 45-minute increments. The resort recommends making a reservation as it often sells out in the winter.

How to Ride

Tickets

Lift tickets cost between about $150 and $250 a day, depending on the day of the week and whether it's a peak time. You can save by booking a half-day ticket (valid from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.), which costs about $120 to $200. There are numerous season passes to pick from, ranging from mid-week access only to unlimited access. The resort also has a special Golden Ticket promotion in which skiers and riders who have a season pass to any ski resort anywhere in the world get 50 percent off lift tickets on select days throughout the season. Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective passes are also accepted.

Rentals

You can rent all the gear you need right at the base of the mountain. The resort's four rental locations are Kids Ranch, JH Sports, and Teton Village Sports in the village and Hoback Sports in downtown Jackson. There's also a delivery option, JH Mountain Direct, which brings gear to your door for free.

Skiing and Snowboarding Info

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort encompasses 2,500 acres of in-bound terrain on two mountains, Après Vous and Rendezvous. Skiers and riders also get access to more than 3,000 acres of backcountry from the resort. There are two terrain parks, four Burton Stash snowboard parks, and 131 named trails, with half rated expert, 40 percent intermediate, and 10 percent beginner. The resort has 16 lifts, including two carpet lifts, one handle tow, several gondolas, and the famous Aerial Tram, which offers 360-degree views of the Tetons and Jackson Hole valley.

Programming

Although Jackson Hole Mountain Resort caters largely to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders, there's help for the beginner, too. Its Mountain Sports School offers half- and full-day lessons and multi-day camps for all levels. It also offers guided tours into the vast backcountry and kids programs that last three to 12 weeks.

Jackson Hole takes its ski school a step further than most. You can book a session with an Olympian or take an adaptive ski lesson using specialized equipment for people with disabilities.

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