Blog #2: Jackson Hole Ski Resort. Long live Cowboys!
In our case, we made the trek to Jackson from Northern Idaho. It was about an 11-hour drive, with various photo stops and a lunch break. The drive was as beautiful as you would imagine, making the hours pass by very quickly.
Montana
Somewhere along the road in MT.
We arrived in the town of Jackson around 8 pm, and needless to say, we were excited. We checked into our hotel, 49er Inn & Suites, and headed out to see the infamous downtown. The hotel's location was ideal; within a two-minute walk, you're right at the Jackson Town Square. We walked around for a bit and decided on Orsetto for dinner. The food and drinks were great, so great that we came back to this spot a couple more times during our trip!
Downtown Jackson
The picturesque town of Jackson and Snow King Resort.
The next day was all about exploring the area since we weren't skiing. We hopped in the car and drove around for a bit before coming across the National Elk Refuge. It was cool to see the elk in their natural habitat from such a close distance. We learned that the elk stick around this area in the winter months and later migrate to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in the warmer months. The wildlife in this area is so rich. We also had the opportunity to see other wildlife, like a mountain goat staring at us from the top of the cliff.
Mountain Goat
Pictured at the National Elk Refuge
To stay on theme, we also visited the National Museum of Wildlife Art. This was a cool way to learn about the local wildlife and artists from all over the world who have been inspired by the beauty of this area. What really interested us in coming, though, was the wolf exhibit "Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan." It was fascinating to learn about the history and impact of wild wolves in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
We headed back into town to catch some Happy Hour and a late lunch at Local Restaurant and Bar. If there's one restaurant you go to in Jackson, make it this one! The Happy Hour deals are the best around, and the food does not disappoint. Being Saturday night, the town was full of energy. It was so fun walking around, people-watching, and checking out the unique shops and boutiques.
The next two days were all about shredding at Jackson Hole. After getting breakfast at the hotel, we took the bus that our hotel offered up to Teton Village. The ride is around 20 minutes and takes you right to the base of the mountain. There are few moments as special as seeing an iconic mountain, like Jackson Hole, for the first time. We were so giddy. We took a few warm-up laps off the Bridger Gondola and were ready to brave the hour-long wait to ride up the tram. Although the wait is long, time goes by pretty quickly, especially because everyone around you is so stoked. You end up talking to people in line about their ski trips, J Hole recommendations, and, of course, Corbet’s Couloir.
If you're looking to take on Corbet's Couloir or just want to watch the brave souls who dare to do it, keep in mind that it's notorious for frequently closing due to weather and avalanche conditions. After several rides up the tram, Kyle finally got the chance to check it off his bucket list. Don't let anyone fool you; it is just as intimidating as it looks in the pictures!
Although Jackson Hole is known for its challenging terrain, there are also plenty of green, blue, and "double blue" runs. The mountain has a total of 131 trails, 13 lifts, 6 parks, and an average of 56 groomed runs. We loved skiing the runs off Rendezvous Bowl, the blue runs off Teton Lift Summit, and the Woolsey Woods. However, there's really no going wrong on this mountain.
Overall, our experience in Jackson Hole and the town of Jackson was unforgettable. Everything, from the mountain terrain to the unique atmosphere of the town, makes it such a special place that naturally attracts visitors from all over the world. We look forward to coming back, hopefully soon, and discovering more of what this place has to offer!