Jackson Hole

About Jackson Hole

Nestled in the heart of the Teton Range, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a paradise for any skier or rider seeking legendary terrain, breathtaking scenery and an authentic Western town experience. Since its inception in the ‘60s, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has been the proving ground for extreme skiers looking to make a name for themselves. The terrain at Jackson is known across the globe for being some of the most challenging—and rewarding—there is. Tight chutes, like the iconic Corbet's Couloir, big airs, deep snow and steep lines are what make Jackson Hole famous. However, there are dozens of wide-open trails for beginners and picture-perfect cruisers and progressive bump runs for intermediates, and much more.

While a Jackson Hole ski vacation will always be top-of-mind with expert skiers as a bucket list destination because of the advanced and extreme terrain on its slopes and easily accessed side country, Jackson brings a lot more to the plate than just being a place for adrenaline junkies to jump off cliffs. Not only does Jackson Hole exude refreshing cowboy character, on and off the slopes, but its "All Blue" terrain off of Casper chairlift is a game-changer for intermediates.

At Jackson Hole ski resort, you’ll be awed by the breathtakingly rugged Teton mountains, and equally wooed by the authentic and welcoming Wild West atmosphere that pervades both Teton Village and downtown Jackson Hole, which are 15 minutes apart. Everything about Jackson Hole, even down to the shopping and dining is reminiscent of a bygone day and makes for one unforgettable ski vacation. As you can imagine the tough, genuine cowboy vibe in downtown Jackson predates the ski resorts. This rustic pureness in downtown Jackson is part of the draw for many people, from the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a Western museum and watering hole all in one, to the many cowboy attire retailers and antique stores. And you can bet that the little ones will surely love perusing through town− homemade ice cream in hand−pretending they’re cowboys or cowgirls. Jackson Hole is truly a magical ski destination for kids age three to 99.

How to get to Jackson Hole

Reaching Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is easy with direct flights into Jackson Hole Airport. Shuttle services and car rentals ensure a smooth journey from the airport to your accommodations.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers a complimentary shuttle service, adding convenience for families exploring different areas. The shuttle connects Teton Village, the main village, and other key locations, ensuring seamless access to all resort amenities and activities.

Skiing in Jackson Hole

Many ski legends have been born on the slopes of Jackson Hole. Early icons like Doug Coombs and the founders of the ski movie production team, Teton Gravity Research (TGR) cut their teeth and established a reputation by attacking the gnarly lines of Jackson Hole. Expert lines like Corbett’s Once is Enough, Pucker Face, and Central Couloir still are featured every year in ski movies because they’re timeless.

Jackson Hole often experiences an inversion, where cold air is trapped by clouds at the base of the mountain, while the top of the mountain is gorgeous and sunny with visibility for miles. Skiing in Jackson Hole is like skiing in the clouds. It’s truly breathtaking.

Intermediate skiers have their own slice of heaven at Jackson Hole these days. The All Blue runs off of the Casper chairlift and the Sweetwater gondola is the perfect terrain for intermediates. Intermediates can also enjoy the views from the top of Jackson Hole’s famed Tram, thanks to meandering fun runs all over the mountain, like the Amphitheater and Nez-Perce Traverse. And there’s an entire section, the Teewinot Face, on the looker’s right of the mountain for intermediate skiers—accessed via Apres Vous Quad. Beginner runs are relegated to the bottom half of the mountain, off of the Eagle’s Chair and Teewinot Quad.

Beginner Skiing in Jackson Hole:

Well, it’s true, “beginner skiing” and “Jackson Hole” aren’t often used in the same sentence. The vast majority of Jackson’s terrain features steeps, chutes and cliffs; making it “expert” skiing, indeed. If all this sounds intimidating for a beginner skier, don’t fret. Jackson Hole beginner skiing is located at the base of the mountain, completely devoid of anything that would make a beginner uncomfortable. In fact, you’ll probably forget that you’re at one of the most extreme resorts in the U.S., while you’re meandering down one of Jackson Hole’s green circle runs. And there’s an upside to less beginner terrain, it means fewer beginner skiers. You can comfortably learn or progress without worrying about avoiding throngs of other beginner skiers on the slopes.

While Jackson Hole beginner skiing terrain is limited, compromising 10 percent of the mountain, it’s certainly not nonexistent. First-time skiers should stick to the beginner terrain off of Teewinot Quad and Eagle’s Chair. Between the two chairlifts, beginner skiers have six perfect trails to cruise along on. Peruse through the trees on Antelope Flats or for more wide-open cruising head down Pooh Bear or Eagle’s Rest.

Expert Skiing in Jackson Hole:

As a U.S. extreme skiing mecca, and original home mountain to many of skiing’s legends, Jackson Hole delivers all the terrain nuggets−cliffs, tight chutes, steeps and moguls−that expert skiers crave. If you’re not familiar with the Jackson Hole expert skiing culture and history, be sure to watch, “Swift. Silent. Deep.,” a film about the Jackson Hole Air Force, an elite band of brothers who changed skiing forever. They were the young rat pack to first pull off mind-blowing cliffdrops and incredibly technical, never-before-seen lines. Their group included skiing icons like Doug Coombs, Jon Hart and TK. If you’re lucky you may even see resident captain Benny Wilson dropping into Corbett’s Couloir.

Jackson Hole is an expert skier’s slice of heaven, nearly every direction you look you’ll find challenging and epic terrain. The famed Aerial Tram−which zooms skiers and boarders 4,139 feet the summit of Rendevous Mountain−is a key ingredient in Jackson Hole’s incredible access. You can get a lot of skiing in via the Tram. From the Tram head skier’s right to slash turns on Rendevous Bowl and from there head skier’s right to Cheyenne and Bernie’s Bowl, if you continue heading straight down you can enjoy the leg-burning “Hobacks,” which will drop you off back at the Tram.

If you head skier’s left off the Tram you must at least peer over the edge into the infamous “Corbett’s Couloir.” It’s a classic Jackson Hole line, well, more of a blind leap of faith into a chute. From Courbett’s stay skier’s left and head for the Cirque or Headwall, you can also access Casper Bowl and the Crags hike-to terrain if you stay high on the mountain. Casper Bowl has seen several extreme skiing competitions over the last decade and is a great area to test your skills. There’s everything from tight chutes that funnel into mandatory−small−airs, to fun, wide-open powder fields or mogul fields− depending on the snow conditions− and several big cliffs as well. You can also access the Casper Bowl terrain via Marmot Double Chair or the Gondola for Casper Bowl access. Off of the Apres Vous Quad you can drop into Saratoga Bowl.

It should be noted that Jackson Hole has an open-boundary policy, which allows ticket and pass holders to leave the resort boundaries via access gates. This policy is an uncommon one for North America but is the norm in Europe. Unsurprisingly, the Jackson Hole Air Force was a vocal advocate for this policy change. Ski Patrol will pos

t snow condition warnings at the gate, so be sure to thoroughly read the signage if you decide to leave the ski area boundary. Never go in out-of-bounds areas by yourself and without the proper equipment. Ski.com suggests skiing with a Jackson Hole backcountry guide.

Jackson Hole Steep and Deep Camps

Alpine skiers, telemarkers and snowboarders looking to experience the Jackson Hole’s gnarliest terrain, should sign up for the four-day Steep and Deep. Groups will be led and instructed by some of the world’s best extreme skiers, who will guide participants through Jackson’s most thrilling in-bounds terrain: Expert Chutes and the Hogbacks. An unofficial part of camp graduation is dropping into the infamous Courbet’s Couloir, on the final day. You’ll leave this camp feeling you can tackle the most difficult terrain with smoothness and confidence you may not have had before.

Ski Schools and Tours:

If you’re a first-timer or need to brush up on your skills, be sure to take a lesson with a Jackson Hole ski school instructor. As someone who skis the infamous steeps on a daily basis, you can bet that Jackson Hole ski instructors have a lot of knowledge and experience to impart, so where better to learn? Plus, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers a learn-to-ski guarantee; if you aren’t able to control your speed and make wedge turns after your first lesson at Jackson Hole Ski School, you get another lesson free until you master the skill.

The Mountain Sports School at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding lessons tailored to all ages and skill levels. For children, the Pioneers program for ages 3-4 provides small group lessons with enthusiastic instructors, while the Rough Riders program for ages 5-7 focuses on fun, slopeside adventures. The Explorer program for ages 8-14 helps young skiers and snowboarders enhance their technical skills.

Adults can benefit from group lessons capped at four participants or opt for private lessons for a customized mountain experience. Additionally, the school offers specialized camps and backcountry tours for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Family vacations in Jackson Hole

At first glance, especially at a trail map, it might not seem like Jackson Hole is well-suited to the task of family-friendly, but that’s simply not true. A Jackson Hole family ski vacation actually offers tons of activities and options for families. Your little ones will love the fun interactive kid's trail map, as well as ski school lessons and camps customized to their needs. And downtown Jackson is right out of a little kid’s cowboy fantasy, with an abundance of retail shops brimming with Western attire and toys, plus old-fashioned candy and homemade ice cream. Designed for children up to 12, the Jackson Hole Children's Museum offers hands-on exhibits that encourage learning through play. It's a great indoor option for families. In winter, the Town Square transforms into an ice skating rink, providing a charming setting for family fun, or take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the refuge to observe elk herds up close—a unique wildlife experience.

Jackson Hole Family Friendly Restaurants

To appease every palate on your Jackson Hole family ski vacation, you want a restaurant that offers a lot of options. On the mountain at Jackson Hole, you’ll find that Casper Restaurant is a great family-friendly dining option, thanks to its make-your-own burger bar and generously filled burritos. Rendezvous Alpine Kitchen, located at the top of the Gondola, ranks high with kids, with burgers, French fries and pizzas, including Asian-style dishes, soups and baked potatoes, making it a parent-pleaser too.

Off the mountain, if you’re looking for a more formal family-friendly restaurant, then Café Genevieve, located one block east of Town Square on Broadway, is a must-try. The menu ranges from pasta and duck confit to fried chicken with mac-n-cheese, to burgers and grilled cheese and tomato soup. Both parents and kids alike will leave satisfied. Located in Wilson, between Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and downtown Jackson, you’ll find Roadhouse Brewing Co. Its menu sways towards BBQ options, but there are also good family-friendly eats like burgers, hush puppies and fried pickles.