Winter at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

While coming in at No. 1 in North America of Ski Magazine's "Best Ski Resorts on Every Continent" in 2023, and named one of Forbes Magazine's Top 10 Ski Resorts for 2019, the resort also experienced its snowiest winter on record in 2022-23, with almost 600 inches of snow and consistent powder days through closing day.

When factoring in snowfall, 4,139 continuous vertical feet, world-class grooming and snow-making, constantly expanding intermediate terrain and abundant off-hill activities, it’s easy to see why Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has built a strong reputation among all types of visitors.

That World Famous Terrain

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is situated in the heart of the Tetons, just a few peaks south of the majestic Grand Teton. Rendezvous and Apres Vous mountains, which comprise the resort itself, can accommodate beginners through experts and every adventurer in between. As one of the youngest mountain ranges in the country, geologically speaking, the Tetons have given JHMR a perfect blend of towering and exciting steeps that mellow out into wide rolling runs for cruising. In ski terms, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's got it all. 

Home to perhaps North America’s most iconic lift, the bright red Aerial Tram, JHMR boasts the country’s second longest vertical rise served by a single lift. As a counterpoint to the vast and challenging terrain accessed via the tram, the high-speed Bridger and Sweetwater gondolas offer access to acres of moderate, groomed slopes for the intermediate skier. Lower down where things are simpler, the Teewinot chairlift provides an excellent, peaceful option for beginners to get the practice they need before exploring further. 

Wonderfully, the most underrated aspect of skiing at JHMR are the blue intermediate runs which can be found all over the mountain providing exciting contours and views at every elevation. If you're an intermediate skier, an expert who appreciates the thrill of carving up a groomer, or even a beginner who wants a target to aim for, you will love the endless variety of blue runs at Jackson Hole. From twisting along the gorgeous south boundary of the resort on Rendezvous Trail, to the the wide and meadow-y cruising options under the Apres Vous chairlift, JHMR has the diverse terrain in its blue runs alone to keep any skier fascinated. 

Think it's time for the expert terrain? OK, just look around. Most of what you can see in the resort is open to ski. Yes, seriously, that one. Yup, and that too. Pay extreme attention to closed signs and closed areas of course, but yeah, the hard stuff should be fairly obvious—this is Jackson Hole after all. 

The excitement lift-wise at JHMR is the Thunder quad lift which delivers access to some of the legendary terrain the ski resort is known for. The new lift travels at a speed of 1,000 feet per minute, twice the speed of the original Thunder, thus cutting riders’ time from just more than 7 minutes to 3.6 minutes.

Mountain Sports School

Does all this make you feel like brushing up on your skiing or riding? Craving that expert tip that's going to bring it all together and have you skiing that? Do you just want someone to safely show you around this huge place? We don't blame you, and we're lucky to be able to recommend the JHMR Mountain Sports School and all the exciting offerings they have to enhance your ski vacation. 

Families and individuals will enjoy exploring the mountain with JHMR Mountain Sports School instructors, the unique Backcountry Guide program, or the various ski and snowboard camps run each winter. Kids' groups, adult groups and private lessons for all ages are available for you to take advantage of the joy of precise instruction and intimate mountain knowledge.

Four years ago, the resort opened Solitude Station—located at Sweetwater Gondola mid-station. It boasts 12,000 square feet of Mountain Sports School, rental and dining facilities. Rentals for children age 7 and up and adult beginners are available here as are lift tickets for all types of skiers and riders. The Cody House at the base is where kids age 6 and under go to for lessons.

Steep & Deep Camps

To be the best, you have to ski the best. Founded by legendary skier Doug Coombs,  Steep & Deep Ski Camp is for advanced to expert skiers who won't settle for anything less than the best: the best instruction from the best coaches; the best terrain in the lower 48; the best technique; the best access—the early tram and its guarantee of first tracks; and the best camaraderie among like-minded skiers. During this intensive camp, students learn how to safely and confidently explore the extreme terrain and snow conditions that make Jackson Hole famous. Guided by the instructors' knowledge of the conditions and the mountain, students ski mostly black and double black terrain. Highlights include the Hobacks, the Expert Chutes, and, on the last day, the infamous Corbet's Couloir.

There will be four 3-day camps offered in 2023-24. For more details and pricing, click here. There are also Steep & Deep Camps for snowboarders and adaptive skiers.

Guided Backcountry Skiing

Need fresh tracks? JHMR offers backcountry guides to introduce you safely to the storied Jackson Hole out-of-bounds experience. In 1999—in what was a trailblazing move for an American ski resort—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opened the gates on its perimeter, allowing skiers and snowboarders to explore the thousands of acres of backcountry skiing that lie just beyond the boundaries.

Backcountry Guides welcome advanced skiers and snowboarders who want to learn to travel in uncontrolled terrain and discover untracked slopes, secret runs and the best snow conditions in Jackson Hole. The guided day may include touring, hiking, snow science, mountaineering and downhill riding.

Kids Ranch

Got kids? JHMR also offers its Kids Ranch ski and snowboard instruction programs for preschoolers up to freshmen in high school—even the youngest children learn to ski and so much more.

Mountain Eats

Every year it seems the food options at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort get better and better. From snack spots like the centrally located General Store at the base to famous waffle-and-warmth provider Corbet's Cabin at the top, you're never too far away from a snack or place to grab a break. Tidbit: Corbet's was just named the #2 "Best Ski Restaurant" in the country by USA TODAY!

For lunch, the options really spread out. For more casual cafeteria-style eating, we love sitting on the outdoor decks at the Casper Restaurant while the salad bar and Asian noodle bowls up at the top of the gondola at Rendezvous Alpine Kitchen are favorites. Off-Piste Market at the top of the Gondi has a full espresso bar, pizza slices and gourmet food, beer, wine and small essentials like sunscreen and batteries. The Southcable Cafe in Caldera House offers quick—but satisfying!—bites and beer. RPK3 is located at the base next to the tram dock. It serves lunch and apres-ski goodness.

The Piste Mountain Bistro is another lunch spot up top, offering a comfortable menu of locally sourced dishes that you can savor yourself or share with the table.

For a more restful approach, all the great restaurants at the base look forward to the click-clack of ski boots. Il Villagio Osteria has great Italian and an award-winning pizza bar. At the same time, it's hard to beat the location of the Handle Bar at the Four Seasons, where you can try Michael Mina's excellent chicken sandwich. And of course, no visit to the Village—or Jackson Hole, for that matter—would be complete without a meal or a drink (and listening to music, too) at the iconic Mangy Moose.

New for 2023-24: All on-mountain dining spots will feature reimagined menus, courtesy of new executive chef Steven De Bruyn.

Events at the Mountain

There are numerous events offered at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and in Teton Village during the ski season, from free concerts to ski races. Check jacksonhole.com and tetonvillagewy.org for a full schedule of weekly happenings. Here is a sample:

• Music Under the Tram: Annual, free spring concert series during the month of March featuring local bands; 3 p.m. jacksonhole.com/music-under-tram
• Annual Jackson Hole Rendezvous - The Jackson Hole Rendezvous is a two-day lifestyle and music festival at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, presented in early April.
• Tram Jam: Local band stationed at the bottom of the Bridger Gondola every Saturday for more than 25 years, jamming out roots rock reggae beats. No matter the weather, they jam on!
• Special Olympics Wyoming Winter Games – Competitions take place at both Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton Pines - specialolympicswy.org
• New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade - Dusk parade and fireworks

The Last Word

With reliable snow, great terrain for all abilities, great food and world class instruction, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a memorable vacation for all types of skiers and riders. Come experience Western hospitality at its best while you ski until your legs give out and yet can't stop smiling. There's just nowhere quite like it. See you on the mountain!

Not quite here yet? Trying to figure out what to wear? Be sure to read our article on Dress Like a Jackson Hole Skier and packing for winter in Jackson Hole.