Jackson Hole In Winter

Whether you are an avid skier or have no interest in heading out on the slopes there is something for every type of traveller here in Jackson Hole. Forbes made a list of the top places to ski for powder and, of course, Jackson Hole is at the top of the list. And very well deserved too. When it comes to amazing skiing conditions, where you feel like you are gliding, there is no place better that I’ve experienced than Jackson Hole.

If you had asked me a few years ago I would have said that Jackson Hole is for expert skiers and a place for hubby and his friends to go for a weekend trip. As it turns out this place is wonderful for families. This year they opened up a new area for kids and adult beginner lessons called Solitude Station. What I loved about the lessons at Jackson Hole is how they accommodate kids with special needs into their snow school. This means kids with special needs don’t have to go to a different area of the mountain for the lesson. Parents can drop kids off in one place and their lessons are integrated. If you have a child that might need some extra help to participate in the ski school program you’ll jump for joy when you hear that there is no extra fee if they need to add another instructor for your child. You pay the normal group lesson fee and, if needed, your little one can have extra support without a crazy price tag attached to it.

Do you want to have a great winter vacation but not everyone in the family wants to spend all day on the slopes? The variety of activities in Jackson Hole makes it a great spot for a family winter getaway. While hubby and the 7-year-old spent time on the slopes, the 11-year-old and I went on a snowshoe hike. We opted for the leisurely group hike which provided amazing views of the Tetons. The hike was about 4 hours and our guide from Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures educated us about all the animals who call the park home. The hike takes place at 7000 feet about sea level and is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

There are many accommodation options in Jackson Hole and the central reservation system makes it easy to find something that fits within your budget. If you are looking for the ultimate luxury getaway though your best option is the Shooting Star Properties managed by The Clear Creek Group. The homes are immaculate and have everything you need for your family home away from home. The concierge service is available to get everything you need ready before you arrive. We used the service to purchase our groceries, wine, and even hand warmers (which we couldn’t bring in our carry-on luggage).

Once you arrive all you have to do is enjoy your vacation without having to do any maintenance of the home. In the morning there was a snow removal service and, if you don’t want to drive, there is a shuttle to take you to to the village which is a short 2-minute drive.

For a completely different feel and vacation type you should definitely spend a day or two in the town of Jackson itself. It’s a quaint little town and the bus system from the town to the village is seamless. There are two lines that go straight from Jackson to Teton Village if you want to ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or you can try out Snow King Resort right in town. In addition to skiing they have a wicked tube park and a very cool mountain coaster that runs even in winter. This is also where we had the best food of the entire trip. There is a shuttle or bus to get to downtown Jackson and for a small fee you and your family can rent skates and enjoy the skating rink in the centre of town.