Jackson Hole Overview
Wyoming
- Cityscape
- Rugged slopes, verdant valleys
- City life
- Winter sports and wildlife
Who could have predicted that this former rough-and-ready frontierland in Wyoming would have blossomed into an upscale ski resort?
Actually, the clues were always there in the landscape: snow-topped slopes, rugged mountains and two national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstones, populated by hulking bison and shaggy buffalo. If this were a Western, the main action would be split between two places: the small town of Jackson, encircled by craggy peaks, and Teton Village, in Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Jackson has all the swagger of the Wild West: saloon-fronted stores and restaurants with cowboy-cool; the Swiss-style Teton Village is fit for ski-bunnies.
Justifiably Jackson Hole
The area is famous for its big game – more than 60 animal species (including moose, mountain lions, antelope, elk, deer, grizzly and black bears and coyote bison) stalk the valley and slopes.
Local knowledge
- Taxis
- Taxis can be hailed in the main square – the fare is around US$25–US$40 from here to Amangani (the hotel has a luxury car service that will ferry you to the main square for US$35).
- Tipping culture
- Add a 15 per cent tip to your restaurant bill and you’ll definitely be welcome back.
- Siesta and fiesta
- When the sun sets and the skiers tire, Jackson town centre and Teton village's restaurants and bars begin to buzz.
- Packing tips
- Schöffel ski jackets so you can hit the slopes in style; heavy duty sun-block; Ralph Lauren and Armani threads for après-ski.
- Recommended reads
- The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Own Wister is one of the most influential Westerns, published in 1902, with a romping romance at its heart. For a more modern read, dip into Close Range: Wyoming Stories by Annie Proulx (‘Brokeback Mountain’, which was a recent cinematic hit, is one of the stories).
- Regional specialities
- Jackson Hole’s earliest residents, the American Indians, heaped their plates with game, and the tradition continues today – many restaurants serve elk, bison, deer, pheasant and buffalo. Wash your meaty feast down with some local beer: the dramatically named Snake River Lager, Pale Ale or Zonker Stout are all popular choices (www.snakeriverbrewing.com).
- Currency
- US dollar ($).
- Time zone
- GMT -6 hours.
- Dialling codes
- US Country code: +1. Area code: +307
Don't go home without...
…admiring Jackson’s main square and its dramatic arched entrances, fashioned from antlers
