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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1923m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[3]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[5]
Snowboarding:		[5]

Jackson Hole has a legendary status in world skiing alongside names like Aspen and St. Moritz. It lacks the glitz and excess of those destinations but has instead earned its reputation from offering what many like to hope is the true spirit of skiing and winter sports, a dedication to pushing the thrill boundaries of what can be achieved on the slopes.

Apart from the exciting terrain and laid back cool attitude, Jackson Hole also had its iconic red cable car which for many years served the greatest lift served vertical drop in the US. That record was taken a few years ago (although Jackson Hole still maintains that it holds the biggest single drop served by one lift) and the original cable car – or tram as they are known in North America – was retired in 2006. However, after a long consultation programme and rebuild, a new bigger, better, faster tram will open for the 2008-9 season.

Jackson Hole itself has also changed a good deal over the past five years or so, developing its own resort base. Previously most guests drove in from the surrounding area, particularly the small city of Jackson which maintains a wonderful Old West ambience. Another major attraction in the area is Yellowstone National Park, an easy day trip away.

Beginners

Although Jackson Hole has a reputation for expert skiing, it’s actually not a bad place to learn either. The resort operates a special Beginner Center with the usual US resort norms of great teaching, a well designed rentals/ticketing/slopeside set-up to minimize hassle and a rare guarantee that after your first beginner class lesson, you will be able to ski. If you can't control your speed and make the basic snow plough (in America known as “wedge” turns), you can repeat the First Day Learn to Turn class as many times as you wish, free of charge.

Intermediates

Jackson Hole has been criticised in the past for having limited terrain between beginner and expert level, but it has been working on that and 40% of the terrain, with about 30 runs, are rated as intermediate – enough to keep most skiers and boarders busy for a week or two. There are long blue square (the middle level) trails from the top to the bottom of the mountain.

Advanced

With half the terrain rated advanced, Jackson Hole holds its greatest appeal to advanced level skiers where it is in the world top 10 of “must ski” destinations. The mountain is one giant playground for the brave at heart (and, hopefully, adequately skilled) and it is good to see that the experts are not fool hardy – with virtually all wearing helmets and other body protection before venturing off piste. The resort’s skiing icon is the legendary Corbet’s Couloir, once thought unskiable, and now the ‘Everest’ to be conquered by good skiers. Be wary however, firstly that it can be closed for long periods by the ski patrol if they do not consider conditions right and secondly that people still do themselves serious injury attempting it. If all the exciting groomed terrain and endless back country isn’t enough, Jackson Hole also offers heliskiing on five mountain ranges direct from the resort. Then there’s snowcat skiing and the chance to ski with Olympic gold medalist and Jackson Hole local Tommy Moe. The list goes on…

Snowboarding

Along with extensive terrain that’s naturally good for boarding, Jackson Hole has excellent snow parks at novice and advanced level and a superpipe. For riders who are learning the ropes the Little Britches Mini Park is located right under the Teewinot Quad. For more advanced riders, the Rodeo Grounds expert level park is located on Apres Vous mountain between lower Hanna and lower Werner, next to the superpipe. The pipe is 140m ( 450 feet) long with five metre (17 foot) walls cut by a Zaugg Pipe Monster and served by a dedicated rope tow. An online report gives updates on pipe opening hours and when it was last cut. Boarders should also check out Jackson’s boarding shops, Hole in the Wall and The Illuminati – the latter actually building high end boards to sell.

Other Activities and Facilities

When not going down the slopes, opportunities include snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow shoeing, snow kiting (being towed behind a large kite on a snowboard), cross country skiing, shopping in Jackson town or a winter wildlife tour of either Yellowstone or the Grand Teton national parks.

Spa culture has arrived at Jackson Hole with the new base area developments. The Snake River Lodge offers Avanyu, a 17,000 square foot oasis, featuring a variety of treatments and hydrotherapy. The nearby Teton Mountain Lodge Spa also has a luxury spa featuring four treatment rooms; two traditional massage rooms, a couple's room with a fireplace, and hydrotherapy room. A spectacular array of spa treatments including various types of massage, facials, body treatments (exfoliations/wraps), and Vichy hydrotherapy treatments are available and private yoga lessons can also be arranged. You can also take a trip to nearby hot springs.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Jackson Hole after the lifts close is best known for the wonderfully atmospheric bars and restaurants in the nearby town of Jackson (self drive or a low cost 15 minute bus ride away). Here there are Old West style saloons (check out the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar) and the Snake River micro brewery as well as excellent family friendly dining.

However the resort’s own Teton base village offers an ever increasing choice so there’s no need to head to Jackson every night unless you wish to. The Mangy Moose is the signature ski bar. Established in 1967 it has a wonderful atmosphere from decades of ski boots clomping through and tall tales told. After that there’s a range of dining options including sleigh rides to dinner in Solitude Cabin or gourmet meals in the Wild Sage restaurant, the most highly rated by the experts in the entire region.

Families

Jackson Hole’s laid back atmosphere is good for families. The youngest children can be cared for in the excellent Wranglers Daycare (ages six months to two years) with specially designed children’s ski school starting at age three with a choice of Pioneers (for complete beginners) or Rough Riders ski lessons. Snowboarding lessons are available from age five with Little Rippers. Then there’s a range of age/ability specific courses moving up the years to Teen Extreme. Kid’s Night Out is offered once a week on most weeks of the season, when children have an evening of great fun activities and parents get some time alone.

Accommodation in Jackson hole

• Cowboy Village Resort - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• Snake River Lodge & Spa - 4 star, room only
• Snow King Resort Hotel - 4 star, room only
• Snow King Resort Hotel - 4 star, room only
• Snow King Resort Hotel - 4 star, room only
• Snow King Resort Hotel - 4 star, room only
• The Ranch Inn - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• The Wort Hotel - 4 star, bed & breakfast
• Trapper Inn - 3 star, bed & breakfast

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