Jackson Hole | Ski Resort Review

Tucked away in the remote north-western corner of Wyoming, close to the Idaho border and skirting the edge of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole feels a world apart from the USA’s big-name Colorado and Utah resorts - both geographically and in spirit. One of the best ski resorts in the world, Jackson Hole is a destination best suited to seasoned intermediates and experts who relish challenging ski terrain and full-on après-ski.

The scale of the landscape is humbling: this was authentic Wild West country, where only the toughest survived, and that frontier energy still runs through the place.

"This is a destination best suited to seasoned intermediates and experts who relish challenging ski terrain and full-on après-ski"

Today, Jackson Hole attracts a loyal crowd of big-mountain skiers and riders who come for its immense lift-served vertical, famously steep in-bounds terrain and huge expanses of accessible backcountry. It’s the kind of place that regularly features in round-ups of the best powder and off-piste resorts in the world. The camaraderie among like-minded chargers - and the ride-hard, party-hard atmosphere that comes with them - is a major part of the appeal.

That said, the resort has become far more rounded in recent years. New lifts, upgraded terrain and improved facilities now cater to intermediates, families and - whisper it - even beginners, giving Jackson Hole a broader, more inclusive feel than its reputation might suggest.

The nearest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, around 30 minutes from the resort, with domestic flights from 12 US cities. As there are no direct international arrivals, most UK visitors typically fly into Salt Lake City and hop on a short connection north to Jackson Hole.

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Jackson Hole - Ski Map & Pistes:

Jackson Hole’s ski area is spread across two main peaks: Après Vous Mountain to the north and Rendezvous Mountainto the west. Après Vous is served by two linked chairlifts, while Rendezvous is accessed via the iconic Aerial Tram, which climbs the full 1,262 m from base to summit. The ridge between the two mountains can also be reached directly from the base via a gondola.

Together, the two mountains offer 2,500 acres of in-bounds terrain, 133 marked trails, and a vertical drop of around 1,260 m — even before you factor in Jackson Hole’s extensive backcountry access.

Après Vous Mountain, along with the slopes served by the gondola, provides most of the resort’s intermediate-friendly terrain, with a strong mix of cruisy pistes and plenty of chances for confident skiers to push into glades and steeper black-diamond lines.

Beginners now have a dedicated hub at Solitude Station, located at the mid-station of the Sweetwater Gondola. Just a two-minute ride from the base, it’s a purpose-built centre for the Mountain Sports School, complete with rental facilities and dining.

The resort has also added new blue-graded terrain in the Casper and Teton lift areas, replacing older lifts with high-speed quads. The Teton Lift opens up extensive piste skiing in what used to be a mogul-filled off-piste zone on the north side near Après Vous.

For advanced and expert skiers and riders, almost all remaining terrain is fair game (aside from a few marked cliffs), with Rendezvous Mountain the main in-bounds focus. And beyond the ropes, Jackson Hole’s heli- and cat-skiing options offer access to even bigger, wilder terrain.

Jackson Hole - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:

Rendezvous Mountain is the undisputed go-to for extreme skiing and riding. The headline act is the notorious Corbet’s Couloir, dropping straight off the summit and directly in view from the cable car. This short but brutally steep chute is entered via a mandatory cornice drop, funnelling skiers between sheer cliffs with a scattering of rocks right in the fall-line.

Beyond Corbet’s, the mountain hides a whole network of hard-charging terrain - tight couloirs, boulder drop-offs, mogul fields, deep powder bowls and hundreds of hectares of accessible backcountry. Much of it is labelled expert rather than merely advanced, and for good reason: this is genuine big-mountain freeride country, demanding confidence, commitment and a cool head.

Jackson Hole - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:

Teton Village is Jackson Hole’s compact and friendly base-area resort, with the iconic Jackson Hole Aerial Tram at its centre and a sweep of slope-side accommodation lining the home-run pistes that drop to the main lift terminals. The village has seen major investment over the years and is now a fully self-contained, year-round mountain hub, home to upscale lodging, a handful of quality bar-restaurants and a luxury spa.

The Saddlehorn Nordic Center offers plenty to do beyond the downhill scene, from cross-country ski loops and snowshoe tours to dog-sledding. Snowmobiling and horse-riding trips are also available throughout the wider valley.

Après-ski in Teton Village is lively and good-natured, with the long-established Mangy Moose leading the charge thanks to its regular live-music sessions. There are several more laid-back spots too if you prefer something gentler.

For a broader choice of restaurants and bars - including classic Western saloons like the Silver Dollar Bar - the town of Jackson sits just 19km south by road and is well worth the short trip.

Jackson Hole - Ski Hire:

Ski hire in Jackson Hole covers six rental locations - three retail stores, including the longest-established Teton Village Sports, plus JH Skis and Hoback Sports, alongside two hotel-based outlets and a dedicated delivery service.

Jackson Hole - Ski School:

Jackson Hole's Mountain Sports School offers group and private lessons, bootcamps and backcountry guides for all ages.