In case you haven’t noticed Jackson Hole Reservations has done some remodeling over at the their website. Our site has been refreshed and packed with even more useful features. We’re just a click away at jacksonhole.net, so now it’s even easier to book that dream vacation to Jackson. Let us help you get to where you want to be.

New Look, Same Great Resource

Jackson Hole Reservations is the authority when planning your trip out to Jackson. It’s always best to talk to the locals and we’re happy to help. Our site has a new updated look to make it even easier to find the information you need quickly and now with even faster load times, so you’ll have more time for the important things like packing for your trip.

Our site is now fully optimized for all mobile devices, so you can browse our site and do all of your Jackson research away from your desk and find what you need on your phone or tablet, while on the go.

Searching for what you need is now even easier with the enhanced search bar at the top of our page. Just type in what you are looking for and voila. No need to bore you with what goes into the science and programming of our improved searching capabilities, just think of it as a little vacation magic; it’s kind of like a Magic 8 Ball Jackson Hole edition. Or if you’d rather talk to one of our online associates just click the Live Chat Online for fast, friendly, and knowledgable online service. Or if you prefer a friendly voice with a real Jackson Hole accent feel free to call us at 800-329-9205. We love to talk all things Jackson and share our excitement for this beautiful area.

We reorganized our site to make it easier to find the info you are looking for, so you can now search by vacation rentals, hotels, car rentals (you can’t get everywhere by skis) and you can even check out flights. Feel free to browse our extensive listing of rentals or if you know exactly what you are looking for, enter in length of stay, how many bedrooms, bathrooms, location, and level of quality rating (from luxury to economy) into our Property Search Index to find precisely what you need for you and your guests.

Picking out the perfect vacation rental can be difficult, so we’ve added features to our site to make the process easier. You’re bound to search several listings before you find the exact one to fall in love with. Don’t forget your favorites by simply adding your top choices to our new favorites tool for quick and easy reference for later. It will help you narrow down your rental options and make sure you don’t forget all the contenders.

When clicking on listings you get a full property overview and amenities and feature listing, plenty of photos, as well as enhanced maps of where your rental is located. You can also read reviews of people who have stayed there to get opinions of past guests to see if this is the right rental for you. Check rates, availability, and policies all at the click of a button.

All Things Jackson

Jackson Hole Reservations Company is also a great source to find out about specials and packages to get the best deal on rentals, as well as a great guide for local activities to keep you and your family entertained in winter or summer. You can even check the Jackson forecast to see if it’s dumping or will be when you come to visit for you ski trip. Click on our blog to see what events or activities are happening in Jackson. Or maybe you already know how amazing Jackson is and want to come for more than just a visit, if so we can help you with real estate listings to set you with something more permanent. Whatever your Jackson needs, we are happy to help you get the most out of your vacation and more at Jackson Hole Reservations.

There’s basically three things you need to have at a ski resort: snow, lifts, and ski patrol. Sure there are plenty more things that enhance the experience, but elk stew, spicy tuna rolls, ski instructors from Austria, and artisanal handmade cocktails, aren’t going to get you up on the mountain for the best day of your life. The first no brainer, is snow. No snow, no go. A resort without snow is only agreeable in the summer. More likely you’ll probably be storm chasing and just book your trip to whichever weather.com alerts happen to be blowing up your phone. The second, lifts, make a significant difference in the average skiers’ overall experience. Sure you can go hike Glory Bowl or even Snow King, but after one hike up and one all too quick ski down, your legs will probably be jello and you’ll call it a day. That is if your flatland lungs even get you to the top. To get the vert, you need preferably a high speed quad or better yet a tram to take you to the top of those powder covered goods. You’ll race down and then be happy to be sitting on the chair to catch your breath and give your legs a rest, so you can do it all over again in just minutes. Of course this isn’t a story about lifts or deadbeat lifties (disclaimer: I spent some of the best winters of my life being one) that usher people up the hill like Disneyland workers. No one remembers who is manning Space Mountain, you just remember the ride. No, the unit that runs the show at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are the fine men and women who serve on the legendary Ski Patrol. They are the ones who risk their lives day in and day out so the rest of us can go play in the powder. So, here’s to the best and most dedicated skiers on the mountain, who just happen to make the greatest mountain in the lower 48 skiable every day of the season. Ski caps and helmets off to you and everything you do.

Crack of Dawn

While you are still tucked asleep safe in your bed dreaming of endless powder runs, Jackson Hole Ski Patrollers make their way to the resort by 5 am, a full 4 hours before the resort is even open. Mother Nature can be a cold-hearted beast and does whatever she wants when she wants. While you and the rest of the town are praying for a biblical amount of snow to drop from the heavens as is hyped and forecasted, it’s the Ski Patrol who has to tidy up the hill, so to speak and get the resort open. They do this by dropping bombs, a whole infantries worth and it takes place before you’ve even had your first cup of coffee in the morning. A typical weapon in the avalanche fight is a 2-pound charge with a 90-second fuse that a patroller will hurl over a slope while doing their best Joe Montana impression, with hopes of getting hanging snow to slide. It’s a fine line of wanting to reduce the danger without knocking all the snow off the slope, because ultimately the patrol as well as the guests want to ski it and ski it safely. The patrol gets to sample the “product” first to make sure it’s safe for mass consumption, but they definitely want to leave plenty of it intact for the paying customers. No snow, no go, remember.

Picture a bakery still black from last night, but instead of scones, bagels, and croissants being cranked out, it’s freshly made morning bombs. The patrol is hard at work each and every day break, making bombs to drop from the tram or hand toss on the hill. Imagine strolling into your cubicle first thing in the morning, with sleep still in your eyes, transitioning from dreams to waking life and instead of firing up your computer and checking emails and Facebook you bust out the live explosives and get to work making bombs. Bombs that you’ll soon be chucking all over the hill with a mere minute in a half before blowing up, hopefully fracturing the slope and not yourself. When they are done baking bombs, they’ll pack as many of these freshly made explosives as they can fit into their pack and ski about distributing them like bread crumbs around the resort. Think about skiing around the mountain with a pack weighted down with live explosives and other heavy gear next time you’re simply cruising around making hot laps. And you were just worried about losing an edge, falling, and breaking your new iPhone safely stashed in your Gore-Tex parka. With bombs come responsibility and all patrollers are certified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and are required to do a refresher course before each season begins. It’s not just the explosives that patrollers risk when they do their morning patrols, it’s also the very real risk of getting caught in an avalanche.

First Responders and More

No one expects or wants to get hurt when they go skiing, but if you do, rest assured that the cavalry dressed sharply in red, high-tech ski shells will be the first ones on the scene. They are just a radio call away and they can descend down to you quickly and efficiently. Think one part Lindsey Vonn or Herman Maier and one part ambulance EMT racing towards you in their best Super G. They are trained to handle medical emergencies and deal with triage while straddling a 40-degree slope. They can also expertly get you down the mountain in a “meat wagon” if need be. Add in your weight, the weight of the medical toboggan and you’ll truly be filled with awe and gratitude as how a ski patroller can ski 4k of vert towing a toboggan and not just ski it, but ski it well. The Ski Patrollers at Jackson Hole have seen it all and know how to handle it all. In fact it’s a hard unit to get into. With little turn over and with some patrollers working the mountain since the 1970s, Jackson Hole is where the best of the best want to work and be.

Of course not all of the job is skiing fresh pow, chucking bombs, and rescue missions. Some of it is mundane and taxing, like putting up signs, installing boundary ropes, giving directions to tourists, or even playing traffic cop. More times than not they do it with a smile on their faces and are always ready to serve the mountain and the public because they love it. They’re pretty much like super heroes on skis, except they don’t fight crime, but fight injuries and promote skier safety for all. So, next time you share a chair with a woman or man smartly dressed in Jackson red with a patrollers cross emblazoned on their jacket, give them a nod and a quick thank you for letting you safely have the best day, weekend, and/or vacation of your life. It’s the least you can do.

It is full on winter around these parts and to celebrate the 6th Annual Jackson Hole WinterFest kicks off to honor our favorite season of the year. It’s two weeks chock full of exciting events praising all things winter. So grab your favorite parka and head out with some friends and family to check out this winter festival. Don’t worry there are plenty of indoor events slated as well to get you stoked about winter and beautiful Jackson Hole.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Ice Skating
February 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13
4:30 pm – 9 pm
February 6, 7, 14
12pm – 9 pm

Lace up those skates and take some laps around the Town Square for some outdoor skating fun. If you’ve outgrown your childhood skates or didn’t pack them for the trip, don’t worry you can rent them at the Square. And if you get cold they’ve got you covered too with hot cocoa available. It makes for a fun and memorable family outing. For more info call 307-739-6789.

Ski Joring Championships
February 6 – 7
Teton Village

Usually when you think flat terrain and skis, it’s of the high cardio cross country variety, but when you add some real horsepower it turns into a whole other adrenaline sport. Be amazed as skiers towed by horses attempt to navigate a course with the fastest time. The 4th Annual Ski Joring Championships hosted by the Jackson Hole Shrine Club kicks off at 12:30pm and tickets are just $10 at the gate. Need more info on this thrilling event go to jhshriners.org.

Grand National Powder 8s
Sunday, February 7
Teton Village

Move over Aspen Extreme this is Jackson Extreme and no you didn’t fall into a hot tub time machine, as it’s really 2016 and the powder 8s competition is back at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. With over 10 grand in cash and prizes at stake as well as bragging rights. Come check out this talented group of T.J. Burke hopefuls. Admission is $10. For more info on this throwback event go to jacksonhole.com/powder8s.

Cutter Races
February 13 – 14
Melody Ranch, Jackson Hole

Spend a day at the cutter races for this exciting and feel good event. Join the Jackson Hole Shrine Club for this 45th annual race that benefits children in need. Place some bets on who you think will win or just kick back and enjoy the tailgating. Tickets cost $15. For more info on this charitable event go to jhshriners.org.

INDOOR EVENTS

National Theatre Live: Skylight
Thursday, February 4
Jackson Hole Center For the Arts

Get in from the cold and catch this production, broadcast live from the West End and starring film stars Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan. The play takes place on a bitter cold London evening, which Jackson tourists and locals can surely relate to. Watch two former lovers reconnect unexpectedly after many years apart and at different points in their lives. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students. For more info go to jhcenterforthearts.org.

Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn
Friday, February 5
Jackson Hole Center For the Arts

Treat yourself to big city entertainment right in the mountains with this one-of-a-kind concert with Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn. This banjo duo is sure to impress and entertain with their varying musical styles. The concert begins at 7pm, so make a night of it with dinner before or after. Tickets start at $54. For more info go to jhcenterforthearts.org.

Hockey
Friday, February 6
Snow King Events Center

The sports fans in your family will love a chance to check out a live hockey match in town. Check out all the fast paced action as the Jackson Hole Moose Hockey team takes on a rival team from Philadelphia. It might not be the NHL, but it’s the next best thing as these two teams battle it out in the Senior A Division of the USA Hockey Association. Unless you’re from Philly, you’re a Moose fan tonight! Face-off is at 7:30pm and tickets range from $5 to $10. For more info check out snowkingsec.com/sports.

MET Opera in HD: Turandot
Thursday, February 11
Jackson Hole Center For the Arts

Get your opera on, way out west as the production of Turandot is streamed live to the Center Theater. Watch as opera’s most acclaimed sopranos take turns at the title role. Brush up on your Rosetta Stone prior or just sit back and listen to the beautiful Italian signing. Show starts at 7pm and runs about 3.5 hours. Tickets are $10 to $18. For more info this event go to jhcenterforthearts.org

Wine Tasting & Silent Auction
Friday, February 19
Jackson Hole Center For the Arts

The Masons of Jackson Hole proudly present and invite you to a WinterFest wine tasting and silent auction. Nothing quite warms you from winter’s chill like some wine and donating to a good cause. Bid on plenty of amazing silent auction items and the proceeds go towards renovating the historic Masonic Lodge in Jackson. It’s a win-win for everyone. Tickets are $25 and include a souvenir wine glass. The wine flows from 5pm – 8:30pm in the Center Theater Lobby. For more info on this event visit jhcenterforthearts.org.

St. Louis has the Gateway Arch, New York the Statue of Liberty, Seattle the Space Needle, but when you are in Jackson and need a picture to prove to friends and family that you were indeed here, you snap a selfie in front of the Jackson Hole elk antler arches on the Town Square. In fact if you’ve just ever casually strolled by the famed elk antler arches, there’s a good chance that you are in the background of some other tourist’s selfie, so make sure to always smile when you walk by. You know just to prove that the natives out west are indeed friendly.

Antlers

Well, first of all to make an elk antler arch you are going to need to some antlers. Luckily there just happens to be the National Elk Refuge literally right down the street from the Town Square. With an estimated local elk population herd of 11,000 or roughly an elk for every man, woman, and child in Jackson, this guarantees that the antlers don’t need to be Amazon Prime’d and come straight from the valley.

The male elk grow antlers to basically try and impress the female elk and to fight with other males, which they hope the females are paying attention to. It’s a testosterone thing that makes them grow and then drop off. Antlers are made of bone and can grow up to an inch a day. They naturally shed their antlers when their testosterone drops after breeding season. Or because they need to keep up with the next season’s antler styles, you know to once again impress the females and start the whole process over again. During antler shedding season you pretty much can’t walk on the elk refuge without tripping over an antler and people collect them to sell at auctions.

George Washington Elk Antler?

George Washington Memorial Park is the official term for the Town Square, but no one really refers to it as such. It’s kind of a teeny-tiny Central Park in Jackson, as it sits right smack in the middle of town. “Central Park West” or officially George Washington Memorial Park was dedicated as a park in 1934 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of our first president’s birth. The antler arches would have to wait almost 20 years until the Town Square was completed with its current iconic and selfie approved look.

In the middle of the Washington Memorial park you’ll find a statue of, you guessed it John Colter. Colter was a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the first non-native to enter the region that would become Yellowstone National Park and to lay eyes on the Tetons. He’s often thought of as the first mountain man ever and is considered a local legend and all around badass around these parts. Washington on the other hand for all the great he did for this young nation, never ate a Billy’s burger, skied some cowboy pow, or even so much as set foot in the state of Wyoming as he died before the equality state even became a state.

The Famed Arches

The first elk antler arch was constructed in 1953 by the Jackson Hole Rotary Club. The other corners of the park would eventually be adorned with arches, with the project being completed by the close of the 60’s. A base was constructed and three local Jackson men built a steel frame, which allowed the Rotary Club to stack the antlers. The club used over 2,000 antlers and spent half a day stacking them to complete the first arch. They called it a day at 4:30pm, and at 4:35pm it’s rumored a tourist from Wichita, Kansas snapped the first antler arch selfie with a Polaroid. The Rotary Club rather pleased with their efforts retired to the Wort Hotel to celebrate with their wives over drinks and dinner.

The arches that followed, each contained around 2,000 antlers. Although antlers are strong and made of bone, all elk know that they are only supposed to be worn for a season. The elk antlers in the arches have eventually worn down from sun damage and cold temps and began to be replaced in 2006.

The town of Jackson and the Rotary Club of Jackson Hole began to auction off the original arches in 2006. The old arches could be dismantled, moved, and reassembled, all included in the auction price, to the new owner’s place of choosing. Or the new owner could sell the antlers at the going rate per pound, which at the time was $7 a pound and now is currently more than double that. In 2006 the Rotary Club also held a contest for people to buy tickets to guess how many antlers were in the arch being auctioned. No word on who won, they must still be counting.

2015 marked the completion of the final arch reconstruction. The previous arch sold for the price of a high priced luxury sedan. Which considering the fact that the arches become available at auction about every 50 years, makes for a good investment and leaves one to wonder how much the next batch of arches will go for. The current set of arches on the square have a street price of around $450,000 worth of antlers in them. If elk knew how much their discarded antlers went for, they might not be so quick to get rid of them. Anyway, just a few things to think about when you are waiting to snap your picture in front of Jackson’s golden arches.

For those in the know, that are obsessed with the sound of brap brap to get their powder fix, Jackson is the place to be this winter for all types of snowmobilers. Unlimited fresh powder and perfectly groomed trails in an epic mountain backdrop that looks as much CGI as mother nature created, offers some of the best snowmobiling you could ever imagine. So, whether you just want to get out for a day or do an overnight trip, you’ll find plenty of outfitters and options to get your brap brap on.

Teton Tour Co.

Don’t worry, you haven’t died and gone to heaven, you’ve just come to Teton Tour Co. With scenic and wildlife tours in Bridger Teton, Gros Ventre, Granite Hot Springs, and Brooks Lake Lodge to choose from Teton Tour Co. has got you covered. From family outings to beginners, you’ll find the trip you want here.

For those looking for something a bit different or those who just want to stay on trail, take the half day tour to Granite Hot Springs. The tour runs 4 hours, covers 20 miles and ends with an unforgettable soak in the famed hot springs. Definitely not your average snowmobile excursion by any means.

Go to www.tetontourco.com to find the perfect trip for you and your family. If you don’t see the tour you are looking for simply give them a call at 307-733-8800, and they will be more than happy to help you customize your adventure.

Scenic Safaris

Aptly named for adventure and wildlife sightings, Scenic Safaris is a great option to book your unforgettable snowmobile adventure. Full, half-day, or even multi-day packages will get you stoked on a 4-stroke, environmentally friendly ride. Scenic Safaris is committed to preserving and maintaining the pristine environment around Jackson Hole by using 4-stroke engines not only in Yellowstone but in surrounding National Forests as well.

Book your winter tour today in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Gros Ventre, Old Faithful, or take the Teton half-day. Switch it up and sit back and relax for a luxury van and snowcoach tour and check out the wildlife in their element in Grand Teton or see Old Faithful erupt in winter.

A great choice is the exciting Grand Canyon of Yellowstone tour, which follows the path of the Yellowstone River. You’ll feel like an explorer as you begin to discover all the wonders of Yellowstone. This is a 12-hour trip and covers some serious miles and exciting terrain. Having Yellowstone to yourself in the winter to observe all the wildlife is utterly priceless. You’ll be sure to work an appetite up on the trail, but don’t worry breakfast and lunch are included to keep you motoring. For more info on your perfect snowmobile trip, go to www.scenic-safaris.com.

Turpin Meadows Ranch

Turpin Meadows Ranch boasts 2.5 million acres of Teton terrain in its back yard to play in, so you only have to cross a snowmobile track if you want to or you can stay on 500 plus miles of groomed terrain that sits right on the Continental Divide. Take a 3-hour tour starting at $125 or go full throttle for a full day package that starts at $200 per day per driver. For more info, go to turpinmeadowranch.com and book your Teton winter snowmobile adventure.

Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours

Since 1987 Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours has been guiding ‘bilers to the goods in Yellowstone and beyond. If you are looking for a bit more than an afternoon in the snow saddle, than take a 3-day tour of Yellowstone with this great outfitter. You’ll be sure to see plenty of wildlife as well as geysers and other one-of-a-kind geographical features that the nation’s oldest National Park is known for. Your transportation, snowmobile gear, lodging, meals, and more is all covered in this package. Don’t worry if a 3-day trip is more than you bargained for, Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours offers several day tours in Yellowstone, the Gros Ventre, and Grey’s River to meet your needs. For more info, go to snowmobilingtours.com or call 307-733-9767.

Leisure Sports

Their slogan boasts “We Rent Adventure” and we’d have to agree. At Leisure Sports in Jackson Hole, you can rent brand new 2016 Ski-Doo snowmobiles starting at $135 a day and set out for your own day of adventure. All snowmobile rentals come with  everything you need for a great outing: trail map, suit, helmet, boots, and gloves. You can even rent a GoPro HD camera to capture all your sick footage, so you can replay it over and over when you get home from your vacation. They’ll also be more than happy to tell you where you want to go and you can even rent a snowmobile trailer for $15 a day to haul all your rental gear.

Jackson Hole Reservations can help book all your adventures in Jackson Hole. Call today!

The song “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”is pretty much on repeat this time of year on the radio, internet, in stores, and on home hi-fi’s and with each listen we tend to agree more and more with the lyrics. We’d suggest updating the 1963 classic though with a shout out to Jackson Hole somewhere in the refrain to fully capture the sentiment. Maybe Andy Williams, the singer of this yule tide classic, never made the trip out west to Jackson and somehow still thought it was the most wonderful time of the year, poor guy. Don’t be Andy Williams and miss out on what is the most wonderful place to be for the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season in Jackson, with fresh snow falling on the Tetons, is truly a winter wonderland come to life and should be enjoyed by all at least once. Here’s a list of some fun activities for you and your family to check out while visiting the most wonderful place in the West.

Shows & Music

The idyllic town of Jackson pretty much already looks like a stage production of your favorite Christmas production, so why not see a holiday production while in town.

 The Nutcracker – The production of The Nutcracker  is as much a Christmas tradition as winter snow around these parts. Presented by Dancers’Workshop at the Center Theater in Center For the Arts and performed by the San Diego Ballet and Dancer’s Workshop students. This holiday production runs from Friday, December 11 to December 13. Tickets start at just $12 for students for a matinee (including ticket fees) and $30 for adults. Go to www.jhcenterforthearts.org/calendar/events/nutcracker for more information.

Jackson Hole Community Band – Another great tradition for holiday music in Jackson is the Annual Holiday Concert performed by the Jackson Hole Community Band, which takes place Saturday, December 19 at 7 pm at the Center for the Arts Theater. In tune with the giving spirit of the season, this concert is free but they ask that you please bring a non-perishable food item for the local JH Food Cupboard. You’ll be treated to holiday favorites as well as new traditions like Cowboy Christmas and music from the Polar Express. For more info go to www.jhcband.org.

Merry & Bright: A Festive Concert of Music & Theater – This chamber music variety show features performances by Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir, Jackson Hole Brass Quintet, Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra, Treble Voices, and the Big City Broadway Youth Show Choir. With two chances and two different venues to see this great musical performance, December 18, 7pm at Walk Festival Hall and December 19, 3pm at Jackson Hole High School Auditorium. $5 suggested donation. For more info check out www.cathedralvoices.org.

 Snowed Inn for Christmas – The Historic Jackson Hole Playhouse proudly presents a production of Snowed Inn for Christmas. The Jackson Hole Playhouse building has been around for 99 years, one of the oldest in town and has been a few different things before becoming the town playhouse in the 1950’s. It’s a great place to see a show in town or better yet make a whole night of it and get dinner too. Show prices are $32.50 for adults and kids start at $19. For dinner and a show adults are $60 and kids start at $38. Check out www.jacksonplayhouse.com to buy tickets.

Around Town

Santa on the Square – Meet the man, the myth, the legend. You guessed it spend some time with Saint Nick himself at Santa on the Square. Every evening from December 15 – 24 at 5pm – 7pm you can find Santa at his workshop, so be sure to try and butter him up for all those gifts you want for Christmas. Bring your list and plead your case or else you might just get a lump of coal, which around a cold winter wonderland like Jackson isn’t such a bad thing either. Makes a great photo op for the kids. For more info go to www.events@jacksonholechamber.com or call 307-201-2309.

Ice Skating – Skating on the Town Square is pretty much a must do activity while you’re here. Hey it might even loosen up those over worked skiing legs of yours. It’s an idyllic activity that screams holidays and fun in a beautiful Jackson Hole setting. Lace up your skates, take some turns around the rink, and make some memories. Skating on the square runs from December 15 – January 23. 

The Historic Wort Hotel’s, 12 Days of Christmas – Head to the Wort for their 19th annual 12 Days of Christmas. Billed the “Holly Jolly Happenings for All Ages”you and your family will be sure to find some holiday fun here from December 3 – 29. Whether it’s events for kids like the popular cookie decorating, where you’ll get to have your cookie and eat it too, to events for families, such as the music performance Jingles in Jackson, featuring Big City Broadway and Pam Phillips or Master Holiday Cocktails for adults. With so much going on at the Wort your best bet is to check out the full schedule at www.worthotel.com.

 Chanukah Party – Ain’t no party like a Chanukah party, so  go get your nosh on December 12 at E. Leaven Food Co. from 6pm – 9pm at the 37th Annual Chanukah Party sponsored by the Jackson Hole Jewish Community. A suggested $10 donation for adults and $5 for children, or pay what you can, gets you in the door and includes yummy latkes, drinks, and dessert. Attendees are encouraged to bring a main or side dish. With plenty of kids activities and dreidel spinning through out the night. 

Menorah Lighting – Head to the Town Square on the seventh night of Chanukah for a giant menorah lighting. Learn about this Jewish holiday and sing some Chanukah songs to get in the spirit. Presented by the Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming at 7pm on the Town Square.

Teton Village

Contrary to what powder hound locals will tell you there is more than just skiing and boarding going on at the Village.

Holiday Cookie Decorating at Teton Mountain Lodge – Yep, it’s as good as it sounds, basically a dream come true for those of us with a sweet tooth and some creative flair. Save some room before or after dinner to get your cookie creating on. December 22, from 4pm – 6pm at the Teton Mountain Lodge located on the main floor of the K-bar. Guaranteed yummy fun.

Cowboy Santa at Teton Mountain Lodge – Santa is pretty…pretty…pretty busy around this time of year. When he’s not at the North Pole or hanging out at the Town Square you can find him for one night only on December 23 from 5pm – 7pm at Teton Mountain Lodge. This could be your last chance to make sure he knows what you want for Christmas. After visiting with Santa, stick around for a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Interdenominational Holiday Service – Attend an interdenominational holiday service on Christmas Eve at the Hotel Terra Ballroom. Everyone is invited and see what the holidays are all about. The service lasts from 5pm – 6:30 pm.

Shopping

There’s still plenty of days left for your Christmas shopping. Check out some local arts and crafts fairs to pick up some one of a kind gifts for your holiday list.

Art Market Days – Shop for the holidays and support local artists too, is a win-win for everyone. Free admission ensures you have more to spend on the locally hand made wares. Wednesday 9am – 5pm, Thursday & Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm at the Art Association Gallery in the The Center for the Arts. 

Virginian Craft Fair – With over 40 crafters to choose from. Check out the wide selection of homemade goods that are sure to make great gifts. All that shopping is bound to make you hungry so grab lunch or peruse the bake sale all at the craft fair. Saturday, December 12 from 10am – 4pm at Virginian Convention Center.

Holiday Gift Show – Buy some local art and crafts from some of Jackson’s favorite artists including Jenny & Sam Dowd, Abby Paffrath, Valerie Seaberg, and Laurie Thal. Stock up on pottery, jewelry, blown glass, wreaths, paintings, handcrafted clothing, and even chocolate. December 12, from 10am – 5pm at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center.

Holiday Art Bazaar – You’ll find plenty of fine arts and crafts for the holidays December 12 from 9am – 4 pm at the Snow King Resort. Presented by the Art Association of Jackson Hole. Free for members and $5 for non-members. Proceeds benefit the Art Association of Jackson Hole’s Education and outreach efforts.

Home For the Holidays – Expand your family and have more to love by adopting an animal this season. Stop by the Animal Adoption Center on December 12 from 11am – 3pm and make a difference in an animals life. With plenty of dogs and cats and needing homes this season, you get a life long companion for the family and a gift your kids will never forget. Or simply come and hang out with the cute critters and make a donation to your favorite animal shelter. For more info go to www.animaladoptioncenter.org.

Dining

Check out any of these fine dining options for your Christmas and holiday dinners. You’ll be guaranteed to leave happy and full and you won’t even have to do any dishes.

The Wort Hotel – The Wort’s famous Christmas Day Buffet runs from 11am – 4pm on Christmas Day. It’s famous for a reason. 

Hayden’s Post – Open for all holidays with special holiday menus and great drink specials. Currently taking reservations for Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years, go to snowking.com for more info. 

Teton Pines – Looking at the Christmas Eve dinner menu at Teton Pines has us thinking Christmas Eve can’t come soon enough. From the wonderful Winter Salad to main entree show stoppers like the Grilled Beef Tournados or the classic Steamed Maine Lobster you and your family are in for a culinary experience. Head over to tetonpines.com to check out all your menu options.

Spring Creek Ranch – We are kind of partial to Christmas buffets as everyone is sure to find plenty of what they want. The Spring Creek Ranch Christmas Buffet is a sure shot to amaze. It’s available from 11:30 am – 4pm and has plenty of classics and new classics for everyone. If a buffet isn’t your thing or you want to eat later, starting at 6pm you can dine off the regular dinner menu along with plenty of holiday specials.

When you think contemporary art, New York, L.A. or Miami might jump to mind as cutting edge hot spots, but none of those locales boast such a scenic backdrop for a vibrant gallery scene as Jackson Hole. Jackson most commonly known for its world class skiing, fly fishing, mountains, and open spaces is also known for its burgeoning contemporary art. It’s not just about Western Art anymore in Wyoming as Jackson has proven itself as a thriving community for contemporary art and artists. Sure, there are still plenty of opportunities to view and buy Western Art in Jackson, but those with art interests that lean more towards the future then the frontier past will find themselves right at home among the many contemporary art galleries in Jackson.

National & World Art 

Heather James Fine Art
172 Center St. Suite 101
heatherjames.com 

When you walk into Heather James Fine Art you kind of feel like you just walked into a secret MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and didn’t have to pay an admission. Even casual fans of art are sure to be impressed and recognize the names of the famous artists adorning the walls. Heather James represents such luminaries as Alexander Calder, Chuck Close, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol. From past to present, with art overlapping periods, movements, and genres you can find it all at this impressive gallery.

Tayloe Piggot Gallery
62 South Glenwood Street
tayloepiggottgallery.com 

Tayloe Piggot Gallery is another spot in town where the lines of museum and gallery feel blurred. Piggot Gallery specializes in post-war and contemporary art as well as emerging and established artists. Some heavy hitters you may find here include Richard Diebenkorn, Helen Frankenthaler, and Robert Motherwell. An upcoming exhibition entitled “For the Love of Paper: Limited Edition Prints”opens October 12 and runs until December 10. Stop by this inspiring gallery to shop or just get educated on art.

Diehl Gallery
155 West Broadway
diehlgallery.com 

Diehl Gallery specializes in contemporary painting and sculpture and offers professional art collecting services for both public and private collectors. The current featured exhibition runs until October 11 and features work by Jeri Eisenberg called “After Equinox”. 

Altamira Fine Art
172 Center Street
atamiraart.com 

Altamira Fine Art offers contemporary and Western Art with a modern aesthetic. An upcoming solo show features the work of local painter Travis Walker as he captures scenes from around Jackson. The show runs October 12 to October 24, with a reception on October 15 from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Asymbol Gallery
50 West Broadway
asymbol.co 

Asymbol Gallery is home to one of the trendiest galleries in town. Started by local product and world class snowboarder Travis Rice, Asymbol Gallery captures visually in art why most live in Jackson and come to visit—for epic adventures. Here you’ll find photographs, prints, and paintings that look just as comfortable hanging on your wall as they would on the base of your snowboard. Asymbol Gallery gives a voice to those who find passion in life’s adventures. 

Local, Regional, & Beyond 

Daly Projects
125 E. Pearl Ave
dalyartistrep.com 

This relatively new comer to the local art scene was started by local Meg Daly, a passionate  and vocal lover of the arts. This gallery focuses on regional, contemporary art and exhibits many established and up and coming local artists. If you are looking for new and fresh art, this is the place in town to find it. The next featured show, “Greater Yellowstone: Prints, Maps & Sculpture”is by David Buckley Borden. The show runs from October 8 – 31.

Art Association of Jackson Hole
240 South Glenwood
artassociation.org 

This local nonprofit has been a mainstay and champion of the arts for over 50 years in Jackson. In addition to offering classes and studio space, they also exhibit shows in their gallery that showcase everything from local art to famous artists. An upcoming exhibit by Dickie Landry “Explorations in Axonomeric Projections”runs October 9 to November 13 with an opening reception on October 14 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Dickie Landry is a fascinating figure that played saxophone in the groundbreaking Phillip Glass Ensemble as well as releasing albums on his own. He’s also a seminal figure in the New York Arts’s scene and has worked with such greats as Richard Serra, Robert Rauschenberg, Chuck Close, and William Burroughs. 

Teton Art Lab
130  South Jackson Street
tetonartlab.com 

Teton Art Lab offers studio space, exhibition, performance space, and residencies to artists. Their open studio nights and visiting artist talks are a great way to see and learn about all kinds of new and inventive contemporary art. Art Lab’s month long residencies offer a revolving door of fresh artists and work to the valley.

Pink Garter Theatre
50 West Broadway
pinkgartertheatre.com 

At the Pink Garter music, art, food, and drink all converge into one hip night spot. This theater is one of the best places in town to see a show or meet up with friends for a signature drink at The Rose, an adjacent trendy watering hole. In addition to all of this, they also put on some great art exhibits. Some of the best local artists show here, which offers the art public a chance to grab some fantastic work before they move on to bigger galleries.

In the Pines AKA ITP Space
130 South Jackson Street
inthepines.org 

ITP Space is a unique gallery and bookstore right next door to Teton Art Lab. They offer progressive and avant-garde contemporary art that you won’t find anywhere else in Jackson. Most of the artists showcased are from outside the area. You have until October 12 to catch their latest show by Kate Bonner and Daniel G. Baird, entitled “Lynchpinned and Bitten”.

Today Grand Teton National Park is one of the top ten visited national parks in the country and with good reason, as tourists, mountain climbers, skiers, fly fisherman, hikers, boaters, and more flock to this awe inspiring locale in northwestern Wyoming. But if it wasn’t for a well meaning conspiracy and an unforgettable lunch, Grand Teton National Park may have never become a reality, and instead would have been developed commercially as private land and homes with maybe even a Wal-Mart or two.

At around 480-square miles Grand Teton is not the biggest national park in the country, but may very well be one of the most scenic as visitors and locals alike never seem to get over the incredible view of mountains jutting straight out of the ground and onto the horizon. In fact if you flew into Jackson on a clear day, you probably got a great glimpse of these majestic mountains right out the airplane window. Jackson Hole Airport is the only airport in the nation to be located in a national park. You might be able to see the New York City skyline when you fly into Newark, but you’ll never see the Tetons or possibly moose or bald eagles when you walk off your plane and onto the tarmac (sorry New Jersey).

Grand Teton is often thought of as Yellowstone’s little sibling to the south, at just 10 miles away from the country’s first national park. You won’t be seeing geysers here, but Grand Teton is typically less crowded and offers unrivaled mountain views and wildlife sightings of just about anywhere in the lower 48 and the world.

What’s in a Name?

Native Americans were the first humans to settle in and around what is today known as Grand Teton. In the early to mid-1800’s fur traders made their way to this undeveloped area in search of sought after beaver pelts. The unsettled land and harsh climate made for a hard scrabble existence for those that came to seek their fortunes. The French speaking fur traders, a male dominated profession, must have been shall we say lonely and missing the company of women; as when they set their eyes on these unheralded peaks they proclaimed them the “Les Trois Tetons”which translates to the “The Three Breasts”. This original name eventually became shortened to Tetons, but the Grand Teton, the gem and largest mountain peak of the range at 13,775 feet literally translates to the “big breast”, oh those horny, or lonely fur trappers. It certainly has a certain je ne sais quoi to it, although it must certainly give our French speaking visitors a chuckle upon hearing a whole National Park devoted to it.

Park Origins

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent, Horace Albright, was concerned about the possible development of the unspoiled wilderness of Grand Teton in the forms of proposed dams and the construction of summer cabins. Although local opposition was opposed to taking the area of Grand Teton and incorporating it into the existing Yellowstone National Park, many locals were in favor of making the area its own national park. Albright met with East Coast tycoon John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who was visiting Yellowstone with his family. Albright drove them south to the Tetons one day for lunch and stopped at was is now known as “Lunch Tree Hill”(a short walk up from where Jackson Lake Lodge was built). It was here that Rockefeller had his “a-ha moment”. There is no mention of what was served at the picnic, so we must assume Rockefeller instantly fell in love with the view and not the potato salad and would later vow to protect this special place. The next day Albright took the Rockefeller’s further south and showed off Jenny Lake, Leigh Lake, and String Lake. The Rockefeller’s loved this area as well, but were shocked at the random and shoddy commercialism and development, specifically one rough and tumble dancehall which was a blight on this pristine landscape. When they asked what could be done, Albright confided in them in his plan to save and protect Grand Teton and a conspiracy was hatched.

Conspiracy to Protect 

Rockefeller soon began to buy up land in Northern Jackson as if he was playing a game of Monopoly. When he was done the business tycoon had bought up well over 100,000 acres. Albright implored Rockefeller to keep this mass real estate land grab hush-hush to prevent inflation on land prices and to keep the well known tycoons name and purpose of the acquisition a secret. To enact this a front was formed in the name of the Snake River Land Company.

In 1929 President Calvin Coolidge signed Grand Teton National Park into law at half its size of today. In 1930 the “Snake River Land Company”was done buying land, yelled gotcha, and thus revealed its true intentions of adding this newly acquired land to Grand Teton National Park. Many felt duped by the conspiracy of Albright, a government worker, and Rockefeller, an eastern millionaire, and outrage ensued. It wouldn’t be until 1942 after Rockefeller, fed up and frustrated that his altruistic plan had yet to be enacted threatened to sell his acquired Jackson land. In 1943 FDR issued an order to turn this land into Jackson Hole National Monument. Congress enacted a bill to abolish this new monument and the state of Wyoming promptly filed suit against Jackson National Monument as well, claiming there was no just reason for this land to be a national monument. It wouldn’t be until 1950 when President Truman incorporated Rockfeller’s land holdings into what is now known as Grand Teton National Park today.

Because of a memorable picnic, a conspiracy was hatched to create a stunning national park. A park that is home to over sixty species of mammals, over 300 birds, six mountain lakes and numerous rivers as well as over four million annual visitors a year. We’d call that pretty much the best business lunch ever.

First! Yellowstone is the first National Park and everyone that came after tries in vain to live up to this precedent. In 1872 your United States government had the brilliant idea to mark off an invisible boundary declaring Yellowstone a sacred and protected land. The hope was to keep it from the development of man, pristine and unchanged. The problem is that Yellowstone changes daily instead of by the standard geologic evolution of thousands of years. The earth is literally alive, as a river of magma flows below it. Mother nature has her way here, not man. Congress created a National Park, but if some Barnum-type character were to have gotten it’s hands on the lease first, it would have been surely billed as Mother Nature’s freak show, like no place on earth.

Yellowstone is large, in fact at 2 million acres, it’s the largest ecosystem of its kind on the planet. It’s quite frankly big enough to be its own state and not one of those small east coast ones, but a couple of them. For all the people that flock to this beautiful and weird wonder every year, 90% of it is barely touched and remains rugged and remote, with some of it still being mapped or yet to be.

Native Americans were the first to explore, hunt, and fish in Yellowstone over 11,000 years ago, but few tribes called this hostile environment home. When John Colter, famed member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, broke off on his own and ventured through a portion of Yellowstone in the early 1800s, he described the surreal and foreign landscape as a place of “fire and brimstone”. Many took Colter’s eye witness accounts of giant geysers, boiling mud pots, and boiling rivers as tall tales or delirious visions of a wayward explorer and started calling it “Colter’s Hell”. For years the rare and exotic geographic features that Yellowstone is today known for would remain the stuff of myth and legend.

In 1871 Ferdinand Hayden retuned to Yellowstone after a previous failed attempt to explore the area. This time he was backed by the United States government and he brought with him scientists, soldiers, photographers, and artists to survey the environment. After a thorough campaign documenting his findings, Hayden reported back to the government. Washington was impressed and a proposal to make Yellowstone the first National Park easily passed through the Senate. Senators were worried that without entrusting this land as a nationally protected park, any self-motivated huckster looking to make a buck could set up shop and ask for an entrance fee to see these other worldly geysers. Park Bill, H.R. 764 as it was officially known, would go on to pass the House of Representatives, with 115 yayes, 65 noes, and 60 abstaining. The 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill into law. Grant’s signature ensured that Yellowstone’s wonder and awe would be safe for future generations to enjoy.

Yellowstone is an anomaly in the Park Service and the world as it boasts 23 mountains over 10,000 feet tall, 17 different rivers, and 4,000 bison. The bison that make their home in Yellowstone are the only herd in the lower 48 that have lived there since prehistoric times. But, more than anything it’s the shear amount and intrinsic beauty of the geysers that bring people to Yellowstone every year. A mind numbing statistic places two-thirds of the entire world’s geysers within the borders of Yellowstone National Park. The park also has the largest high altitude lake on the continent in Yellowstone Lake. Yup, Congress got this one right when they made Yellowstone the first National Park and set a precedent of protecting America’s treasured resources for everyone to enjoy.

In addition to the fabled bison of the West found in Yellowstone, the Park is also home to 67 different mammals including: grizzly and black bear, wolverine, lynx, elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer. Wolves, also native to the park, were just about all but killed off and listed as endangered species up until 1974. In 1995, 31 Western Canadian grey wolves were relocated into Yellowstone, which sprung up some debate with ranchers who feared they would leave the park and prey on neighboring livestock. As early as 2008, wolf populations were removed from the endangered species list in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. They were subsequently returned to the endangered list, but have since come off the list again in 2011 and 2012. Many ecologists and scientists believe the wolves play an important role in keeping a healthy ecosystem in Yellowstone. Wolf packs are known to take down prey as large as bison, often those that are sick or malnourished, which provides free meals for other scavengers as well as ensuring a more healthy herd in Yellowstone.

But what makes Yellowstone  so unique is what you can’t see. Just underground is one of the world’s largest volcanoes. The Yellowstone Caldera also known as the Yellowstone Supervolcano measures about 34 by 45 miles. When you’re that big of a volcano you deserve to be called super. If you were to drill down just four miles into the earth you’d find a massive cauldron of magma. The magma contained below Yellowstone is enough to fill three Lake Michigans. In case you’ve never been to Lake Michigan, for reference it’s 307 miles long, 118 miles wide, has a surface area of 22,300 square miles, and an average depth of 279 feet. Or in other terms, it’s enough hot magma for 50 Austin Power’s sequels starring Dr. Evil of course. Luckily it’s only been about 640,000 years since the last Supervolcano eruption. Even with a dry spell of that long since eruptions, Yellowstone is still home to a lot of seismic activity with hundreds to thousands of earthquakes a year, with just about all of them never felt above ground. To put it mildly a lot is going on in this magical place. It’s a place best explored in person, so make the trip and see this freak of nature for yourself.

The altitude of Jackson, WY isn’t exactly the death zone of base camp 4 at Everest, but if you are coming from sea level or other lower elevations, the increase in altitude can be significant enough to throw you and your vacation plans for a loop if you come down with altitude sickness. Nobody wants to be sick, let alone sick on a vacation that they have looked forward to for months or even a lifetime. Here are some tips to help avoid altitude sickness in the first place, so you can see more than just the lovely hotel room on your epic trip out west to Jackson.

The town of Jackson sits at an elevation of 6,237 feet, which is more than a mile high. Yeah were looking at you Denver that somehow is exactly a mile high, right on the nose, not a foot more or less when measured on the steps of the State Capitol Building. They also claim to have some of the best snow on earth, but hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. To put this in perspective if you got in your car and drove straight up into the sky and drove for a mile you’d be at the same elevation as Denver. If you kept your foot on the gas pedal and kept driving another 957 feet you’d be at the same elevation as beautiful Jackson Hole, WY. First thing you might think besides how did I get my car to drive straight up into the atmosphere is, “Wow, the air is a lot thinner up here and contains less oxygen to breathe”. This in turn causes you to breathe faster and brings on the unpleasant symptoms of altitude sickness. If you’ve ever been hung over, well the symptoms of altitude sickness are pretty similar.

Symptoms of a hangover include:

• headache
• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• feeling lethargic, weak
• loss of sleep
• feeling dizzy
• excessive thirst

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness include:

• headache
• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• feeling lethargic, weak
• loss of sleep
• feeling dizzy
• shortness of breath

The major difference between the two is one you get for free and the other is the result of a crazy night out that you may or may not remember, but will show up on your credit card statement at the end of the month. Hey, it seemed like a great idea to buy drinks for all your new “friends”at the bar at the time. In short one is avoidable, but the other being altitude sickness just simply affects some and not others when traveling to high elevations.

The average person, not Sasquatch, needs 1 to 3 days to acclimate to a significant change in elevation. So a good idea when you get to Jackson is to take it somewhat easy and ease into your vacation. Make sure you get plenty of sleep, consume plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages, and refrain from smoking. You can still go out and climb or bike that mountain, but maybe give your body a day or two of rest before you try and conquer every peak in the valley. This strategy also is advisable if you are attempting to taste every award-winning microbrew, potato vodka, or hand-crafted whiskey in the region. If you go straight to the bar after getting off the air tarmac, you may not be able to tell if you have a hangover or altitude sickness because you’ll frankly have both. In our experience, it’s best to avoid either, so you can see and enjoy all the sights that Jackson has to offer while not feeling like your head is going to explode.

You can also take some steps when preparing for your trip to help avoid getting sick. Travel, whether by car or plane, is notorious for dehydrating travelers, so make sure to drink water often while traveling and even before you take off. Get your body up to speed by drinking up to 2 to 3 liters of water per day in anticipation of the change in altitude. It’s also recommended to avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol while traveling. You should make sure to pack all your necessary medications for your travels so as not to compound the issue. Most people simply acclimate naturally to high altitudes, but if you are concerned, discuss this matter with your doctor who may prescribe medication or possibly supplements to help with this transition.

While on vacation in Jackson, continue to drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids, hey the water is straight from the mountains and delicious, and get plenty of sleep, you’ll probably be exhausted from your adventures anyway, and try not to overexert yourself. Educating yourself on the perils of altitude sickness is your best ally to avoiding it in the first place. High elevation has a lot to offer. Just make sure to take some proper steps to fully enjoy it.

Oh and FYI, baking times may increase at high altitudes because the air pressure is lower, so plan accordingly in the kitchen when you are making your famous Upside-down pineapple cake while on vacation in here.