After you have pressed submit on your travel plans to Jackson Hole Wyoming all that is left is to obsessively check the weather every two minutes until you board your flight and to pack for the winter adventure. You should bring what you need to be comfortable on and off the slopes, but don’t worry, if you forget to pack anything you’ll be surrounded by amazing ski and board shops. You may just want to forget a few things on purpose, so you can outfit yourself in some fresh new mountain gear.
On the Mountain
It depends where you are visiting from, but there is a pretty solid chance that Jackson Hole Wyoming will be colder and have significant more snow than where you are coming from. High-pressure weather tends to be easier to predict than low, but as any weather person will tell you it can all be hard to predict, so to account for that you’ll want to dress in layers for varying temperatures. Pack some quality base and mid layers (top and bottom) that wick moisture and are antimicrobial to keep you dry and fresh on the mountain. Bring a versatile insulator jacket (down or synthetic) for added warmth and layer a waterproof shell on top. Bonus points if your shell has zip pits or other venting, so you can adjust your core’s thermostat when you are exerting yourself and need to cool off on the lift back up. It’s not necessary but you may want to pack another jacket as a backup or to sport around town so you don’t scream tourist with your ski pass hanging off your zipper. Not, that there’s anything wrong with it, but it’s just a telltale sign if you are trying to pass as a local. Look for a performance shell that is waterproof or repels water with a high rating, since this is essentially the armor of your outerwear. You’ll also want a solid pair of snow pants to keep you dry when sitting on the lift. If you are a boarder you’ll probably spend a great deal of your day sitting in the snow, so Gore-Tex or some other high end fabric is a great call. You’ll also need gloves or mittens whichever your preference and maybe a back up pair in case they get wet. Don’t worry the resort and Mother Nature will provide the snow.
Other essentials:
• helmet (protect your head, it’s the only one you’ve got)
• goggles (spare lenses for different conditions)
• poles
• ski socks, (multiple pairs)
• face mask / neck warmer
• hand warmers / boot warmers
• goggle cloth (to clean goggles if they get washed out in a yard sale fall or all that heavy snow falling, yeah probably the heavy snow)
• contacts (better to see you with, my mountain)
• avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe if heading out the gates)
• sunscreen (the sun is intense at this altitude, so protect your skin)
• lip balm
• phone (download any applicable apps for the resort, such as trail map or something to measure all that vert you are racking up)
• backpack (hydration packs make staying hydrated on the go easy, also stock with some mountain snacks to keep you going)
• GoPro (to record all that epic footage)
Off the Mountain
Unfortunately the resort closes at 4pm, so unless you hit up Snow King for a day night, double-header you’ll be spending some time out of your ski or snowboard boots and will want to be comfortable and possibly even stylish. Again layers are a good call and staying warm is still the name of the game. A good pair of water resistant boots with good traction will get you where you need to get to, whether that’s the bar or some much needed nourishment after leaving all those calories behind on the mountain. A winter hat that keeps your head warm, dry, and stylish is pretty much worth its weight in gold. Sunglasses are standard issue in a mountain town and will reduce unwanted wrinkles from constant squinting at the sun’s rays. Like the rest of the world, jeans are the dress code of choice for just about any establishment you could frequent in this relaxed western paradise.
Other essentials:
• swimsuit (you’ll want to soak your worked muscles in the hot tub and or pool, your body will thank you)
• medications (pack what you need)
• toiletries
• cables and chargers for electronic gear (the cold can drain batteries quicker)
• camera (it’s pretty darn scenic in these parts)
• sleepwear
• scarf
• sweaters
• drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness
