Having graduated from UVM, I've been fortunate to make lifelong friends in some of the best ski towns across the country—Aspen, Park City, Bend, and more. But Jackson, Wyoming, has always been the highlight of my winter ski travel. Over the years, I’ve made several trips to this incredible town and have truly fallen in love with its deep connection to the outdoors and the close-knit community that surrounds it.
During past visits, I’ve been there for the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s event in February, always hoping to catch some of the action in the iconic Corbet’s Couloir. But this year, we decided to mix things up and head out a bit later in the season, hoping for more consistent snowpack and a bit of spring sunshine.
Traveling to Jackson
Travel to Jackson was a breeze this year. We flew out of Boston through Dallas, and the weather was nothing short of perfect. We even got a spectacular view of the Tetons on our approach, with clear skies for most of the flight, which made for some great photos of the mountains from above.
Basecamp: Snow King
For this trip, we stayed in a cozy condo at the base of Snow King Mountain, a local hill that’s just a 20-minute walk from Jackson Town Square. It turned out to be the perfect home base for the week. The condos here are well-equipped for groups of any size, and covered parking was a welcome bonus, especially with the winter weather.
Snow King is a charming, less-crowded spot compared to its bigger neighbor, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, but it provides a perfect mix of accessibility and local flavor. You can’t beat the location—right in town, with everything just a short walk away.
The Snow and Skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
We spent the majority of our time skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the conditions were perfect. We arrived on the tail end of a warm spell, and a sun crust had developed on non-northeast facing aspects. As the days passed, snow continued to fall and the crust gradually became buried, blending into the deeper snowpack.
The snow was sensitive to elevation—wet and heavy in the base area, but getting lighter and softer as we moved uphill. The top of the mountain was a classic Teton blower, perfection.
One of the highlights of this trip was getting to explore the new Sublette lift on the looker's left side of the hill. Sublette had been my favorite lift at Jackson even before the new detachable upgrade—it provides access to some of the best terrain on the mountain, with views of the iconic Alta Chutes and distant Cody Peak. We spent a lot of time in this area, discovering new lines, watching the local groms send-it off famous features like Nightmare and Daydream, and taking breaks at the Bear Flats Snack Shack, even enjoying the annual bear dog eating contest.
We also spent quite a bit of time skiing the trees just downhill from Bivouac, a zone that consistently delivered fresh tracks all day. It was a nice, mellow spot that allowed us to avoid the crowds and keep the powder turns coming.
Another year came and went without me skiing Corbet’s, though. For a few years now, the line had been closed due to the Kings and Queens event, and even though it was open this year, we had so much great skiing elsewhere on the hill that we didn’t feel the need to line it up. Looks like I’ll have to save that for another trip!
Hiking the Headwall
One of the best parts of skiing Jackson is the opportunity to hike for turns. I spent a good chunk of my final day hiking up the headwall above Rendezvous, a bit more effort for incredible rewards. The views from the top were breathtaking, and the descent down into mostly untouched snow made the hike worth every step.
Food and Drink: A Jackson Tradition
Jackson is known for its great food, and this trip was no exception. A few of our favorite spots were on the list for this trip. Local, a staple in the town, never disappoints. I had the bison ribeye, paired with spinach and roasted Brussels sprouts—hands down one of the best steaks in Jackson. If you’re a steak lover, it’s a must-visit.
We also made our way to King Sushi, which is probably my favorite sushi spot of all time. This small, hard-to-get-into restaurant serves some of the best fish I’ve ever had. I had the incredible Theo Roll, which features wagyu beef, avocado, and asparagus, along with the Bleu Tuna and a great eel roll—an experience worth the wait.
For more casual meals, we visited Roadhouse Brewing in town, Teton Tai in Teton Village, and Stillwest, just across from Snow King. All great spots for a laid-back, delicious meal.
A Trip to Remember
Another trip to Jackson in the books, and each time, I fall deeper in love with this incredible part of the country. From the outdoor adventures to the welcoming community and world-class food, Jackson never disappoints. It’s always a treat to reconnect with old friends and experience the town’s passion for the outdoors.
Until next time, Jackson.