6 Best Ski Resorts in Jackson Hole, WY

Where can one find the enviable combination of genuine down-home country amenities and great skiing? Western Wyoming, of course! The ski resorts in this region boast some of the country’s most challenging slopes and offer the convenience of “walking distance” skiing, which is rare. Add to that the laidback, no-frills atmosphere, and we’re sure no one would want to leave! That’s how we found ourselves at some of the best ski resorts in Jackson Hole, WY. The destination is legendary; after all, Jackson Hole harkens back to the pioneer days when it was a winter home for trappers who find relief here from the inhospitable Grand Tetons. Today, those same peaks are some of the country’s most sought-after recreational destinations, offering skiing opportunities for skiers of all skill levels and ages.

What makes Jackson Hole so great, besides the skiing, is that it’s also a venerated hot springs destination. Then there are wildlife tours, sleigh rides, fat biking, ice skating, heli-skiing – well, the list goes on. Heck, we even took a Dogsledding Tour that ended with the best hot chocolate we’d ever had! That’s why we were dying to explore Jackson Hole in the winter, and boy, did we come away amazed. To that end, here’s our detailed guide to skiing and beyond in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Grand Targhee Resort, Alta

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Most versatile. The year-round Grand Targhee Resort is nestled on the western slopes of the Teton Mountains in Alta, deep in the heart of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This vast paradise has a stunning 2,600 acres of skiable terrain and a jaw-dropping vertical drop of 2,270 ft. We rarely had to worry about lift lines at “The Ghee” or GT; the resort was so confident that they even let us exchange our lift tickets for another day if we were unhappy with the conditions!

What’s more, they offer professionally-guided backcountry tours on “the best of Teton Pass,” leaving us thrill seekers satisfied to the hilt. If you’re a different kind of adrenaline junkie, the ski area also has guided backcountry snowmobiling tours in the Mesa Falls and the Tetons. If that wasn’t enough, there are fun activities for the entire family, such as an arcade and even a tubing park. The standout here, though, is Cat skiing, both individually or in a group.

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“We were thrilled to find something for everyone in our varied group at GT!”

WOW Travel

Even though it lies around 1.5 hours from Jackson Hole, regular reservation-based shuttles are available to Targhee from the Teton Village, the Jackson Area, and even the airport.

The Terrain. There are three peaks to explore, with 21 mi (35 km) of slopes divided into 14% beginner and 43% intermediate and expert each. Hence, there’s lots plenty to do for all kinds of skiers.

The Town. The ski resort has a small settlement at the slopes’ base, which has options for not just ski-in meals but also lodges, cabins, and suites. If that wasn’t enough, they even have a pool, a spa, and a hot tub! If the lodging options here don’t interest you, you’ll find more options on the road down the mountain at Alta and Driggs.

At a glance

• Known for: Excellent powder days and family-oriented feel.
• Opening: Mid-November
• Closing: Mid-April
• Elevation: 7,408 ft (2,258 m)
• Summit: 9,862 ft (3,006 m)
• Lifts: 6 (1 magic carpet, 2 quads, 1 highs-peed six-pack, 2 high-speed quads)
• Airport: Jackson Hole Airport – 54 mi (87 km)

Where to Stay: We stayed at the Teton Teepee Lodge on the road leading to the resort. This mountain lodge boasts comfortable rooms, including larger cottages for families or large groups. The quiet setting was perfect after a long day out on the slopes, especially since they also have an iconic fireplace where we’d spend the evenings. Free internet aside, the breakfasts here are a real treat and a great way to begin the day.

Pine Creek Ski Resort, Cokeville

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We now head out slightly farther from Jackson Hole – 2.5 hours south, to be precise – to Pine Creek Ski Resort. Ski the way it used to be at this old-school, big mountain resort, a quaint place steeped in history. Did you know that the base’s ski patrol shack used to be a hydroelectric plant? Also, a part of the lodge is from the old train depot! Today, it offers a whopping 640 acres of skiable area across 32 runs for skiers of all skill levels, and that too with a vertical drop of a respectable 1,450 ft (442 m).

Since it’s so secluded, we’ll probably never have to worry about waiting in the lines. However, if you really like your privacy, then Pine Creek even offers the opportunity to rent the complete mountain for the entire day! If you’re a party of up to 50 people, you all can have exclusive access to the mountain, the lift, and the lodge. What’s not to love?

The Terrain. Pine Creek has 10 mi (16 km) of slopes divided into 25% beginner, 44% intermediate, and 36% black diamond runs, thus offering a variety of options for all kinds of skiers.

The Town. The historic Cokeville is the base town for Pine Ski, sitting 7.5 mi (12 km) down the mountain. Today, there’s not much to do in the one-street town, but it does have a lodging option and some restaurants.

At a glance

• Known for: Family-friendly skiing and snowboarding with old school, big mountain vibes.
• Opening: Mid-December (closed on Dec 24th and 25th)
• Closing: Early April
• Elevation: 6,800 ft (2,073 m)
• Summit: 8,225 ft (2,507 m)
• Lifts: 1 chairlift
• Airport: Jackson Hole Airport – 138 mi (222 km)

Where to Stay: While there might be vacation rentals, Cokeville has only one hotel, the Hideout Motel, which underwent a massive renovation and is a rather welcome sight in a town where there are no lodging options. Run by a husband-wife duo Megan and Paul Reid, the motel has 15 rooms with updated decor, comfy beds, and ensuite bathrooms. They serve a mean continental breakfast and great coffee in the morning.

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If you want more options, you can head to Montpelier in Idaho, some 30 minutes northwest, which is home to Super 8 by Wyndham Montpelier. It has comfy modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, an ATM, a 24-hour desk, and a continental breakfast.

White Pine Ski & Summer Resort, Pinedale

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Most affordable. Around 2 hours southeast of Jackson Hole in Pinedale sits the White Pine Ski & Summer Resort, one of Wyoming’s oldest ski areas. This skiing region might be off the beaten path, but it offers 350 acres of utterly gorgeous skiable area. Boasting 1,100 ft (335 m) of thrilling vertical fun, this resort’s summit afforded us spectacular views of the Fremont Lake and the Bridger Teton National Forest. We loved the affordable lift tickets, the lack of lines, and the groomed corduroy snow. There’s even a ski school for those who want to learn skiing or even practice or hone their skills. Plus, the resort has a ski shop in the base town of Pinedale, which sells as well as rents snowboarding and skiing equipment. 

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If you want to stay in true mountain fashion, there are cabins that you can rent within walking distance of the lifts. These two-bedroom cabins feature large wraparound decks, fireplaces, and well-equipped kitchens. That said, many amazing staying options exist between the ski resort and the base town, especially those fronting Fremont Lake.

The Terrain. This resort has 7.2 mi (11.6 km) of skiing routes and 25 different trails divided into 32% beginner, 22% intermediate, and 46% advanced black diamond runs. Besides downhill skiing, there’s even a maze of groomed cross-country trails with panoramic views of the Wind River mountains.

The Town. Sitting 11 mi (17.7 km) down the mountain, the charming town of Pinedale is the base town for White Pine Ski Resort. It’s an outdoor recreation town since it sits so close to the Wind River Range and offers a ton of activities. Aside from that, it has many options for lodging, dining, and entertainment.

At a glance

• Known for: Quiet slopes for a fun winter getaway.
• Opening: Thanksgiving
• Closing: Easter
• Elevation: 8,450 feet (2,576 m)
• Summit: 9,500 feet (2,896 m)
• Lifts: 3 (2 chairlifts, 1 rope tow)
• Airport: Jackson Hole Airport – 97 mi (156 km)

Where to Stay: We were looking for an offbeat stay in Pinedale, which is why we chose the utterly charming Wallace BnB. Choose either rooms or whole apartments, all of which come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mountain views. Thanks to the fully-equipped kitchen, we could even cook meals when we didn’t feel like eating out. Finally, the balcony was a great place to begin our mornings with a perfect cup of coffee.

Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, Ririe, Idaho

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Best for beginners. We were much closer to Jackson Hole at the Kelly Canyon Ski Resort in Ririe, Idaho than some of the ski regions of Wyoming itself! Skiers will be thrilled with the 688 drop-dead gorgeous acres of skiable area, which they can explore thanks to the 51 runs with a 1,000 ft (305 m) vertical drop.

What’s interesting is that the area has Shred Trails in the 200 vertical ft (6.7 m) after the summit elevation for fun and challenging snow activities like fat biking, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. In fact, the snowshoeing trails had designated Atlas Snowshoe markers so we could navigate easily. We loved exploring the 12 mi (19.3 km) of groomed terrain, flitting through open areas with stunning views, down the trees, and uphill. Furthermore, 17 runs are lit for night skiing as late as 9:30 PM. Four terrain parks round up the snowy activities here.

Pro tip: Please note that the fat biking trails become firm enough for the bikes a couple of weeks after the season opens.

The Terrain. 7.4 mi 912 km) of skiing trails are mostly divided into beginner (33%) and intermediate runs (42%). That said, there’s still a good selection of advanced runs (25%). So, it was great for our group, which had a mixed bag of skiing skill levels.

The Town. While Ririe, which sits 20 minutes away, is the base town for Kelly Canyon, the town of Idaho Falls is just 20 minutes further from Ririe. Plus, there’s also the town of Rigby, which is 15 minutes north of Ririe. If you head towards the Wyoming border, there’s Swan Valley, which is as far as Idaho Falls the other way from Kelly Canyon. So, there is no dearth of lodging, drinking, and dining options down the mountain.

At a glance

• Known for: The biggest little ski hill in the United States.
• Opening: Last week of November
• Closing: Mid-March
• Elevation: 5,600 feet (1,707 m)
• Summit: 6,600 feet (2,012 m)
• Lifts: 7 (5 chairlifts, 1 Sun Kid rope tow, 1 magic carpet)
• Airport: Jackson Hole Airport – 87 mi (140 km)

Where to Stay: We stayed at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Rexburg, which is as comfortable as a chain hotel can get. It has comfy suites with kitchenettes and seating areas, free Wi-Fi, an indoor swimming pool, and a continental breakfast served every day. And since there’s free parking, those who’ve rented cars to explore the region won’t have an issue either.

Snow King Mountain

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Most convenient. Snow King Mountain adheres to the golden rule of real estate – location, location, location! When it comes to skiing right in Jackson, it doesn’t get any better than Snow King, whose slopes sit just steps from the Town Square! This ski area combines affordability and convenience in one amazing package. Lovingly called Jackson’s Town Hill, Snow King has the distinction of being the very first ski resort in all of Wyoming. But that doesn’t mean that it does half measures; it boasts 35 groomed runs across 400 skiable acres and a thrilling 1,570-ft (478.5 m) vertical drop. 

What makes Now King so great for the entire family is that it offers a ton of activities beyond skiing. For one, you could go tubing with kids in tow, especially since there’s a tow rope and three groomed paths. Or, you could do what we did – fly by skiers and snowboarders on the fun ski-hill thrill ride of Cowboy Coaster. The descent is equivalent to a 45-story building! In fact, we even took the scenic chairlift for wonderful views of the town, National Elk Refuge, and the Tetons. They say that one can even see Yellowstone, one of the world’s most amazing national parks, on a bluebird day.

The Terrain. With 5.6 mi (9 km) of skiing routes featuring 28% and 39% intermediate and expert runs, Snow King leans towards better skiers. That said, there are 33% of beginners’ runs. Moreover, the resort even has night skiing until 6:30 p.m. during Monday-Saturday. Plus, they even have three terrain parks for adventurous skiers/snowboarders.

The Town. Since it sits right in the base town of Jackson, one of the best mountain cities in the USA, there are tons of après-ski options. Plus, there are many lodging options, including popular chain hotels.

At a glance

• Known for: Snow tubing and night skiing set it apart from the rest.
• Opening: Late November/Early December
• Closing: March end
• Elevation: 6,237 ft (1,901 m)
• Summit: 7,808 ft (2,380 m)
• Lifts: 7 (1 gondola, 3 chairlifts, 3 magic carpets)
• Airport: Jackson Hole Airport – 10 mi (16 km)

Where to Stay: Stay right on the mountain at the ski-in/ski-out Snow King Resort Hotel and Condos. The highlight of this hotel is that most of the rooms and amenities offer magnificent views of the mountain. Whether we were lounging at the hot tub or outdoor pool or on the balcony of our room, the views were simply sensational. Rounding this up are the restaurant and lounge, which serve delicious fare and a full drink menu for a wonderful après-ski time.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

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Best overall. Skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a memorable experience one will never forget. The most technically challenging of all of Wyoming’s skiing resorts, it’s on the bucket list of most avid snowboarders and skiers. The runs here include steep, snowy chutes, powder fields, and wide-open bowls. But perhaps this crowd-pleaser of a mountain most famous for its wild, 2,500-acre-huge terrain and over 4,000 ft (1,219 m) vertical drop! Plus, the 3,000 acres of adjacent national park forest land allow for thrilling backcountry skiing, making it a playground for the adventurous.

Aside from skiing, there are more ways to level up at Jackson Hole, like cat skiing, skinning with an expert guide, or heli-skiing by hopping onto a helicopter. It’s no surprise that Jackson Hole is not just one of the best ski resorts in Jackson Hole, WY, but also one of the best ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains.

The Terrain. The resort has 133 named trails with 72 mi (116 km ) of groomed slopes. What’s more, they’re divided equally between intermediate and expert terrains, with 14% dedicated to beginner runs. The most famed of them is the double black diamond Corbet’s Couloir. It’s the steepest open run in all of North America, so steep that only the most expert of the experts even dare try. That said, we did get a ringside view of the brave ones dropping in from the aerial tram overhead.

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The Town. Teton Village, the base town for Jackson Hole, is one of the best spots in all of Wyoming, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it have great skiing, but it also has some excellent après ski spots with food, drinks, and music. What’s more, it offers some of the most luxurious stays in all of Wyoming!

At a glance

• Known for: Huge backcountry access and vertical terrain.
• Opening: Last week of November
• Closing: Mid-April
• Elevation: 6,311 ft (1,924 m)
• Summit: 10,450 ft (3,185 m)
• Lifts: 14 (1 aerial tramway, 2 gondolas, 11 chairlifts, 1 Sun Kid magic carpet), plus helicopters and snow caterpillars
• Airport: Jackson Hole Airport – 13 mi (21 km)

Where to Stay: The Four Seasons Resort and Residences is one of the best luxury hotels in Jackson Hole, besides offering the best mountain access. We could practically hop from the door to the lifts, and there was always a ski valet at hand, ready to help us with anything and everything. They even had hot cocoa waiting for us when we returned! The amenities don’t stop there, by the way: we relaxed at the world-class spa, swam in the sensational heated outdoor pool, drank tipples, and grabbed a bite at the onsite bar and restaurant. And, of course, the rooms were luxurious to boot in a contemporary-and-sleek-Wild West way. Sigh.

Our Verdict!

While all of Wyoming’s skiing resorts are thrilling and amazing, here’s a specialized list to help you decide where to go – or to help prioritize where to go first!

• Most versatile: Grand Targhee Resort, Alta
• Most affordable: White Pine Ski & Summer Resort, Pinedale
• Best for beginners: Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, Ririe, Idaho
• Most convenient: Snow King Mountain
• Best overall: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

What is the main skiing resort in Jackson Hole?

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is the main ski/snowboard resort in Jackson Hole, with more than 2,500 acres of North America’s best skiing opportunities.

What is the best month to ski Jackson Hole?

Since it’s so far north, Jackson Hole is quite cold for the entire season. Head here in December, just before Christmas, for stormy days and deep powder. Otherwise, the best time is to go around February or early March, but you must also layer up.

Can beginners ski Jackson Hole?

Yes, some beginner runs are offered via the Eagle’s Rest and Teewinot lifts, so one doesn’t have to worry about accidentally getting onto black diamond runs.