TORONTO — Representatives from Jackson Hole, Wyoming visited Toronto to give Canadians a taste of what the United States’ least populated state has to offer visitors: national parks, expansive vistas, outdoor adventure, world-class skiing and a surprising amount of culture and sophistication.
“It’s adventure. It’s aspirational. It’s wild. It’s unspoiled,” says Jeff Golightly, President and CEO of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Chamber of Commerce. “You can do anything you can imagine outdoors, including world class skiing, but it’s also become pretty sophisticated, so you really can enjoy the best of both worlds.”
Jackson Hole is situated in the county of Teton, home to two national parks – Yellowstone and Grand Teton – as well as three national forests and the National Elk Refuge. As one can imagine, this gives rise to almost endless possibilities for outdoor adventure including hiking, biking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, paragliding, rock climbing.
And in the winter, Jackson Hole is a world-class ski destination focused around Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) with a vertical of 4,100 feet, more than 116 runs and the iconic Aerial Tram. Although the resort is known for extreme terrain including bowls, glades and chutes, over the years the resort has opened up more terrain to beginners and intermediates making it more family friendly. The resort gets 11 to 12 metres of powder each season and with low humidity levels, the snow is said to remain soft and fluffy for days after snowfall.
This 2015-2016 winter season, JHMR celebrates its 50th anniversary with exciting events all winter, the opening of the new Teton lift, as well as new dining experiences. The resort released a video ‘Born to Be Wild’ saluting the first 50 years of the resort.
While not on the mountain skiing or snowboarding, the massive vistas and panoramas should keep any visitor bewildered, but the town also offers many other activities such as dogsledding and snowmobiling, as well as a plethora of food options and cultural experiences creating a distinct ‘rustic elegance.’
Jackson Hole is unique in a few ways that makes it a special destination for a place with a population of only 23,000. The per capita income is very high which helps influence the level of service, culinary experiences and the flourishing arts scene. Also, local laws state that 65% of the workforce must live locally, helping to ensure an authentic local vibe. And finally, the longstanding culture and spirit of conservation helps to create an environment perfect for outdoor adventure and an active, healthy lifestyle.
“The fabric of our community as a destination is a weaving together of culture, nature and adventure born from the conservation efforts that were the first of its kind in the 1800s,” says Golightly.
Jackson Hole is broken down into three main areas: the town of Jackson, the Teton Village at the bottom of the ski hill and the valley area in-between. Some recommended accommodation options for the town of Jackson include Wort Hotel, the oldest and most historic; Hotel Jackson, the newest boutique hotel; Snow King, great for families; and Hampton Inn, great for families and groups. Amangani Jackson Hole offers the most spectacular views, while Spring Creek Ranch gives visitors the cowboy experience. In Teton Village with access to the ski resorts, options include the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Hotel Terra and Teton Mountain Lodge.
