Situated on the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park and 57 miles from Yellowstone's South Entrance, Jackson Hole, a term that refers to the entire valley, offers lodging options for every budget, making it an excellent place to basecamp as you explore the two national parks.
Don't forget the following clothing items for exploring Jackson, Wyoming away from the slopes.
- Snow boots*
- Wooly hat.
- Weather proof gloves or mittens.
- Warm scarf or buff.
- Weather-proof winter coat.
- Fleece jacket or mid-layer.
- Jeans (always appropriate for even the most upscale events in Jackson)
- Flannel shirts and sweaters.
The best times to visit Jackson Hole are the months of April, May, September and October, unless you're a skier, then winter is the season for you. Although you'll save a few bucks on a winter trip, the arrival of powder hounds will keep hotel rates relatively high.
While many winter visitors choose to stay at a resort that is walking distance from the slopes, staying in town has its advantages. Beautiful hotels in the town of Jackson such as the Hotel Jackson, White Buffalo Club, Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa and the Wort Hotel offer luxurious amenities at competitive prices.
While Jackson Hole beginner skiing terrain is limited, compromising 10-percent of the mountain, it's certainly not nonexistent. First-time skiers should stick to the beginner terrain off of Teewinot Quad and Eagle's Chair. Between the two chairlifts, beginner skiers have six perfect trails to cruise along on.
If you are staying in Jackson and want to explore, the obvious choice is exploring the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. The town of Cody just outside the east entrance of Yellowstone has a great museum called the Buffalo Bill Museum. If you like western heritage, this is the place to go.
Weather: Winters in Wyoming are usually long and cold. January is usually the coldest month of the year. At this time, the minimum temperatures are between 5 and 10 degrees. There are some mild periods when it gets up to the 50s.
Why is Jackson Hole so expensive – it's the real estate.Private land is scarce here because more than 97 percent of the land in Teton County (the county in which Jackson Hole lies) is federally owned or managed by the state. This leaves only about 2 percent of the land available for human development.
GROWING SEASONEarly freezes in the fall and late in the spring are characteristic. This results in long winters and short growing seasons. However, it is a county of rapid changes through the fall, winter, and spring seasons, with frequent variations from cold to mild periods.
The presence of smoke in Jackson Hole may be due to severe weather patterns exacerbated by climate change. Because fire season in the northwest usually starts in the late summer, the smoke observed in Jackson Hole arrived earlier than in other years.
Despite the seemingly cool climate in Wyoming, summers can actually get quite hot at low elevations. Average temperatures in July range from 85°F to 90°F during the day but cool off quickly after dark, dropping into the 50s and 60s (°F).
Jackson Hole is a laid-back place. You can wear just about anything! We do however encourage women who must wear high heels to go with a chunkier heel. The sidewalks on our Town Square remain wooden boardwalks like in the old days.
The average annual snowfall in the Town of Jackson is 77 inches.
So why are the Tetons such a dream destination for powderhounds? High precipitation levels in the Teton range are a result of the Rocky Mountain moisture channel. This moisture is then released as rain and snow, resulting in drastically higher levels of precipitation in the Rockies than in the surrounding areas.
Is Wyoming a Good Place to Live? Wyoming is an excellent place to live if you're looking for affordable home prices, no state income tax, clean air, and boundless opportunities in the great wide-open outdoors.
Night skiing, a snow tubing park, and even a mountain coaster offer endless fun. The mountain opens in early December and closes in late March.
How to Spend the Ideal Day in Jackson Hole
- Morning In Jackson Hole. Rise and shine!
- Afternoon In Jackson Hole. After your morning raft trip or hike, hit the pavement with an afternoon bike ride along the Jackson Hole Pathway that leads to Grand Teton National Park.
- Nighttime In Jackson Hole.
It's full of restaurants and shops, all with beautiful views of the mountains. In summer, stop in Teton Village for the chance to ride the famous Jackson Hole gondola to the top of the peaks. It's worth the ticket price to experience an incredible view of the mountains.
Here are our picks for the top 10 winter activities for Non-skiers in Jackson Hole:
- National Parks & Wildlife Tours.
- Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing.
- Iditarod Dog Sledding Tours.
- Snowmobiling.
- Sleigh Rides.
- Arts & Culture.
- Snow Tubing & Cowboy Coaster.
- Tram & Gondola Rides.
I'm often asked by relatives and friends back East how I stand the winters in northwestern Wyoming. According to meteorologists, the phenomenon is the result of Pacific cold fronts traversing the Rockies and dumping snow west of the Continental Divide.
10 Unforgettable Winter Wyoming Adventures
- Dog Sledding. If a unique experience is what you're seeking, a dog sledding adventure will not disappoint.
- Sleigh Rides.
- Cross-country Skiing.
- Snowshoeing.
- Yurt Trips.
- Downhill Skiing.
- Fat Biking.
- Hot Springs.
5 Things to Do in Teton Village in Winter
- Take a ride on the Jackson Hole aerial tram.
- Enjoy a drive up to Teton Pass.
- Relax on board a Grand Teton luxury van tour.
- Go snowshoeing on a local trail.
- Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Heavy snowfall can still occurFor the Jackson Hole Valley, March is the fifth snowiest month on average, trailing November as well. Average March snowfall for valley locations ranges from 9.9 inches in the town of Jackson to 20.3 inches in Moose. Occasionally, the Tetons can get into very snowy March patterns.
6 Top Things to Do in Jackson Hole in February
- Sleigh Ride.
- Guided Tours of Yellowstone National Park.
- Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing.
- Downtown Jackson Hole.
- Kings & Queens of Corbet's Couloir.
- Dog Sledding.
Tourists crowd Jackson's Town Square on July 20, 2020. Since the neighboring national parks have reopened, the town's daily visitor count has hovered at nearly four times the number of residents.
When To GoThe most popular time to visit Wyoming is June through August, when the kids are out of school, special events such as rodeos occur, and it's prime time for river rafting, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.
Jackson, Wyoming gets 20 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Jackson averages 109 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
Snow falls frequently across Wyoming from October through May, with snow beginning as early as late September across the lower elevations. About five times a year on the average, stations at the lower elevations will have snowfall exceeding five inches.
Winter in Jackson HoleAnnual snowfall accumulations in Teton Village range from more than 500 inches at 10,000 feet, while the valley floor at 6,000 feet receives 280 inches. Winter (mid-November-early March): 30 degrees and below.
The Jackson Hole valley boasts some of the best outdoor attractions in the West. With three days to visit, you'll have plenty of time to explore Grand Teton National Park, explore the sights in the town of Jackson, and even have time for a trip to Yellowstone National Park.
Getting to Jackson Hole Mountain ResortJackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the only commercial airport in the United States located within a National Park (i.e., Grand Teton). Upon arrival at the airport, you are an easy 36-minute drive to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort by car, taxi or rental car.
Jackson cost of living is 177.8
| COST OF LIVING | Jackson | Wyoming |
|---|
| Grocery | 114.4 | 99.2 |
| Health | 129.3 | 131.3 |
| Housing | 347.2 | 99.1 |
| Median Home Cost | $931,000 | $272,700 |
The most common snowiest month among those sites is January, followed by December, then February. You can see this generally depicted in the map below that Brettschneider created. However, 377 locations in the U.S. can say March either is tied or claims the snowiest month title, on average.Nov 26, 2020
