EXPLORING JACKSON HOLE IN WINTER

By Mary Emma Allen

The Teutons in Winter Credit J. Piper Wyoming Tourism

The deep powder of the Rockies lures thousands of winter sports enthusiasts to Wyoming each year. Jackson Hole, in particular, has a splendor all its own and during the winter is transformed into a scenic playground with the amenities of civilization and the lure of pristine backcountry wilderness. This region is high on beauty and rich in historic aura, as well as diverse winter sports.

The Tetons - towering above the landscape with jagged peaks rising steeply from the valley floor for more than 6,000 feet to reach an altitude of nearly 14,000 feet above sea level - provide some of the most sensational scenery and enjoyable winter sports in the world.

Alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and dog sledding midst this spectacular scenery are available for winter fun. The invigorating climate, fantastic mountains, and a 200-inch average annual snowfall of Jackson Hole create a perfect setting for indulging in your love of the out-of-doors.

A skier at Jackson Hole Credit Wyoming Tourism

Skiing & Snowboarding

With three major ski areas - Snow King Mountain Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee on the western side of the Tetons - Jackson Hole offers downhill skiing and snowboarding to suit every ability level. Each of these mountains appeals to skiers for particular reasons and offers its own unique atmosphere.

In addition to skiing at the three ski areas, the more adventuresome skier may desire to explore the world of helicopter skiing. You're dropped at the mountain heights to ski down the powdery terrain through untracked wilderness.

Many Winter Attractions

When the mountains are mantled with snow, the surrounding national park and forest offer some of the loveliest terrain for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing you can find. There are miles of trails which allow the skier and snowmobiler access to the base of the Tetons. Or you can ride into the Gros Ventre Range on the eastern side of Jackson Hole where you'll glimpse the unforgettable panorama of the entire Jackson Hole valley.

A bull Elk in winter
Credit H.Levine
Wyoming Tourism

Historic Aura

Jackson Hole was fairly isolated until the turn of the century, and it was only after World War II that many tourists began to discover the picturesque area with its national forest.

Named for mountain man Davy Jackson, who heralded it as his favorite beaver trapping ground in the early 1800s, this "hole," as those adventurers called a valley, is approximately eight miles wide by fifty miles long. The valley was discovered by white men in the winter of 1807-08 when John Colter, who left the Lewis and Clark expedition, spent the winter trapping beaver, hunting and exploring the area of eastern Idaho, central Montana, and northwestern Wyoming. Colter's tales of the glories of Yellowstone and the Tetons to the south excited the country's mountain men and explorers who soon ventured there. Later the settlers and sportsmen discovered this beauteous valley and were lured to its wilderness.

Numerous Shops & Galleries

The village of Jackson, with its unique western appeal, offers many amenities for everyone. Art galleries, shops, restaurants, and entertainment provide additional activities for the person who enjoys the out-of-doors, as well as for those who like to sit by the fire. Ski lodges, motels and hotels offer a wide range of lodging in Jackson and at the ski areas.

Readily accessible by plane, Jackson Hole is serviced by an airport at the base of the Tetons which accommodates major airlines. Roads lead into the valley over a number of mountain passes.

If you're thinking of a western winter vacation, consider an escape to Jackson Hole with its superb skiing, variety of winter sports, numerous apres ski activities, and unparalleled scenery. Contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce or the various ski areas for further information. Web sites to check for information:
www.jacksonholechamber.com
www.jacksonhole-ski.com/ski.htm
www.jacksonholenet.com/winter.htm.

(Mary Emma Allen travels extensively throughout the United States and writes about the country, people, and food. She writes for children and adults, fiction and non-fiction, teaches writing workshops, and gives talks and book signings. Her work also appears in anthologies such as God Allows U-Turns, American Moments, Let Us Not Forget, HeartWarmers of Spirit, and Finding the Joy in Alzheimer's. Visit her web site for more information about her books and writing: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea; e-mail: me.allen@juno.com)