The Complete Ski Resort Guide to Aspen Snowmass in Colorado

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you

Aspen Colorado, probably one of the most Iconic ski town names in the snow world. Not far from downtown Aspen is Snowmass, the largest of 4 Aspen resorts and the one that seemed to always be my favorite. I first took a vacation to this mountain years ago driving across the country on a bus for a college ski club trip. First time in Colorado snowboarding and I was speechless. The runs seemed to go on forever and the terrain was endless.

Making the trek back here years later has been a trip, not much has changed other then new on mountain dining, and a new base area. Although Snowmass continues to make new upgrades it still has the home like feel to it, which is what makes it such a fun place to ride. Exploring this place after a snow storm is what makes Snowmass so special and unique that you’ll just have to find out for yourself.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the resort, where to stay for a more affordable price, where to apres’ or eat, and places to rent along with buy ski/snowboard equipment, lessons, the mountain, and of course where you should ride. Alright, lets goooo.

Where is Snowmass and how to get there

Snowmass is just over 8 miles west of downtown Aspen Colorado in the Roaring Foark Valley and part of the Elk Mountain Range. Other neighboring towns include Basalt, Glenwood Springs, and Carbondale. Since Independence Pass is closed in the winter the only way to get to Snowmass is I-70 to Colorado 82. Aspen also has a small airport you can fly into. Below I listed times and distances to Snowmass.

Denver: 196 Miles/3 hours

Colorado Springs:263 miles/4 hours

Aspen Airport: 6 miles/10 minutes

Breckenridge 135 Miles/2 hours

Where to Stay

The one downside to staying in the Aspen Area is how expensive the town is which includes lodging. However you can always stay in close towns Basalt and Carbondale if you want to save money. One of the nice things is if you stay in Snowmass, a lot of the lodging is ski-in/ski-out. So you can walk to the slopes and ride down, always loved that when riding over there. When I stayed in Snowmass, I always liked staying at the Stonebridge Inn, it has an old school feel to it with nice amenities and it is right on the mountain. I’ve also stayed at the Laurelwood Condominiums, which are Slopeside too.

Where can I get lift tickets and what pass is Snowmass on

There will be a ticket office right by the Elk gondola! Snowmass is part of the Aspen pass which is pretty expensive. If you purchase the pass in the spring it will be the best way to save money as prices will be lower. This pass will get you access to all 4 mountains including Highlands, Buttermilk, and Ajax. The positive side is with a pass this expensive it keeps the number of people on the mountain down. Included in the Aspen Pass will be the Ikon base, if you wanted to venture to other resorts such as Copper, Steamboat, or Winter Park!

Snowmass will also be on the Ikon pass for up to 7 days, which is what I use. You can venture to other Aspen resorts too, even on the same day, which I’ve done in the past.

Where to Rent or Buy Equipment

Probably some of the best rental options in the ski industry, Snowmass itself has a number of places to rent and/or buy equipment to have a fun experience on the mountain. I personally think Four Mountain Sports will have the best selection of rentals and gear located in the upper Snowmass Mall. They have an awesome snowboard shop with goggles, jackets, pants, boards, boots and bindings.

Other ski shops include Christy’s and Gorsuch. There will also be a Four Mountain Sports in the lower Snowmass Village. Make sure to book rentals ahead of time, especially if you are booking your trip during holiday periods and spring break! If you need ski boots there is a Surefoot in the Lower Village too.

Where to get Coffee/Breakfast

Not many breakfast places in Snowmass, I’m sure it will continue to grow as time goes on, but if you want food that isn’t too expensive I really like Fuel in the Upper Mall. Stop in right before you get on the mountain and grab a breakfast sandwich and smoothie! For coffee I really liked Gorsuch to be honest, which will also have some quick breakfast options too.

I would also recommend checking out the Daly Diner, next to Clarks market, right before you go up the hill to the resort. Awesome breakfast and dinner. They say, “it’s as local as it gets.”

What are some great places to Apre’s or grab dinner after being on the mountain

As mentioned above there is Daly Diner in the Clarks market shopping plaza which will also have Tasters Pizza, which has been around for over 20 years! In the upper Mall, it seems restaurants have changed over the years, but right on the mountain in the upper mall, there will be a couple good restaurants and bars to grab a drink. In the lower village there will be a Slice of Italy and Kenichi if you like Sushi. My favorite Apres’/Dinner Place in Snowmass will be Aurum! Awesome happy hour, drinks, and dinner menu. They have outdoor seating for those nice bluebird winter days. The inside also has great ambience and music, cool spot overall.

Is there much to do in Snowmass

Snowmass is pretty small, you can walk around the Upper Mall or Lower Village. The Upper Mall is older with restaurants that seem to change from time to time. Has an old school feel to it. And then there’s the lower village which is brand new, with new businesses popping up each season it seems.

If you have time, I would check out downtown Aspen for a day or even ride the resort in town, Ajax. Aspen is defiantly more upscale but there’s a really cool snowboard shop there, Radio Boardshop, and also a couple good ski shops right in town. If you like art, photography, and fashion, there will be a number of stores for that too. My favorite restaurant in Colorado will also be in downtown Aspen, Whitehouse Tavern. Awesome food, smaller menu, but great ambience inside. For busier times you’ll need to stop in and make a reservation. Because it’s a smaller space, no reservations ahead of time!.

Where can we park

There are a few free lots which are Brush Creek, Rodeo, and Buttermilk. Busses run often and are free within the Aspen area, just hop on the bus that goes to downtown Aspen. The Rodeo Lot will be the closest free lot to Snowmass with busses that run often to the resort. Just make sure to arrive early as it fills up quick! If that lot is full I would park at Brush Creek, with busses that run directly to Snowmass as well. Check the RFTA transportation website for bus schedules, especially if you don’t have a vehicle.

Don’t feel like taking the bus, there is a paid parking garage at the base of the resort, where the newer Snowmass shopping plaza is.

What about on Mountain Dining, What does Snowmass have

Aspen resorts have the best on mountain dining options if you want to treat yourself and get a gourmet hot meal. Snowmass has a number of different restaurants on mountain, with some of them being actual sit down restaurants that require reservations! Even the cafeteria style places are fancy and food options are pretty amazing. It’s like having a home cooked meal on the mountain and for the price, it’s kind of a steal.

On Mountain Restaurants that don’t require reservations, but I would suggest making one are; The Cabin, Alpin Room and Sam’s. Sam’s Overlooks the Elk Mountains, and would be an unreal place to have a meal and glass of wine. The cabin will be a good Apres’ spot from 2:30-4 pm. They’ll have some seafood, charcuterie board’s, along with salads, and different wines. Sam’s will be more pasta and Italian options with a drink menu too. Alpin Room will be right off the Alpine Springs lift.

For more casual dining check out the Elk Camp Restaurant. They have mac and cheese, rotisserie chicken, vegetables, pizza, and a full salad bar. This is where I like to go for a hot meal after riding all morning. For a classic burger, fries, and a milkshake there is Ullrhoff, which is actually being taken down and rebuilt with much more seating.

What kind of lessons does Aspen Snowmass offer and is the mountain good for beginners

Snowmass has a variety of lesson options from first timers to the terrain park, and people that like to explore more advanced areas of the mountain. I’ve been snowboarding for 25 years and from what I’ve seen, Aspen has the best instructors out there. To save money, go with a group lesson or if you want a one on one go with a private lesson.

Aspen also offers clinics and camps for different ability levels as a way to improve your skills and fundamentals and maybe meet some like minded individuals. If you have any kind of handicap, but still want to explore the mountain, check out there adaptive lessons as well.

Where is the best Beginner terrain

A lot of great beginner terrain for those who have just started or maybe don’t have too much experience with skiing or snowboarding will be off the Village Express Chairlift. There’s going to be a number of Blue and Green’s off of that chairlift! Another fun beginner area will be off of the Elk Camp Gondola.

Once you start to get comfortable, there’s a number of beginner-intermediate runs off of chairlifts; Two Creeks, Elk Camp, and Big Burn.

I heard there’s S’Mores on the mountain at the end of the day

Yep, that is one thing that Aspen Snowmass is known for, free s’mores at the base area at 3:00 pm everyday. Roast your marshmallow by one of the fires and make sure to throw the stick away!

Does Snowmass get a lot of snow

It really depends on the year, I’ve seen the Aspen area get over 400 inches in one season and less than 300 in another season. On average the mountain gets 307 inches of snow per year.

What is the mountain like and where should we ride

Snowmass is pretty large ski resort with lots of different terrain compared to the other 3 Aspen resorts. They have 3,342 acres of rideable terrain! A lot of intermediate terrain at this mountain making it great for families, however still offering some steep terrain for the more advanced skier or snowboarder. Some of my favorite areas to ride are Sheer Bliss, Cirque, and terrain off of High Alpine.

Cirque

Once this area of the mountain fills in with snow, it is pretty magical. If you like upper alpine terrain make sure you check this part of the mountain out after a nice snow storm. Looking for some nice chutes? Drop early off the T-Bar lift (which is replacing the current cirque lift) and check out AMF and Ptarmigan on the left side. If you want some easier terrain up at Cirque, check out Little Headwall for a few turns. The best way to access this part of the mountain is by getting on the Big Burn lift and the T-Bar will be right in front Up4Pizza. To Access different parts of Cirque follow the long Catwalk and this will eventually lead you to drop zones for the Headwall and Eastwall!

Just note, you should watch out for exposed rocks in this area as there is quite a lot. Takes a long time for this part of the mountain to fill in! No matter which part of Cirque you decide to ride. It will eventually funnel you into a gully called Kt Gully. There will be some fun trees as you make your way down this part of the mountain.

Kt Gully has some hidden Gems, if you took Sheer Bliss to pop over here, be cautious! There are going to be some Cliff areas. I like to just run the gully down and hit different trees spots as I snowboard towards the base.

High Alpine and Alpine Springs

Runs off High Alpine will be another steep and technical part of the mountain that is considered upper terrain. If you have the experience, I would highly recommend checking it out. To access this terrain you can either take Cirque and traverse over or do the hike off of High Alpine. Not going to lie, this part of the mountain can be a bit confusing on where to drop. Review the detailed trail map at the top of the hike for reference then make a go for it.

Drop into Possible, A steeper run with surrounding rock walls, if you keep riding you’ll get to lap through some amazing tree runs called Frog Pond Glades. These glades can fill in nicely when there is snow and seem to go on forever too.

Stay a bit higher towards Roberto’s and Headwall then drop and if you hug a sharp right, eventually there will be some awesome black and double black runs. Kind of like an open field with spread out trees (See the photo below in the middle). If you don’t feel like doing the hike there is still some great runs off of High Alpine. Head over to Sheer Bliss or Alpine Springs once you’re done lapping this chairlift.

Runs off Alpine Springs tend to be more crowded and although they are blue runs, they are just a little bit more steep. Not a bad place to ride if you’re a beginner/intermediate rider looking to get more experience. This is really the only lift where I’ve seen lift lines on busier days.

Big Burn and Sheer Bliss

If you like wide open runs, mixed with trees, that aren’t too steep, this area is for you. This part of the mountain really allows you to explore and feel like you’re on an adventure. Not that the rest of the mountain doesn’t feel like that, but for me, I always kind of feel that way when riding these two chairlifts in particular.

Wide open runs are what you will be able to ski for snowboard on when riding off of Big Burn. There’s a few tree spots to ride through as you make your way down the mountain that are worth it! On hardback bad snow days, these areas can still be fun to ride as traditional groomers.

The first photo below shows Big Burn and Sheer Bliss off in the distance with the last photo being the Sheer Bliss run. The difference between these two lifts is there will be more steep terrain off of Sheer Bliss.

Elk Camp

A more low key area on the mountain, I would say Elk Camp is best suited for the intermediate skier or boarder looking to progress. Nothing too steep or crazy on this part of the resort. It also has my favorite dining area, with essentially gourmet cafeteria food! New for the upcoming seasons is the 4 person lift is being upgraded to a 6 person lift.

If the snow is good I like to hug the fence line, left side of the run. Mostly blues off this chair, unless you do the hike.

To access the Elk Camp Chair you must first get on the Elk Camp Gondola. Kind of a process, but worth it to check this part of the mountain out. You can either take some laps off the Gondola (good area for beginners) or head to the Elk Camp Chairlift. Probably the easiest hike I’ve done on a ski resort. Take a left off the chairlift, unstrap, and you will see an area to start hiking. Once you drop, it is essentially spread out tree runs, nothing too crazy in my book.

If you do decide to do the hike just note, it’s a longer run that will take you to the base of the Two Creeks chairlift!

Elk Camp will have some easier tree runs to ride through, worth it, if you are new to tree riding and want some experience.

Elk Gondola will be blues that can be ridden down to the gondola base or take Adams Avenue to the main base area.

Two Creeks

Two Creeks is a hidden gem on the mountain, there’s a number of Aspen Trees in this vicinity. An older lift with a cafe at the very bottom, I can imagine both will be replaced eventually. The run from top to bottom is a long one that turns into a catwalk passing homes as you reach the bottom.

Village Express and Sam’s Knob

These lifts will service the main base area in Snowmass with beginner all the way up to expert terrain. I’ll usually start here to get the legs warmed up. On Powder days this is a fun area to begin the day with before exploring the rest of the mountain, runs like Fast Draw and Promenade under the chairlift allow you to really lay out a few turns. As the day progresses it will start to get skied out making natural moguls on the runs.

Sam’s Knob gets skied out quickly and is also a pretty steep in parts. However, not a bad place to ride when the snows great.

The runs from the Village Express to Big Burn chairlift are my go to for access to the rest of the mountain. Below is a catwalk that will take you from point A to B.

Runs like these below are best early as they start to get tracked out towards mid day, especially on a bluebird powder day. Couple good tree stashes too that you can sneak into then pop back onto the run.

Probably my least favorite area of the mountain, due the location and pretty far from the rest of the mountain. If you have time, explore this area, but if not, you didn’t miss too much in my opinion.

Probably the most quiet part of the mountain will be runs off of Campground. To access take the far left run (Bear Claw) all the way to the bottom of the chairlift. No beginner terrain on this lift as it will only be single black diamonds.

What are the Terrain Parks like

One of the most underrated terrain parks in Colorado, Snowmass has just about every kind of feature and jump for all ability levels, which is what I like most about this park. It also doesn’t get too crowded so you can get a lot of laps in, if the park is where you wanna ride on a nice sunny day.

Take the new high speed Coney Express lift for top to bottom park laps or take the Village Express and get off halfway for access to the Lowdown Park along with the Makaha Park. The top of Coney Express will be advanced to expert features. These are ones that require a lot of speed and skill. Makaha will be intermediate to advanced jumps and rails with Lowdown being beginner to intermediate boxes, rails, along with jumps.

Best part about this terrain park is how long it goes for, kind of reminds me of Big Bear in California.

You’ll find some nice down rails, medium size jumps, and even a mini pipe in the Makaha terrain park! I like this section for trying to progress and learn something new and challenging.

Some easy boxes and jumps can be found in the Lowdown park. Great area for learning or taking a park lesson if needed. Not that I’m an instructor, but my best advice is to start small and work your way up with what is comfortable. Parks are scary at times, but they help build your riding skills and confidence on a snowboard or skis!

Does Snowmass have good tree riding

I’d like to think there are some fun trees to ride through. So far the best ones I’ve ridden were off of the High Alpine lift, Frog Pond Glades/Hanging Valley Glades. Off Elk Camp there are trees that are fun right under the lift as well as off the hike mentioned above.

Is the mountain good for families

This resort along with Breckenridge have been two of the best resorts I’ve been to that I think are great for families. Lots of terrain that isn’t too advanced and the vibe on the mountain just has like this family friendly atmosphere to it in my opinion. Lots of on mountain dining options to sit down and take breaks with the fam along with some scenic backdrop areas on the mountain that make for great group photos.

What to Pack

Whether you plan on riding your own gear or renting equipment. I’ve listed a few items that get overlooked when packing for a ski or snowboard trip. You can find these items on Burton.com

Puffy- Gets cold in ski towns, one of the best purchases for winter weather is a puffy jacket either with real down or synthetic down. I personally like the Burton Expedition Baker down as it keeps you warm even in the negative temperatures. Not something I really wear riding on the mountain, but walking around town, going out, etc. it’s great.

Neck Warmers- I like to wear these for sun protection and when it’s cold and windy, especially on the chairlift.

Base Layers- There’s different variations in terms of material thickness and the actual material itself. So read up on what you purchase. To keep it simple I mostly rock mid-weight layers. On the coldest days I’ll wear a heavy-weight base layer and usually some kind of fleece pant as well.

Sunscreen- Even on cloudy days I would recommend wearing sunscreen due to the high altitude and more sun exposure you’ll get in the mountains.

Hopefully this post inspires you to take a trip to Aspen and ride Snowmass! If you’re interested in another family friendly ski resort, check out Breckenridge. It’s one of my favorite mountain towns and has just about every kind of riding once the mountain is fully open. Thanks for checking out the blog and I’ll see you on the next post!

The Grand Tetons, Everything you need to know about a ski or snowboard trip to Jackson Hole Ski resort

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you

Quiet possibly one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States, the Tetons, which are part of the Rocky Mountains, lie about 40 Miles long on the north west side of Wyoming. Surrounded by these breath taking peaks is Jackson Hole Resort, a playground for winter enthusiasts that ski or snowboard. Riding the resort and being in this part of Wyoming gives off a wild west feeling, God’s Country if you will. A feeling that can’t be found at many other ski resorts.

About twenty minutes from the resort is the town of Jackson, a quaint western style town filled with shops, restaurants, lodging and old time bars. There’s a handful of lodging options close to downtown Jackson and the town itself is easy to get around. If you don’t have a car, no problem, public transportation can take you to and from the resort as well as different parts of town.

One trip to Jackson and the resort, town, and mountains will leave a lasting impression. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Jackson Hole, where to stay/eat, what to expect, ski resort info and where to ride. Alright, lets gooo

Photo Keegan Rice

Photo Keegan Rice

History of Jackson Hole

The name for Jackson Hole came from the geological formation of the Tetons millions of years ago. As the mountain range rose, the valley sank, hence the name Jackson “Hole”. While the mountain range is one of the youngest in the country, the rocks themselves are some of the oldest. Some of the first groups of people to enter Jackson Hole were the Native Americans before the 1800’s to hunt for game in the valley as well as the surrounding area. To this day bison, elk, and other wildlife roam this part of the United States. It is said that John Colter who was one of the guides for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, went through part of Jackson, which is now Yellowstone National park, making him the first European-American to do so.

Mountain Stats

Hours of Operation- 8:30 am-4pm

Base Elevation- 6,311 feet/1924 meters

Summit Elevation- 10,450 feet/3185 meters

Skiable Acres- 2,500 inbounds

Number of Trails-133

Beginner terrain- 10%

Intermediate- 40%

Advanced-50%

Average annual snowfall- 465 inches/1181 cm

The first part of the 19th century brought many fur trappers to the area, due to an abundant Beaver Population. Most of the trapping occurred outside of the Jackson Hole area, yet there were routes that still went through Jackson. Like most of the western United states in the Late 1800’s, Jackson became a sought out destination for Mining. Unlike California and Colorado, the Jackson Hole area didn’t have any major success with Mining.

After World War II the popularity for Skiing increased and by 1946, Snow King, a resort in the town of Jackson installed their first chairlift. Barry Corbet and Paul McCollister first made their way to Rendezvous Mountain in 1960 to check out the area. It was at this meeting they discovered the famous Corbet’s Couloir, a steep run down a rocky chute with a mandatory cliff drop at the top. By 1965 Jackson Hole Ski resort was open and by 1966 the Tram started taking people to the very top of Rendezvous. Today Jackson remains a destination for many outdoor and travel enthusiasts in the winter and summer due to the ski resort, Grand Teton National Park, as well as Yellowstone National Park!

How to get to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is going to be on the North West side of Wyoming, pretty close to the Idaho border. The resort is about 20 minutes from the actual town of Jackson. I personally like staying in the town because of the history and ease of walking around. Also, the drive to the mountains is pretty easy and the views are incredible as you head to the base of Teton Village. Jackson has an airport and if you decide to fly, there are plenty of options for transportation to Jackson or Jackson Hole resort. Jackson’s airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park, so you should be able to book a flight with most major Airline Companies.

Also, if you don’t rent a car, public transportation to the resort is an option. If you keep reading, I’ll go over that in more detail. Below I’ve listed times and distances to the town of Jackson as well as the resort.

If you decide to drive Please Be Cautious of Wildlife and Icy Roads. Make sure to have an emergency kit and proper winter tires. AWD is recommended as well. Times are an estimation and weather will typically add time to your trip.

Jackson Airport

To Town- 9 Miles/15 Minutes

To the Resort- 21 Miles/33 Minutes

Salt Lake

To Town- 277 Miles/4.5 Hours

To the Resort- 304 Miles/4.75 Hours

Boise

To Town- 369 Miles/6 Hours

To the Resort-346 Miles/6 Hours

Bozeman

To Town- 217 Miles/4.5 Hours

To the Resort- 218 Miles/4.5 Hours

Denver

To Town- 512 Miles/8.5 Hours

To the Resort- 521 Miles/8.75 Hours

Where to Stay

As mentioned above you can stay in the town of Jackson or at the base of the resort or even halfway between both. The one thing I love about lodging in Jackson is it is much cheaper then other resort towns. I guess Jackson is more of a summer destination because of the national parks.

If being closer to the resort is more your thing check out Continuum in Teton Village and the Aspens, a group of condos in between Jackson and the resort, or Gravity Haus at the base of Teton Village.

I stayed right in the town of Jackson at Mountain Modern; great amenities, good parking, really nice rooms, and close enough to town. Also it was about a 20 minute drive to the Mountain from this hotel depending on traffic. On powder days make sure to leave earlier!

What is the town like

I honestly love the town of Jackson, it has western feel to it, mixed with your standard tourist shops like t-shirt stores and souvenirs spots. Some people might say it’s too wealthy and not original, but I still like it. There will be some side streets with restaurants and shops too. But the majority of shopping and eating will be right in the center of town. If you like ice skating, there’s a town ice rink as well.

A popular photo spot downtown will be the Elk Horns. Lots of couples and families get their picture taken here!

From town you can see Snow King Resort. What is kind of surprising is that the mountain could be getting a lot of snow, but the town might only get a dusting of snow. So don’t let that fool you when waking up in downtown Jackson, check the snow report!

What is the mountain like and where should we ride

Beginner to Intermediate Trails

Jackson is one of the coolest mountains I have ever ridden due to the layout, scenery, and terrain. Although the resort continues to improve and add more intermediate terrain, most of the mountain is steeper compared to other resorts I have snowboarded at. When you arrive you will see that there is one central base area with retail/rental shops, a Lift Ticket office, coffee shop, food, and even a general store. To your left is the tram and if you keep walking you can see two gondolas; Bridger and Sweetwater.

The Sweetwater Gondola is a good place to start if you want to get the blood flowing. It will also stop about halfway up where the lesson area is for people who have never skied or snowboarded before. Once at the top of Sweetwater you can either ride down through more challenging trees or cruise some of Jackson’s blue runs right to the base.

If you decided to take Bridger gondola, you have access to a lot of terrain. It’s an awesome starting point if you’ve never been to this resort before in my opinion. Follow Sundance all the way down to get a feel for the steepness of the resort, even though you’ll be on blue runs most of the way down! Lots of good groomers off of Bridger!

Not too much beginner terrain in Jackson, but there is still enough runs for those wanting to experience Jackson, being in the mountains, while still learning. With that being said, beginner areas will be off of Eagles Rest Chairlift, Sweetwater Gondola, Teenwinot Quad Chair, and Union Pass Quad Chair. The Teenwinot chair will be green runs and once you start to get comfortable, graduate to the Apres’ Vous chairlift. Go left off the lift and there are a number of intermediate blue runs. It’s also a fun area to venture to if the lines are longer on other parts of the mountain.

Some of the best blue and easy black runs can be found on the Casper and Teton Quad lifts. On powder days if upper terrain is closed or takes a minute to open up these are fun areas to ride. The Saratoga will be not as steep and will have some nice powder stashes on snow days. I don’t think as many people venture over there compared to other areas of the mountain, kind of a quiet zone. For families with young kids who can keep up, the Casper area is great!

As mentioned, runs that would be considered easier at other resorts will be a little more challenging at Jackson Hole. Lower Sundance just under the Bridger Gondola, I swear, even on the deepest powder days, it gets icy towards the end of the day.

One of my favorite parts about chasing storms is towards the end of the day when there’s still a lot of untracked areas, and the light starts to peak through the clouds. Riding through some of the trees if you have the energy at the end of the day can be magical. Photos below were from Trees off the Casper Lift and Apres Vous.

Advanced and Expert Terrain

What Jackson is known for; steep and technical. I’ll talk about a few advanced areas if you keep reading that are my favorite places to ride, however going to mention a number of advanced and expert areas worth skiing or snowboarding if your skill level is there. The first area if you don’t mind waiting is going to be the tram. For awesome snow days, arrive early! Be prepared for wind at the top and tough visibility. Rendezvous Bowl, the Hobacks, Cheyenne Bowl, and Bernies Bowl will all be fun areas to ski or snowboard if the snow is good. I can imagine if it isn’t spring riding or a powder day that these areas would be tough to go down.

Sublette chair will also have a number of advanced runs like the Alta Chutes as shown in the two photos right below.

The Hobacks are these steep wide open fields with boulders and cliff drops in certain areas. The area will pop you out to Union Pass Traverse. Needless to say it is a fun place to ride once it is open for the season.

The Casper Traverse, will have some nice tree riding, although make sure to follow signage and don’t just “send” it as you might come up on some cliffs and rocks. I like to drop in to Woolsey Woods and pop out kind of where the Stash Park is.

Views of the Laramie ski run from Grand Trees. A more popular run that funnels people down to the Sublette Chair or South Pass Traverse.

Amphitheater is a well known run at the resort in the photo below

Don’t feel like hiking the headwall, you can still take Ten Sleep Bowl and ski or board down the Cirque Bowl!

Off the Thunder Quad lift and right under the Tram will be some spread out trees that are fun to ride through and not too steep. I believe this run is called Cannett, but I could be wrong. Take the Riverton Bowl to end your lap. There’s a few boulders to jump off of in this bowl if the snow is deep.

Jackson is full of cliff drops including these ones below off of the Sublette chair! I’ve seen tracks going off cliffs from taking the lift up that I can’t believe someone would take, in terms of height and technicality.

Steep runs off in the distance including the Laramie bowl, a pretty steep blue run at Jackson.

Most people like to ride the Hobacks, but don’t forget about Cheyenne Gully to Lower Sublette Ridge. A narrow run through trees that will open up into either a powder field or skied out/mogul run.

Photo Keegan Rice

Jackson Hole Tram

The tram is what separates Jackson from all the other resorts in North America. A giant gondola that can fit up to 100 people and takes 12 minutes to get you to the top. If the line looks long, don’t worry!, it moves quick. This tram will take you 4,139 vertical feet/1261 meters to the top with awesome views of the different mountain ranges and the resort. Once the tram stops there is a brief speech about not going into the Back Country uneducated and unprepared with the words “If you don’t know, don’t go!” (there are gates on the resort to access back country terrain). Back Country terrain is areas of the mountain that aren’t monitored by ski patrol or the resort. You’re essentially on your own.

At the top of the Tram you will see, Top of the World Waffles, a must stop for hot fresh waffles. I like the traditional with brown sugar butter, but they also have ones with whip cream, peanut butter, and chocolate. Although, I read that the Waffle cabin will be torn down with a bigger restaurant, hopefully Jackson Hole still keeps making waffles in the new location.

After you get a few pictures, you can ride down Rendezvous bowl and then from there you can take a few different routes down. Once you’ve ridden down the face of Rendezvous Bowl, take Laramie Traverse to Laramie Bowl or Rendezvous Trail down to other trails and chairlifts. Rendezvous trail is a cool traverse that opens up to awesome views of Laramie Bowl from below and the surrounding trails. Hop on the Marmot double chair to ride back to the central area of the resort, the top of Bridgwater Gondola.

Please note, there is no beginner terrain off the tram, don’t let this deter you from taking the tram up for scenic views and waffles as it can take you back down. You don’t have to ride any of the terrain to get the tram experience and to take your photo at the top. There’s a new tram every 10 minutes and you can take it back down if you just want to get the experience!

Rendevous Bowl on a clear, fresh snow, none windy day, is pretty special. When the trees get caked with snow we call them ghost trees. Ghost trees make some of the coolest photos.

Favorite places to ride on the Mountain

I’ve ridden Jackson a handful of times and I always discover somewhere new to ride each time. Snow will be a large determining factor on where you decide to ride. If the resort lacks snow or has been skied out, just be cautious when riding steeper more technical terrain as there could be exposure of rocks, icy conditions, and bumps. However if the snows great, it’s fun to explore as much of the mountain as possible. Also make sure to review the trail map if you decide to ski or snowboard more up top terrain as there are cliffs and drops that aren’t always marked. It is not a fun experience to get cliffed out if you aren’t comfortable with 10 foot plus drops!

Taking the Sublette chair will allow you traverse over to the Headwall and Casper Bowl hikes. This particular chair gets extremely windy at times, luckily it was replaced recently from a two person to a 4 person lift with more coverage on the back of the chair.

I love to hike the Headwall , although the bowl is a short run, I like how mellow the hike is along with the terrain. It’s a pretty open area to drop into and doesn’t get tracked out as quick as the rest of the mountain. Just make sure to follow the boot pack, and if someone is faster then you, step to the side and let them pass. It’s more relaxing when your not being pressured from behind, so take your time and enjoy the hike. To get to the hike you take the Tram or Thunder Quad Lift up and then ride down to the Sublette Chair. You’ll then take Ten Sleep to the top of Cirque and from there start hiking the boot pack. The hike closes at 2pm!

The last area that is a gem if open, is Casper Bowl. This terrain is really for advanced to expert skiers or snowboarders, but what I love about it is the free ride/backcountry feeling, even though it’s inbounds. It has wide open bows, steep chutes, and even a tiny bit of tree riding in areas. It’s honestly the ultimate experience if you make a trip to Jackson Hole in my opinion. To ride this terrain you’ll want to take the same hike you did up to the headwall, but keep hiking!

As you hike across the ridge you’ll eventually see a sign for Casper Bowl. I dropped pretty much right in the middle and it was wild. Steep, lots of snow and some amazing turns. There’s a number of places you can drop so use your best judgement and be cautious riding this terrain! I would also recommend riding with a partner even though it is inbounds. I wish I had one once I was on the ridge.

What is Corbets Couloir

Corbets is a very steep narrow run at the top of the Tram with a drop into the run. I’ve never tried it, I would imagine it would be a rush to ride something like that. Jackson will put on an event called Kings and Queens, a snowboard/ski competition of athletes doing spins and flips into Corbets.

Side Country/Back Country off the resort

There are a few gates on the resort for Back Country Access. Make sure to have the proper education, equipment, and riding partner before you venture into the back country. Cody Bowl and Rock Springs Bowl are right off the resort and you exit through gates to access them. Cody Bowl is still considered inbounds as they do avalanche mitigation there, but depending on weather and snow conditions it’s recommended to still have the proper knowledge and avi gear when riding this face. I personally ride alone when I go up to Jackson Hole, so I have yet to ride in these areas, but Cody Bowl looks amazing if you are prepared.

Is Jackson Hole Ski resort Ikon or Epic and are Lift Tickets expensive

Jackson Hole is on the full Ikon pass. With the full Ikon you get 7 days with no black out dates. You will also get two days at Jackson with the Mountain Collective pass, no black out dates.

If you’re looking for a full season pass at Jackson Hole, they offer four different passes; The Midweek Bypass, the Grand Bypass, The Grand Pass, and the Rendezvous Peak Pass. The Rendezvous pass allows unlimited riding at Jackson Hole, but also includes an Ikon Base pass and other perks. There are only so many passes sold each season, so my best advice is to purchase one when they first go on sale in the spring/summer. Prices will also be the cheapest when passes are first available to purchase. These passes will also contain black out dates, so make sure to check the fine print when purchasing. Something to keep in mind is that prices will vary within each pass option. You have Adult, Senior, Teen, Youth, and College options.

Jackson Hole has automated pickup boxes at the base for pre-purchased lift tickets in places like Bridger Center and the Guest Service Center at the base. That way you can get on the mountain faster.

Like most resorts Lift ticket prices are expensive and can get over $200/day depending on the time of year. Booking ahead as well as multiple days can save you money. Ikon also offers buddy passes that can save you up to 25% off the ticket window price. Since supplies is limited, it’s best to purchase tickets ahead of time and also make a reservation if you plan on using an Ikon Buddy pass.

One thing that is really rad that Jackson Hole does, is if you own a season pass anywhere in the world (Not just Jackson Hole) you get half off lift tickets during specific date periods early and late season. It’s called the Golden Ticket. This also applies to Ikon pass holders after their days expire.

How long is the season and when is the best time to ride Jackson Hole

The resort typically opens around Thanksgiving and typically stays open a few days after the first week of April. The reason resorts don’t stay open later is because they usually have a lease with the National Forest Land that doesn’t allow them to operate later, regardless if there is a lot of snow on the mountain still. Like most ski resorts, the busiest times of the season are Holidays followed by weekends, making weekdays and none holiday periods the best time to ski or snowboard. Since Jackson isn’t close to any major city, the resort isn’t as busy as other ski resorts and every time I’ve gone, lift lines are almost none-existent.

That being said, the Ikon pass has brought a lot more visitors to this mountain which has it’s positives yet also negatives. Snowfall can differ from season to season with December and January being the snowiest months on average at the resort. However, past seasons, February produced record numbers in snowfall. If you like skiing or snowboarding in warmer temps with less snowfall, historically March can be a great time to visit. April can still bring snow storms and is a great time to visit because lodging is cheaper and the town and resort are less crowded.

Is Jackson Hole working towards Sustainability

In 2019 The lifts, buildings, and base operations all became powered by Wind Energy, pretty cool stuff in my opinion. They also work with brands such as Mammut, Burton, Yeti, and Smartwool to name a few, that work towards reducing their environmental impact and improving sustainability.

Where can you Rent and Buy Ski or Snowboard gear

There’s a lot of outdoor gear shops in the town of Jackson with great footwear, outdoor clothing, gloves, hats, and winter Jackets. However, I didn’t see hardly any ski or snowboard shops. With that being said there is a Surefoot in town if you’re in need of ski boots and the resort in town has a retail/rental shop, Snow King Mountain Sports. Hoback Sports will be the best Local shop in the town of Jackson specializing in retail, rentals, and tunes for skiing and snowboarding. For outerwear, check out Stio, founded in Jackson. A good pro tip if you plan on renting is to book online ahead of time with shops, to not only secure your equipment, but to also save up to 20% on rentals.

My favorite shop that seems to have to just about everything you would need for skiing, snowboarding, and the outdoor winter environment is Jackson Hole Sports at the base of the mountain in the Bridger Center. They have a tune shop for overnight services, a snowboard department upstairs (Hole in the Wall snowboard shop), and ski department downstairs mixed in with outdoor clothing, footwear, and accessories. It’s a really cool shop with a knowledgeable, friendly staff.

They also have an entire rental department for skiing and boarding, as well as top of the line ski boot fitting services. One service offered by Jackson Hole Sports that you won’t find at many ski resorts is outerwear rentals for people in need of a jacket or pant, but are not looking to purchase.

Does Jackson have a Terrain Park

Jackson has couple terrain parks and what makes this mountain unique is they also have a handful of Stash parks. Burton Snowboards are the brains behind Stash Parks and they built the first one in 2006. It was a way to bring natural features you find on the mountain into a terrain park setting.

Traditional Terrain Parks

These can be found near the base of the Teenwinot chairlift. Although these parks don’t have the number of features you would find at a Woodward park, there is still a lot of fun stuff. What I like about these parks is they are at the bottom of the mountain, so you can still lap everything the mountain has to offer and then roll through either one of these parks towards the base.

Antelope Flats- Smaller boxes, rails, jumps, and a couple smaller hips. This is a fun park to just lap.

Bronco- This park will have larger Jumps, rails, and features for the intermediate to advanced park rider. Nothing too “insane” in this park making it also a fun place to cruise through.

What other terrain parks are on the Ikon

Although Jackson has a terrain park, the resort really is for those looking to ride the mountain. However, If you are looking for a more advanced terrain park that is on the Ikon Pass. Three of my favorites will be Copper Mountain, Bear Mountain, and Mammoth Mountain. These parks will have a wider variety of features, more advanced park builds, and the park lap will be much longer.

Photo Chip Proulx

Another favorite of mine is actually Steamboat because it has a simple/old school feel to it. Steamboat has two different parks for different ability levels, one being pretty close to the base of the resort.

Stash Parks

Log rails, Wooden Platforms, and the famous Jackson Hole wooden quarter pipe are some of the features you will find in the stash parks.

The snowfall for the season and the time of year will dictate which features in these park are available to ride. There are 4 different set ups spread through out the mountain.

Little Stash- a good park for beginners or families looking to hit small features. This park is located towards the bottom of the run next to Lower Werner and the Teewinot lift.

Campground- More advanced features located close to the Casper lift. This park has the famous Stash Quarter pipe. There will be a couple of intermediate features as you first enter this park which keeps it fun. I personally don’t always like hitting the biggest features in a park when I’m out of town on a snowboard trip (Have to make it back in one piece lol).

Stashley Ridge- This park will be the most advanced out of all the Stash parks. The features in this park are pretty big and I would only recommend hitting them if you have the experience. Located off the Ashley Ridge run, between the Sweetwater Gondi and Teton chair lift.

Does Jackson offer ski or snowboard Lessons

Yep, they offer lessons for kids, adults, individuals with a disability as well as private options for all different ability levels. These are done out of the Mountain Sports School right off of the Sweetwater mid station. Private lessons include a half day or full day option. Make sure to book your lessons ahead of time as spots fill up quickly.

There’s also lessons offered for people looking to get into the back country. These are full day guided back country tours that educate you on out of bounds terrain. These require bringing your own equipment unless you booked a Mountain Sports School Back Country Booking. These guided tours will take you to Teton Pass as well as have you practice using your equipment at the top of the tram.

What’s unique about Jackson is they also offer multi day camps for more advanced/steep terrain, the back country, and even camps for adaptive skiers and snowboarders.

Where can I park at the resort for free and how does public transportation work

There’s a handful of ways not to pay for parking if you don’t want to. There’s tricks to the trade for avoiding the $30/day. If you don’t mind paying for parking, paid lots will be at the base of the resort consisting of the Village Lot, Crystal Springs Lot, and the Cody Lot. The Ranch Lot is paid if you don’t have at least three people in your car. Get your carpool ticket ahead of time, when entering the Ranch Lot, so that when you exit you won’t have to deal with parking fees. The Ranch Lot is very close to the base and offers a shuttle if you don’t feel like walking.

The Stilson Lot is another alternative to avoiding paid parking. Seven miles to the resort this lot has 850 spaces with free shuttles to take you to the resort. There’s also a transit center with bathrooms on-site.

Public transportation from the Town of Jackson is going to cost a small amount of money. This is a great option if you don’t have a car or don’t feel like driving. There’s bus stops all over the town and I would make sure to keep track of the route you are on (labeled by color), so when you are returning to the town you get on the right bus. I’ve made the mistake of getting on the wrong bus and then wasted time having to walk back to my hotel. Buses run from about 7am to 6pm at night. Head to the Town of Jackson website for a map and bus route times.

Are there any restaurants on the Mountain

Yep, there’s restaurants at the top of Bridger Gondola and also near the Casper Lift. The Casper Restaurant has outdoor seating and a deck with amazing views on sunnier days. This will be your typical ski trip comfort resort food. Just looking for a quick snack? Near the Tram at the base of the resort, you’ll find a General Store.

Where are some of the best Apres’ spots

The Mangy Moose will be at the base of the resort in Teton Village as well as The Handle Bar in The Four Seasons. Both are great places for happy hour to grab a drink or some food after a day on the mountain. Mangy Moose has that local ski town vibe while the Handle Bar is more upscale, but with a great menu. Lastly the Tram Dock will have food and drinks.

I got a recommendation to check out Teton Thai near the Ranch Lot for Apres. It has cool artwork inside mixed with eclectic music and amazing food. Loved the hang out after you ride atmosphere here.

Teton Thai

The Mangy Moose

Tram Dock

Recommendations on where to eat

Awesome restaurants in Jackson if you don’t feel like cooking. I’ve listed a handful of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and breakfast spots below.

Breakfast

Pearl Street Bagel is perfect if you need something quick and on the go. The Bunnery Bakery is a classic sit down diner style breakfast and Persephone Bakery will have healthier more creative options with ingredients from Local Farmers and Ranchers.

The Bunnery Bakery

South Cable Cafe (Base of the Ski Resort)

Pearl Street Bagel

Persephone (Love the coffee here)

Coffee Shops

Overview coffee will be at the Base of the resort (just past Teton Village Sports) and is perfect if your like me and can never get to the mountain on time, but are in need of a nice cup of coffee to get the day going (closed Tuesdays). Lastly, local coffee brand, Snake River has a location in downtown Jackson with breakfast food too.

Persephone Bakery

Overview Coffee

Snake River Roasting Company

Dinner

I was able to find some good restaurants to check out after talking with a couple locals. King Sushi had delicious sashimi, rolls, and sake. Make sure to try the deep fried cheesecake for desert! Snake River Grille has been in town for 30 years and has seafood, pasta, steaks, and drink options with creative flavors. Make sure to book a reservation in advance for both places unless you plan on eating at the bar. For a quick stop, check out Jackson’s Drug Store. Classic diner food and awesome milkshakes! Jackson’s Drug store is my favorite because it has this old fashion restaurant feel on the inside and the menu is pretty simple.

I also had dinner at Local right in town, which is another local steakhouse worth checking out! Great ambience, service, and food. Plus it’s right in the downtown square area.

King Sushi

Snake River Grille

Noodle Kitchen

Jackson’s Drug Store

The Bistro

Local

Calico

Pinky G’s Pizza

Bars & Breweries

Roadhouse will be right in town and has food menu too. Beers are really good and if you like sports bar feel, this is the place. Definitely more noisy then Snake River Brewery. Also if you like bars make sure to go into the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Snake River

Roadhouse Taproom

Is there a Grocery Store in Jackson

There’s a handful of different grocery stores in Downtown Jackson. Albertsons and Smith’s will be your standard Grocery’s. For organic options you’ll find a Whole Foods as well as small markets such as Pearl Street Market, close to the town square. If you’re staying in Teton Village and forgot something there’s a market halfway to Jackson called Aspen’s Market. Keep in mind, smaller markets will be more expensive then traditional grocery stores in resort towns.

Any downsides to riding Jackson Hole

Not too many downsides to this beautiful resort, however a few things to consider when booking a ski or snowboard trip are.. there isn’t a whole lot of beginner terrain. The intermediate to advanced terrain is also steeper then most resorts. The resort can also be more challenging to get to as there is only one nearby airport and flights tend to be more expensive. The positive side to this is the airport is very close to the ski resort.

Like any resort, the mountain can get windy, with poor visibility as well as not ideal snow conditions. It’s the risk you take when booking a ski or snowboard trip.

Last minute tips for a ski or snowboard trip to Jackson Hole

Be prepared for the winter weather. Make sure to pack the right winter clothing and gear. I lised important items below in my packing list. Make sure to look over the trail map and road map if you decide to drive. Make reservations ahead of time for equipment rentals, restaurants, and ski lessons. If you don’t have a season pass, purchase lift tickets before hand.

Make sure to check out Teton Gravity Research if you are into Outdoor Films! Starting in Jackson, TGR has been making outdoor films for the past 25 years and they also have a cool little retail section with t-shirts, hoodies, and hats.

What to Pack

There’s a lot different things you should pack when going on a ski or snowboard trip. If you’re a snowboarder I recommend shopping on Burton.com, They’ve been around since 1977! and have a wide selection of gear. Make sure to check out Step On! if you are looking for something that makes it easy to get in and out of your bindings. Below I listed Items that you’ll need. In case you forget something, as mentioned, there are great shops at the resort and in town to assist you.

• Waterproof Snow Jacket and Pants

• Beanie

• Gloves or Mittens

• Snow Goggles

• Socks meant for skiing or snowboarding

• Base Layers (For under your Jacket and Pants)

• Mid layers (for Colder Temperatures)

• winter footwear

Don’t forget sunscreen and Lip Balm with Sun Bum out of Encinitas California being some of the best. Apply at least 15 minutes before you get on the slopes

That’s it for a trip to Jackson Hole Ski Resort. As always, appreciate every person who reads the blog and would love for anyone reading this to experience this awesome place in the winter! See you on the next post!