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If you are looking for the ultimate winter wonderland vacation, consider visiting Jackson Hole Wyoming in the winter for the perfect escape. Ever since moving to Utah, we have managed to make it to Jackson Hole about once a year as it is the perfect distance for a weekend trip from Salt Lake City. Two of our visits were in the winter and it truly is an incredible destination in the wintertime.

How to get to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

There are several ways to get to Jackson Hole. The easiest way (but also potentially the most expensive) is to fly directly into Jackson Hole (Airport Code: JAC). Alternatively, you can fly into Salt Lake City and make the approximately 4.5 hour drive to Jackson Hole. Regardless of what you choose, you will likely need to rent a car to fully enjoy your experience in Jackson Hole, although it is not an absolute requirement.

Fun Fact: Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located within a National Park – Grand Teton National Park.

Where to Stay in Jackson Hole

Depending on your chosen activities, where you stay can have a pretty big impact on your trip. The two main areas to consider are Teton Village and the town of Jackson. If you plan to spend a significant amount of time skiing on your trip at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, choose Teton Village. If you have a variety of other activities to do, stay in Jackson. If you are looking for discounts on hotels check out this link.

Continuum

A great place to stay in Teton Village is Continuum (formerly the Inn at Jackson Hole). This was the second time we stayed at Continuum although it was the first time since it was renovated. A few perks of this hotel include on-site restaurant and bar, overnight ski/snowboard storage in a secure location, a heated pool and hot tub, and a short walk to the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This prime location right in Teton Village will save you time each day if you plan to spend a lot of time on the slopes. You can even pop over to your hotel room midday for a break before going back out on the slopes.

Springhill Suites

If you are looking to stay in Jackson, Springhill Suites is a great option as it is centrally located in town. You easily can walk to restaurants, bars, the town square, and shops. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to Teton Village for skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. When we stayed at this hotel two years ago, we did so for free using Marriott Bonvoy credit card points.

If you want to learn more about how to use points to get free hotel nights, check out this post here about travel hacking.

Jackson Hole Wyoming Winter Activities

There are a lot of things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the winter. If you have visited Jackson Hole in other seasons, it really feels like this classic ski town comes to life in the winter.

Go Skiing

Let’s start with the obvious. One of the main reasons to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the winter is to go skiing. Most people associate skiing with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort – as this is the most popular option. There are actually two other smaller ski areas as well. These other ski areas are Grand Targhee Resort and Snow King Mountain Resort. Grand Targhee is located a little over an hour from both Teton Village and Jackson. The base of Snow King Mountain Resort is located within Jackson itself. Snow King is small and not well-suited for beginners.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is the main ski area that people traveling to Jackson visit. If you want to visit JHMR, you need a season pass, an Ikon pass (with JHMR add-on), The Mountain Collective Pass, or to buy a single day lift ticket. JHMR is located in Teton Village, making the Continuum a great place to stay if you plan to spend a lot of time on the slopes. Even if you don’t ski, you can still buy a ticket for the aeriel tram and have a meal on the top of the mountain. Check out this link for discounted lift tickets.

Visit Grand Teton National Park

While you may not be interested in winter hiking, there is still a lot to see in Grand Teton National Park from the car. Take a scenic drive to see the Tetons. Snoeshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling can also be done in the park. Some roads will be closed. Reference the park’s website prior to planning your trip.

Visit Yellowstone National Park in a Snowcoach

One of the most unique things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the winter is explore Yellowstone National Park using a snowcoach.

This unusual winterized vehicle allows you to traverse the park’s treacherous, snow-covered roads so that you can see Old Faithful in the winter.

Snowcoach tours are a great option if you want to stay warm and socialize with people in your group. Local guides are also on hand to give you a detailed explanation of local geology, wildlife, and history inside America’s very first national park.

Go Snowmobiling

The first time we ever went snowmobiling was in Jackson. And not only did we go snowmobiling but we visited a hot spring in the process. The hot spring we visited was the one pictured at the top of this page. It made this a perfect excursion. You could bring your own snowmobile, but as we were newbies, we opted to go on a snowmobile tour through Teton Tour Co. If you opt to do the hot spring snowmobile tour as well, make sure to bring swimsuits, towels, a change of clothes, sunglasses or ski goggles, warm gloves (seriously the best ever), and a bag suitable to attach to your snowmobile. They have cold-weather gear you can borrow (with the exception of gloves), but we came prepared with warm boots, ski pants, and wool layers so we did not need to borrow anything.

Go Dogsledding

If you are less interested in snowmobiling but still want to visit the hot springs, consider going dogsledding instead. There are also half day tours that do not go all the way to the hot spring. Keep in mind that it will be a bit slower than riding in a snowmobile. Therefore, if you have limited time, doing a snowmobile tour might be better – even if it is less adorable! Similarly to snowmobiling, you want to be prepared with cold-weather gear: gloves, warm boots, ski pants, and wool layers are a MUST to enjoy your trip since you will not be moving.

Try Fat Biking

If you want to do a winter fat bike tour through the snow-filled trails of the Teton Valley then head to Teton Mountain Bike Tours. This is the only place in the area that offers fat bike tours and fat bike rentals.

It’s another great and unusual way to explore Grand Teton National Park, with full-day and half-day tours available.

Fat Bike rentals start at $50.00 for a half-day and $60.00 for a full day. They also include helmets and you have the option to rent a bike rack for just $25.00. If you’ve never tried fat biking then give it a try since it is one of the coolest things to do in Jackson Hole in the winter.

Go Backcountry Skiing

Many people know that Jackson Hole is famous for its amazing downhill skiing. However, this town is also home to some world-famous backcountry ski trails. Many of these trails are accessible from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and give your premier access to the Grand Tetons.

Before you venture into the vast wilderness, please familiarize yourself with avalanche safety. If you are unsure of how to deal with a potentially deadly situation then hire an expert guide from Exum Mountain Guides or Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.

Both companies are awesome and have local guides who can escort you through the backcountry safely.

Take a Sleigh Ride

Another festive thing to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the winter is to take a sleigh ride. These are offered at the National Elk Refuge which is not far from the town of Jackson. Despite this being a shorter activity, you still want to be prepared with cold-weather gear: gloves, warm boots, ski pants, and wool layers. These are a MUST to enjoy your trip since you will not be moving.

Go Sledding

Some of the most popular places to go sledding in the area include Rangeview Park, Cache Creek Trail, and Old Pass Road. So, grab the kids and spend a fun day playing in the snow this winter in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

If you’re short on supplies you can always stop by Headwell Sports before heading to King Tubes at Snow King Mountain Resort. This is a great spot to try tubing for just $30.00 an hour. Please note that only people over 42″ tall are allowed to sled here.

Visit Jackson Town Square

The town of Jackson itself is incredibly cute and it would be a huge miss not to spend time walking around the town. It has a very romantic, Christmas-y vibe in the wintertime. The square has antler entrances at all four corners. The town has some very cute shops, restaurants, and bars.

Relax in a Hot Spring

There’s no escaping it, Jackson Hole Wyoming is cold in the winter. Therefore, one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole Wyoming in the winter is to spend the day warming up in a local hot spring.

Before you visit though, be sure to bring a few things. In fact, you’ll need a bathing suit as well as a quick-dry towel to help you dry off after your dip. Also, be sure to bring a water bottle full of water since soaking in hot springs can dehydrate you quickly.

However, once you have all the essentials be sure to enjoy both Granite Hot Springs and Astoria Hot Springs. In particular, Granite Hot Springs features 104 F thermal water that can only be reached via skis, snowmobiles, etc.

Conversely, Astoria Hot Springs is tucked away in Hoback, Wyoming, and sits right beside the Snake River. It has a wide variety of pools that vary in temperature and that offer a wide variety of views.

Go Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is easily one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole Wyoming in the winter. Because while hiking and driving are more typical ways of exploring the natural landscape of Wyoming, vast snow drifts make this impossible in winter.

So, strap on a pair of snowshoes and get ready to explore the vastness of Grand Teton National Park in a fun and active way. Sure, this activity takes a while to get used to. But, once you get the hang of it snowshoeing is incredibly fun. And Grand Teton is the perfect place to give snowshoeing a try since the park receives an average of 170 inches of snow annually.

And if you’ve never tried snowshoeing before, you may want to book a guided tour with Jackson EcoTour Adventures. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will give you expert tips on how to snowshoe while discussing the natural history of the region. Plus, snacks are included and you’ll even be accompanied by a trained Wilderness First Responder.

Go Ice Skating

Jackson Hole is home to many outdoor rinks and indoor rinks where you can rent some skates and twirl around the ice.

For lovers of the great outdoors, “Winter Wonderland” on Town Square is a fabulous outdoor rink that costs just $5.00 if you bring your own skates. You can also stop by the Stage Stop building to pick up some rental skates and grab a hot chocolate.

Additionally, the rink at Teton Village is also outdoors and costs just $5.00 to use if you bring your own skates. It sits on the Village Commons, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and has a warming hut as well as ice skate rentals.

If you don’t want to endure frigid temperatures and would like to stick to a climate-controlled arena then stop by Snow King Sports and Events Center ice arena. They offer public skating sessions on weekdays from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

You can even watch a Jackson Hole Moose hockey game since they hold 30 games at Snow King Sports and Events Center on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the winter.

Explore the Museum of Wildlife Art

Believe it or not, there is so much more to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming than explore the great outdoors. In fact, this amazing place is home to a vibrant art scene that is best enjoyed at the Museum of Wildlife Art. It’s also easy to get to since this is one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole Wyoming in the Winter that is located right across the street from the National Elk Refuge.

After all, this museum is nestled on a hill and features 5,000 works of art that depict wildlife from all across the globe. So, after admiring lifesize sculptures of animals indigenous to the area, explore a wealth of galleries that include photos, totems, paintings, and sculptures from various periods in time. So, warm up inside for a few hours before heading back out into the bitter cold.

Jackson Hole Wyoming in the Winter FAQ

What is the best time of year to go to Jackson Hole Wyoming?

The best time of year to go to Jackson Hole Wyoming is Spring, or any time between April and May. That’s mainly because the weather at this time of year is mild with highs around 60 F during the day and lows around 30 F overnight.

Therefore, you can easily enjoy hiking throughout the area without getting too overheated.

Can you drive in Jackson Hole in the winter?

No, you cannot drive in Jackson Hole in the winter. In fact, the road is closed to cars and trucks throughout the season. So, the only way to access the many hot springs here is by fat tire bike, dog sled, snowmobile, skiing, etc.

Is Wyoming a good place to visit in the winter?

If you can handle bitter cold weather then Wyoming is an amazing place to visit in the winter. After all, the state gets tons of snow and is a great place to try backcountry skiing, sleigh riding, and more.

Plus, if you have time, head to the southwestern corner of the state and discover the oldest sand dunes on the entire continent.

How do you get around Jackson Hole in the winter?

The best way to get around Jackson Hole in the winter is by snowmobile. Not only is it a fast and efficient means of transportation, but snowmobiles are relatively easy to drive and can handle Jackson Hole’s snowy roads.

What to Wear When Visiting Jackson Hole in the Winter

As many of these things to do are outside, you want to be prepared with cold-weather gear: gloves, warm boots, ski pants, and wool layers are a MUST to enjoy your winter activities. This is especially important for the sleigh ride, snowmobiling, dogsledding, and enjoying Grand Teton National Park because you won’t be moving much. Below are some of my favorites (and you can see me wearing them in the pictures above):

Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Winter

Visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the winter is the perfect vacation for both skiers and non-skiers alike. You can enjoy yourself on both a long weekend trip or a full week. Have you visited Jackson Hole in the winter? Let us know in the comments!

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