Is Jackson Hole the Last of the Old West?
Although we were sad to leave Park City after having such a short time there, I was excited to get to Jackson Hole and see the magnificent Grant Teton mountain range. Wyoming and Montana are two places that have been on my list for years to visit. The drive into Jackson takes you along the pristine Snake River and we saw many rafters and kayakers enjoying the rapids. The community, the valley and the lake were all named after mountain man, trapper and trader, David Jackson. After hearing people refer to this area as both Jackson and Jackson Hole, I finally figured out which was which. Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley which is approximately 60 miles long. Jackson refers to the Town of Jackson which sits on the southern end of the Jackson Hole valley. As the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, the home of three major ski areas and the National Elk Refuge, you will never run out of activities in Jackson Hole.
I immediately fell in love with Jackson after walking around the town which is lined with historic boardwalks, and anchored by the famous Town Square and elk antler arches. There are beautiful art galleries ranging from classic, western landscapes to stunning wildlife photography. The shopping here is endless and very exclusive with boutique shops for jewelry, furniture, and fine western clothing. We happened upon the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar which is no ordinary bar. It is famous for its western cowboy flare motif, complete with a large collection of western memorabilia, unique knobbled pine architecture, cowboy murals, animal mounts, and genuine saddle barstools. A little further exploration took us past the Jackson Hole Playhouse, which you can’t help but notice the cool architecture. Originally constructed in 1916; the playhouse is the oldest framed building in Jackson Hole and is a family run professional dinner theater.
After spending a little time downtown, it was time to head to our resort for the night. Nestled against pine forests, the Snow King Resort Hotel and Grand View Lodge is walking distance from town which is a great perk http://www.snowking.com. As you walk into the lobby, the first thing you see is a beautiful mural of wild horses, a true icon of the west. The resort offers hotel rooms, condos and the new Grand View Lodge, which are luxurious accommodations for the whole family. Log frame beds, desks and bureaus and an exposed brick wall in the rooms give you the feel of being in a rustic cabin.
There are a wide array of activities to choose from at the Snow King including a guided sunrise wildlife expedition in Grand Teton National Park which offers uninterrupted views of the Teton glaciers and sightings of elk, bear, marmot and moose. You can hike along the Snow King trails, take a dip in the pool, or a thrill-ride down the mountain on the Alpine Slide. And of course in the winter, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing abound. With more annual snowfall than other resorts in the lower-48 Rocky Mountain region, these winter playgrounds offer lifts, gondolas, an aerial tram, and miles upon miles upon miles of ski trails to meet any ability. The staff is very friendly and more than happy to assist with any information or reservations you may need.
We had dinner at the cozy Hayden’s Post http://www.snowking.com/restaurants, which offers cuisine in the spirit of mountain camping with a focus on local ingredients. We tried the Braised Bison Short Rib with melting leeks and stone ground polenta served in a cast iron skillet. The meat was incredibly tender and flavorful. The Whiskey BBG Mahogany chicken with mashed potatoes and broccolini was delicious. Don’t leave without trying the signature S’mores dessert served in a skillet with homemade marshmallows lightly toasted, and you don’t even have to find a stick or a fire!
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