Jackson, Wyoming, a year-round destination for Snow Skiing

Jackson, Wyoming, a year-round destination for Snow Skiing

The wild-west town of Jackson entertains its visitors with lively saloons, elk herds just outside town, and the spectacular scenery of Grand Teton National Park. And when it's time to ski, there are three exciting options.

Jackson Hole Resort is the most famous, and for good reason. No other ski area in America can beat its 4,139' of continuous vertical. Visitors take a 2.4 mile, 10-minute tram from the Teton Village base area to the resort's 10,450-foot summit. On the way down, the 2,500 acres of terrain best suits adventurous intermediates, and experts hoping to test themselves against the area's legendary steeps and backcountry.

An hour away, via the spectacular 8,431 Teton Pass, is Grand Targhee, Jackson Hole's mellower sibling. Targhee has 2,000 acres of rolling terrain. It also offers guided snowcat tours in the backcountry, for those seeking an entire day of untracked snow.

Snow King, Wyoming's oldest ski area, is right in downtown, just 6 blocks from the central square. Its 400 acres may be small, compared to Jackson and Targhee. But its lift tickets are cheaper- even featuring an unusual 2-hour ticket, used by locals getting a few runs in before work. Snow King also boasts "Upper Exhibition", considered by some to be the steepest run in the nation, at 55 degrees.

All three resorts offer fantastic summer recreation snow activities. Trams whisk visitors to the mountaintops to enjoy the view. There are many options for horseback rides, golf, biking, or trips into Grand Teton National Park. And for a truly unique mountain experience, take a trip down Snow King's 2,500-foot-long summer slide!