Jackson Hole is, by far, my favorite winter trip I’ve been on so far. Everywhere you look feels like you’re in a winter wonderland here. You’re also extremely likely to see the city blanketed in feet of snow. There’s nothing more magical than walking around this town at night while it’s flurrying – it’s a dream! And, there’s tons of winter activities in Jackson Hole that you won’t want to miss.
While it is a big destination during the summer months, winter in Jackson Hole has so much to offer – skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, dog sledding… the list goes on and on. And, the town is home to some adorable shops, as well as incredible spots for dining and nightlife packed with live music.
I’ve narrowed down my list to 10 of the best activities to do when you in Jackson Hole during the winter months!
And, if you’re looking for an in-depth itinerary for a trip to Jackson Hole, check out my other post Jackson Hole Winter Travel Guide for more details on where to eat, stay and explore.
The 10 Best Winter Activities In Jackson Hole
1. Explore The Quaint Town of Jackson Hole
While the Downtown of Jackson Hole is small, it’s still absolutely wonderful. It’s one of the most idyllic towns in the country, with the backdrop of the Tetons in the distance, and especially during winter with a sprinkling of snow everywhere you look.
I definitely recommend spending some time to exploring the city center, and checking out all of the incredible shops the town has to offer. All the shops are walking distance from each other, and if it’s raining & snowing, the walkways between shops are covered, so you’ll be under a roof most of the time!
And, while you’re there, you can’t forget to get a picture under the iconic antler arch in the center of the city!
Pop in whatever piques your interest – there’s always fun in that – but these are a few of my favorite places we ventured into:
- Kemosabe: Check out this classic mountain hot spot, known for their wide selection of hats & boots – you can even custom-make your own hat, but be prepared to shell out about $1,000.
- MADE: Really cute shop filled with knick-knacks & souvenirs – perfect to pick up for your friends & family at home.
- Lee’s Tees: Great selection of t-shirts, sweaters, & hats. This was my favorite merch shop we went in, and walked away with a few hats & t-shirts to bring back home! Chat up with the owner, Lee, if he’s around – he’s the sweetest & has incredible reccos!
- Overland: Browse through their selection of sheepskin & fur coats – another pricey option, but a great classic if you’re willing to spend the money.
2. Hit the Slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Chances are, if you’re planning a trip to Jackson in the winter, you like to ski – and the mountains here are seriously no joke. Known as one of the best ski resorts in the country (and also one of the toughest), it’s no shocker that this mountain is popular.
Spend a day hitting the slopes, and taking in the INCREDIBLE views from all angles of the mountains. Just know that the mountain isn’t recommended for beginners – it is one of the top 5 steepest in the US, and there are very few greens. Even though I was humbled on this mountain, I still found it to be one of the most amazing days skiing.
And, there’s plenty of places to eat & drink in Teton Village, where the resort is located. For lunch, head to the Handle Bar for a quick fuel up outside on their heated patio – check out their cocktails & the best pretzel & cheese.
And, after you finish on the mountain, end the day with some après at the famous Mangy Moose for live music & drinks. They have live music daily, and even some big-name artists for concerts. Be sure to check their schedule for upcoming shows. Keep an eye out for the shotski that will make appearances throughout the night.
3. Take a Ride on the Aerial Tram to The top Of Jackson Hole Summit
But if skiing & snowboarding isn’t your thing, you can also get a chance to see the amazing views all from the comfort of an aerial tram! You’ll be able to go up 10,000 feet on the short 9-minute ride up the mountain. And, on the top, can watch skiers on their decent down one of the most famous (and steepest) runs in North America, Corbet’s Couloir.
While you’re gawking at the crazy people going down that adventure, stop at Corbet’s Cabin for some waffles while you take in the views.
Sightseeing on the tram is $50pp. Make sure to look in advance on Jackson Hole’s website before planning, as there are only a few dates in the winter where they allow non-skiers access to the tram. For 2024, access is available from 10am – 2pm on November 29th, 30th & December 1st.
4. Hop on a Sleigh Ride at the National Elk Refuge
During the winter in Jackson Hole, thousands of elk come down from the mountains, leaving behind the cold temps, and make the National Elk Refuge their home for the next few months. It’s actually the largest migration of elk in North America.
You can grab a ticket for the horse-drawn sleigh for $38, where you’ll get up-close and personal with the elk! The tour leaves from the National Elk Refuge Visitor Center, just a short walk from town center, and leaves every day from 9AM – 3PM every 20-30 minutes.
The guides are all super friendly & knowledgeable – you’ll definitely learn a lot, and get to see the wildlife of Jackson in the most beautiful setting. You’ll likely even get to see other wildlife on the 1.5 hour tour. We got to see several bald eagles, a family of swans, & coyotes off in the distance. I’ve heard of people even seeing wolves or bison!
Make sure to bundle up on the ride, though! It’s quite cold, but they allow you to bring your own blankets, just no food or drinks to disturb the wildlife.
Looking for more info? Check out my full Guide to Sleigh Rides at the National Elk Refuge post.
5. Drive Through the Tetons
From Nov-May, there are a few winter road closures further into the park, so there are a few popular spots you won’t be able to access, but I would not pass the opportunity to see the Tetons in the winter!
If you head North of the airport on Highway 191, you’ll have some of the most spectacular views of the Tetons blanketed in snow. There’s tons of overlooks & turnouts on the drive, so take some time to explore some of them!
Make sure to stop at Mormon Row, where the famous John Moulton barn is! It’s one of the most photographed locations in the state, and the most intact of the barns in Mormon Row. It’s quite a sight in the winter, with the snow-covered Tetons in the background. Just know that you’ll have to park halfway down the road, and walk the rest of the way to the barn, since part of the road is closed in the winter.
6. Have a Night Out at the Famous Million Dollar Cowboy
It wouldn’t be a trip to Jackson without spending a night drinking & dancing at the Million Dollar Cowboy. The bar is famous in Jackson Hole – you’ve probably seen it on social media before! This spot is the place to be – live music starts at 8:30 every night, and on the weekends, they even have line dancing. Head to the back area to get a good spot for the festivities – the front area is more relaxed.
Spend the night dancing away to country music, and make some friends – everyone there was so much fun. The vibes here will not let you down!
7. Explore Teton Village & Ice Skate at the Village Rink on the Commons
There’s something so magical in the winter about being in a ski village, even if you don’t ski! And Teton Village has so much to offer outside of the mountain resort – from incredible dining, luxury spas, and one of the prettiest ice skating rinks. And, of course, great people watching, with plenty of skiers & snowboarders to watch soar down the mountain.
I’d recommend heading up to Teton Village in the evening for a skate under the lights. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Downtown Jackson. You don’t need to make a reservation in advance, so bake in an extra 30-minutes to an hour in case it gets busy. The rink is open from 3:00-9:00PM every day in the winter, so it’s a perfect activity before grabbing dinner.
After ice skating, head to Corsa for dinner. Nestled in the boutique hotel Caldera (a high-end, condo-like property), is Corsa, an Italian restaurant with stunning vibes, yet a low-key feel. It’s the perfect, cozy spot to cozy up, and eat some pizza & pasta. And, when you walk in, they have a little cubby system to throw your jackets & gloves in.
8. Snowmobile from Jackson to Yellowstone National Park
One of the absolute most magical things you can do during winter in Jackson Hole is take a snowmobile trip to Yellowstone National Park. With the road being closed from Jackson to Yellowstone from Nov-May, the only way to get to Yellowstone from Jackson is by snowmobile. And, WOW, I cannot say enough good things about how incredible this trip was.
The only way to make the trip is with a tour guide. Take the full-day tour to Old Faithful with Scenic Safaris, which includes pickup & drop-off from your hotel, a full snow-suit & boots to keep you warm, and a light lunch. Pricing goes for $525 per driver, or $855 for a driver + passenger.
You’ll get to drive snowmobiles throughout the entire park, see Old Faithful erupt, spot tons of geysers & hot springs, and even get to see some wildlife. If you luck out, you’ll spot a Bison in the distance.
The best part is, since most roads to Yellowstone are closed, the park is desolate – only other people on tours are in the park, so for a majority of the time, you’re with just your small tour group of 8 or so people.
But, if the price point is too high, or if you don’t want to spend a full day, there are plenty of other snowmobiling trips you can look into, as well! We were considering doing the half-day trip to Granite Hot Springs, which has raving reviews.
For more details on the coolest day we spent in Jackson Hole, check out my in-depth Spend a Day Snowmobiling in Yellowstone post.
9. Head to Snow King Mountain for a Ride on the Cowboy Coaster or Go Snow Tubing
For a very unique to Jackson Hole experience, head over to Snow King Mountain for some snow activities that don’t revolve around skiing. Hop on their mountain roller-coaster ride, called the Cowboy Coaster, where you’ll zoom at 25mph while getting an incredible view of the Tetons. It’s about a 10-minute experience, where you can control the coaster yourself – so don’t let the fear of going too fast count you out. And, for $40 ($45 on weekends & holidays), you can ride the track as many times in your 1 hour.
If coasters aren’t your thing, the resort also offers snow tubing, with three groomed lanes and a magic carpet to bring you up to the top of the hill! It’s the perfect way to get the thrill of being out on the mountain, without having to ski your way down. An hour of tubing will run between $35 and $45, pending the day.
If you plan to check out both, they also have a combo pass for an hour on both activity that ranges from $65 and $80 for some savings!
10. Escape the Cold With A Visit TO A Natural Hot Springs
If you end up in Jackson Hole on a day where temps are in the negatives (which they very likely can be in the winter), take a trip South of the city and head to Astoria Hot Springs to warm up with their natural thermal waters.
The property is only 20-minutes south of Jackson, down on Highway 89, and offers 6 different soaking pools. Each pool is controlled at a different temperature, so you can find one that is just to your liking – though, in this weather, I’d go straight for the warmest!
They’re open every day of the week, outside of Wednesdays. There are 4x hour & a half time sessions to choose from starting a 9AM, with the last sessions starting at 3PM. Since they have a max capacity of 70 people per session, it’s definitely worth is to book a slot in advance.
Pricing is $22 per adult, or $16 for locals (children are even more discounted). Truly not a bad price to pay to escape the cold!
But if you’re looking to save, there are also natural hot springs across the street that you can access for free. You’ll lose the amenities provided by Astoria Hot Springs, as well as clearly noted temp levels for each spring, but if you’re feeling adventurous, explore those instead and save the money for a different activity!
Leave a Reply