Your Travel Guide to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Winter
Snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
Cowboys, hot springs, and the beautiful Grand Teton National Park. My trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming was one of my all time favorites. It was so much fun to do something different and enjoy a cozy, winter wonderland vacation. If you’re wondering what to do on your Jackson Hole vacation, you’ve come to the right blog. I’ll go over where to ski and snowboard, best places to eat, where to take photos, and where to stay on your adventure around Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Erin Molstad is a participant in the Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Amazon, Trivago, and Vrbo Affiliate Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to booking.com, tripadvisor.com, amazon.com, trivago.com, vrbo.com, and affiliated sites at no cost to you. I only recommend services I believe in and appreciate your support!
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole in the Winter
I hope you like snow! Jackson Hole in the winter has a lot of it. The average temperatures are pretty chilly, around 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to bundle up! Some magical times to visit are Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day. We enjoyed our visit around Valentine’s Day, and it was such a great way to celebrate! Jackson is lit up all throughout winter.
Snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park
What to Pack
You’ll definitely want to pack a good winter coat, hat, mittens, and boots for your trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the winter. I wore Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots, which came in handy for the deep snow, especially if you plan to snowshoe. For a more understated boot, these Sorel Boots are perfect for all types of terrain, and they are also easy to walk in, comfortable, and so cute! In addition to those items, I also packed warm socks, leggings, jeans, sweaters, snowboarding gear, and my swimsuit! Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring your swimsuit. You’ll want this if you’re checking out the hot springs or just hanging out in the hot tub after a long day of skiing.
How to Get to Jackson
We road tripped to Jackson, Wyoming from Minnesota. This took us 2 days, but it was a fun little trip and we made some stops along the way. The quickest way to get to Jackson, is to fly into Jackson Hole Airport, which is actually located right in Grand Teton National Park. No matter how you get there, you’ll need a car to drive around and see the sights. I recommend exploring rental cars here.
Where to Stay Around Jackson Hole
Below are my recommendations on where to stay during your Jackson Hole visit.
Getting cozy at the Anvil Hotel
Anvil Hotel
We loved our stay at the Anvil Hotel right in the heart of Jackson Hole. This hotel was quaint, cozy, and perfect for the two of us. The staff was very friendly, and there is a roaring fire, hot chocolate, and other goodies in the lobby. The location was great and we were able to walk around Jackson’s Town Square with ease. The Anvil Hotel is also pet-friendly!
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
If skiing and snowboarding is your priority, staying around Jackson Hole Resort is a great choice to stay close to the action. They have so many options to choose from like slopeside lodging at Hotel Terra and vacation rentals.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Snowboarding at Jackson Hole Resort
What to do Around Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There is no shortage of exciting adventures and beautiful views all around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here are some of my recommendations for your visit.
Hit The Slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has been one of my favorite resorts to snowboard at. The runs were so much fun and the views were unbeatable. The gondala rides were half the fun, because I could relax and warm up in between runs. Ross had a blast hiking up to Casper Bowl and finding fresh snow. If you’re lucky, you might get to watch some ski and snowboard competitions, like Kings & Queens of Corbet's and YETI Natural Selection. Grab your lift tickets here.
After a long day of skiing and snowboarding, you can take the aerial tram at Jackson Hole Resort up to Corbet's Cabin. They serve gourmet waffles that make my mouth water just thinking of them. Nutella, brown sugar butter, and bacon. YUM!
Snowshoe in Grand Teton National Park
Up for an adventure in Grand Teton National Park? I recommend renting snowshoe equipment and hiking the Taggart Lake Trail. You can rent snowshoes and poles from Skinny Skis or Teton Mountaineering right in downtown Jackson. To enter into Grand Teton National Park, you’ll need to buy a pass. Grab your pass here. Once you have your equipment and pass, you’re set! The Taggart Lake Trail is 4 miles out-and-back. It takes around 1.5-2 hours to complete. The trail winds through large pine trees and then opens at Taggart Lake with stunning views of the snowy Tetons. This was definitely one of my favorite photography spots on this trip. The Taggart Lake Trail is very serene, especially in the winter. We didn’t see many people on the trail and had it mostly to ourselves. As always, be aware of the weather before venturing out into the mountains and wear warm gear. Make sure the lake is completely frozen before snowshoeing across, especially if you’re going early or late in the season. Finally, leave no trace and stay safe out there!
Astoria Hot Springs
Astoria Hot Springs
Warm up at Astoria Hot Springs! This natural mineral hot springs just South of Jackson is such a cool find. It’s located in Hoback, Wyoming, just 25 minutes South of Jackson. It was a little tricky to find, but it’s located right along the Snake River. We had to hike down a bit in the snow, so be prepared, but then were rewarded with little pools of natural hot springs to ourselves right along the river. I recommend bringing a backpack to pack a towel and a change of clothes. As soon as we were out of the water we were freezing! lol. It was definitely worth it though, because this was such a cool experience and so peaceful.
The National Elk Refuge
Take a Sleigh Ride Through The National Elk Refuge
One of the highlights from our trip was taking a horse drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge. This was so much fun! During the winter, the elk migrate down the valley where they are provided food in the elk refuge. It’s less than 5 minutes away from Jackson’s Town Square. Taking a tour was a last minute decision while we were visiting, and I’m so glad we did it. We bundled up and took a thrilling ride through the refuge with thousands of elk everywhere! Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us right up close to the elk. We even saw some wolves during our ride. This was such a cool experience and I captured so many great photos.
If you’d rather skip the horse drawn sleigh ride, you can also stop by the National Elk Refuge and view the elk from afar. It’s a sight to see no matter how you do it and one of my favorite photography spots around Jackson.
Shop Around Jackson Town Square
Jackson’s Town Square is so pretty in the winter! It’s lit up with lights and there’s snow everywhere. Don’t miss taking a photo under the Elk Antler Arch and hitting up the shops and restaurants around the square.
Jackson Hole’s Elk Antler Arch
Where to Eat & Drink
After a long day of winter play, check out these restaurants to relax and grab a hot meal.
Corbet’s Cabin
Like I mentioned above, Corbet’s Cabin is one of the coolest places to eat some gourmet waffles! Take the aerial tram at Jackson Hole Resort up 10,000 feet and enjoy the views along the way. You’ll need a lift ticket to access the tram. Get yours here.
Glorietta Trattoria
Our favorite meal while visiting Jackson Hole was from Glorietta Trattoria. This Italian restaurant is right next door to the Anvil Hotel and serves delicious pasta and craft cocktails. I definitely recommend it!
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
While visiting Jackson Hole, you have to stop in the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar located in Jackson’s town square. This is such an iconic spot and often provides live music. Don’t be surprised if there’s a wait, this place is popular.
Snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park
Overall Thoughts on Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Winter
Overall, if you love some adventure and aren’t afraid of the snow, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is such an incredible place to visit in the winter. The views of the Tetons are so amazing and where else can you take a sleigh ride through thousands of elk in an elk refuge? Jackson Hole, Wyoming is truly a winter wonderland!
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark III 35mm lens and iPhone
