Jackson Hole has a way of feeling cinematic the moment you arrive. Maybe it’s the jagged silhouette of the Tetons rising sharply against the sky, or the quiet hum of wildlife and wide-open land that makes the world feel bigger and slower all at once. Whatever it is, this corner of Wyoming effortlessly blends rugged adventure with refined comfort — especially in winter, when snow softens the landscape and the town leans into its Western soul.
STAY
After landing at Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport located inside a national park, make your way to Wyoming Inn, one of two sister properties that share amenities and an unmistakable Western character. The 69-room property strikes a balance between cozy and elevated, offering spaces that invite you to linger, whether that’s sinking into a leather chair by the fire or unwinding at the indoor hot tub with a cozy fireplace. The rooms feel restful and grounded, the kind of place where mornings start slowly and evenings end early in the best way.
Just across the street, The Lodge at Jackson Hole offers a slightly different experience that’s ideal for families or groups. With more rooms, an indoor-outdoor heated pool, sauna, outside hot tub, massage room, and the Fireside Lounge, a cozy spot for cocktails and daily happy hour, the two hotels together create a shared home base that’s flexible, welcoming, and undeniably Wyoming.
EAT
One of the highlights of staying at Wyoming Inn is having The Whistling Grizzly, a local favorite, right on-site. The restaurant blends refined technique with Western ingredients, offering dishes that feel adventurous yet approachable. Breakfast favorites like huckleberry pancakes and buttermilk stacks fuel early mornings, while dinner leans into regional flavors with elk, bison, and fresh trout prepared thoughtfully and beautifully. The elk tenderloin is an absolute must!
Beyond the hotel, Jackson Hole’s dining scene delivers in every direction. A mountaintop dinner at Aurora pairs alpine cuisine with sweeping views and starlit skies, while a cozy Italian meal at Orsetto offers rich pastas and comforting winter dishes that feel just right after a long day outdoors.
Lunches and casual bites downtown reveal another side of Jackson — relaxed, local, and full of character — whether grabbing a nostalgic soda fountain meal at Jackson Drug or warming up between adventures.
PLAY
Jackson Hole is built for exploration, and winter only adds to the magic. An evening gondola ride up Snow King mountain leads to the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium, where you can gaze at distant galaxies and constellations from 8,000 feet above the valley floor, a reminder that adventure here extends far beyond daylight hours.
Another afternoon can be spent soaking at The Astoria Hot Springs, where natural mineral pools steam in the cold mountain air, offering a peaceful contrast to the region’s high-energy pursuits. If you’re feeling daring, take a dip in the 53-degree cold plunge pool.
For me, the most unforgettable experience was dog sledding with Dog Sled Adventures. Gliding silently across snow-covered terrain, led by an eager team of huskies, felt both exhilarating and grounding, the kind of memory that stays with you long after the snow melts.
And when the sun goes down, Jackson Hole knows how to have a little fun. A stop at the iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is practically a rite of passage. With saddle bar stools, live country music, and a dance floor filled with locals and visitors alike, it’s the kind of place where you can try your hand at Western-style line dancing and fully lean into the town’s cowboy spirit. It’s lively, unapologetically Western, and exactly what you’d hope for in a place like Jackson Hole.
Between skiing, wildlife tours, snowshoeing, stargazing, hot spring soaking, and a little boot-scootin’ on the dance floor, it becomes clear why Jackson Hole continues to draw travelers back year after year.