Photo by ETA Social Media Manager Kelsey Wellington.
Are you planning a winter trip to Jackson Hole, WY but are unsure what to fill your days with? While skiing reigns supreme, the valley offers so much more! There is something for everyone here. We asked our guides what some of their favorite winter activities are, and this is what they had to say:
Dog Sledding Tours
Experience the thrill of mushing along snow-covered roads and trails with a dog sledding adventure. Professional mushers and their teams of energetic dogs will take you on an unforgettable journey that’s fun for the whole family. Jackson Hole has numerous dog sled touring companies to choose from, with tours as short as an hour or as long as a full day!
Only have a limited amount of time?
Call of the WYld Dogsled Tours offers one-hour dog sledding adventures. Located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, it's the perfect activity to kill some time, whether you’re resting from skiing or waiting on a meal reservation.
Got half a day to kill?
Continental Divide Dogsled Adventures offers half-day tours through the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Tours depart in both the morning and afternoon from Togwotee Mountain Lodge, 45 miles northeast of Jackson. Transportation to and from Jackson Hole is available, and lunch is complimentary when booking transportation with them. They also offer overnight dog sledding trips to a remote yurt, although these have been temporarily suspended. If this is of interest to you, be sure to call them to inquire!
Want to soak in a remote hot spring?
We can’t think of a better way to reach a hot spring than by dogsled! Maintained by the U.S. Forest Service and located 30 miles south of Jackson, Granite Hot Springs can only be accessed in winter by skis, snowshoes, snowmobile, or dogsled. Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours, which has world-class racing dogs, offers full-day tours to this magical spot. Lunch and both hot and cold beverages are provided. As an added bonus: one of our summer guides, Julie, works as a musher for Iditarod Sled Dog Tours in the winter! We may be a little biased, but she is a phenomenal guide and has tons of passion for mushing. She had this to say about this activity: “Taking a sled dog tour with Jackson Hole Iditarod is the ultimate adventure–forging bonds with incredible dogs and entrusting them to lead us through a wild landscape is something truly unforgettable.” These tours are very popular and sell out quickly, so be sure to book well in advance.
Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing Through Grand Teton National Park
Some of the best Nordic skiing in the country can be found below the towering peaks of the Teton Range. From the Bradley-Taggart Trailhead, 14 miles of groomed trail await for classic or skate skiing. There are also endless places to explore off-trail, such as the meandering Cottonwood Creek or the Lucas Fabian Homestead. Ambitious skiers can even access Jenny Lake, a 9-mile round trip off-trail trek.
For those not wishing to ski, snowshoeing is an easy activity for any ability level to encounter the winter wonderland of Jackson Hole. One of our favorite areas to explore is the Granite Canyon Trailhead just outside Teton Village. You can also snowshoe from the Bradley-Taggart Trailhead, we just ask that you not step in the Nordic skiers’ tracks!
Our friends at JHNordic have a great database of routes to try out on your own. We also offer guided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing tours. Our experienced Nordic Naturalists come with a wealth of information about winter ecology and off-the-beaten-path places to explore, and are PSIA certified Nordic Instructors offering tips and tricks to improve your skiing techniques. Check out our Half Day Snowshoe Tour, Full Day Snowshoe and Wildlife Adventure, or Half Day Cross-Country Ski Tour. We are happy to accommodate any ability level and will provide all of the necessary snowshoeing equipment.
Tubing at Snow King Mountain
King Tubes, located at the base of Snow King Mountain–just a few blocks from the Jackson Town Square–is guaranteed fun for the whole family! King Tubes has snow tubes, three smooth groomed lanes, and a Magic Carpet to take you up the hill. Tickets (buy online to save money!) are good for one hour of tubing; they are open until 7pm. Be sure to dress warm, and don’t be surprised when you find yourself still grinning hours later! Kelsey, a former guide with ETA and the current Social Media Manager, used to live just down the road from Snow King, and she fondly remembers the many evenings she and her roommates would laugh and howl their way down lap after lap of tubing. “You’re never too old to act like a kid,” she said, “and tubing really brings out the little kid in me.”
Snow King also offers skiing/snowboarding, ice skating, and a mountain coaster!
Winter Wildlife Safaris
Jackson Hole is one of the best wildlife-viewing spots in the Lower 48. Now, we may be a bit biased, but we think the best way to see wildlife is on a guided tour. Our experienced Naturalists know the wildlife-viewing hotspots and provide you with binoculars and spotting scopes to get an up-close look. Plus, they’re experts on all things about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem–we challenge you to ask them a question that stumps them! You’ll have the chance to see elk, moose, bighorn sheep, bison, and even wolves. Snacks, hot and cold beverages, and lunch (full day tours only) are provided! Check out our Half Day Wildlife Adventure, Full Day Wildlife Adventure, or Full Day Wildlife, Museum, and Sleigh Tour.
Sleigh Rides in the National Elk Refuge
For a picturesque winter activity, opt for a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered meadows of the National Elk Refuge, located just outside downtown Jackson. Enjoy the crisp mountain air, the sound of jingling sleigh bells, and the stunning views of the surrounding mountains, all while getting up close to the largest migrating elk herd in North America! During this hour-long ride, guides will share the history of the refuge and its importance today, as well as information about the Jackson Elk Herd. “Getting up close and personal views on the Elk Refuge sleigh rides is an experience you can't get anywhere else,” said ETA General Manager Tenley Thompson. “We have some of the largest elk in the world here and you can often see them just a few dozen feet from the sleigh! Some of the sleigh drivers’ great grandparents were born in the homesteads right on the refuge–it doesn’t get more local than that!” Remember to wear plenty of layers and bring your own blanket!
National Museum of Wildlife Art
The largest collection of wildlife art in the world is found right here in Jackson, WY. The National Museum of Wildlife Art, designed to blend into the surrounding hillside of the East Gros Ventre Butte, overlooks the National Elk Refuge. Our General Manager is also a local potter, and she has nothing but praise for the museum (we agree!). “The museum is home to some of the most important wildlife art in the world,” Thompson said, “including the largest collection of Carl Rungus art in the U.S. as well as works from Robert Khun, Fredric Remington, Thomas Moran, Georgia O'Keefe, Andy Warhol, John James Audubon and many more. Plus, the views of the valley from the museum's sculpture garden are spectacular! There is always a great temporary exhibit going on as well; no matter how many times I visit, it never gets old and I see new things.” Winter wildlife is often abundant surrounding the museum, so be sure to spend some time scanning your surroundings for critters! The museum is a welcome respite from winter’s chill and even offers a delicious lunch at their restaurant, Palate. Museum visits can be combined with a refuge sleigh ride and morning wildlife safari from Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures for a complete winter wildlife experience.
Skiing and Snowboarding at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort
Renowned for its challenging terrain and breathtaking vistas, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a haven for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. With over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and some of the most exhilarating slopes in North America, this resort caters to all skill levels. Whether you're an expert seeking adrenaline-pumping descents or a beginner looking for lessons, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has it all. ETA Naturalist Laura Krusheski has been skiing the resort for well over a decade, and she had this to say about it: “The skiing at JHMR is unparalleled in North America. It is the perfect combination of deep, delicious powder snow, unbeatable terrain, and picture perfect views. I can never get enough!” Some of our summer guides work as ski and snowboard instructors in the winter, and we can’t say enough about their amazing teaching style!
Nestled on the western side of the Teton Range is Grand Targhee Resort, which boasts legendary powder and a more laid-back atmosphere compared to its bustling counterpart. The 2,600-acre resort is known for its consistent and abundant snowfall, creating pristine powder conditions that leave avid skiers and snowboarders in awe. Panoramic views of the Tetons add to the allure as you carve through the powder-covered slopes. Grand Targhee also caters to families, with dedicated learning areas for beginners and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Ice Skating on the Jackson Town Square
Embrace the charm of downtown Jackson Hole by lacing up your skates and gliding across the outdoor ice rink in the town square. Surrounded by twinkling lights and the iconic antler arches, this activity combines winter fun with the festive spirit of the town. Rental skates are available.
We hope this list helps you plan your winter adventure to Jackson Hole, and we look forward to seeing you!
Kelsey Wellington, ETA Social Media Manager, holds a BS degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of New Hampshire, and an MFA degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Lindenwood University.
