Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the place to go if your desire is to leave behind your hectic lifestyle and experience a heaping helping of Mother Nature. Set amid the majestic Teton Range and surrounding mountains, Jackson Hole is one of the largest havens of wildlife remaining in the country. More than 60 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, and half a dozen game fish call the valley home, which includes Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, the largest in the lower 48 states. The wilderness areas offer extraordinary opportunities for enjoying an active vacation. A day in Jackson Hole can include hiking, fishing, skiing, whitewater rafting, golfing, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, and just about anything imaginable with an outdoor theme.One of the best ways for experiencing the Jackson Hole area is by lacing up a pair of hiking boots and heading out to find some as yet unknown treasure. Some of the best trails wind their way through Grand Teton National Park. Rising over 7000 feet, the Teton range has trails ranging from simple afternoon hikes to mammoth trails that can take days to complete. Whatever length of trail you choose, the views are incredibleduring summer; wildflowers paint meadows in vivid colors, and noisy streams cascade down rocky canyons to larger lakes at the foot of the range.
The skiing community rates the snow in Jackson Hole as one of the top locations in the US. The Jackson Hole Ski Resort is known throughout the world for its deep powder skiing, small crowds, and various ski terrain from expert to beginner to cross-country. The resort also offers snowmobiling, and for the true skiing adventurer, heli-skiing. Snow King Ski Resort has over 400 acres of skiable terrain, and is known for its night skiing. Readers of Ski Magazine have ranked Grand Targhee among the top 5 North American ski resorts for snow. Targhee has 2,000 acres of terrain, and is known for its long, smooth runs.
Jackson Hole is also a great "jumping off" point into Yellowstone National Park. With 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is the largest National Park in the lower 48 states. The park is home to one of the largest natural populations of wildlife in the US. Bison, elk, deer, buffalo, grizzly bears, moose, pelicans, and bald eagles are only a few of the species that call the park home. One of the most famous sights in the park is Old Faithful, a geyser that erupts approximately every 65 minutes. The park is a glorious playground for outdoors enthusiasts. Snowmobiling tours are popular in the winter. In summer, Yellowstone Lake draws anglers by the thousands in search of brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Countless hiking trails meander through the park, offering simple hour-long hikes, to rugged 15 milers that should be attempted only by expert hikers.
Imagine, if you will, a beautiful summer evening. The temperature is in the low 60s, the stars are twinkling above, and the Tetons offer a background of scenic splendor. Classical music wafts through the air like the whisper of leaves falling from trees. This is no mere dream. From June through September, this is a weekly occurrence at the Grand Teton Music Festival. Classical musicians from all over the world come to Jackson Hole, performing under the stars at various venues in town. The festival is just a small part of the many cultural events that take place in Jackson throughout the year.
