Super-Fun Snow Day Activities in Jackson Hole Sans the Skis

To outdoor lovers, the mention of Jackson Hole conjures images of fresh powder and premier skiing, yet locals know that skiing the slopes is just one activity taking place on a snow day.  Below, find a range of exercises and pastimes to take part in when the snow graces the grounds at Jackson Hole.

 

Snowmobiling

Wyoming features incredible wildlife and focal points.  Taking a snowmobile tour is a great way to see the sights while enjoying the ride.  Most tours include transport, clothing, and lunch.  Call ahead to ensure you can get a reservation.  If you’re a seasoned expert, enlist in the Hill Climb hosted on Snow King Mountain.  The four-day event unmasks the man or woman who has what it takes to master their machine on the hills.

Alternatively, book a snowcoach tour (which can be combined with a snowmobile tour).  Tours cost somewhere between $200 and $350 per person.  Lastly, if you feel comfortable guiding a snowmobile through the landscape alone or with friends, rent snowmobiles for a self-guided tour.  Rental cost between $100 and $200 per person.

Sleigh Rides

Take a half-hour or one-hour tour of the country slide in an old-fashioned sleigh.  Dress appropriately and take along a warm beverage as you prepare to be pulled along at a leisurely pace by a horse.  Depending on time of day and your mood, combine the ride with subsequent dinner and entertainment.  You can find an outfitter close to Jackson Hole lodging or venture farther from the main park area.  The National Elk Refuge charges $18 per person, and if you want to combine dinner, the price ranges from $100 to $150 per person.

Snowshoeing

Take a snowshoe tour through the Bradley Taggart Lakes area.  Paths spread far and wide from the trailhead, so it’s easy to find a road previously untaken.  For safety and time management purposes, grab a map from the trailhead and embrace the wilderness.  Alternatively, Jenny Lake is a groomed road and well traveled, yet the trail to the lake is not a short walk; plan to spend the full day trekking and pack food and necessary provisions.

You may want to complement the exercise with a bit of learning.  Take a tour with a ranger who can tell you about the area and a bit about how to survive in the wilderness.  The Grand Teton National Park offers tours and shoe rentals; shoes are $5 but the tour is free of charge.

Ice Skating

Sure, in the winter you can likely go ice skating in a number of indoor or outdoor locales, but very few will offer the kind of atmosphere that Jackson Hole can provide.  While in the area, head to Town Square to enjoy live music, cocoa, and rent skates.  Also, Snow King Arena, at the base of Snow King Mountain can deliver an incredible skating experience.  Additionally, Owen Birch Park, Rodeo Grounds, and Kolter Ice Arena (in Idaho) are venues for ice skating.

Sure, there is unbelievable skiing to be found at Jackson Hole, but that’s only one activity among many to enjoy alone or with the entire family!

Patricia May works in a senior role as a travel consultant. She likes to share her insights with an online audience and has already written for a variety of different websites.