The Grand Tetons, Everything you need to know about Jackson Hole Ski resort

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Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you

Resort Lifestyle and Action Photos shot by Keegan Rice

Quiet possibly one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States, the Teton’s which are part of the Rocky Mountains, lie about 40 Miles long on the north west side of Wyoming. Surrounded by these breath taking peaks is Jackson Hole Resort, a playground for winter enthusiasts that ski or snowboard. Riding the resort and being in this part of Wyoming gives off a wild west feeling, God’s Country if you will. A feeling that can’t be found at many other ski resorts.

About twenty minutes from the resort is the town of Jackson, a quaint western style town filled with shops, restaurants, lodging and old time bars. There’s a handful of lodging options close to downtown Jackson and the town itself is easy to get around. If you don’t have a car, no problem, public transportation can take you to and from the resort as well as different parts of town.

One trip to Jackson and the resort, town, and mountains will leave a lasting impression. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Jackson Hole, where to stay/eat, what to expect, and where to ride. Alright, lets gooo

History of Jackson Hole

The name for Jackson Hole came from the geological formation of the Tetons millions of years ago. As the mountain range rose, the valley sank, hence the name Jackson “Hole”. While the mountain range is one of the youngest in the country the rocks themselves are some of the oldest. Some of the first groups of people to enter Jackson Hole were the Native Americans before the 1800’s to hunt for game in the valley as well as the surrounding area. To this day buffalo, elk, and other wildlife roam this part of the United States. It is said that John Colter who was one of the guides for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, went through park of Jackson, which is now Yellowstone National park, making him the first Anglo-American to do so.

The first part of the 19th century brought many fur trappers to the area, due to an abundant Beaver Population. Most of the trapping occurred outside of the Jackson Hole area, yet there were routes that still went through Jackson. Like most of the western United states in the Late 1800’s, Jackson became a sought out destination for Mining. Unlike California and Colorado, the Jackson Hole area didn’t have any major success with Mining.

After World War II the popularity for Skiing increased and by 1946, Snow King, a resort in the town of Jackson installed their first chairlift. Barry Corbet and Paul McCollister first made their way to Rendezvous Mountain in 1960 to check out the area. It was at this meeting they discovered the famous Corbet’s Couloir, a steep run down a rocky chute with a mandatory cliff drop at the top. By 1965 Jackson Hole Ski resort was open and by 1966 the Tram started taking people to the very top of Rendezvous. Today Jackson remains a destination for many outdoor and travel enthusiasts in the winter and summer due to the Ski Resort as well as Yellowstone National Park.

How to get to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is going to be on the North West side of Wyoming, pretty close to the Idaho border. The resort is about 20 minutes from the actual town of Jackson. I personally like staying in the town because of the history and ease of walking around. Also, the drive to the mountains is pretty easy and the views are incredible as you head to the base of Teton Village. Jackson has an airport or you can make the drive if you aren’t too far away. If you decide to fly, there are plenty of options for transportation to Jackson or Jackson Hole resort. Jackson’s airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park, so you should be able to book a flight with most major Airline Companies. Also, if you don’t rent a car, public transportation to the resort is an option. If you keep reading, I’ll go over that in more detail. Below I’ve listed times and distances to the town of Jackson as well as the resort.

If you decide to drive Please Be Cautious of Wildlife and Icy Roads. Make sure to have an emergency kit and proper winter tires. AWD is recommended as well. Times are an estimation and weather will typically add time to your trip.

Jackson Airport

To Town- 9 Miles/15 Minutes

To the Resort- 21 Miles/33 Minutes

Salt Lake

To Town- 277 Miles/4.5 Hours

To the Resort- 304 Miles/4.75 Hours

Boise

To Town- 369 Miles/6 Hours

To the Resort-346 Miles/6 Hours

Bozeman

To Town- 217 Miles/4.5 Hours

To the Resort- 218 Miles/4.5 Hours

Denver

To Town- 512 Miles/8.5 Hours

To the Resort- 521 Miles/8.75 Hours

Where to Stay

As mentioned above you can stay in the town of Jackson or at the base of the resort or even halfway between both. I like to stay in the town when going to Jackson and my favorite hotel is the Lexington. It’s close to the town square, the rooms are nice, and it isn’t too expensive. I’ve also stayed at the Miller Park Lodge, a motel close to downtown. The one thing I love about lodging in Jackson is it is much cheaper then other resort towns, yet still walkable to everything. I’ve listed a few properties to check out below when booking your trip.

If being closer to the resort is more your thing also check out Continuum in Teton Village at the base of the ski resort and the Aspens, a group of condos in between Jackson and the ski resort.

The Lexington

Miller Park Lodge

Gravity Haus (Teton Village)

The Aspens

Is Jackson Hole Ski resort Ikon or Epic and are Lift Tickets expensive

Jackson Hole is on the Ikon Base Plus and Full Ikon pass. With the Base Plus you get five days with black out dates (Holidays) and with the full Ikon you get 7 days with no black out dates. You will also get two days at Jackson with the Mountain Collective pass, no black out dates.

If you’re looking for a full season pass at Jackson Hole, they offer four different passes; The Midweek Bypass, the Grand Bypass, The Grand Pass, and the Rendezvous Peak Pass. The Rendezvous pass allows unlimited riding at Jackson Hole, but also includes an Ikon Base pass and other perks. There are only so many passes sold each season, so my best advice is to purchase one when they first go on sale in the spring/summer. Prices will also be the cheapest when passes are first available to purchase. These passes will also contain Black Out dates, so make sure to check the fine print when purchasing. Something to keep in mind is that prices will vary within each pass option. You have Adult, Senior, Teen, Youth, and College options.

As there is only one central base area at the ski resort, there will only be one lift ticket office. The ticket office will be on your left as you enter the resort, open 8am-5pm seven days a week. Like most resorts Lift ticket prices are expensive and can get up to $200/day depending on the time of year. Booking ahead as well as multiple days can save you money. Ikon also offers buddy passes that can save you up to 25% off the ticket window price. Since supplies is limited, it’s best to purchase tickets ahead of time and also make a reservation if you plan on using an Ikon Buddy pass.

One thing that is really rad that Jackson Hole does, is if you own a season pass anywhere in the world (Not just Jackson Hole) you get half off lift tickets during specific date periods early and late season. It’s called the Golden Ticket. This also applies to Ikon pass holders after their days expire.

How long is the season and when is the best time to ride Jackson Hole

The resort typically opens around Thanksgiving and typically stays open a few days after the first week of April. The reason resorts don’t stay open later is because they usually have a lease with the National Forest Land that doesn’t allow them to operate later, regardless if there is a lot of snow on the mountain still. Like most ski resorts, the busiest times of the season are Holidays followed by weekends, making weekdays and none holiday periods the best time to ski or snowboard. Since Jackson isn’t close to any major city the resort isn’t as busy as other ski resorts and every time I’ve gone, lift lines are almost none-existent.

That being said, the Ikon pass has brought a lot more visitors to this mountain which has it’s positives yet also negatives. Snowfall can differ from season to season with December and January being the snowiest months on average at the resort. However, past seasons, February produced record numbers in snowfall. If you like skiing or snowboarding in warmer temps with less snowfall, historically March can be a great time to visit. April can still bring snow storms and is a great time to visit because lodging is cheaper and the town and resort are less crowded.

Is Jackson Hole working towards Sustainability

In 2019 The lifts, buildings, and base operations all became powered by Wind Energy, pretty cool stuff in my opinion. They also work with brands such as Mammut, Burton, Yeti, and Smartwool to name a few, that work towards reducing their environmental impact and improving sustainability.

Natural Selection a snowboards event in Jackson also works towards green energy, partnering with companies such as TAE, who are experimenting with Fusion energy, an alternative carbon free energy solution.

Where can you Rent and Buy Ski or Snowboard gear

There’s a lot of outdoor gear shops in the town of Jackson with great footwear, outdoor clothing, gloves, hats, and winter Jackets. However, I didn’t see hardly any ski or snowboard shops. With that being said there is a Surefoot in town if you’re in need of ski boots and the resort in town has a retail/rental shop, Snow King Mountain Sports. Hoback Sports will be the best Local shop in the town of Jackson specializing in retail, rentals, and tunes for skiing and snowboarding. A good pro tip if you plan on renting is to book online ahead of time with shops, to not only secure your equipment, but to also save up to 20% on rentals.

My favorite shop that seems to have to just about everything you would need for skiing, snowboarding, and the outdoor winter environment is Jackson Hole Sports at the base of the mountain in the Bridger Center. They have a tune shop for overnight services, a snowboard department upstairs (Hole in the Wall snowboard shop), and ski department downstairs mixed in with outdoor clothing, footwear, and accessories. It’s a really cool shop with a knowledgeable, friendly staff. They also have an entire rental department for skiing and boarding as well as top of the line ski boot fitting services. One service offered by Jackson Hole Sports that you won’t find at many ski resorts is outerwear rentals for people in need of a jacket or pant, but are not looking to purchase.

What is the mountain like and where are your favorite places to ride

Jackson is one of the coolest mountains I have ever ridden due to the layout, scenery, and terrain. Although the resort continues to improve and add more intermediate terrain, there isn’t too much beginner terrain and the mountain is steeper then other resorts. When you arrive you will see that there is one central base area with retail/rental shops, a Lift Ticket office, coffee shop, food, and even a general store. To your left is the tram and if you keep walking you can see two gondolas; Bridger and Sweetwater. Bridger takes you further up the mountain, but Sweetwater is a great lift to take up and get the blood flowing. Once you’re at the top the views are quiet the site. The resort terrain varies from pine trees, groomers, cliffs, rock faces, and wide open bowls. It’s cool to see the vast amount of terrain as you ride down the mountain.

Beginner to Intermediate Trails

Beginner areas will be off of Eagles Rest Chairlift, Sweetwater Gondola, and Teenwinot Quad Chair. The first stop off the Sweetwater gondola has a nice learning area for those looking to get into snowboarding or skiing. Off the Teenwinot chair will be the most green runs and once you start to get comfortable, graduate to the Apres’ Vous chairlift. Skiers Right (a left as you get off the lift) will have some fun intermediate blue runs. It’s also a fun area to venture to if the visibility up top is poor and the lines are longer on other parts of the mountain.

Other intermediate terrain can be found off of the Casper Lift, Teton, and Bridgewater Gondola.

Jackson Hole Tram

To your left when you enter the resort is the Tram, a giant gondola that can fit up to 100 people and takes 12 minutes to get you to the top. If the line looks long, don’t worry!, it moves quick. This tram will take you 4,139 vertical feet/1261 meters to the top with awesome views of the different mountain ranges and resort. At the top you get a brief speech about not going into the Back Country uneducated and unprepared with the words “If you don’t know, don’t go!” (there are gates on the resort to access back country terrain). Back Country terrain are areas of the mountain that aren’t monitored by ski patrol or the resort. You’re essentially on your own.

At the top of the Tram you will see, Top of the World Waffles, a must stop for hot fresh waffles. I like the traditional with brown sugar butter, but they also have ones with whip cream, peanut butter, and chocolate. After you get a few pictures at the top, you can ride through Rendezvous bowl and then from there you can take a few different routes down. Please note, there is no beginner terrain off the tram, don’t let this deter you from taking the tram up for scenic views and waffles as it can take you back down. Once you’ve ridden down the face of Rendezvous Bowl, you can take Laramie Traverse to Laramie Bowl or Rendezvous Trail down to other trails and chairlifts. Rendezvous trail is a cool traverse that opens up to awesome views of Laramie Bowl from below and the surrounding trails. Hop on the Marmot double chair to ride back to the central area of the resort, the top of Bridgwater Gondola.

Favorite places to ride on the Mountain

I’ve ridden Jackson a handful of times and I always discover somewhere new to ride each time. Snow will be a large determining factor on where you decide to ride. If the resort lacks snow or has been skied out, just be cautious when riding steeper more technical terrain as there could be exposure of rocks, icy conditions, and bumps. However if the snows great, it’s fun to explore as much of the mountain as possible. Also make sure to review the trail map if you decide to ski or snowboard more up top terrain as there are cliffs and drops that aren’t always marked. It is not a fun experience to get cliffed out if you aren’t comfortable with 10 foot plus drops.

I love to take the Tram up and ride Rendezvous Bowl down to Laramie bowl and then down through South Colter Ridge. I also love to hike the Headwall on a visible day as the hike isn’t too strenuous and the views are incredible as well as the riding in that area. The hike is about a 20-30 Minute hike depending on your speed. Just make sure to follow the boot pack, and if someone is faster then you, step to the side and let them pass. It’s more relaxing when your not being pressured from behind, so take your time and enjoy the hike. To get to the hike you can either take the Tram up or take the Sublette chair. You’ll then take Ten Sleep to the top of Cirque and from there start hiking the boot pack. The hike closes at 2pm.

Once at the top you can drop in right off the Headwall or head to the Casper Bowl as well as Crags. Crags is skiers left of Casper Bowl. I like to drop in left once at the top of the Headwall as it is wide open powder fields compared to Casper Bowl and Crags, which will be steep chutes and cliffs. These areas, as you can imagine, are more advanced parts of the mountain, so make sure to know your limits.

Some of my favorite runs to just cruise around on are Lupine Way to Amphitheater then to Dick’s Ditch or Gros Ventre off of the Bridgewater Gondola. I also like taking runs off the Apres’ Vous Chair such as St Johns and Werner. There are some fun blues to cruise around on off of the Casper lift as well.

Is there Tree Skiing at Jackson

Most runs at Jackson are pretty open and the majority of the trees are spread out. Saratoga Bowl off of the Apre’s Vous Chairlift, Moran Face off of the Teton Quad, and Split Rock/Bird in the Hand/Two in the Bush of the Sublette chair will be more spread out. Woolsey Woods off of the Bridger Gondola will be narrower tree riding, however still fun.

Side Country/Back Country off the resort

There are a few gates on the resort for Back Country Access. Make sure to have the proper education, equipment, and riding partner before you venture into the back country. Cody Bowl and Rock Springs Bowl both are right off the resort and you exit through gates to access them. Cody Bowl is still considered inbounds as they do avalanche mitigation there, but depending on weather and snow conditions it’s recommended to still have the proper knowledge and avi gear when riding this face. I personally don’t have any back country experience, so I have yet to ride these areas.

Does Jackson have a Terrain Park

Jackson has couple terrain parks and what makes this mountain unique is they also have a handful of Stash parks. Burton Snowboards are the brains behind Stash Parks and they built the first one in 2006. It was a way to bring natural features you find on the mountain into a terrain park setting.

Traditional Terrain Parks

These can be found near the base of the Teenwinot chairlift. Although these parks don’t have the number of features you would find at a Woodward park there is still a lot of fun stuff. What I like about these parks is they are at the bottom of the mountain, so you can still lap everything the mountain has to offer and then roll through either one of these parks towards the base.

Antelope Flats- Smaller boxes, rails, jumps, and a couple smaller hips. This is a fun park to just lap

Bronco- This park will have larger Jumps, rails, and features for the intermediate to advanced park rider. Nothing too “insane” in this park making it also a fun place to cruise through.

Stash Parks

The snowfall for the season and the time of year will dictate which features in these park are available to ride. There are 4 different set ups spread through out the mountain on the right side of the resort as you look at the moutnain.

Little Stash- a good park for beginners or families looking to hit small features. This park is located towards the bottom of the run next to Lower Werner and the Teewinot lift.

Campground- More advanced features located close to the Casper lift. This park has the famous Stash Quarter pipe. There will be a couple of intermediate features as you first enter this park which keeps it fun. I personally don’t always like hitting the biggest features in a park when I’m out of town on a snowboard trip (Have to make it back in one piece lol).

Stashley Ridge- This park will be the most advanced out of all the Stash parks. The features in this park are pretty big and I would only recommend hitting them if you have the experience. Located off the Ashley Ridge run, between the Sweetwater Gondi and Teton chair lift.

Mountain Stats

Hours of Operation- 8:30 am-4pm

Base Elevation- 6,311 feet/1924 meters

Summit Elevation- 10,450 feet/3185 meters

Skiable Acres- 2,500 inbounds

Number of Trails-133

Beginner terrain- 10%

Intermediate- 40%

Advanced-50%

Average annual snowfall- 526 inches/year or 1333 cm

Does Jackson offer ski or snowboard Lessons

Yep, they offer lessons for kids, adults, individuals with a disability as well as private options for all different ability levels. These are done out of the Mountain Sports School right off of the Sweetwater mid station. Private lessons include a half day or full day option. Make sure to book your lessons ahead of time as spots fill up quickly.

There’s also lessons offered for people looking to get into the back country. These are full day guided back country tours that provide the education and skills needed for out of bounds terrain. These require bringing your own equipment unless you booked a Mountain Sports School Back Country Booking. These guided tours will take you to Teton Pass as well as have you practice using your equipment at the top of the tram.

What’s unique about Jackson is they also offer multi day camps for more advanced/steep terrain, the back country, and even camps for adaptive skiers and snowboarders.

Where can I park at the resort for free and how does public transportation work

There’s a handful of ways not to pay for parking if you don’t want to. There’s tricks to the trade for avoiding the $30/day. If you don’t mind paying for parking, paid lots will be at the base of the resort consisting of the Village Lot, Crystal Springs Lot, and the Cody Lot. The Ranch Lot is paid if you don’t have at least three people in your car. What you can do if you don’t have three people is on your way to the resort, on the left is a free lot, Stilson Lot, pick up 1-2 employees to make your car three people and then head to the Ranch Lot. Get your carpool ticket ahead of time, when entering the Ranch Lot, so that when you exit you won’t have to deal with parking fees. The Ranch Lot is very close to the base and offers a shuttle if you don’t feel like walking. As you enter the resort, the Ranch Lot will be on your right and make sure to follow the signage! Which I didn’t do my first time, driving around the base in circles lol.

The Stilson Lot is another alternative to avoiding paid parking. Seven miles to the resort this lot has 850 spaces with free shuttles to take you to the resort. There’s also a transit center with bathrooms on-site.

Public transportation from the Town of Jackson is going to be $3 exact change one way. This is a great option if you don’t have a car or don’t feel like driving. There’s bus stops all over the town and I would make sure to keep track of the route you are on (labeled by color), so when you are returning to the town you get on the right bus. I’ve made the mistake of getting on the wrong bus and then wasted time having to walk back to my hotel. Buses run from about 7am to 6pm at night. Head to the Town of Jackson website for a map and bus route times.

Are there any restaurants on the Mountain

Yep, there’s restaurants at the top of Bridger Gondola and also near the Casper Lift. The Casper Restaurant has outdoor seating and a deck with amazing views on sunnier days. This will be your typical ski trip comfort resort food. Just looking for a quick snack? Near the Tram at the base of the resort, you’ll find a General Store.

If you make it to the top of the tram, make sure to stop into Top of the World Waffles as mentioned earlier, homemade hot waffles with toppings such as whip cream, peanut butter, chocolate, syrup, and butter.

Where are some of the best Apres’ spots

The Mangy Moose will be at the base of the resort in Teton Village as well as The Handle Bar in The Four Seasons. Both are great places for happy hour to grab a drink or some food after a day on the mountain. Mangy Moose has that local ski town vibe while the Handle Bar is more upscale, but with a great menu. The Million Dollar Cowboy bar is a cool country style bar with live music, pool tables, and bar stools that are horse saddles.

I got a recommendation to check out Teton Thai near the Ranch Lot for Apres. It has cool artwork inside mixed with great music and amazing food as well. Loved the hang out after you ride atmosphere at this spot and also that it was close to the mountain, but not right at the base of the resort.

Teton Thai

The Mangy Moose

The Handle Bar

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Recommendations on where to eat

There are some great restaurants if you don’t feel like cooking and want to go out to breakfast or dinner a couple times through out your trip. I’ve listed a handful of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and breakfast spots below.

Breakfast

Jackson has a handful of good breakfast and coffee shops to fuel you up at before you get on the mountain. Pearl Street Bagel is a great spot if you need something quick and on the go. The Bunnery Bakery is a classic sit down diner style breakfast spot and Persephone Bakery will have healthier more creative options with ingredients from Local Farmers and Ranchers.

The Bunnery Bakery

Pearl Street Bagel

Persephone (Also great Coffee)

Coffee Shops

Overview coffee will be at the Base of the resort (just past Teton Village Sports) and is perfect if your like me and can never get to the mountain on time, but are in need of a nice cup of coffee to get the day going (closed Tuesdays).

Cowboy Coffee

Overview Coffee

Dinner

I was able to find some good restaurants to check out after talking with a couple locals. King Sushi had great sashimi, rolls, and sake. Make sure to try the deep fried cheesecake for desert! Snake River Grille has been in town for 30 years and has great seafood, pasta, steaks, and drink options with creative flavors. Make sure to book a reservation in advance for both places unless you plan on eating at the bar. For a quick stop, check out Jackson’s Drug Store. Classic diner food and great milkshakes. Jackson’s Drug store is one of my favorites because it has this old fashion restaurant feel on the inside and the menu is pretty simple.

King Sushi

Snake River Grille

Noodle Kitchen

Jackson’s Drug Store

Calico

Pinky G’s Pizza

Breweries

Snake River

Roadhouse Taproom

Is there a Grocery Store in Jackson

There’s a handful of different grocery stores in Downtown Jackson. Albertsons and Smith’s will be your standard Grocery’s. For organic options you’ll find a Whole Foods as well as small markets such as Pearl Street Market, close to the town square. If you’re staying in Teton Village and forgot something there’s also a market halfway to Jackson called Aspen’s Market. Keep in mind, smaller markets will be more expensive then traditional grocery stores in resort towns.

Any downsides to riding Jackson Hole

Not too many downsides to this beautiful resort, however a few things to consider when booking a ski or snowboard trip are.. there isn’t a whole lot of beginner terrain. The intermediate to advanced terrain is also steeper then most resorts. The resort can also be more challenging to get to as there is only one nearby airport and flights tend to be more expensive. The positive side to this is the airport is very close to the ski resort.

Like any resort, the mountain can get windy, with poor visibility as well as not ideal snow conditions. It’s the risk you take when booking a ski or snowboard trip.

Last minute tips for a ski or snowboard trip to Jackson Hole

Be prepared for the winter weather. Make sure to pack the right winter clothing and gear. I list important items below in my packing list. Make sure to look over the trail map and road map if you decide to drive. Also, make reservations ahead of time for equipment rentals, restaurants, and ski lessons. If you don’t have a season pass, purchase lift tickets before hand.

Make sure to check out Teton Gravity Research if you are into Outdoor Films! Starting in Jackson, TGR has been making outdoor films for the past 25 years and they also have a cool little retail section with t-shirts, hoodies, and hats.

What to Pack

1. Waterproof Breathable Jacket

   A shell that gives you the ability to layer based on the weather conditions and temperatures, will be the most ideal. Shells with a small amount of insulation in the body are also nice if you run cold. I like the AK series by Burton because they are Gore-Tex, windproof, durable, waterproof, and come with a Life Time Warranty. The fit is not too slim, but also not too baggy with just enough room for movement when riding. A couple favorites include the Men’s Cyclic and Swash and the Women’s Kimmy and Embark Jackets.

2. Water Bottle

Higher elevations = even more dehydration, so make sure to stay hydrated with the Hydra Pak, a packable water bottle that can fit easily into your pocket. I like the 500 ML bottle because it isn’t too big and I typically only fill it up once through out the day on the hill.

3. Sunscreen

Sun exposure in mountains is more intense so make sure to use sunscreen. Make sure to apply some on your face at least 15 minutes before you get on the slopes. Also, make sure use Lip Balm with SPF protection.

4. Neck warmer

Use one of these to keep your neck warm and also protect your skin from the sun. For Colder Days the Cora and Truckstop neck warmers work great along with a heavy weight neck warmer that wicks moisture and sweat. For warmer days try the mid weight neck warmer. These neck warmers will contain stretch, use moisture wicking/breathable materials, and can fit easily under a beanie.

5. Base Layers

One of the most important things you can do when riding is to layer properly. You want to have base layers that wick moisture, retain heat, and are breathable. For most days I like mid weight base layers and for colder days, heavy weight. For even colder days I would suggest a bottom Mid layer and top Mid layer. Mid layers will either be real down or synthetic down. Real down is lighter and more packable, while synthetic stays warm even when wet and also doesn’t clump up when wet. Stay away from cotton when doing anything active in the winter outdoors.

6. Socks

A good pair of socks when riding will make all the difference. You’ll want a sock that is breathable, wicks moisture, and keeps your feet dry/warm all day on the hill. Stay away from cotton and look for a wool or synthetic blend sock when shopping. Lightweight socks work perfect for new ski or snowboard boots as the toe box hasn’t been packed out yet (over time the toe area of boots will become larger as you ride in them). Mid weight socks are a good go to for your everyday riding sock.

7. Mitts or Gloves

The age old question I used to get when working in ski and snowboard shops was which is better? Mitten’s will always be warmer, however gloves are easier to use your hands, without having to take your mitten or glove off. Some gloves will come with extra liners for really cold days and also contain Gore-Tex, a waterproof membrane that will keep your hands dryer. Leather gloves will be more durable yet require some upkeep to keep the leather from drying out. Some of my favorites are the Oven MItt, Lifty Glove, and the Gore-Tex Mitt

8. Helmet

Protect your Brain! Something I don’t always do when I ride, but the reality is, it’s other people that you need to watch out for. Having a helmet is like wearing a seatbelt. Most helmets are pretty comfortable these days with many different styles. When shopping for a helmet look for features such as adjustable vents, MIPS, audio compatible ear pads, and a Dial on the back for a more customizable fit.

MIPS stands for Multi Directional Impact Protection System, meaning it slows down the rotational force in an impact. Your brain moves inside your skull when you take an impact which is what causes most concussions. This liner inside the helmet will help reduce this. Look for the yellow sticker on the back of the helmet that says MIPS when shopping.

For sizing, measure around the largest part of your skull in cm and then check the size chart for the helmet you are looking to buy. You’ll want the helmet to be snug, but not tight. Anon and Smith are both great helmet companies that have a variety of models to choose from. Some of Anon’s helmets will have Wavecel in them, which replaces traditional foam. Instead of cracking like foam, Wavecel will crumple and dissipate the energy in an impact.

9. Goggles

One of the most important pieces of equipment for a good day on the mountain. Having the right lens is also very important. Most goggles will either come with two lenses, one for sun and one for clouds or and everyday lens (works in most conditions). Some Goggle models will have frame sizes ranging from S all the way up to L/XL. Also note, not all goggle will have a size, so keep that in mind when purchasing online where you can’t try them on. Small sized adult goggles also work great for kids who need something larger then a kids goggle.

If you wear glasses, look for OTG (over the glass) specific models or ones that say they are compatible with glasses in the description. Anon has probably the easiest lens changing system with Magnetech. Peal the lens off the frame to change it and keep a spare one in your jacket when riding. The WM3 and M4 are both great models coming with two lenses and a 1 year warranty. The M4 is nice because it comes with a durable facemask and hardshell case for the spare lens.

Dragon is nice because they use Luma lens technology for optical clarity and depth perception along with Fidlock, a lever on the bottom of the frame that makes it easy to swap your lens out when the light changes. I like the RVX OTG goggle because of the bigger frame, spare lens, and frameless design.

That’s it for a snowboard or ski trip to Jackson, as always if you like this post and would like to keep up on more outdoor blog posts subscribe to our email list below. You can also find us on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Pinterest @theoutdoorgems. Please leave a comment below for questions or if you have information to add, I love to connect with people on here. I’ve been to Jackson a handful of times, but there’s is always more to learn and do when traveling! Thank you sooo much for taking the time out of your day to read this post and I look forward to inspiring more people to get outside. Looking for other ski trip ideas check out Best Ski Trips in Colorado, A complete Guide to Breckenridge Ski Resort.