20 Amazing Things to Do in Jackson Hole in Winter
Jackson Hole in winter offers FAR more than hitting the slopes (though we recommend that, too!). We put together this mega list of the best Jackson Hole winter activities—many of them free!—to help you plan the ultimate cold-weather getaway to Wyoming’s top adventure town.
There’s no question that the famously steep, challenging terrain and stunningly beautiful scenery draw snow sport enthusiasts from all over the world to Jackson Hole in the winter.
However, there’s a LOT more to explore in this northwest Wyoming town just south of spectacular Grand Teton National Park.
From photographing resident wildlife like moose and bison to checking out cold-weather festivals and exploring a rarely-seen quiet side of the mountains on snowshoes (or a snowmobile!), you’ll be surprised by the number of non-skiing things to do in the winter in Jackson Hole.
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Jump ahead to:
- What to Expect in Jackson Hole in Winter
- How Far in Advance Should You Plan a Winter Trip to Jackson Hole?
- Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole in Winter (Besides Skiing!)
- 1. Ride a Gondola (and Eat Waffles!)
- 2. Take a Sleigh Ride Through the National Elk Refuge
- 3. Ride the Cowboy Coaster at Snow King
- 4. Go Ice Skating in Teton Village
- 5. Go Snowmobiling
- 6. Snow Tubing at Snow King Resort
- 7. WinterFest at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
- 8. Jackson Hole Food & Wine Winter Fest
- 9. Soak in a Hot Spring
- 10. Go Snowshoeing
- 11. Explore on Two Wheels
- 12. Dog Sledding
- 13. Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
- 14. Cozy Up in a Cafe
- 15. Go on a Winter Wildlife Safari
- 16. National Museum of Wildlife Art
- 17. Participate in a New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
- 18. Splurge on Flightseeing
- 19. Take a Guided Tour of Yellowstone National Park
- 20. Rendezvous Music Festival
- Getting to Jackson Hole
What to Expect in Jackson Hole in Winter
If you’ve never experienced winter in Jackson Hole, there are several things you’ll want to be aware of. Some might seem obvious, others…not so much.
- It gets COLD. As one would (hopefully!) expect, Wyoming winters are extremely frigid—and often windy. Temperatures can range anywhere from freezing (32°F) to below zero. Bring a QUALITY winter coat, gloves, and hat, and wear base layers.
- We highly recommend a long down coat that covers your rear end and also has a hood, like the Eddie Bauer Lodge Down Duffel Coat or REI Norseland Down Parka
- Weather often varies significantly in town vs. in the mountains. Due to the ski resorts’ higher elevation, it could easily be 10 degrees (or more!) colder, with far more wind and snow. While Jackson Hole averages six feet of annual snow, the resorts see about 40 feet!
- Beware of altitude sickness. It’s not a huge concern in Jackson itself, but it is once you get into higher elevations in the mountains. Stay hydrated, try to acclimate at a lower elevation for a day or so, and descend immediately if you just don’t feel right.
- Expect crowds. While about 10,000 people live in Jackson year-round, more than 200,000 come through in the winter.
- Bring your wallet. Visiting Jackson Hole any time means you’re going to spend some money. Lodging in particular is spendy in the winter, averaging a 100-200% increase over summer rates.
- Beware of icy roads. We go into this in more detail below (*jump link), but anyone planning to drive in Jackson Hole in winter should carry a set of snow chains. And if at all possible, rent an all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
- Don’t overlook sun protection. It sounds counterintuitive, but you can absolutely get a sunburn even if temperatures are below freezing. Snow is a great reflector, bouncing UV rays up. Plus, the drier, thinner atmosphere and sunny days make those UV rays stronger.
How Far in Advance Should You Plan a Winter Trip to Jackson Hole?
As early as you can. Seriously.
At least six months, and up to 12 if you’re planning to visit over Christmas or New Year’s. We absolutely realize not everyone is accustomed to planning that far in advance, but the big issue is availability. The closer to your date, the more limited—and expensive—it becomes.
Jackson Hole is small, perhaps smaller than many first-time visitors realize. While the town’s infrastructure is slowly expanding (amid much controversy), its popularity is growing exponentially.
Since this is primarily a ski destination, most Jackson ‘regulars’ plan their trips months in advance. That means lodging, especially on the mountain, is the first to book out. Rental cars and flights are equally scarce, though, and there are typically only 15-30 daily flights.
With that said, you can absolutely plan a last-minute getaway and have a fantastic time. Sure, options like accommodations may be a bit more limited, but hey…you’ll still be in the Tetons, doing all sorts of fun Jackson Hole winter activities!
Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole in Winter (Besides Skiing!)
You have your heart set on experiencing Jackson as a winter wonderland, but you’re not a big skier or snowboarder…what else can you do to occupy your time? Luckily, a TON (really!)!
1. Ride a Gondola (and Eat Waffles!)
Both Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King Mountain offer scenic winter gondola rides, so you can enjoy a relaxed yet thrilling experience even if you aren’t hitting the slopes.
You can’t go wrong with either, but we personally tend to choose JHMR for one specific reason: Corbet’s Cabin.
Perched atop Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450 feet, “Top of the World Waffles” serves up fresh-made waffles and adult beverages. If that doesn’t sound like one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in winter, you might be doing it wrong.
Over at Snow King, the aerial tram lets you look out over Jackson Hole and even Yellowstone, on clear days. Up at the top, head to Panorama House for a snack and warm drink.
2. Take a Sleigh Ride Through the National Elk Refuge
Jackson Hole in winter means a totally different type of thrilling ride, too. At the National Elk Refuge, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride from December through April to get up-close and personal with Wyoming’s signature wildlife.
Not only will you be smack in the middle of some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country, but you’ll also get an intimate guided tour that covers area history, resident wildlife, and the refuge itself.
The highlight, of course, is being mere feet away from literally thousands of elk—this is the largest migrating elk herd in North America—against the backdrop of the towering snow-capped Grand Tetons and wide open prairies.
All at once, it’s bucket list-worthy, great for families, and ultra romantic, making a perfect winter date idea.
Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children 5-12 (free for kiddos under 5). Don’t forget some cash to tip your guide, and bring a blanket!
Don’t love the idea of being out in the frigid cold open air? You can take a self-guided driving tour instead! Snuggle up in your vehicle and listen to the free audio tour as you drive Refuge Road.
In true Wyoming fashion, online reservations are not available. You can call (307) 733-0277 to make advance reservations, but generally, tickets are first-come, first-served, sold from a trailer in the visitor center parking lot.
3. Ride the Cowboy Coaster at Snow King
Yet another winter joyride of sorts: Snow King Mountain Resort’s Cowboy Coaster. Buckle in, grab the handles, and hold on for dear life as you fly down the equivalent of a 45-story building at up to 25 mph!
The resort accurately describes the coaster as “a ski hill thrill ride…without the skis.”
Children as young as three can experience the nearly one mile of twists, turns, loops, and drops, making this one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in winter for families. Drivers must be at least 16 and 54-84” tall.
4. Go Ice Skating in Teton Village
Want to get some exercise—or engage in some hilarious people-watching? Head over to Teton Village, where you’ll find Village Rink on the Commons nestled near the base of the JHMR tram.
Beginning in mid-December, the rink is open daily from 3-9:00 pm. Prices start at just $5 if you have your own skates.
After making a few laps, wander around the village’s shops and restaurants. We highly recommend the fried green tomatoes or bison burger (and live music!) at the Mangy Moose.
5. Go Snowmobiling
The Bridger-Teton National Forest alone has over 600 miles of groomed trails to explore. Needless to say, if adrenaline-pumping Jackson Hole winter activities are more your speed (literally!), hopping on a snowmobile should be high on your list.
Teton Tour Co. offers thrilling full-day adventure tours in Togwotee Pass/the Continental Divide, as well as more relaxed, slower-paced (i.e.; beginner-friendly) half- and full-day scenic and wildlife tours.
Togwotee Mountain Lodge has another option about an hour northeast of Jackson, just outside Moran. Sitting at about 8,650 feet in elevation in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, this is truly epic snowmobiling country.
The lodge offers rentals or guided snowmobile tours, plus fantastic lodging. Fun fact: we stayed in a cabin at Togwotee on our Jackson Hole honeymoon! It was September, though, so no snowmobiling…
Note that while snowmobiling is an excellent activity for the whole family, most companies have a minimum age of five for riders and 16 for operators.
6. Snow Tubing at Snow King Resort
Snow King Resort offers another option for flying over the snow: grabbing a snow tube and flying down one of the three groomed lanes. The best part? A magic carpet (tow-rope lift) takes you back up the hill, so you don’t have to break a sweat hauling your tube.
Children (at least 42” tall) and kids at heart alike can spend hours safely racing down the lanes, making this a perennial local favorite among things to do in Jackson Hole in winter.
You can buy a la carte hourly tickets, just like the scenic gondola and Cowboy Coaster, but if you’re planning to hang out on the mountain all day, Big King Winter tickets are the best value.
7. WinterFest at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
There aren’t many free…or even cheap…things to do in Jackson Hole, but WinterFest is a delightful exception.
Spread over the last two weeks in December at Teton Village, WinterFest includes a myriad of FREE family-friendly experiences and events.
Every day of the festival offers new events, but you can expect to sip festive themed cocktails, decorate sugar cookies, meet avalanche dogs, go on a scavenger hunt, watch fireworks, go ice skating, and enjoy the annual Torchlight Parade (it’s not Jackson Hole in winter without it!).
One of the highlights, of course, is the very Jackson-esque arrival of Santa on Christmas Eve. Instead of squeezing down a chimney, Santa rappels down from one of the resort’s aerial trams!
8. Jackson Hole Food & Wine Winter Fest
Not to be confused with the WinterFest in #7 above, this Winter Fest is another highly anticipated annual Jackson Hole in winter event.
Based at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Winter Fest is a 3-day celebration in March of all things food and beverage. One especially unique thing about Winter Fest is that events are also held at restaurants and other venues throughout Jackson.
You’ll find the classic wine tastings and pairing dinners you’d expect, but the festival also features seminars, chef demonstrations, and more. The Grand Tasting and Wine Dinner at 9,000 Feet are perennial highlights.
9. Soak in a Hot Spring
After exploring or hitting the slopes, one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in winter is rejuvenate your body in a natural bath tub, AKA a hot spring.
We’re huge fans of soaking in hot springs in general, but in Jackson Hole, they have the added benefit of being surrounded by some of the most gorgeous scenery you can imagine.
You have a few options…
- Granite Hot Springs Pool: Nestled in the Gros Ventre Mountains and not easy to get to, but well worth it if you can make it. The road closes November-April, so you have to snowmobile or dog sled in. You could technically ski, but it’s 20 miles…
- Alternatively, Teton Tour Co. and Togwotee Mountain Lodge offer incredible half-day snowmobile trips to the hot springs. They drop you off at the trailhead and you ride a snowmobile about 20 miles to the hot springs.
- Astoria Mineral Spring: Undeveloped, Instagram-worthy natural hot spring on the Snake River about 25 minutes south of Jackson Hole and just outside Hoback. It requires a 10-15 minute hike but is otherwise easily accessible.
- Astoria Hot Springs Park: Not to be confused with the Astoria Mineral Spring, this is a developed resort-like hot springs park. Choose from four mineral pools, a cold plunge, and children’s pool. Advance reservations for 2-hour sessions are highly recommended.
10. Go Snowshoeing
A super interesting way to explore during winter in Jackson Hole involves strapping on a pair of snowshoes, just like our ancestors did.
The Hole Hiking Experience and EcoTour Adventures both offer a variety of snowshoeing tours November through April. EcoTour Adventures goes into Grand Teton National Park, while The Hole Hiking Experience explores around Jackson Hole.
With both outfitters, not only will you experience snowshoeing, you’ll also have great opportunities to spot wild animals and learn about the area. Best of all, no prior experience is necessary. If you can walk, you can snowshoe!
Prefer the bucket list-worthy experience of snowshoeing in the heart of Grand Teton National Park? Every Saturday from January through March, rangers lead short 1-2 mile hikes in the Moose area of the park. Most treks start at the Bradley-Taggart Lake parking lot.
Not only are these guided hikes one of the best FREE things to do in Jackson Hole in winter, but the park also loans participants historic wooden snowshoes and trekking poles (for a $5 fee).
Reservations are required, available on the GTNP events calendar starting December 1.
11. Explore on Two Wheels
Mixing snow and bicycles can be a really, really bad idea—unless you have the right gear and know what you’re doing. Fortunately, Teton Mountain Bike Tours (TMBT) specializes in both of those things.
TMBT is the ONLY company in the area offering fat bike tours as part of its Jackson Hole winter activities. You can choose from renting fat tire bikes or taking guided half- or full day tours.
If you’ve never been on a fat tire bike, they’re super easy to ride (even on snow…or maybe especially on snow!), thanks to ultra-wide, grippy wheels.
For the DIY adventurers, not only can you rent bikes for 4-24 hours, you can even rent vehicle racks.
12. Dog Sledding
For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, nothing compares to the rush of riding a sled pulled by Alaskan sled dogs.
Heart 6 Ranch and Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours let you play musher for a day (or half-day), experiencing an ancient method of travel and something you’ll talk about for years to come.
The Iditarod excursions focus on the Granite Springs area, and if you choose one of the full-day dog sledding tours, you’ll get to soak in the hot springs. All trips include lunch, soup, and hot drinks.
If you go with Heart 6, you’ll explore a large private ranch and toast your adventure with hot cocoa.
13. Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Although it’s not specific to Jackson Hole in winter, this legendary honky-tonk is arguably one of the best in the country. It just so happens to be a great place to warm up—and people-watch—when it’s cold out.
Located right on the main square, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been serving up ice-cold beverages, tasty bar food, and hearty steaks since 1937, all alongside live country music.
Inside, you’ll find pool tables, thoroughly Wyoming decor, and the iconic horse saddle stools. Whiskey fans, don’t miss the Goldrush cocktail, a honey-lemon mix that’ll warm you up in more ways than one!
14. Cozy Up in a Cafe
Sometimes you just want to snuggle up indoors with a warm drink, especially on very cold days or when the weather turns. Jackson Hole has a great coffee scene for doing exactly that, with several excellent cafés scattered around town.
A few of our top spots are Cowboy Coffee Co., Persephone Bakery, and Snake River Roasting. They’re all downtown within walking distance of each other, but all have slightly different vibes.
Cowboy Coffee consistently has a line out the door, and is the Jackson-esque, you could say. Snake River Roasting is sleek and beautiful (bring home a bag of the White Spider espresso!), and at Persephone you’ll find almost-too-pretty-to-eat treats.
15. Go on a Winter Wildlife Safari
For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, this may be the biggest reason to brave winter in Jackson Hole. Feel the exhilaration of going on an authentic animal safari without traveling overseas!
The beautiful frozen landscapes of the Greater Yellowstone Area offer opportunities to explore areas you very literally cannot other times of year. Not only that, but you get to do it on a snowmobile or truly unique snowcoach, making it even more memorable.
- Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris: Half-, full-, and multi-day tours in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park
- Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures: Similar to JH Wildlife Safaris, choose half-, full-, or multi-day adventures, plus private tour options
- Backcountry Safaris: Half- and full-day tours, with specialty options like cross-country skiing on a private ranch and sunrise photography in Grand Teton National Park
Regardless of which outfitter or tour you choose, you can safely expect to see non-hibernating local wildlife including moose, bison, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, mule deer, elk, and foxes.
16. National Museum of Wildlife Art
We totally get that museums aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially in an epic outdoor destination. However, the National Museum of Wildlife Art may seriously surprise you.
Plus, it’s a good idea to have a few indoor Jackson Hole winter activities on deck, anyway, for foul weather!
Inside and out, you’ll find drawings, paintings, and (the highlight for most visitors) sculptures depicting everything from hyper-realistic owls to full-size grizzly bears, each piece is incredibly unique and overwhelmingly impressive.
As a bonus, the museum has great views overlooking the National Elk Refuge.
17. Participate in a New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
Torchlight parades to ring in the new year are a long-running tradition in many mountain towns, but Snow King Mountain has one of the longest-running in the US. Ever since the 1950s, it’s been one of the most highly anticipated things to do in Jackson Hole in winter.
Snow King’s New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade involves a large group of expert skiers flying down the mountain in a zig-zag pattern, lit torches in hand the entire way.
At the end, a fireworks show over the mountain signifies the official end of the current year.
Coming to Jackson Hole for Christmas? Catch Santa in Town Square on select nights in December leading up to Christmas Eve.
18. Splurge on Flightseeing
If you have the budget (and honestly, it’s not as much as you might expect!), the ultimate way to see the Tetons is from the air.
Teton Aviation offers brilliant scenic flights over the entire Teton Valley, including Yellowstone National Park, the Cathedral Group, surrounding mountain ranges, and the ‘quieter side of the Tetons’ on the Idaho side.
Hour-long flights are reasonably priced at $450 for up to three passengers.
19. Take a Guided Tour of Yellowstone National Park
Being so close to the world’s first national park and not venturing inside is borderline criminal, whether or not you’ve been before. We’d dare say that applies even more so this time of year, as there’s nothing like Yellowstone in the winter.
There’s a major catch, though: Yellowstone is almost completely shut down to vehicle access in the winter. The only way to visit is on a guided ‘oversnow’ tour, in a snowcoach or snowmobile. Still, it’s hands-down the best time to visit for wildlife and to avoid crowds.
In addition to the companies we mentioned earlier in #15 that offer winter adventures to Yellowstone out of Jackson Hole in winter, Scenic Safaris also has several great options.
Choose from all-day snowmobile tours to Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, or a snowcoach tour to Old Faithful.
Alternatively, you can book a 2- or 3-night trip to explore some of the most pristine, remote parts of the park otherwise inaccessible. The best thing about these multi-day trips is they’re totally custom, designed for your group’s specific interests.
20. Rendezvous Music Festival
While the Rendezvous Music Festival is technically in April, if you’ve ever been here during this time, you know it’s very much still winter in Jackson Hole.
What makes this festival especially unique is that it actually takes over two venues. Day one transforms downtown Jackson Hole into an outdoor venue, while Teton Village, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, hosts day two.
Past headliners have included indie rockstars The Head and The Heart and Mt. Joy, among others.
On Saturdays in March, JHMR hosts Road to Rendezvous (formerly called Music Under the Tram), a FREE concert series leading up to Rendezvous. Live shows take place right under the tram starting at 3:00 pm.
Getting to Jackson Hole
Most visitors fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 10 miles/15-20 minutes from the town square and 20 miles/35-40 minutes from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
The airport offers only a handful of direct flights, from Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. In the summer only, Sun Country Airlines flies direct from Minneapolis.
Fun fact: JAC is the only commercial airport located inside a National Park!
Because flights are limited, it’s also generally fairly pricey to fly into Jackson. If you’re up for a road trip, consider flying into one of these alternative destinations a bit further afield.
- Bozeman, MT (BZN): 210 miles/4.5 hours
- Salt Lake City, UT (SLC): 290 miles/just shy of 5 hours
- Billings, MT (BIL): 275 miles/5.5 hours
And if you’re up for a (much) bigger trip—to hit multiple national parks, maybe—consider flying into Missoula, MT (400 miles/6 hours); Boise, ID (380 miles/6 hours); Denver (500 miles/8 hours); or Rapid City, South Dakota (530 miles/8 hours).
Good to know: The town of Jackson doesn’t salt its roads (it attracts wildlife to the road when food sources are scarce). Give other vehicles plenty of space and check conditions frequently before and during your trip. Roads sometimes close without much warning due to inclement weather.
How to Get Around Jackson Hole
While having your own vehicle isn’t 100% necessary in Jackson, we highly recommend it, particularly if you plan to visit Grand Teton National Park (which you should!).
Jackson has great public transportation in the START bus, serving Teton Village, downtown, and in between. Rides are just $1-3 each way, and getting from town to Teton Village or vice-versa is $3. Buses run frequently morning to night, even in the winter in Jackson Hole.
Uber and Lyft are also very common both in town and to/from the airport. Due to limited availability, you may have a bit of a wait during peak times, but you generally shouldn’t have a difficult time getting a ride.
Even if you stay right in town and plan to mostly walk around or use rideshare, consider renting a vehicle for a day so you can explore beyond Jackson proper.
