Mountain Review: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

An in-depth video review of Jackson Hole, a remote ski area located in western Wyoming. Filmed in February 2020 and March 2023.
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0:00 Intro
0:50 Terrain Layout
1:27 Beginner Terrain
1:45 Intermediate Terrain
2:20 Terrain Parks
2:46 Advanced and Expert Terrain
4:17 High-Alpine Tram-Only Terrain
4:31 Corbet's Couloir
4:58 S&S Couloir
5:41 Snow Quality
6:27 Low-Visibility Conditions
6:51 Lifts
7:09 Aerial Tram
7:52 Ease of Navigation
8:20 On-Mountain Facilities
9:06 Getting There
9:51 Lodging
10:11 Parking
10:43 Aprés-ski
11:09 Verdict
11:25 Pricing and Pass Options
12:02 Score Breakdown and Rank
Overall Mountain Score: 80/100 - #1 in Northern Rockies
---
Snow: 9/10
Resiliency: 9/10
Size: 7/10
Terrain Diversity: 8/10
Challenge: 10/10
Lifts: 7/10
Crowd Flow: 7/10
Facilities: 7/10
Navigation: 7/10
Mountain Aesthetic: 9/10
See our full resort breakdown and written review for Jackson Hole here: www.peakrankings.com/content/...
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[@wonyakomenuras1247]

*visibly aroused with anticipation of winter*

[@PeakRankings]

Before you all comment: yes, we know we didn't get a run down Corbet's for this video 😪 unfortunately, the run was closed every time we tried. We promise we'll do our best to get a POV next time 🙏 Edit: Also yeah we pronounced Couloir wrong 💀

[@alexconrad2904]

POV of S&S Couloir when? You could probably just throw a GoPro down it and get a similar result.

[@sirmydas9613]

@@alexconrad2904 lol yea

[@PeakRankings]

@@alexconrad2904 haha that would probably be the last video we'd ever make

[@waltysalamander]

@@PeakRankings Nah, we all know Dr. Weintraub, PhD, Supreme Ranker in Chief is holding back. He would send S&S in any condition.

[@benpaltiel5938]

One important thing you missed: A large amount of the terrain at Jackson faces South or Southeast, with only a few pockets facing East or Northeast. Those few "cold" pockets that stay out of direct sun - Bivouac, Alta Chutes, Thunder - have by far the best snow quality on the hill.

[@denigma68rltw]

🤫

[@nebulas7404]

Really appreciate the advice, I often do thunder, but I will try Alta chutes at Jackson next week

[@scottgates9274]

I had barley skiied before but went to Jackson hole because I had family there that I could stay with while at the mountain. As a beginner/intermadaite, 1 day on the slopes probably increased my skill twofold. If you are a quick learner who is willing to fall, this mountain is a great choice, as it forces you to prefect your technique. I love the double blues that Jackson has cause they are a good challenge and there are many unique routes through the mountain. I love the resort, and it is totally worth the money. Added bonus I went in march of last year and they were getting dumped when I arrived, so I skied while it was snowing actively n the mountain and the conditions were fantastic.

[@namasteamisra]

I've been waiting for your review on this for a while! Thanks for responding to my survey feedback!

[@will3057]

Another great video, amazing insite and great videos and reviews. Even if I have no Intentions on going to the mountain these videos are always entertaining.

[@craigrchee]

Was fortunate enough to go to Jackson Hole last season and this season. I've been boarding in Lake Tahoe for over 20 years (Heavenly, Palisades, Kirkwood & Sierra) and can do blacks/double blacks. This review is spot on - Jackson Hole is definitely the most technical resort I've ever been at (more than Whistler, Park City etc). The steepness is what defines the mountain, and there are multiple blues that have the same steepness as Tahoe blacks. If you like riding demanding, technical terrain, you will be in paradise here. Plan to return as often as I possibly can.

[@neiljones8010]

Another excellent and informative review, thank you!

[@CoreyGary]

I was a local in UT and skied most of the major resorts on the Ikon. Jackson Hole has the toughest all around skiing in the country. Snowbird, Alta, and Palisades Tahoe are comparable, but JH is unforgiving from side to side and top down.

[@kodyadams5561]

BIG SKY IS HAS 8 TRIPLE BLACK DIAMOND RUNS JACKSON ONLY HAS DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND RUNS. BIG SKY IS STEEPER THAN JACKSON HOLE AND MORE EXPENSIVE AS WELL.

[@nebulas7404]

@@kodyadams5561Jackson hole has harder stuff, it’s just not marked as double blacks

[@Quandtimus]

Just was here Sunday to play 36 holes of golf, the resort in the summer looks amazing as well!

[@waltysalamander]

This made me so excited for winter!

[@ElliottBeeken-rc8im]

Yeeeeees I’ve been waiting for this video for soooooo long 😊😊😊

[@jameszeng2666]

Another of those on point reviews. Just wish Whistler is come soon😊

[@TacticaLLR]

Great vid!

[@alexfluit2308]

Please do one on grand targee, imo its one of the most underrated resorts.

[@rich6776]

I love your vids👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@WyomingMtnMan]

Very good, thorough, and accurate assessment of the mountain. I've been skiing JH since it opened and recently lived in Jackson Hole for 12 years. The comments about snow variability are accurate - in the spring you can have powder at the top, corn in the middle, and mashed potatoes at the base. Locals know which parts of the mountain to ski depending on the time of the year and what kind of snow to ski. It's the most crowded over the Christmas and New Years and holiday weekends. However, if you know the patterns of skiers, you can avoid much of the congestion. For example, instead of waiting on the Tram or Gondola, you can ride up the chairs to get to Thunder or Sublette. Once the initial rush on the tram is over, then you can catch a ride to the summit. One thing you didn't mention is the out of bounds skiing (for EXPERTS only!). To the south is Rock Springs and Cody bowls. There is also an out of bounds gate to the west of the resort, which has west and north facing aspects. Don't go out of bounds unless you are an expert skier, avalanche aware and equipped, and know where you are going. Teton County Search and Rescue has to rescue out of bounds skiers every year. What many people don't know is that the original plans for the resort had two more trams to the south and why most of the bowls to the south have names. There was a poma lift (now removed ) on the face of Cody Peak where they hold powder 8 comps. And yes, it is expensive! (Aren't most areas expensive? Skiing is becoming a 2%'er only activity!).

[@johnplayz1689]

AMAZING video like always. You are one of my favorite channels. ( also please review stowe😊)

[@PeakRankings]

Stowe is coming, don't you worry 🤠

[@ihavenoiqq]

man i miss skiing, nice video

[@margritlayh9764]

I have to say that even for a beginner Jackson hole is fantastic 30 years ago I learned in Jackson hole ski school how to ski and I went to Jackson hole after for 11 years and I became a fantastic skier I am originally from Switzerland and I can only recommend Jackson hole to everybody who loves to ski

[@arloproduction4795]

You should check out the upper peninsula of Michigan. I live in Wisconsin and go there a few time over the winter. They have a few noticeable places like mt Bohemia and whitecap. I would love to see reviews from some up there because Mr Bohemia especially reminds me of place more west just doesn’t have the elevation they do.

[@PeakRankings]

We're hoping to do a few mountains out there this winter!

[@christopher6740]

Wow I found this early. Nice video!

[@zeanonimogameplay6305]

Jackson is amazing fast lifts amazing snow top tier hotels e food and and end excelente expert runs is expensive but definitely worth it

[@rambultruesdell3412]

Never been, definitely must respect the consistency of a slope from top to bottom if really so 😊

[@tommakeever1645]

I've been skiing JH since 1978 and have to say your review was pretty spot on. But a JH review without a mention of The Mangy Moose Saloon is a definite oversight. Best apres bar is the USA. Here's some good footage of powder skiing from the Tram and from Thunder chair. Tram: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d53Xkpqjr8SYntU Thunder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXKqmXydfcSffM0

[@nico63323]

Just wish they stayed open longer

[@texan_2ocho965]

It was recently announced that “For the upcoming season, that permit has been extended an extra seven days, meaning the last day this season will be April 14, 2024. This will make the 2023/24 season the longest in the resort's history at 143 days.”

[@kodyadams5561]

THE REASON THEY HAVE TO CLOSE 4-6 WEEKS EARLIER THAN MOST RESORTS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE IN A NATIONAL PARK AREA.

[@danb.709]

​@@kodyadams5561the ski area is actually national forest, just outside the grand teton national park.its the forest service that makes the decision. It's not 4-6 weeks either, Jackson's closing is on par with most mountains only a few go past April and they are either on private property, or higher overall elevation.

[@SkiDaBird]

I don't think it's fair to give it a 9 for snow and resiliency. 7/8 would be more accurate. The bulk of the terrain is east facing, with more south than north. It gets absolutely cooked, the thaw refreeze cycles are made worse by the elevation disparities. You can hear the skidding on that awkward snow in a lot of the March 2023 footage. I also think a point need to come off aesthetic (since that seems the best fit) for how absolutely obnoxious the clientele is here. A fair percentage of the crowd pull the "I'm better than everyone else" routine, either because they are capable of skiing the serious lines, they have more money than sense, or both. It's still a great mountain, and if you are a proficient skier it should be on your list. But I will take Alta, Revelstoke, Snowbird, and Palisades over Jackson when it comes to the premier expert mountains.

[@kkeelty64]

Agree. I have never skied frozen chicken necks like I did one February on the lower part of JHMR. Ooof.

[@PeakRankings]

Yeah Jackson Hole does have some less-than-ideal terrain exposure. Would still say there are two distinguishing factors: (1) it gets higher snowfall totals than most non-Cottonwoods mountains, and (2) the late December skiable footprint is much more extensive than typical fly-to destinations.

[@jokermtb]

JH vibe is great for casual dabblers in snowsports. The folks who lounge around the base in Bogner jumpsuits love this place....if that's your vibe, you'll love it. Lots of people love that.

[@richardray5278]

I lived and skied at JHMR for 35 years. I taught a dozen friends and relatives to ski there. They all lived, and most are still skiers. If you want to do a quick group lesson and then have the skills required to get out of the base area, don’t try JHMR. Privates ($$$$$) are the way to go. Bring your gear for wind and cold. We didn’t invent wind in Wyoming, we just perfected it.

[@ryanbrown747]

No traffic? Try getting out of there on a powder day. You’ll be stuck on the road 1-2 hours easy to get back towards Jackson

[@maximusmiles8435]

That place would be epic after a 3 foot dump on a Tuesday. Followed by a bluebird Wednesday.

[@je5406]

Still crowded thanks to all the work from home gigs. Badass regardless

[@redpandaz5146]

Looking at the map and hearing your description of the lines for the tram, I wonder if they'll extend the Bridger gondola to the peak, or build another gondola to supplement the tram to take some of the pressure off.

[@PeakRankings]

Probably not - they don’t want to increase the quantity of people up there.

[@redpandaz5146]

Fair enough. On the map it looks like there's a couple runs that are only accessible by the tram, above the top of the Sublette Chair, and for people looking to do multiple runs on those at least, that's gotta suck, finishing a run all the way to the bottom just to have to wait more than an hour. But I can't think of a way to fix that that wouldn't increase potential crowding at the top as well, as you mentioned.

[@baburali8230]

Is it reliably snowy in March?

[@jamescares9003]

lived there for 3 years and never gave skiing a shot

[@jokermtb]

Went back last year (last visit was 30+ years ago), and it's certainly grown up a lot. Not that much a fan of the vibe - very crowded, expensive (almost Vail price) lots of inexperienced tourists, and the snow gets baked. I'm glad it's very popular, because my other favorite ski areas (not gonna mention em) in the region are less crowded with the tourists. Don't say I didn't warn ya!

[@camski13]

I go on a boys trip every winter we’re all east coast skiers we’ve been mt ut co do you think 2nd week of March is getting to late to score nice pow at jhole?

[@jokermtb]

go to grand targhee....shhhh@@camski13

[@kodyadams5561]

THIS RESORT IS EXTREMELY OVERPRICED JUST LIKE VAIL AND BEAVER CREEK ARE AND STEAMBOAT HAS JOINED THAT GROUP AS WELL.

[@jimrat92]

suprised u mentioned S&S. Really indepth review. My major disagreement is there DEFINITELY can be traffic. The long flat drive can be sluggish during heavy winds and icy road conditions. Its taken me an 1.5 hours to get back to the town of jackson once. Also should mention the buses are cash only with limited prepurchase ticket availability.

[@PeakRankings]

Good point- we should have mentioned the road conditions can impact traffic. Although still way less of an issue than the insane CO/UT/Tahoe jams

[@jimrat92]

@PeakRankings very true it doesnt cant compare to those places. Love your videos keep up the great work. I cant wait to go back to teton thai just outside the vil this coming season :)

[@cvn6555]

Jackson is great. Huge vertical. Heavy snow. Lots of variability and usually poor visibility at least on Rendezvous. Never found the Hobacks to be great and usually found them to be icy (and I'm from the East Coast so I know ice). It is a mountain for advanced skiers to become better and experts to challenge themselves. Not for beginners and intermediates, really. Good for a guy's trip. You do seven tram runs in a day and you're nearly at 30,000 vertical. In one day.

[@camski13]

I go on a yearly ski trip with some of my boys went big sky 2 years ago snowbird last year thinking of Jackson or squaw valley thoughts Ik squaw might be more of a dice roll with snow conditions

[@aca1298]

I've had some incredible runs in the hobacks

[@TheRidersChoice]

One of the best places on earth on a storm day. Absolutely miserable on crusty, icy days. Could be a fun resort during corn season but it’s closed by then. The lack of park in recent years and absolute bonkers politics of the owners make it clear it’s not a resort for the core community anymore.

[@mattkaden3483]

Good summary. Agree across the board

[@therolando608]

I would love to go, but I can't justify the insane price. Maybe some day when I'm rich

[@jokermtb]

It's cheap compared to beaver creek colorado!

[@Bryan-rl2ik]

Great video ! Think you ranked terrain diversity too high though

[@Dark_side9999]

Love Land next?

[@PeakRankings]

That one is coming soon!

[@xthe_moonx]

what u need to do is find ppl who parks in the free zone thats far away and offer them a ride to the free carpool zone so u can park there lol

[@PeakRankings]

Big brain idea right here 🧠

[@spicytango]

Wow $1200+ for a 7 day skipass,thank but I get 3 weeks in 3 Valles France which has 600Km riding terrain!

[@Readit4Life_2Chron7_14]

Lovely & somewhat accurate review of this mountain. There's way more variability to the snow quality than stated. It was fun years ago. BUT the price of the lift ticket has skyrocketed to absurd levels - why because folks are willing to keep paying these ridiculous prices. There are TONs of other resorts that provide this level of challenge & beauty AND MORE for way less price than this. TONS of resorts in Europe & other places that provide so much more for ALL that money that folks are spending to go to this lone ski resort in the US. Be exclusive if you want to be...your money. But this isn't even near being a wise choice. No Adults with a family should spend their children's inheritance on this place. (Same for Vail & Alterra's Oligopoly places).

[@xXGe0rgEXx]

Oof not sure how much I trust someone who ranks Alta over Snowbird....

[@Gary-np7hl]

known for their waffles?!? are we talking better than the waffles at hiedi's pancake house in south lake tahoe?

[@PeakRankings]

Given Heidi's is a ~pancake~ shop, think we all know the answer.

[@Gary-np7hl]

@@PeakRankings that's just to confuse the tourists. it's really a waffle house. 😉 btw.... like the off the mountain apres recommendation segment. would love to see a shred/ski town rankings with bars, restaurants, lodging and other non ski/snowboard activities and attractions. it would be a great segue into your travel biz.

[@jackjmaheriii]

Jackson Hole’s lines are terrible, and they are super soft with manning so there is no time of day or day of week that they can be avoided. Unless you crave long and steep at all costs, this is probably the most over rated resort in the western US.

[@dhowe5180]

Omg would you quit saying ko-LORE for couloir. It’s pronounced koo-WAHR. The L is silent

[@alexeyshereshevsky3514]

The most discouraging review I've ever seen.

[@anthonysharwood1962]

Coolwaaahr. Coolwaaahr. Coolwaaahr. Not "coolor". Please Americans. Why do you insult the rest of the entire world who can pronounce the basic French word couloir properly? Otherwise great review!

[@dhowe5180]

Most Americans that play in the mountains know how to say couloir. I don’t get why this guy can’t say it. I suspect the narrator isn’t really a skier

[@NateLeeProductions]

You showed your favoritism on this one you gave us seven for diversity with virtually no green run thumbs down for this video