12 Fun Things To Do in Jackson Hole in Winter

Jackson Hole is a beautiful mountain town in Wyoming near Grand Teton National Park and offers year-round activities! Although summer and fall are the most popular times to visit, winter in Jackson Hole is beautiful!

We fell in love with visiting Jackson Hole in the winter. The winter activities are endless, and the views are stunning.

And the best part? There are winter activities in Jackson Hole for the entire family! Whether you want to ski, snowmobile, take a wildlife tour, go on a sleigh ride, or snowshoe, Jackson Hole has something to do for everyone in winter. This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Jackson Hole in winter, including the best winter activities.

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Tips for Visiting Jackson Hole in Winter

Fly into Jackson Hole Airport or Salt Lake City International Airport. Jackson Hole Airport is inside Grand Teton National Park and is the best airport to fly to because it is the closest. Flights may be more expensive because it is a small airport, but if you do not want to drive a few hours to the park, Jackson Hole Airport is your best option. If you do not mind driving for a few hours, you can fly to Salt Lake City International Airport. The drive is about five hours and passes through many rural areas.

Book your tours in advance. Jackson Hole has over three million visitors each year, so the area is crowded even in winter. I recommend booking tours in advance, so you do not have to worry about them selling out.

Buy your park pass ahead of time. If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park, I recommend purchasing your park pass ahead of time. You can buy your Grand Teton National Park pass online and print it for your trip. If you plan on visiting other national parks during the year, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass. The pass gets you into all the national parks and federal recreation sites for a year.
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and hiking gear. The weather in Jackson Hole in winter can change quickly, so it is crucial to pack layers. Winter hiking has many risks, and you should always pack the appropriate hiking gear to support your hike and layers to keep you warm and protected.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Where to Stay in Jackson Hole in Winter

Jackson Hole is a cute mountain town near Grand Teton National Park and has everything you need for your winter trip. We love staying in Jackson Hole because the downtown is stunning with many restaurants and stores.

best glamping resorts near jackson hole

What to Pack When Visiting Jackson Hole in Winter

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and warmth on your trip, you need insulated hiking boots.
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

The Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole in Winter

Jackson Town Square

Jackson Town Square is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day in winter or warm up in between winter activities. Although the town is stunning year-round, there is something special about walking around in the winter. It is easily one of my favorite spots in Jackson Hole!

The town square has shopping, restaurants, the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, and the iconic Elk Antler Arch. You can spend the day enjoying a walk through the cute downtown and enjoying delicious food.

Winter Wildlife Tour

Although the wildlife in Jackson Hole is active throughout the year, winter is a great time to see wildlife, including elk, moose, deer, and bison. We saw so much wildlife when we visited in the winter!

Although you can see wildlife by driving around the area and Grand Teton National Park, you can book a tour with a knowledgeable guide who can show you the best places to see winter wildlife! Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris has half-day and full-day tours that are perfect for anyone who wants to experience beautiful wildlife in winter!

National Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides

One of the most incredible Jackson Hole winter activities is the National Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides. The National Elk Refuge is a wildlife conservation area home to the Greater Yellowstone wildlife, including bison, elk, deer, and birds.

The sleigh rides bring you around the refuge and give you an up close and personal experience with its wildlife. It is an unforgettable winter activity in Jackson Hole and should be on every bucket list!

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

If you want to downhill ski in Jackson Hole, you are in luck! Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has over 130 trails on 2,500 skiable acres and a vertical drop of over 4,100 feet.

And the best part? You can ski while overlooking the beautiful views of the Teton Range. You can also eat delicious waffles between ski runs at the Top of the World. The waffles are amazing!

Snow King Mountain

Snow King Mountain is another ski resort in Jackson Hole, where you can do more than ski. The resort offers fun winter activities for non-skiers, including a scenic gondola ride, a mountain coaster, and a tubing park.

Snow King Mountain has over 500 skiable acres with six beginner trails, 13 intermediate trails, and 15 expert trails, allowing the entire family to enjoy skiing at the resort! It also offers stunning views overlooking the nearby mountains, so you will not be disappointed to spend time at Snow King Mountain.

Dog Sledding

Call of the WYld offers fun dog sledding adventures along the base of the Teton Range in Jackson Hole. You can cozy up on a sled with beautiful Alaskan Huskies while enjoying stunning mountain views! It is a fun Jackson Hole winter activity for the entire family!

U.S. Hwy 26 Scenic Drive

U.S. Hwy 26 is one of the best scenic drives near Jackson Hole that is open in winter! I recommend stopping at every overlook as you head north on U.S. Hwy 26, but make sure to spend extra time at Schwabacher Landing and Snake River Overlook. These overlooks have some of my favorite views of the Teton Mountain Range and Snake River. If you want to experience breathtaking mountain views without snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you should drive U.S. Hwy 26!

the teton range in jackson hole in winter

Grand Teton National Park

Of course, one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in winter is to visit Grand Teton National Park. The park entrance is only a short drive from Jackson Hole and offers many fun winter activities.

Although one of the roads in the park is closed in the winter, there are still many fun things to do! Here are a few of the best winter activities:

Taggart Lake is the last parking area on Teton Park Road open in the winter, making it the perfect place to snowshoe! Taggart Lake is a stunning lake near Avalanche Canyon, with gorgeous views of the Teton Range, and it is one of my favorite hikes in the park. The 4-mile trail is relatively easy with minimal elevation gain, making it a fun hike for everyone!
Bradley Lake can easily be added to the hike to Taggart Lake if you want a longer adventure. The trail to Bradley Lake and Taggart Lake is 5 miles and is worth the extra mileage if you have time!
Colter Bay sits on the western shores of Jackson Lake and has a beautiful scenic trail perfect for snowshoeing. The Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail is a flat 2.5-mile loop that offers breathtaking mountain and lake views.
Mormon Row is the iconic sunrise location near Jackson Hole, where you can get the iconic photo of the Moulton Barn with the Teton Mountain Range in the back. It is an incredibly picturesque spot, especially during sunrise. There are two Moulton Barns in Mormon Row that are stunning sunrise locations, especially if you are a photographer.
The Chapel of Transfiguration is just past the entrance on Teton Park Road and has one of the most picturesque buildings in the park. It offers panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range inside and outside the chapel. The Chapel of Transfiguration is also one of the best sunrise locations and is a great alternative to Mormon Row!

best things to do in grand teton national park in winter

Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski Teton Park Road

Teton Park Road is closed to motorized vehicles in winter from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Road. Once there is enough snow on the ground, you can snowshoe and cross-country ski on the 14-mile road!

The road is groomed up to three times a week, making it easy to use during the winter. The views of the Teton Range and surrounding lakes are stunning, so you will not be disappointed with this Jackson Hole winter activity!

Cross-Country Ski Tour

If you want to cross-country ski in Jackson Hole but do not know where to start, you can go on a tour with a guide! Many tour guides offer half-day adventures, where you can learn how to cross-country ski and explore beautiful areas. Ecotour Adventures offers one of the best cross-country ski tours for beginners or those looking for a leisurely winter adventure in Jackson Hole. They also have snowshoeing tours!

Jackson Hole Snowmobile Tour

One of the best winter activities in Jackson Hole is snowmobiling! A few areas around Jackson Hole are perfect for snowmobiling while enjoying beautiful mountain views. Old Faithful Tours offers many snowmobiling tours that range from full-day adventures to multi-day trips around Wyoming. Their tours are all-inclusive and super fun! You will not be disappointed with snowmobiling in Jackson Hole!

Winter Fat Bike Tours

Fat Bike Tours are fun for the entire family, and Teton Mountain Bike Tours is the only outfitter offering them in Grand Teton National Park. The tour brings you into Grand Teton National Park, where you can ride the fat bike while taking in the breathtaking views. You can choose from half-day to full-day tours, allowing you to book the perfect winter adventure no matter what you want to do!

If you want to visit Jackson Hole in winter, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! We loved visiting Jackson Hole in the winter, so I know you will enjoy your time there. It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Jackson Hole in winter.