Jackson Hole?

[PorscheGAL]

Since SC sees no winter, we have decided to plan a family winter vacation beginning of next year. I like the idea of seeing Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in winter. Thinking of trying cross country skiing and shoe shoeing and dog sledding. Any thoughts, advice? We need good food suggestions, also. Another issue in never seeing winter is clothing. Is it possible to rent the warm clothing necessary to enjoy these activities? TIA Guys.

[Laneco]

Stephanie,

The company I work for, ARAMARK, has a property near there called Togwotee Mountain Lodge. They will do airport transport. They have several different snowmobile treks, mostly on Togwotee muntain, but there is at least one in Yellowstone. Also have track vehicles (Ford vans - equipped with tracks) for back country tours. They provide snowmobile clothing.

Not sure if they still do this, but there used to be an overnite stay snowmobile tour. At the overnight point there are hot springs to soak in.

This is one of the few Parks properties we have that I have NOT yet visited. So I cannot give you first hand info and I do not have pictures.

Togwotee Snowmobile Adventures - Jackson Hole WY


angela

[LakeCleElum]

Great idea - You have to see the parks at least once in your lifetime in the winter.....Hopefully you understand you can't drive in Yellowstone in the winter and have to take a "tour". This could be in a large van type vehicle with "tracks" or go on a snowmobile you would rent?

Yes, clothing is available to rent at shops that rent ski's and snowmobiles.....Due to cold temps, I'd suggest late Feb or even March...I've done Yellowstone 5 times on my own snowmobile. Coming from the West, I've always stayed in West Yellowstone and only been to Jackson Hole in the summer.

Also, understand it's quite a drive in winter driving conditions from a major airport.....Flying straight into Jackson would probably be a good plan.....Two roads thru the "Tetons", take the one to the west, you are much closer to the scenery.......To get into Yellowstone from the south, Flagg Ranch seems to run most of the tours.........G'luck..

[fastfredracing]

Jackson Hole is a beautiful place . The Tetons are on the list of t things that one must see in their lifetime.

[GH85Carrera]

Wait, you WANT to go where there is snow?

At least you are making the choice to go visit that awful stuff. When it stays in the mountains is is good stuff. When it comes to visit it is BAD!

Enjoy the trip. It is a beautiful area.

[PorscheGAL]

My 12 year old has seen snow once in his life and it was only 1". We have lived in the south our entire lives. I have never even driven in snow. I have every intention of having the driving done by someone else on the trip. We will fly into Jackson and have tours or taxies walking get us places.

Funny how most of you guys would be looking for somewhere warm in the winter. The highs this week are in the mid 70's so I'm looking for colder temps.

[GH85Carrera]

We don't see much snow here. Most of the time it is gone in a day or so. We seem to get more ice storms than snow storms. I still hate snow. If I want to see snow I will travel to the mountains and visit it. I don't ever want it to visit me again.

But like Will Rogers said "Everyone talks about the weather but no one ever does anything about it"

[vash]

any idea who this Jackson guy is? he discover the place?

sounds like a great trip/idea. i would love to see some snow.

[Rich76_911s]

First things first, Jackson is COLD! ! ! I've been there and the high for the day was -1 degree Farenheit. So be ready for that. There are warmer places to go and experience wintertime in the mountains if you so desired.

I've only been to Jackson a couple times to downhill ski, so I don't have much to recommend beyond that, it is strikingly beautiful though.

My suggestion would be that you should rent a car. Chances are high that you'll never have to drive in the snow. It is an hour and 40 minutes to get to yellowstone from the town of Jackson. Do they even run shuttles to Yellowstone in the winter?

HOw "early winter" are you planning on going? Again I'm not an expert on Jackson specifically, but for a lot of the west there are years that snow really doesn't fall until January.

THis is a cam at the bottom of the mountain today. Looks like all man-made snow. With a total of 7 trails open. I highly doubt you would be snowmobiling, cross country skiiing, etc. in yellowstone with the accumulation they've had to date.

[PorscheGAL]

From what I know they do run shuttles from Jackson to Yellowstone in the winter. I was thinking of Late Feb or Early March. It seems to me, the snow would be there but the temps would be a little higher. Although it is true I could go places a little warmer to ski (The Appalachians are much closer and warmer) I do want to try dog Sledding and I would like to see Yellowstone. It is about the whole experience.

[vash]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

It is about the whole experience.

dont you mean the "hole" experience..ahahhaha..


sorry slow day at work...i'll get back to it now...

[Bill Verburg]

Jackson Hole/Teton's/Yellowstone is a great place to vacation, lots of hot spring fed streams to soak in even in winter, You won't be able to get up into the back areas of the mts except for the commercial ski areas or heli sking like you can in the summer but there is certainly enough to do in the valleys and Rondevouz Mtn is a gas

[IXXI_carrera]

It has been many, many years since I visited Jackson Hole. Since I am not a great skier, Jackson Hole was challenging. Due in large part to a lack of snow that year, most of the skiing was done through the trees. Much of Jackson Hole skiing is advanced anyway, so tree skiing coupled with a pretty good vertical drop caused us to look to the other side of the Tetons - a very memorable and worthwhile trip.

Going from memory here, but almost directly on the other side of Jackson Hole/Grand Tetons is Grand Targhee. I believe you actually cross into Idaho and back into Wyoming. That particular day, the cloud base was low, however the top of the mountain was above the cloud layer. So cool to emerge from the clouds on the lift and ski down into the clouds. Special memory. Plus, for me at least, the skiing was more my level.

Yellowstone is certainly worth the trip too.

Sounds like fun!

[Rich76_911s]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Although it is true I could go places a little warmer to ski (The Appalachians are much closer and warmer) I do want to try dog Sledding and I would like to see Yellowstone. It is about the whole experience.

Totally get it, and I don't blame you for wanting to go. Just wanted to make sure you knew there are warmer choices with very similar opportunities. Though none that are identical to Yellowstone or Jackson, obviously.

The Appalachians are big hills, not mountains

[porsche newbie]

After having lived in Wisconsin my whole life I have always said thay if I really want to see any more snow that I would get a can of that stuff and spray it on the window. But that is just me. As far as driving in it if you have never done it-hold onto your hat because you might be in for a surprise that you won't soon forget.

[RWebb]

1st - call it Jackson like the locals, not Jackson Hole - it is a "Hole" - a sort of circular valley so-called by the early trappers ("mountain men")

the back side of the Tetons is where the fun is for me and for various dirt-bag climbers, skiers, etc.

there is also an awesome telmark style traverse I can almost recall nowadays - is that something for you?

an easy XC ski is to follow a road in from the entrances - the NPS can tell you all about those

be very careful of the hot springs - people do crash thru and die periodically

not sure re renting winter clothing but when doing XC skiing you will generate lots of body heat, so be sure to dress in layers

you can also get rides in a snowcoach and they may still allow snowmobiles in the Park (I almost barfed on one of my graduate students when he told me did that {but he was from Iowa})

post more specifics and recognize you will need 6 weeks to acclimate well to the altitude and cold, so...

Once upon a time the Appalachians were the highest mountains on this continent and much higher than the Rockies are now.

[Skytrooper]

I haven't been there since 1975, but it was stunningly beautiful country. I was there in the winter and like others have said...it is usually pretty darn cold. I hope you find something to your liking and have a very memorable trip.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

My 12 year old has seen snow once in his life and it was only 1". We have lived in the south our entire lives. I have never even driven in snow. I have every intention of having the driving done by someone else on the trip. We will fly into Jackson and have tours or taxies walking get us places.

Funny how most of you guys would be looking for somewhere warm in the winter. The highs this week are in the mid 70's so I'm looking for colder temps.

I thought SC got snow once in a while. My 11-year-old has never seen snow (live near San Francisco), but we've reserved a place in Squaw Valley in January. It's time she sees real snow.

[patssle]

If you want a real adventure for the family - look into dog mushing. It's on my list of things to do either around Yellowstone or elsewhere.

[Joeaksa]

Love Jackson... spent a lot of time up there.

Old timers will remember the "Rocky Mountain Featherbed" factory that made beautiful vests and jackets in Jackson. I still have several of them and love them.

Also if you do something silly and get stuck out in the boonies, you might meet someone famous. Harrison Ford flies the rescue/medivac helo there (when he is in town) and many people have been rescued by him only to realize that someone very famous (and friendly) was flying the bird. He is seen around town all the time and was really friendly to us.