How About Heading to Jackson Hole this Winter?

28th October 2021

Last modified on November 19th, 2021

The iconic US resort is due to open at the end of November in time for the Thanksgiving Weekend. Things are looking pretty good with the first snow already falling. Time for a bucket list ski trip across The Pond?

“It’s going to be a great year to visit Jackson Hole, and we look forward to welcoming our guests back for another season,” said the VP of Operations in Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Tim Mason.

“We are excited to announce we plan to run all lifts at full capacity and manage daily capacity to enhance the guest experience.”

13th October 2021. Image c/o Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

There has already been some autumn snowfall.

Here at PlanetSKI we asked the resort for an overview of operations next winter:

Mountain Improvements

Jackson Hole spent the summer upgrading facilities and improving the mountain.

This includes a maintenance project on the Aerial Tram that is needed every 12 years.

There’s more:

· The resort has at least two runs with snowmaking from each lift. Jackson Hole added to snow making capacity with snow making on Upper Wide Open. The snowmaking gun fleet was also upgraded by increasing energy efficiency and adding high-production guns.

· The resort moved 6,000 cubic yards of rock from Ship’s Prow to widen the Rendezvous Traverse and has gladed 6 acres to enlarge the skiable terrain.

· A toilet and washroom facility has been built at the top of the Teton Lift.

· Teton Village Sports has been renovated to offer more equipment and reservations for boot-fitting service can be booked through JH Sports.

· There’s a new locker room on the third floor of the Bridger Center.

Jackson Hole. Image © PlanetSKI

Now here at PlanetSKI we need to hold out hand up and say Jackson Hole is one of our favourite ski areas in the USA.

We last visited in 2017 and have plans to be back again this winter in the post-pandemic ski world.

If you want to see why we rate it so highly then the check out our earlier reports as we passed by on one of our legendary North America road trips:

PlanetSKI in Jackson Hole. Image © PlanetSKI

Jackson, Wyoming. Image © PlanetSKI

Expanded Winter Operations Elevate Guest Experience

The resort is to limit its daily capacity, and encourage people to buy day tickets in advance and online.

Reservations will be required for both Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders; however, Jackson Hole passholders will not be required to make a reservation.

The resort has extended hours of access and will start loading the Teewinot and Après Vous Chairlifts and Sweetwater Gondola at 8:30 a.m.

Teton Village Association is introducing automated parking gates this season.

Guests will be issued a ticket when they enter any of the four Village parking areas and will pay upon exit.

START Bus service will operate its schedule from town to the Stilson Lot and the Village.

The resort’s Season Pass now includes a season bus pass to give all eligible Jackson Hole passholders free access to START Bus service.

Jackson Hole. Image © PlanetSKI

Health and Safety Protocols Implemented

Jackson Hole says it prioritises health and safety.

Skiers and snowboarders will be required to wear a face coverings in all indoor spaces, including restaurants, retail and rental shops, restrooms and Guest Service Center.

The tram is included in the definition of public indoor spaces, given its capacity for 100 people.

Outdoor spaces, including the base area, lift lines and the other lifts, will not require masks.

The PlanetSKI founder and editor, James Cove, already has his to hand.

Jackson Hole, USA. Image © PlanetSKI

The resort team continues to monitor the health and safety guidance from local, state and federal officials.

It may adopt additional operational protocols as needed to ensure safety.

This season Jackson Hole will load the Aerial Tram, gondolas and chair lifts to full capacity.

With the tram operating at full capacity, the boot pack to the top of Rendezvous Bowl will not be offered.

The lift system measn there still open-air chair access to the top of Sublette lift.

Teton County Public Health Order #21-5 is still in force, requiring individuals within Teton County to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces through December 31st, 2021.

“After five recent seasons of snowfall above 12.5m Jackson Hole Mountain Resort looks forward to welcoming guests back for the 2021-22 season with anticipation of another big winter,” said the resort.

“There’s also a forecasted La Niña winter ahead.”

Here at PlanetSKI we are looking forward to a visit…

About Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is located in Teton Village, Wyoming.

It is a values-led, family- owned, iconic mountain destination with a purpose of enriching the lives of its guests, employees and community through authentic big mountain experiences.

It has an enduring commitment to the surrounding landscape, wildlife and Jackson’s authentic Western hospitality.

Jackson Hole strives to live by its values by reducing its environmental impact, and in doing so, runs its buildings and lifts on wind power.