How did it all begin?

From humble beginnings . . .
In 1806, explorer and fur trapper John Colter stepped out of the Lewis and Clark expedition and into a rugged new territory in the west. Soon he met up with and joined the Manuel Lisa fur trading party and was sent to the Jackson Hole region to negotiate trades with the local Indians. He may very well have been the first white man to live in the area. Twenty three years later, Jackson Hole got its famous name from trapper David E. Jackson who proclaimed the valley his favorite trapping ground.

Where are we today?

Jump ahead a couple hundred years and the legacy of John Colter and David Jackson is alive and well. In the time since the trappers reigned, Jackson has evolved into a world class ski resort famous for its unparalleled terrain (named once again this year as the best ski resort for terrain by the readers of Ski Magazine) and a town famous for its blend of the rugged and the refined. Today Jackson is home to several world class resorts and spas including the new Four Seasons Resort as well as the Avanyu Spa at the Snake River Lodge, exceptional dining, and countless choices for entertainment and shopping. The town, replete with wooden sidewalks in the style of the Old West, has more than 50 restaurants, shops, theaters, and tubing parks. And with both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park at its doorstep, much of Jackson still resembles that wild and alluring country that proved irresistible for those famous explorers and fur trappers who settled here long ago. It’s no wonder Skiing Magazine just named Jackson the number one ski town to move to in the U.S. (September 2004).

How did we get to be the best?

By doing what we do best, carefully meeting the needs of a growing tourist industry without sacrificing any of our Wild West spirit. In the past five years, we’ve added lifts, lodging, luxury and much more to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. A few of the highlights include:

An airport expansion has just been completed. Located in the shadow of the Tetons, the Jackson Hole Airport has just completed a significant expansion to meet the needs of growing jet airline services into the airport. With four major carriers providing non-stop service from seven cities this winter, the newly remolded airport will provide a higher level of service for the traveling public into Jackson Hole. The expansion includes a larger security hold room and check point, a second baggage claim area, new check-in areas, a more spacious restaurant and additional parking. "For 34 years Jackson Hole has been considered a favorite resort by the advanced skiers and snowboarders around the world," stated Jerry Blann, president, JHMR. "But throughout the years, accessibility has been an issue. With recent on-mountain lift and facility improvements we are seeing an increase in demand by intermediate skiers and snowboarders which has resulted in a need for additional jet service. With this increase in seats and an airport just ten miles from the Town of Jackson we can now be considered more accessible than most U.S. winter destination resorts."

The ski mountain is also growing. Since 2000, two new quad lifts, Moose Creek Quad and Union Pass Quad, have been added, making the mountain more accessible to skiers of all levels. And this year, for the first time in the history of the Resort, the "Crags" terrain will be opened to the public. Previously a permanently closed inbounds area, Crags will provide an additional 200 acres and 1000 vertical feet of expert terrain.

You can relax in lavish surroundings after skiing all day. Several new luxury properties have opened in Teton Village in the last few years. Four Seasons Resorts chose Jackson Hole as their first property in a ski resort destination. This 125-room hotel, which opened in December of 2003, includes a private health club and spa, a pool, two restaurants and 8,000 square feet of meeting space. Four Seasons has also built a 40-unit Residence Club and 17 slope-side penthouse suites. Additionally, the Teton Mountain Lodge offers the ultimate Jackson Hole experience. Opened in 2002, this 129-unit condominium hotel offers two and three bedroom suites, studio units and traditional hotel rooms. The Lodge provides spa services, a fitness center, 2,200 square-feet of meeting space, and a full-service restaurant and bar, Cascades. Finally, the Snake River Lodge and Spa has recently completed its 17,000-square foot Avanyu Spa and Health Club that includes fitness equipment, men's and ladies separate spa floors and a full menu of spa services and treatments.

There is something here for the whole family. Named the top family resort in the Rockies by Family Fun Magazine, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers the award-winning Kids Ranch, considered by many parents to be one of the best-kept secrets in the west. Parents who use the Ranch know the value and caliber of the programs is unsurpassed. Small classes, personal attention, a slope-side location, rentals and retail available at check-in, all add up to an easier and more enjoyable experience for both kids and parents. The ranch also offers daycare, ski and snowboard lessons, and Team Extreme, a unique ski and snowboard camp for kids 12 and older. "Team Extreme is the perfect alternative to traditional ski school lessons for advanced teens. We try to keep the kids for four days straight, so the experience is more like a Steep and Deep Camp for juniors," said program director Mike Jansen. "We teach mountain and personal safety, terrain assessment techniques, and the rudiments of backcountry equipment, travel and route finding. Team Extreme kids often get to ride with Jackson Hole sponsored athletes, such as Tommy Moe, Micah Black, Travis Rice and Jamie Sundberg."

The camps just keep on coming. With each new ski season, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is committed to offering a wide range of four day ski and snowboard camps, including Steep and Deep Camps, Freeride Camps, Women's Camp and Backcountry Camp, as well as short two or three day clinics as a quick refresher.

For more information visit www.jacksonhole.com