A heli-lifestyle in Jackson Hole
Heli-skiing — accessing the backcountry for its pristine powder and solitude with the assistance of a helicopter — is a different thing for different skiers. For many, it is considered the pinnacle to a ski career, an aspirational experience. Some say it’s the most extreme thing they’ve ever done. For others, it is a way
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Jackson Hole backcountry users form alliance to address concerns
The allure of skiing or riding in the backcountry is undeniable. Untracked powder, quiet approaches, small groups of friends and dogs. These days, there’s also the parking lot wait-and-shuffle game. On any given snowy winter day, the top of Teton Pass is hectic. As the interest and participation in backcountry skiing has grown over the
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6 summer activities that make Jackson Hole stand out
Take a Wildlife Tour with Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures Millions of tourists flock to Jackson to see the dramatic scenery of Grand Teton National Park and the glorious geysers of Yellowstone National Park. For a tour through these protected lands that you won’t soon forget, book a day with EcoTour Adventures. Your naturalist guide will
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Jackson Hole’s wildlife warrior
Last summer, I pulled into the Teton Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s property and parked alongside Kristin Combs’ cerulean Toyota Prius boasting a droll, self-deprecating sticker that read: “Cool Prius!” — Nobody. She waved me over, standing aside a six-person tent. The rainfly was off, and inside was a meticulously assembled habitat replete with leafy boughs, sprigs
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The path of the pronghorn in Jackson Hole
Stopped by an impenetrable fence on their journey south, a group of pronghorn, their heads bobbing up and down, mill around anxiously, unsure where to go. One mature doe takes the lead and wanders alone along the fence line, moving forward and doubling back until she comes to a gap. Ahead of her, an overpass
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Zahan Billimoria, an athlete first and foremost
Zahan Billimoria is characterized by movement. The founder of Samsara Training is always on the move, whether it’s exploring in the mountains, beginning new athletic endeavors, or analyzing insights to create effective and functional training programs. Zahan, who is also a longtime guide with Exum Mountain Guides and the subject of a short film from
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Survival of the grizzly depends on migration
Imagine being stranded indefinitely on an isolated island with only a handful of people. When date night rolls around, your options would be … well, quite limited. It’s not difficult to imagine how that might ultimately cause some issues for your island-bound micro-population. This is precisely the situation that the grizzly bears of the Greater
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The Lakers of Grand Teton National Park
String Lake is one of Grand Teton National Park’s most well-loved gems. Picnickers bask on the sandy shore and swim in the shallows. Anglers traverse the inlets and outlets. Kayakers cut ribbons through the glass-like reflection of the Tetons on crisp, clear mornings. Hikers, trail runners, alpinists, and skiers set out from the trailhead toward
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Safety first in Jackson’s backcountry
Jackson Hole is surrounded by miles and miles of untamed wild space. It’s one of the characteristics that draws people here, whether for a short visit or a lifetime. In the winter, snow blankets the forests, peaks, and meadows, inviting all kinds of adventure and fun. And though the wintry landscape often looks like a
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Hunting is at the heart of Jackson Hole food culture
Food is an integral part of any culture. For many, the first thing that comes to mind about Jackson Hole’s food culture is the sparkling array of world-class restaurants throughout the valley. And while these eateries are a distinctive facet of the community, there is a local history and tradition that runs much deeper than
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Walking the talk with Jackson’s EcoTour Adventures
Taylor Phillips grew up watching wildlife. As a child in rural Virginia, Taylor and his family used to take Sunday drives to enjoy the landscape and look for deer, turkeys, and other wild animals. Those experiences set the course for his career and instilled a deep passion for the outdoors. After graduating college with a
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6 Teton experiences that take you off the slopes
Maybe you just aren’t drawn to Jackson Hole’s legendary slopes, or maybe your legs just really need a break after a day of making knee-deep turns. Either way, there’s plenty to do around Jackson Hole in the winter that doesn’t take place on the ski hill. Here are a few local go-tos. Sleigh Ride Through
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See the historic side of Jackson Hole — dating back to 1910
There’s more to Jackson than national parks, wildlife and stunning mountain views. The town has a long and deep history that you won’t want to miss. All it takes is an hour spent walking around the heart of Jackson Hole to get a sense of what the town might’ve felt like in the early days.
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Better tasting mountain meals in the Grand Tetons
Mountain climbing is not associated with good food. Most trips involve dehydrated or instant fare that require little more than hot water to prepare. The resulting meals are adequate, but definitely not what you remember when the expedition is over. For many years, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (JHMG) was no exception to that rule —
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Surviving the Snowpocalypse
Dear Eventual Local, Welcome to Jackson Hole. Let’s forgo the typical “Last of the Old West” subtitle and the customary hat-tipping howdys and get right down to business, shall we? Whether you’ve just arrived or this is your third winter, you’re no doubt in desperate need of some honest and true local advice from a
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The Life of a Sled Dog
If you’ve lived here long enough, you might be familiar with the house on the hill where Highway 191 intersects Granite Creek. You might have heard barking as you wind the corner on your way to Granite Hot Springs or, if you’re lucky, seen dog sledding teams flying up the road on a snowy winter
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Hunting with Photos
Mark Gocke’s spring ritual is to sit at the water’s edge with a camera, awaiting the song of the loon as they return to nest in Jackson Hole. The waiting game he plays each May paid off one year. “This loon started calling to another loon and then a wolf started howling back to the
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The Woodland Language
The obvious irony of Jackson is the solitude of nature that’s disrupted by the bustle of humans. The bark of a dog, the splash of a kid jumping into String Lake, and a park ranger’s tale, all interrupt nature’s native noise. Sound is an often-overlooked aspect of Teton County because the visuals tend to overwhelm
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Water Song
At first blush, it’s easy to think that hawk-like vision is the most critical sense when casting a fly to a wary trout. To some extent, it’s true; watching the play of shadows and the patterns of a current can lend signs to an attentive angler. But turning your attention to auditory clues can take
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River Music
Though he has been guiding for Barker-Ewing Float Trips for 13 years, Grant Bishop is still the “youngster” on the oars. When he started working on the Snake River at age 18, he was following in the footsteps of his father and uncle. His dad rowed for High Adventure Whitewater and his uncle owned High
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