When you visit Jackson Wyoming, you should ski Snow King just to complete the
Teton Trifecta. Snow King is after all, the original Jackson Wyoming ski resort,
started in 1939 – decades before Jackson Hole and
Grand Targhee. This humble but
steep hill is located right in the town of Jackson, just six blocks from Town
Square and the Elk Arches. Skiing down Snow King’s slopes is akin to Aspen or
Telluride with the town view at your ski tips.
Snow King is nothing fancy, but the fall-line is serious – a continuous 40%
grade. Locals call Snow King the most eastern ski area in the west, and it is
the steepest ski area in the country. Snow King is primarily a race hill for
locals with its north facing slopes and pitch. The beauty of Snow King is the summit trails which hardly get skied (the racers stays on the
lower part) so the snow stays soft, untracked and unbelievably sweet. Snow
King’s five black diamond trails from 7,808’, like Bearcat and Grizzly, live up
to their names, steep and deep.
Snow King’s hours are 10-6:30 with lighted evening skiing. You can ski Snow King
for two hours for $25, the best ski deal in the Teton Valley. Mind you, Snow
King’s lifts are retro - an old double chair gets you 1,571’ vertical and
accesses the 400 acres of trails plus additional backcountry – but don’t
go too far into the elk refuge. Snow King has a very generous winter hiking
policy – you can climb up, as long as you aren’t on the groomed trails, and ski
down free of charge. For the $25, we recommend the steady chairlifts, saving
your energy for Exhibition – the butt kicking lift line trail of pure vertical
in powder, or pounding bumps.
Snow King Resort
has condo and hotel lodging at the base, very family oriented and friendly, and
you can walk to the town of Jackson. Parents might enjoy letting the kids ski,
ice skate and snowtube at Snow King, while dining at the on mountain Snow King
Hotel with views of the slopes lit up in the evening.
For great lodging in the town of Jackson,
The White Buffalo Club is luxurious and convenient. For a posh private
setting with grand views of the Tetons and Snow King,
Amangani is just a short drive outside
of Jackson.
When you visit Jackson Wyoming, you should ski Snow King just to complete the
Teton Trifecta. Snow King is after all, the original Jackson Wyoming ski resort,
started in 1939 – decades before 
Snow King’s hours are 10-6:30 with lighted evening skiing. You can ski Snow King
for two hours for $25, the best ski deal in the Teton Valley. Mind you, Snow
King’s lifts are retro - an old double chair gets you 1,571’ vertical and
accesses the 400 acres of trails plus additional backcountry – but don’t
go too far into the elk refuge. Snow King has a very generous winter hiking
policy – you can climb up, as long as you aren’t on the groomed trails, and ski
down free of charge. For the $25, we recommend the steady chairlifts, saving
your energy for Exhibition – the butt kicking lift line trail of pure vertical
in powder, or pounding bumps. 