Jenn's Perfect Day in Jackson Hole
Hot springs, breakfast burgers, sloshies, and wolf trekking are just a few things to look forward to when you visit this town known as the Last of the Old West
A fun one from writer and friend
below! I’ve collaborated with Jenn on a couple occasions, recently, and it’s been a blast. One was a story about the coolest hotels all over and the other, a roundup of places you’ll definitely want to visit this year, both for her newsletter Bitchen. I love our shared interest in traveling to Spain and Croatia, amongst other European cities, but also really trust her advice and opinions on places I haven’t yet visited like Jackson Hole, which is why I was so excited to read her recommendations. Now I don’t just want, but NEED to go. Enjoy, and read all the way to the end for a National Parks adventure I can’t stop thinking about.Jenn’s Perfect Day in Jackson Hole: Winter Edition
Words by Jenn Rice, a nomadic food and travel journalist with over a decade of international digital and print experience as a writer. She currently splits time between the Southeast and Europe and her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Vogue, The Washington Post, Thrillist, Eater Carolinas, and more.
I’m lucky I lived in Jackson Hole for several years and now I go back to visit as often as I can, usually in summertime, but winter is its own kind of paradise.
In the valley, the early bird gets the worm so you’ll find locals up chasing the sunrise in search of their favorite outdoor activities. While I learned how to ski in Teton Village at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, I realized it’s not my go-to sport (but JH does provide some of the best skiing in the country). I like to wake up early and drive south of town to meet my friend Jessa for an early soak at Astoria Hot Springs or Granite Hot Springs, pending weather—and beg her to bring a bottle of Tanager Lands (fresh lemon juice, organic turmeric, ginger juice, and honey with flower essence of Yarrow and Sage) from her handcrafted beverage company, Amrita. It’s the best way to warm up and ground yourself in the cold, wintry months.
On the way back into town, it’s time for coffee, so a stop by Picnic (sister spot to Persephone Bakery, and with fewer tourists) is in order. I'll always teeter back and forth as Picnic and Persephone are equally amazing. My order is usually the same: a kouign amann or a cheddar biscuit for breakfast and the seasonal latte or an espresso spritzer depending on the weather. The croque madame for a sit down breakfast at Persephone is my go-to, if I can find a table to sit and enjoy with friends. If the timing is right and Sweet Cheeks is open, I’ll often stop by for a breakfast burger.
Town Square is super walkable so I’ll get some steps in and pop into Altitude, Penny Lane, JW Bennett, Hide Out Leathers, MADE, Mountain Dandy, Womenfolk (a rad consignment shop), and New West Knifeworks and say hi to the owners, who are now my friends. I’ll often run into at least 15 people I know along the way. Wyoming Whiskey also has a stunning new storefront and tasting room called Barrel House that’s not to miss. I love to grab a hot chocolate from CocoLove, run by Master Chocolatier Oscar Ortega and check out the current exhibits at Altamira, Horizon Fine Art Gallery, and Tayloe Piggott Gallery, too.
If it’s not too cold, I’ll head over to the West Bank for a walk, usually with friends who have dogs, or to cross country ski. It hugs the Snake River and offers the best view of the snowcapped Tetons in the distance. After all these years my jaw still drops when I venture out that way. I’ll usually meet friends for drinks at the Stagecoach (an iconic local Wild West bar) or a sloshie at Basecamp paired with a giant sheet pan of parmesan fries to soak up the booze), and then it’s a stop by Vanessa and Phil’s house in Wilson to make obligatory smash burgers — or really anything warm and delicious.
If you’re visiting and think you can throw a few sloshies back, please read this reported piece on their history and their potency — and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
When dining out, I have a few staple spots for dinner:
Teton Thai (in Teton Village) for the most amazing thai food and cool cocktails.
King Sushi, housed in a tiny cabin in town serving some of the best sushi in the Mountain West (flown in daily from Hawaii).
A coveted bar seat at Snake River Grill for a dirty martini made just right, a steak tartare pizza, and salmon potato pancake
Glorietta, for when I’m craving Italian food and awesome Italian wine.
Every once in a while I’ll get a wild hair and meet friends at Locals for a oysters and beef tartare followed by Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for live music and overpriced, watered down drinks—it’s usually a huge regret the next morning, but always a good time in the moment.
If friends are visiting from out of town I always recommend the Anvil for a hotel option in town that’s completely walkable to all of the bars, shopping, and restaurants. If you’re going all out, the Four Seasons is the only property in Teton Village that’s ski-in ski-out, located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It’s like being inside a winter wonderland snow globe. Last, if you’ve got time and want to do something epic, book an outing with my friend Taylor Phillips at EcoTour Adventures. There are many different tours, but the wolf trekking (I wrote about it here) is badass.