Jackson Hole

A hole in trapper usage meant a high valley ringed by mountains, and this one has the Tetons rising directly from its floor with no foothills, which is why they look as they do. The town square has four arches built from shed elk antlers, collected by Boy Scouts each spring from the National Elk Refuge north of town where thousands of elk winter and are fed - the antlers are naturally dropped, and are auctioned with proceeds going back to the refuge. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village has around 1,260 metres of vertical and terrain steep enough that its reputation among skiers is about difficulty rather than comfort. The aerial tram climbs to Rendezvous Mountain in nine minutes.

What you actually see

• Antler arches on the square - from naturally shed elk antlers.
• The National Elk Refuge - thousands wintering north of town.
• About 1,260 metres of vertical - steep terrain at Teton Village.
• The Tetons rising without foothills - straight off the valley floor.

When to go

December to March for skiing; June to September for the parks. Several days.

Honest expectations

It is very expensive - among the priciest resort towns in the country. Summer park traffic is heavy. Winter cold is severe. The ski terrain genuinely is difficult and not a good place to learn.

Nearby

Grand Teton National Park is immediately north; Yellowstone is beyond it.