Jackson Hole is a valley in northwestern Wyoming, flanked by the Teton Range to the west and the Gros Ventre Range to the east. The town of Jackson sits at its southern end and serves as the base for visitors to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, both within easy driving distance.
The Tetons are the main event — a wall of jagged peaks rising nearly 2,000 metres straight from the valley floor with no foothills to soften the drama. Hiking, climbing, and wildlife viewing in Grand Teton National Park are superb, with Oxbow Bend and Jenny Lake among the highlights. In winter, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the best ski areas in North America, with steep terrain and reliable snow.
The town of Jackson has a lively town square marked by arches of elk antlers, good restaurants, and a selection of outfitters for fishing, rafting, and horseback riding. The National Elk Refuge, just east of town, is home to thousands of elk in winter and offers sleigh rides through the herd. The National Museum of Wildlife Art on the hillside above the refuge is one of the best wildlife art collections in the country. The area is expensive — this is resort country — but the landscape justifies the premium.