Long before Jackson Hole became synonymous with powder days, and world-class resorts, skiing here started small — local, gritty, and deeply tied to the community. What began as a way for residents to move through deep winter snow eventually shaped the town’s identity, economy, and way of life.
Today, skiing in Jackson Hole is more than a sport. It’s part of the valley’s DNA — influencing everything from seasonal rhythms to where people choose to live. To understand Jackson Hole’s lifestyle (and real estate market), you have to understand its ski history.
Snow King Mountain: Where Jackson Hole’s Ski Story Began
The Snow King Mountain is where skiing in Jackson Hole truly took root. What many don’t know, Snow King was Wyoming's first ski area and opened in 1939 with a rope tow powered by a tractor. In the late 1930s and 1940s, local skiers carved turns on what was then a modest town hill just steps from the Town Square. Snow King wasn’t about luxury — it was about access and locals. It became a winter gathering place, shaping a culture that valued community.
Snow King Today
Snow King still holds its place as Jackson Hole’s local hill — a place for quick lunch laps, night skiing, and family activities year round. Its proximity to town makes it a gateway into skiing culture for kids growing up here and newcomers discovering winter life in Jackson Hole for the first time, and serves as a community anchor with local events hosted all seasons.
Photography: Snow King Mountain
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: From Vision to Global Icon
When Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opened in 1965, it changed the trajectory of skiing in the Tetons forever. Located at the base of Rendezvous Mountain in Teton Village, the resort was built with a bold vision: create a ski area that embraced steep, technical terrain rather than avoiding it. That vision helped define what the resort is known for today — expert lines, deep snow, and a reputation that attracts skiers from around the world.
How JHMR Shaped Jackson Hole
The growth of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort fueled the development of Teton Village, expanded winter tourism, and helped turn Jackson Hole into a year-round destination. It also shaped the local workforce, housing patterns, and lifestyle rhythms that still exist today. For many second-home buyers and full-time residents, access to this mountain — and the culture surrounding it — plays a major role in where they choose to live.
Grand Targhee: Powder, Community, and a Different Pace
Across the Tetons on the west side of the range, Grand Targhee Resort offers a contrasting but equally important chapter in the region’s ski history. Opening in 1969, Grand Targhee quickly became known for its consistent snowfall, mellow terrain, and family-friendly feel. While it may not chase the same spotlight as its counterpart Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, its reputation for deep powder and relaxed atmosphere has earned a loyal following.
A Key Piece of the Teton Ski Ecosystem
Grand Targhee helped shape Teton Valley’s identity and housing growth, offering an alternative mountain lifestyle that still feels closely tied to Jackson Hole. For buyers drawn to space, community, and access to skiing without the crowds, Targhee plays a major role in how the broader region functions.
Photography: Grand Targhee Resort
Three Mountains, One Ski Culture
Snow King Mountain, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee Resort each serve a different purpose — but together, they define winter life in Jackson Hole and the Tetons.
- Snow King Mountain anchors skiing in town and community
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort draws global attention and defines the area’s reputation
- Grand Targhee Resort balances the ecosystem with powder, approachability, and a slower pace
This layered ski culture influences how people plan their winters, raise families, build careers, and choose homes — whether that means living slopeside, in town, or over the pass.
Skiing as a Way of Life in Jackson Hole
Skiing here has always been about more than recreation. It’s shaped how Jackson Hole grew, how neighborhoods formed, and how people connect to the land and each other, especially during the long winters.
For many, a love of skiing is what first brings them to Jackson Hole — but it’s the lifestyle that makes them stay. Mountain Standard Realty helps buyers find homes that connect them not just to the mountains, but to the history, community, and way of life that define this special place. Connect with an agent today to explore the possibilities of making Jackson Hole or Teton Valley home.
