The mere mention of Jackson Hole instantly elicits visions of the rugged beauty of the nearly 14,000-foot Grand Teton and surrounding granite peaks. While the beauty may be the initial incentive for a visit, Jackson Hole is much more than mountains. The existing recreational and cultural opportunities, along with the benefits of living in a small resort community, are just a few of the reasons that invite people to become residents of Jackson Hole.Jackson Hole is an alpine resort community surrounded by the Teton, Gros Ventre, Snake River and Greys River mountain ranges. Although Teton County encompasses some 2.7 million acres, development is limited to less than 3% of this area, with the remaining bulk of the County comprised of Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, other public lands and private lands permanently conserved with scenic easements.
Jackson Hole is a recreational paradise, with abundant opportunities to ski, fish blue ribbon waters, river raft, ride horses, hunt, golf, or hike any of the myriad of trails that exist in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It is also home to bison, moose, bald eagles and the largest elk herd in North America.
Recreating in Jackson Hole does not always require the enthusiast to be “on the go.” Fulfillment can be as easily attained by relaxing in one of the many superior restaurants that offer everything from the finest steak and game to fresh sushi. Visitors and residents alike are also benefited by the existence of over forty art galleries. Jackson Hole is also home to the National Museum of Wildlife Art where masterpieces of western icons such as Frederick Remington, Charles Russell and Carl Runguis are on display. For those desiring a closer look at the real thing, the National Elk Refuge is located across the street from the museum and sleigh rides are offered providing a close up look a the over 8,000 head of wintering elk. During the summer months, the aerial tramway at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort transports sightseers rather than skiers, and the Grand Teton Music Festival returns to Teton Village with its collection of musicians from the world’s best orchestras performing over forty chamber and symphonic concerts each summer.
While Jackson Hole is large enough to offer opportunities not found in towns twice its size, Jackson is a small town that is not too busy to fill up the high school gymnasium for a Friday night basketball game or consider the annual Firemens’ Ball a mandatory event. It is community involvement such as this that has resulted in academic excellence in the Teton County School District.