Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Skiers have been enjoying the Grand Tetons since the early 1900s, but the mountains have drawn adventurers for centuries. Inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years, Canadian fur trappers would bestow the name “Le trois Tetons” (The Three Breasts) on the mountains. The area now known as Jackson Hole was named after a beaver trapper, David E. Jackson, around 1829.

First built in 1897, the town of Jackson has history both with skiing and wild west antics. Local brothers known as the Hoback Boys presented a ski circus, where they would ski through rings of fire on homemade skis. Buffalo Bill Cody brought his touring Wild West show through the area, and John Wayne even filmed his first speaking role in the town.

In 1963 after a detailed study confirmed that Rendezvous Mountain would be a prime location for a ski resort, the property, previously a Girl Scout ranch, was purchased and construction began on the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

The iconic red aerial tram first opened to the public in 1966, held 52 people and took 10.5 minutes to reach the top. After 40 years of service, it was replaced in 2009 with the current larger and faster tram.

Today the resort is known for its challenging terrain, and includes the greatest continuous rise in the United States. Half of its ski runs are rated expert, and numerous national and international ski competitions are held here.