Jackson Hole Is More Than Iconic Skiing

Region’s Abundant Summertime Recreation is World Class

Chris Duthie | Photos © Chris Duthie

An hour flight from Denver, Jackson Hole is an iconic, double scoop of heaven that can swoon a die-hard ski bum.

But while its wintertime amenities are legendary, this corner of western Wyoming boasts a raft of world-class summertime activities in places like Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the mighty Snake River, the verdant lowlands of southeast Idaho and a host of other destinations.

Here’s a Top Five List of things you’ll want to do on your next visit to Jackson Hole:

1. There are several outstanding golf options in the area, including Teton Pines Country Club (designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay), private Snake River Sporting Club (Tom Weiskopf) and Teton Reserve (Hale Irwin). In nearby Victor, ID, go play Headwaters Golf Club at Teton Springs Resort (Gary Stephenson, Steve Jones and Byron Nelson), and if you have connections in nearby Driggs, ID, tee it up at private Huntsman Springs (David McLay Kidd).

Pictured Above: Teton Pines Country Club

Pictured Above (2): Headwaters Golf Club at Teton Springs Resort

Pictured Above: Snake River Sporting Club

2. Spring Creek Ranch is a great place to overnight, dine and relax, plus it offers adrenalin-pumping tours to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The lodging’s on-staff naturalists take visitors into the heart of these awe-inspiring regions, providing customized safaris to enjoy waterfalls, wild bison, antelope, Old Faithful, Mormon Row Homestead, National Elk Refuge and other historic sites. www.springcreekranch.com

3. Fly fishing the free-flowing Snake and Teton rivers and other gold-medal waters is a don’t-miss recreation. A variety of guides and outfitters are readily available to pursue wild brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, including Grand Fishing Adventures, Reel Deel Anglers, Jackson Hole Anglers and others.

4. Mountain biking Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is better than ever with the addition of new trails mapped, designed and built by Gravity Logic. Ranging from novice trails for the uninitiated to advanced single-tracks and jumps for experts, get your gonzo on at the new Jackson Hole Bike Park. www.jacksonhole.com

5. For 51 summers, the Grand Teton Music Festival has performed at the base of Rendezvous Mountain. This year’s series runs Tuesday through Saturday from July 4 to Aug. 16. Weekdays are a potpourri of chamber concerts and creative spotlights, while the weekends are reserved for large-scale orchestral presentations. www.gtmf.org

RELATED LINKS

Goin’ to Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson

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Durango resident Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.