Winter: Trip Planner
TRAVELArrival and Departure Dates
It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to any overnight trips in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check.
Air Travel
There are regular flights to Jackson Hole from Denver, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Minneapolis. We suggest making your reservation as soon as possible. If flights are sold out or too expensive, your options include flying into Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, Bozeman, or Cody and renting a car. Idaho Falls is the closest option, just two hours away. Otherwise, Salt Lake City, Bozeman, and Cody are all about a five-hour drive from Jackson.
Also, the Jackson Hole Express (800-652-9510) provides daily shuttle service from Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls.
Local transportation
Please plan on providing your own transportation. Jackson Hole Mountain Guides does not provide transportation services but it is often possible to arrange car pools with other clients and the guide. Car rental, bus and taxi services are available.
Office Location and Directions
Jackson Hole Mountain Guides is located in downtown Jackson at 165 North Glenwood. Our phone number is (800) 239-7642, or 307-733-4979.
From the airport, (north of town) drive south on Highway 89. In north Jackson, Highway 89 becomes Cache Drive. At the second traffic light, turn right on Gill Avenue. At the first intersection, turn left on Glenwood Street. We are located a half-block down on the right.
From south of town, drive north on Highway 89. In south Jackson, Highway 89 becomes Broadway. Just shy of the town square take left Glenwood Street (you’ll essentially turn into the Wort Hotel on a one-way). We are located one-and-a-half blocks down on the left.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Plan on having accommodations for the night prior to and the night you return from your climb. There are a plethora of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Jackson and the surrounding area. Accommodations near our office make your transitions convenient. It is highly advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Jackson Hole is quite busy throughout the winter and holiday periods are often sold out.
For all Jackson lodging information, we suggest
Jackson Hole Central Reservations (800-443-6931) and Jackson Hole Net.
SCHEDULE
For all avalanche courses, the meeting time and place is listed on the Avalanche Education web page.
For all day and overnight trips, please verify your meeting time and place with the office.
If you are joining us for overnight programs, please coordinate with our office the day before the start of your trip, so that we can look over your clothing and equipment.
FOOD INFORMATION
For all overnight trips, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides will supply all breakfasts and dinners. You provide your own lunches, trail food, and energy drinks. Our office will provide more information on recommended foods to bring.
EQUIPMENT
Our equipment lists are designed to prepare you for all possible conditions:
View the Winter multi-day equipment list, in PDF format, for all overnight trips.
View the Winter Ski-Climb-Avalanche equipment list, in PDF format, for all day trips.
You are welcome to store extra gear and luggage that you will not need
on your climb in the office.
Please, no cotton: Cotton or cotton blends are not acceptable layers. Wet cotton cools your core body temperature 30 times more quickly than air and this can become a serious safety issue.
Consult our equipment list for what you will need. If you do not wish to purchase items, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides provides a number of rental items for your convenience, including packs, avalanche beacons, and shovels. All ski gear can be rented locally. Don’t hesitate to call our office with any questions.
There are some good mountaineering shops in town should you need to supplement your gear. Skinny Skis (307-733-6094), located near our office, and Wilson Backcountry Sports (307-733-5228), located at the base of Teton Pass, have a full selection of ski equipment rentals.
Teton Mountaineering (307-733-3595) has a wide array of gear as well.
AMENITIES
Jackson is a resort town with all the amenities. The town has an excellent library, recreation center, and over a hundred restaurants. Teton Rock Gym (307-733-0707), with a wide spectrum of climbs, as well as weights and showers, is located down by the K-mart. The Chamber of Commerce has plenty of information.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
Winter weather in the Tetons can be extreme, varying from snow storms with strong winds, or clear and cold with below zero temps. December, January, and February are the coldest, with temps below freezing. This sets up some great, light density powder skiing, and keeps waterfalls frozen for solid ice climbing. March and April are warm with daytime temps above freezing, leading to corn cycles. The snowpack becomes more stable and the high peaks become more accessible.
A great local weather source is Jim Woodmency’s Mountain Weather.
Our “haulbag” page has in depth information on the area’s climate.
Avalanche forecasts are available daily on the Bridger-Teton National Forest site.