Wyoming’s premier ski town is a magnet in summer too. Here, four locals—including a rancher and pro snowboarder—on where to spot wildlife, paddleboard in Grand Teton National Park and sip cocktails with a view
As the largest town in Jackson Hole—the broad Wyoming valley in the shadow of the Teton range—Jackson has long attracted rough-around-the-edges types: ranchers, skiers, die-hard climbers. But the area’s abundant natural beauty and Jackson’s growing slate of posh hotels, sophisticated shops and cheffy restaurants also draw its fair share of glitterati. That said, locals are quick to point out that the town’s most notorious celebrity is an elusive 26-year-old grizzly bear known as 399. For more reliable, less-risky wildlife encounters, visitors can take in birds of prey at the Teton Raptor Center or see milder creatures in the wild on any number of the nearby hikes. While recent flooding has left Yellowstone National Park—60 miles away—still partly closed, the entirely open Grand Teton National Park, just outside town, remains a memorable crowd-pleaser. Here, four Jackson locals share their favorite spots for summer.
Grand Teton Music Festival: This summer festival hosts indoor and outdoor performances by classical musicians from more than 90 orchestras. It’s fabulous.
