Teton Village, Wyoming 83025
Story by Shannon Brooks
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Wade McKoy—FPI Peddling up Solitude Road as it traverses the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl, these cyclists close in on the summit and a complementary tram ride back to the valley floor. |
Once a tiny, winter-only ski hamlet, Teton Village’s recent renaissance has brought year-round life to the base of the “Big One.” New hotels and restaurants, activities galore, and easy access to Grand Teton National Park make Teton Village a great base camp during a summer visit to Jackson Hole.
For an overview, best to start at the top, the top of Rendezvous Peak that is. The same aerial tram that whisks skiers and snowboarders up 4,139 vertical feet during ski season also carries summer vacationers on a round-trip journey into the high alpine landscape of flowers and granite. The ride might include spotting a moose, deer, or even the occasional black bear foraging on the mountainside. From the 10,450-foot summit, panoramic views spark inspiration while a variety of hiking options tug at your boots. Take a short, naturalist-led tour into Cody Bowl, or trek expedition-style into Bridger Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. Bring a jacket, though, even for a short walk. For all the details check with the Guest Service Center at the base of the mountain.
While most people ride the tram back down, other options beckon the more adventurous. Some folks hike down the Mountain Trail, a distance of 7.2 miles, while a few hardy souls even fly down. Yep, you can sprout wings on a 20-minute tandem flight with Jackson Hole Paragliding. Their certified pilots have logged hundreds of hours flying in the Tetons and are eager to introduce first-timers to the unique experience of tandem paragliding. A running start to lift-off leads to the peaceful, exhilarating flight to the valley floor.
Want to keep your feet closer to the ground? The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort recently built a bike trail system that includes intermediate and advanced riding, with tight switchback turns soon giving way to a rolling singletrack. Ride your own “steed” or rent a mountain bike from Nick Wilson’s. Pick up a trail map from the Guest Service Center. Advanced riders can bike all the way to the summit on the Solitude
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Photo: Greg Von Doersten The climbing wall gives everyone a chance to experience top-roped rock climbing while belayed by a professional. |
Road, or stop midway to ride back down. No downhill riding is allowed from the summit, but you (and your bike) are treated to a complimentary tram ride to the bottom.
Non-mechanized trail riding is available at Bill Scott’s Jackson Hole Trail Rides, with gentle horses providing an old-school tour of the trails in neighboring Grand Teton National Park—perfect for families.
There’s also a new golf course in Teton Village, but these links require discs, not drivers. The free, nine-hole Frisbee Golf course winds up and around the base area. Strategically placed picnic tables along the course are perfect for resting and refueling. Pick up a free course map at Nick Wilson’s, where discs may also be purchased.
While kids can enjoy all of the activities in Teton Village, they also have their own kid-specific choices. The fishing pond is a wonderful place for junior anglers to test their casting skills against native trout, and rods are available at the cabin adjacent to the pond. The Grand Teton Music Festival hosts a variety of Young People’s concerts throughout the summer, with themes and music geared toward the younger set. The Kid’s Ranch at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort engages grade schoolers with arts and crafts, short hikes, and local wildlife education. Older children can join Team Extreme and spend their days mountain biking, rock climbing, and orienteering.
Teton Village also offers more tranquil pursuits. If you feel it necessary to get away while getting away, the Spa at the Teton Mountain Lodge features the Lomi Lomi, a traditional Hawaiian massage, as well as a selection of massages designed to treat mountain-weary muscles.
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Photo: Greg Von Doersten The Aerial Tram carries passengers 4,100 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain. |
For some serious shopping check out Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop in the Alpenhof, which trades its usual merchandise of skis and parkas for the lightweight trekking gear of summer. Nick Wilson’s located right next to the tram has a complete array of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort logo gear . For sustenance, the Mangy Moose Market and Grocery and the Teton Village Market both carry an assortment of food staples and diverse wines.
For those who would rather choose their wine from a wine list, Teton Village doesn’t disappoint. The hotels house the fine dining establishments. The Cascade Grill House & Spirits in the Teton Mountain Lodge specializes in native dishes like smoked bison carpaccio, Henry’s Fork trout, and molasses seared elk. No need for a dinner jacket anywhere in Teton Village, “resort casual” defines the dinner style. For lunch, outdoor dining options abound at Cascade Grill House & Spirits, and Nick Wilson’s Cowboy Cafe.
After dinner activities include Grand Teton Music Festival concerts. The Grand Teton Music Festival assembles an all-star cast of musicians who wax melodic in the acoustically superb Walk Festival Hall. Concerts begin at 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with variations that include chamber music, spotlight themed concerts, and the full festival orchestra. At the opposite end of the musical spectrum, the Mangy Moose lures top rock, bluegrass, funk and everything in-between music acts to their studio-quality stage throughout the summer.
The Teton Village Summerfest hosts a variety of events throughout the summer. Families will especially enjoy the annual Solstice Family Fun and Fishing Day, with a fishing derby, face painting, games and food, as well as the Grand Teton Music Festival Family Day that helps educate children about orchestra music. Antiques collectors will enjoy both the Silver Car Show showcasing vintage automobiles and the annual Mangy Moose Antiques Show. Other must-do events include the annual Micro Brew Festival and the Indian Arts Show andDance. For the full schedule of Summerfest events, look in The Jackson Hole Daily.
With this abundance of unique activities and amenities, Teton Village has become a full-fledged, year-round resort and an essential part of the complete Jackson Hole summer vacation.
Shannon Brooks is an account manager with Stanwood and Partners Public Relations.
Copyright 2004 by FPI (Focus Productions, Inc)., P.O. Box 1930, Jackson, Wyoming 83001. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publishers.
Mountain Country is a free visitors’ guide published annually in May and distributed at hundreds of locations throughout Jackson Hole, Cody, and other regional communities. To receive a copy in the mail, send $5 to Mountain Country, P.O. Box 1930, Jackson, Wyoming 83001.
Publishers: Bob Woodall & Wade McKoy, dba Focus Productions, Inc. (FPI)
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