A visit to Jackson Hole isn’t necessarily going to be an inexpensive one. When planning your trip here it helps to be prepared for how much a vacation in the Tetons may cost. After all, “free” is not a word you hear often in Jackson Hole.
If money is no object, you may not want to read any further as budgeting might not be a priority (lucky you!). But for the rest of us, getting a picture of the hit the old wallet may or may not take is important before arriving in what is arguably one of the most amazing destinations in the world.
To give you a general idea of the costs associated with a vacation in Jackson Hole, we've broken down the possible expenditures during both winter and summer.
Winter Vacation Budget
A ski vacation in Jackson Hole is, by default, more pricey than a summer stay, what with the cost of lift tickets and ski rentals added into the price of lodging, meals and such. That said, skiing here affords you pretty enviable bragging rights back home, right? Exactly. Plus Jackson Hole in winter is beyond beautiful—worth the trip (pun in intended)!
Getting here: If you are flying into Jackson Hole Airport, please note that the airport only services four major carriers—American, Delta, United and Alaskan airlines. While there are direct flights from several cities (for example New York, Chicago, Denver, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles), many flights into Jackson Hole require a connection. The average airfare cost in January and February runs the gamut from $400 to $900+, depending upon how early in advance you book, the departure city and whether you fly direct or have one or more connections.
Staying here: There are pros to staying at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, one of which is, of course, quick access to the slopes! The "con" may be the cost of lodging in the Village, but the convenience, can't be beaten. Double occupancy rates start around $300 per night and go up accordingly ($800 at Four Seasons). If you have a large family or group, renting a house or condo may be the way to go, financially. Rental rates start at around $5,ooo for the week.
Hotels in town are less generally expensive than the Village. At the lower end of the spectrum, a double room can start around $150 and a family suite, $200. More up-market lodges average $250 and higher for a room for two.
Skiing here: The cost of a full-day lift ticket at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is on average $200; it’s $85 at Snow King, and Grand Targhee’s full-day ticket is $150. Buying lift tickets online can save you as much as $10 per ticket per day and weekly tickets can also be a bit less than daily ones. Ski rentals vs. BYO: American, Delta and United charge $25-$50 per ski bag. The average cost of renting skis/boots/poles at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s JH Sports is $80, but you can receive a 20% discount by renting/reserving your equipment online.
Eating here: Like most resort towns, Jackson Hole has both budget-friendly restaurants as well as splurge-worthy ones. Dinner for four can run you anywhere between $75 and $250+. Click on our EAT tab to check out the various eateries both in the town of Jackson and out in Teton Village, and/or visit jacksonholerestaurants.com, our sister site.
Getting around here: Rental car rates start at $400 a week for a standard, 5-passenger vehicle. However, in winter people sometimes decide to forgo renting and instead use our START (Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) bus to get back and forth between town and Teton Village and vice versa. It only costs $3 (cash only) a ride for adults and children under age 8 ride free.
Playing here: If downhill skiing isn’t your thing, or you’d like to take a day off the slopes and have a unique Jackson Hole/Grand Teton National Park adventure, here is an idea of what that experience may cost: half-day wildlife safari, $165; sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge, $38 adults/$23 kids 5-12/free under 4; Mill Iron Ranch evening sleigh ride, $170 adults; snowmobile tour through Yellowstone National Park, is an average of $500 per driver; snowshoe tours, approximately $330; half-day dog sled tour, $300
$ Saving Tip: Click on our “Specials” tab for discounts on everything from food to clothing, lodging to wildlife tours and other adventures.
Summer Vacation Budget
Summertime is prime visitor season in Jackson Hole due in large part to the accessibility of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Unfettered by snow, there is a myriad of outdoor adventures and activities to engage in out here in the Tetons, some of which require an additional outlay of cash, of course. Take a peek at what your trip may cost.
Getting here: If you are flying into Jackson Hole Airport, please note that the airport only services four major carriers—American, Delta, United and Alaska airlines. While there are direct flights from several cities (for example New York, Chicago, Denver, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Los Angles, and Minneapolis), many flights into Jackson Hole require a connection. The average airfare cost in July and August runs the gamut from $400 to $900+, depending upon how early in advance you book, the departure city and whether you fly direct or have one or more connections.
Staying here: Double occupancy rates in Teton Village start at around $300 per night and go up accordingly ($900+ at Four Seasons). If you have a large family or group, renting a house or condo may be the way to go, financially. Rental rates are on average $4,000+ for the week.
Getting around here: Rental car rates start at $350 a week for a standard, 5-passenger vehicle.
Eating here: Like most resort towns, Jackson Hole has both budget-friendly restaurants as well as splurge-worthy ones. Dinner for four can run you anywhere between $80 and $250+. Click on our EAT tab to check out the various eateries both in the town of Jackson and out in Teton Village, and/or visit jacksonholerestaurants.com, our sister site.
Playing here: The fee to enter either Grand Teton or Yellowstone national parks is $35 per park for a 7-day pass for a private, non-commercial vehicle. An annual pass for all national parks is $80.
The following are the average costs of popular adventures/activities in and around Jackson Hole.
- Wildlife safari tour: $165 for a half-day; $325 for full-day
- River trips: Scenic float $115; whitewater $115
- Horseback trail rides: $60
- Jackson Hole Rodeo: $50
- Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: $65. Buying tickets online saves you $7 ($10 off a family pass).
- Bike rentals:$40 half-day; $60 full-day
- Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board rentals: Kayak $40; SUP $40
- Fly fishing: $650 half-day (for two people)
- Paragliding: Tandem flights off the top of Rendezvous Mountain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, $425
- Scenic gondola ride at Snow King Mountain: $35
$ SAVINGS TIP: Click on our “Specials” tab for discounts on everything from food to clothing, lodging to wildlife tours and other adventures.
If you feel like splurging, check out our recommendations: 6 Splurge-Worthy Ideas
The Last Word
A trip to Jackson Hole need not cost you "an arm and a leg." Armed with the knowledge and the numbers of what lodging, meals, tours and attractions cost, you won't be caught off guard once you arrive.
After all is said and done, though, you will find the experience of being here is really pretty priceless.
Get ready to enjoy the trip of a lifetime!