If you’re looking to have a non-driving day of family fun while you're here in the Tetons with the flexibility of quick activities for all ages, look no further than Teton Village. Nestled at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Village is the perfect place to spend the day while playing in and around the mountain. Start with breakfast and finish up your epic top to bottom day with a perfect dinner where you can re-live the myriad of memorable adventures you had with friends and family. Here are some of ideas to help you plan your own special itinerary.
Breakfast
Fuel up for your full day at Teton Village in the Mangy Moose Café, or at the Alpenhof (hello, Nutella crepes!). Another option is to ride the Aerial Tram (buy tickets on-line and save)as soon as you arrive in the Village and take part in the tradition of delicious, made-to-order "Top of the World waffles" at Corbet’s Cabin atop Rendezvous Peak.
Traveler Tidbit: Corbet's Cabin has been named the #2 "Best Ski Restaurant" in the country by USA TODAY!
Morning Activities
Gosh, where to start?
If it’s a Thursday or Saturday morning—and you have an avid yogi in your group—there is a yoga class offered on those mornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on the Deck atop the Bridger Gondola. That’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing, right? Participants can sign up online or at the register in Teton Village Sports; $30 per person.
If you opted for breakfast at Corbet’s Cabin, hike around at the summit for a bit. We recommend walking a very short and relatively easy distance down to the top of the famous Corbet’s Couloir—the rocky, crazy vertical expert ski run that separates the men from the boys during ski season! You can also watch paragliders “jumping off” the mountain with Jackson Hole Paragliding before hopping aboard the tram for a return to the base. Of course you can treat yourself to paragliding, a true bucket list item.
The base of the ski resort is where oodles of action take place. You have your pick of activity in the Grand Adventure Park: mountain biking, the bungee trampoline, the rock wall, ropes course, or all of the above and more. The Grand Adventure Pass ($82 per person or family pass $235 for up to 6 people) gives you unlimited access from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to every activity mentioned plus riding the tram and free falling from the new Drop Tower next to the ropes course. You can also opt to pay just for the adventure or two you’d like to indulge in now—and maybe save one more for after lunch.
Lunch
Make lunch a light one by grabbing a fried chicken sandwich from Bodega’s food truck, or choose from a variety of gastronomic goodies from Tin Can Cantina at the base of the Bridger Gondola (open Wednesday through Sunday only) or RPK3’s at the base of the tram.
Afternoon Activities
Did you buy a Grand Adventure Pass earlier in the day? Well, keep the good times rolling with that, or, if you opted to pick and choose your adrenaline rush, partake of one—like mountain biking—for the afternoon. Options abound for every level of biker, including novice trails for the uninitiated as well as some major eye-opening advanced trails. Rent a bike at Jackson Hole Sports or Teton Village Sports.
If mountain biking isn’t your thing, consider carousing and crisscrossing the lower mountain on foot via the great disc golf course in Teton Village. This free, 18-hole course incorporates three loops, each going a bit higher up the mountain; there is a lower 9-hole course that can be played fairly quickly. Jackson Hole Sports sells discs if you don’t have your own.
Another wonderful afternoon option would be to channel your inner cowpoke and take a one- or two-hour horseback trail ride on the historic Snake River Ranch with the seasoned, real cowboys of Teton Village Trail Rides.
If there are a couple of climbing enthusiasts in your family, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s popular attraction—Via Ferrata—will more than satisfy the crave to climb. Via Ferrata is an assisted climbing activity that is guided through the alpine terrain at the resort and includes a trek across suspended bridges. The Approach Loop is only 2 to 3 hours in length and is ideal for those with a full day’s schedule of activities elsewhere in the Village.
Feeling the heat of our mighty western sun? Take a short break in the Village Commons area with a run through the icy cold pop jets, a collection of fountains that shoot water up in varying locations and intervals. It's a hot kid's heaven!
Before dinner, take a ride up the Bridger Gondola to the outdoor Deck at Piste (rides start at 5 p.m.) for a cocktail and appetizers plus an amazing view.
There are also daily “Alive@5” events that take place in the Village Commons area. Depending upon the day, you can meet live birds of prey from Teton Raptor Center, listen to tunes with local musicians, enjoy storytelling with live animals or a Wild Things of Wyoming interactive experience, or take in Concerts on the Commons at 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Dinner ... and Beyond
Phew—What a full day of adventure! Put the cherry on top of your terrific Teton Village experience with a hearty dinner at the kid-friendly Mangy Moose, or the equally family-esque and local favorite Teton Thai; it hasn’t been voted the "Best Thai Food Place" in the valley for nothing. If you're feeling like handmade pizza and/or other Italian dishes then Il Villagio Osteria is perfecto!
The Mangy Moose Saloon features local musicians from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All ages are welcome.
For additional information on weekly events in Teton Village, visit tetonvillagewyo.org/events or jacksonhole.com/events.