How We Picked
Wyoming's ski landscape is small but concentrated. Four ski areas operate in the state, and the gaps between them are real: one holds the largest vertical drop in the lower 48, one receives 500 inches of snow on the west side of the Tetons, one is a locals' night-ski hill above Jackson town, and one is a high-altitude family area 32 miles outside Laramie. We ranked them by vertical drop, snow reliability, terrain variety, and how practical each is to reach from Wyoming airports. Prices below are estimated ranges based on publicly available data and are not guaranteed rates. Day ticket costs vary by day type and how far ahead you book. For lodging next to the slopes, check the Hotels and Lodges directory. This page is part of the broader Wyoming travel guide and covers the full state ski picture so you can match the right mountain to your skill level, budget, and itinerary.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village rises 4,139 vertical feet to Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450 feet, the largest continuous vertical drop of any ski area in the lower 48. The aerial tram hauls 100 passengers at a time and deposits you on top in about 12 minutes. The terrain is legitimate: roughly half the runs are classified advanced or expert, and Corbet's Couloir, a mandatory air entry into a double-black chute that drops 20-plus feet before you can turn, draws expert skiers from across the country each season. The resort averages around 459 inches of snow per season, and a 14-lift network spreads skiers across more than 2,500 acres so crowds rarely bottleneck. Day ticket estimates run $150 to $300 depending on booking lead time, and the resort is on the Ikon pass. Teton Village sits 12 miles northwest of Jackson via WY-390 through Wilson, and Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is about 15 minutes away, making this one of the most airport-convenient ski destinations in the country. For slope-adjacent lodging, Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa in Teton Village sits steps from the lifts and includes full spa services.
The season typically runs late November through April, with peak conditions from January through March. January and February bring the driest, lightest powder; March and April tend to have better visibility and warmer midday temperatures with still-deep snowpack. The resort also sits within the broader Jackson Hole and Tetons region, so you can add a day in Grand Teton National Park, a drive up to Yellowstone's South Entrance, or wildlife watching in the National Elk Refuge without moving your base. Book lodging in Teton Village six months out for any December-through-February dates.
Grand Targhee Resort
Grand Targhee Resort sits on the western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming, accessed by driving west from Jackson on WY-22 through Wilson, then north through Victor and Driggs, Idaho on ID-33, then east up Ski Hill Road to the resort. The full drive takes about 90 minutes from Jackson in good weather. The route is longer than you expect, but the snow payoff is real: Grand Targhee averages 500 inches of annual snowfall, one of the deepest bases in Wyoming, because storms hit the windward west side of the Tetons first and stall. That same wet Pacific air is why locals nicknamed the place Grand Foghee, but the clouds that reduce visibility are also why the powder stays untracked for days after a storm.
The vertical is 2,409 feet across about 3,000 acres, and the mountain manages lift lines well even on busy weekend powder days. The resort is on the Ikon pass. Estimated day tickets run $100 to $180. For base lodging, Teton Teepee Lodge in Alta is a rustic but well-regarded option a mile down the hill from the base, consistently popular with Targhee regulars for its communal dining and quiet setting. If you are weighing Grand Targhee against Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the short version is this: Targhee wins on snow depth and cost, Jackson wins on vertical drop and expert terrain. Many serious skiers base in the Jackson Hole area and spend some days at each.
Snow King Mountain
Snow King Mountain stands directly above the town of Jackson at 402 E Snow King Ave, with a base at roughly 6,237 feet and 1,571 vertical feet of skiable terrain. Wyoming's oldest ski area, operating since 1939, it is where Teton County locals ski on weeknights and where out-of-town visitors go when they want a half-day on the slopes without a 12-mile drive to Teton Village. Night skiing runs Thursday through Saturday during peak season, an uncommon feature for a mountain of this size. Day ticket estimates run $60 to $100, making it the most affordable Jackson option. The terrain skews intermediate to expert, with some steep upper-mountain pitches that draw locals back repeatedly. If you are combining skiing with other Jackson activities, such as a morning visit to the National Elk Refuge across the street or a browse of the Town Square shops, Snow King is the most convenient option in the valley.
Snowy Range Ski Area
Snowy Range Ski Area operates on Medicine Bow Peak above the small town of Centennial, 32 miles west of Laramie on WY-130, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. The base sits at 10,500 feet and the terrain climbs to just over 11,700 feet, with 1,425 vertical feet and about 27 trails split across beginner, intermediate, and a handful of advanced runs. It is not a destination resort by any measure, but it serves a real purpose: affordable family skiing in southeastern Wyoming within a reasonable drive of Cheyenne, Laramie, and Casper. Day ticket estimates run $45 to $65, the most budget-friendly in the state. Rental equipment and beginner lessons are available on-site. Reviews point to short lift lines even on busy weekend days, and the high-elevation location means reasonable snow through March. The same highway that takes you to the ski area in winter leads to some of Wyoming's best high-country hiking in summer, when the Snowy Range opens up fully above treeline.
Quick Comparison
| Resort | Location | Vertical | Avg. Snow | Pass | Day Ticket Est. | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole Mountain Resort | Teton Village, WY | 4,139 ft | ~459 in | Ikon | $150–$300 | Expert terrain, serious vertical |
| Grand Targhee Resort | Alta, WY | 2,409 ft | ~500 in | Ikon | $100–$180 | Powder days, lower crowds |
| Snow King Mountain | Downtown Jackson, WY | 1,571 ft | ~250 in | None major | $60–$100 | Night skiing, locals, mixed days |
| Snowy Range Ski Area | Centennial, WY | 1,425 ft | Variable | None major | $45–$65 | Families, beginners, budget |
Frequently asked questions
Which Wyoming ski resort is best for expert skiers?
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is the straightforward answer. The 4,139-foot vertical drop, Corbet's Couloir, and the concentration of advanced and expert terrain put it in a different category from every other option in Wyoming. Buy your Ikon pass well before the season, and book lodging in Teton Village at least four to six months ahead for dates in January or February.
When does ski season start and end in Wyoming?
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort typically open in late November, with core season running December through March and some terrain staying open into April. Snow King Mountain in downtown Jackson usually operates December through March. Snowy Range near Centennial can open by late November and sometimes stretches to April depending on snowpack, though its season is the most variable of the four. March is an underrated month at Targhee and Jackson Hole: the snowpack is deep, days are longer, and midday temperatures are warmer.
Does Grand Targhee get more snow than Jackson Hole Mountain Resort?
Yes, on average. Grand Targhee averages around 500 inches of annual snowfall, compared to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's roughly 459 inches. The reason is geography: Grand Targhee sits on the windward west side of the Teton Range and catches Pacific storms before they lose moisture crossing the mountains. The tradeoff is a smaller vertical drop (2,409 feet versus 4,139 feet) and the longer drive from Jackson through Idaho. If your priority is fresh powder on a consistent basis, Targhee often delivers two to three storm cycles back-to-back in a good January.
Can I ski Jackson Hole without renting a car?
You can manage without one if you plan carefully. The START Bus connects Jackson town to Teton Village (about 12 miles) on a regular schedule during ski season, and if you fly into JAC and stay in Teton Village, you can reach the lifts without a car. That said, most visitors find a rental car worth it, particularly if they plan to explore Grand Teton National Park or drive out to Grand Targhee. Check the Hotels and Lodges directory for slope-adjacent options in Teton Village that reduce your need to drive daily.