002 Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Woke up at 3AM to get to Burbank airport by 5 for our 6:30 boarding time. Parking at the airport ranges from $13 - $26 a day depending on the lot. We boarded our first flight, BUR -> Salt Lake City, Utah for a short hour layover. Grabbed a burrito and then we boarded a quick 45 minute flight to Jackson, Wyoming.
Jackson, Wyoming is one of the few places where the airport is inside a National Park so the airport itself is a work of art in such a serene setting. Large windows show the surrounding Teton mountains as you enter and exit, a truly beautiful sight to be seen.
On the plane ride over I saw some other friends and staff of the Westlake Village FS which worked out perfect cause we were able to share a ride to the Four Seasons in Teton Village. Two suburbans filled with skis, snowboards and bags of winter coats and long underwear headed through the snowy countryside to our destination for the week. As you drive towards Teton Village you travel through an Elk preserve and large groups could be seen frolicking in the fields.
We arrived after a short 25 minute ride to the snow covered Four Seasons. At the front desk we were welcomed with hot apple cider, warm smiles and an upgrade to a one bedroom suite during our stay.
Entering room 620, you walk into the living room area with its own fireplace and a beautiful view of the snow covered valley and mountains (maybe some roof vents as well). A separate king sized bed awaits in the separate room along with the master bathroom with soaking tub and a large shower.
We arrived on Thanksgiving morning and ski season began the following day so after a long day of travels we fell asleep early and awoke to fresh snowfall and everything covered in a beautiful layer of white.
We ordered room service for breakfast and then went downstairs to The Handlebar restaurant where their giant glass windows face the mountain. We enjoyed a cocktail and watched the opening days crowd pile into the lifts, ready to hit the slopes. We decided to take a ride around town and what better way than electric bikes (available to rent at 4S) rocking fat tires and snow spikes. They were great on ice but the few inches of fresh powder on the ground made for a slightly difficult ride. Wear your helmet!
Later that evening the town of Jackson Hole was having their tree lighting ceremony so we took the $3 bus ride from Teton Village into the town square. Buses run every fifteen minutes (or so they say) and are filled to the brim with locals so you’re sure to hear about the nights hockey game or what bars you should visit. We stopped by the Million Dollar Cowboy bar and had a drink while waiting for our reservations at Jackson Drug for dinner. Don’t worry it’s not a pharmacy, just a spot for delicious grilled cheese and tomato soup! We decided to take an Lyft back into Teton Village to forgo the 10 different stops we made on the way into town.
Saturday morning we woke to more snowfall and decided to start a new show we’d heard good things about. Season one episode one began around 9:30am. Season two episode twelve ended around 2:30am Sunday morning. We took an hour break to head downstairs to the lobby where the Teton Raptor center brought some birds to learn about.
Sunday we decided to ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram to 10,000ft. Spectacular views of the Tetons and surrounding area made for some incredible photo and video. Corbet’s Cabin at the Top of the World, is a small shack where guests can enjoy hot drinks and world famous waffles! We ate the Englishman, a lemony, whipped cream covered waffle as well as a Nutella filled one. I dunno if it was the elevation that made them so delicious but it may have been the best waffle I’ve ever eaten.
Monday the blizzard rolled into town and after a huge breakfast of Huevos Rancheros and the cowboy croissant at Westbank Grill we retreated to our room for a day of relaxation and food coma recovery. De wanted soup so I went on a mission to find a vegetarian soup somewhere in Teton Village. After some searching I found a Minestrone at the neighboring hotels restaurant Gamefish.
Tuesday was our last full day there. We grabbed a drink at the Handlebar and walked through the small town of Teton Village once again exploring their small shops. Good thing, we found us Huckleberry Jam! We ordered dinner to go from Westbank grill and caught up on the latest Yosemite episodes.
Wednesday our flight left at 6:30 and we tend to like to be there earlier than later so we planned to leave the hotel at 3:30. They were able to grant us a late checkout of 3pm so didn’t have to rush the morning. The room service breakfast menu was filled with delicious vegetarian options all of which we ate during our stay and the last thing to try was the avocado toast. It did not disappoint. We cleaned up, packed up and I had a taxi service setup to pick us up at 3:30. Jackson Hole Taxi has a great fleet of cars and they actually took us from the airport as well as the return trip. $85 each way with a nice GMC SUV. We arrived to the emptiest airport I’ve ever been in and made it through security quick. A short time later we were boarding and before you knew it, had made it to Salt Lake where we hopped on the final leg home to Burbank.
