Jackson, WY

The annual Teton County Fair is being held in Jackson until Sunday, July 27th. Come enjoy the carnival rides and live music every night. There will be pig wrestling on Wednesday at 7pm, Figure "8" Races on Thursday at 8pm, a concert by the Yonder Mountain String Band on Friday at 8pm, the rodeo on Saturday at 8pm and an all-out demolition derby on Sunday at 6pm. Prices vary for each event, so visit their website for more info. You can also enjoy the horse and dog shows on Saturday and Sunday and exhibits of food, gardening, arts and crafts, photography, needlework, home furnishings and paintings at the Fair Building. Some of the free entertainment available throughout the fair will include a petting farm, clowns, mechanical bull, the Balloon Buffoon, motorcycle stunts, clogging performances, car show, fish pond, a hypnotist, fiddle contest, talent show, comedy juggler and so much more. It's not too late to gather up the family and enjoy some good old fashioned fun at the Teton County Fair.

Spring is on the horizon but there is still time for those who believe winter is just more fun. There is nothing to compare to the great outdoors and the winter wonderland opportunities in Jackson Hole. Ski, Snowboard, Snowshoe, Snow-tubing, Snowmobile, Sleigh Ride, Dog Sled, Hot Springs, Spas, its all here in Jackson Hole amid gorgeous surroundings.

Many snow resorts are limited to a December - February prime time but here in Jackson Hole reports show 397 inches of snow in the mountain resorts so there is still time to come up and enjoy all the snow related activities amid excellent conditions (the weather is warming and the snow pack is great).

Not only are the choices for enjoying the great outdoors excellent but so are the choices of where to stay. You can choose from simple to five-star accommodations which include Dude ranches, Bed-n-Breakfast inns, motels, hotels, and lodges.

Unique adventures include Snowshoe tours through the wilderness led by a National Forest Guide, sponsored by the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Winter Naturalist Program, sleigh rides in the National Elk Refuge and dog sled tours through national parks. You can make your own adventures on the slopes or by snowmobiling around the national forests. Which ever you do you are bound to catch a glimpse of the area's wildlife: elk, bison, moose, deer, antelope, bears, mountain lions, and coyotes to name a few of the more famous. There are over sixty species of wildlife in the Jackson Hole area.

Jackson Hole also offers both natural and commercial hot spring experiences. The most popular winter natural hot springs are in the Granite Creek region.

After your tour or exhilarating run on the slopes you can enjoy visiting Jackson's art galleries (that can keep you busy for a day or two alone as there are more than 30 galleries), learn about the area and the old west at one of the museums or shop in variety of specialty shops.

At the end of the day dine at one of Jackson Hole's excellent restaurants and enjoy its western-style nightlife.

The airport is right in town so make your reservations now to come to Wyoming's Winter Wonderland - Jackson Hole.

This may also be the right time for you to check out Jackson Hole real estate. Mix a little business in with your pleasure and consider investing in your future because the future is looking good for Jackson Hole as a community and real estate as an investment.

Each year Jackson Hole has the privilege of hosting the Wyoming Special Olympics Winter Games. There are 4 main categories of competition: Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Snow Boarding and Snow Shoeing.

This year the games began with cheers and thunderous applause as our very own Delford Hill lit the torch during opening ceremonies. This was a proud moment and honor for Delford as well as for those cheering him.

Delford has been competing in the Special Olympics Snow Shoeing event since the Winter Games were established in Wyoming 30 years ago.

Delford snow shoes for one reason and that is the Special Olympics competition. This year his hard work and dedicated training has paid off in the form of one Gold medal and two Bronze. These medals were not his first and we are sure they won't be his last.

Delford made Jackson his home ten years ago when he moved here to take advantage of the training opportunities Jackson Hole provides. And we are very glad he did.

Congratulations Delford! We are proud of you

Read more about Delford Hill: www.jacksonholenews.com/article.php?art_id=2740

Wyoming Special Olympics: www.specialolympicswy.org

There usually seems to be a lot of discussion here in Jackson surrounded by the affordable housing crisis and this week is no different. With traditionally low inventory levels and high prices buyers here in Jackson are limited to what and where they can invest in their future. Enter Teton Meadows Ranch located on the South Park Loop Road. Chicago based developer, James Reinert has proposed to up-zone this large parcel, about 336 acres to allow for roughly 500 housing units to be built on 288 acres of the lot. Some will be traditional affordable with a siginificant portion enrolling into a hybrid deed restricted offering known as 'gap' housing where the individuals qualify under a certain income and asset class, yet cannot afford the 'free-market' properties available for sale througout Teton County. Rough price estimates for gap housing will be between $400-750,000. What troubles me is the release of #100 single family FREE MARKET lots situated within this development that will significantly increase our inventory levels and balloon our absorbtion rate, two factors which help to keep our real estate market vibrant and active.

South Park neighbors in Melody Ranch, Single Tree, Rafter J, Fishing Club are opposing this up-zone for warranted fear of traffic increase, permanent damage to wildlife and scenic corridors and loss of nearby property values. Supporters are voicing their concerns over work force housing, smart growth and the ability to offer a steady flow of affordable units to our teachers, fire fighters, police officers and various service industry employees.
Here is the TMR link: http://www.tmr-jh.com/ And Teton County Comprehensive Plan: http://www.jacksontetonplan.com/

TMR will have their first Planning Commission public meeting on February 11 and I will check in next week with some reactions.

Rumors: Hostel X at the Village is in escrow- pricing is all over the board. First I heard high $20M's, then I heard more like $15M- who knows, but that is a lot of money for a bulldoze. Sounds like the Buyers are from Aspen.
Snow Report: Waist deep all last weekend if you knew where to ski, 397" of snow this season to date with reports of 16" new last night with some more on the way for Saturday.

Hello from Jackson, Wyoming. That's right for you out-of-staters it is Jackson, not Jackson Hole Wyoming.

The area was named Jackson Hole back in 1829 by William Sublette, one of our famous mountain men and a partner of David Jackson, who Sublette named the valley for.

Jackson is surrounded by mountains on all sides forming a large valley or hole, thus, the name Jackson Hole.

Jackson Hole lies in the northwest portion of the state of Wyoming and in the central portion of the headwaters of the Snake River. The valley is about 400 square miles (48 miles long and six to eight miles wide) and lies a few miles to the west of the great Continental Divide. Only 2.7% of the valley is private and develop-able. The rest of the valley is under some degree of conservation easement or is dedicated as wilderness areas, National forest or the Grand Teton National Park.

Jackson Hole was once a major crossroads in the days of the fur trade; six major trails converged like the spokes of a wheel with Jackson as their hub. Today, it is the gateway for millions of tourists visiting nearby Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park and the National Elk Refuge.

Jackson is home to over 9,000 and Jackson Hole is home to over 15,000 people who love blue skies, scenic views and the great outdoors.

It is easy to distinguish our fair city from the large valley it lies within. At the entrance of our town square you will find large arches of shed elk antlers.