David Peters

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

The correct term is "Mush".

Here in Wyoming "mush" is not breakfast food but a way to enjoy and see the great outdoors.

Most people will first think of breakfast food when they hear the word "mush" and a few think of the word as a dog-sledding term. We are definitely referring to Dog Sledding.

Most people connect Dog-Sledding with the Canadian Rockies or Alaska but you can experience the fun and adventure of dog sledding right here in the Continental USA, at the Great Continental Divide in the awesome state of Wyoming at Jackson Hole.

A unique way to see Wyoming at its best is by dog sledding. Here in the Jackson Hole area you can schedule tours or lessons with one of our matchless Dog Sledding Tour companies. You can experience the Jackson Hole countryside in half-day and full-day trips, or overnight excursions and the opportunity to learn to "mush" your own team!

Jackson Hole is a unique and beautiful experience and adventure all through the year, dog-sledding is just another alternative to experience it in a very distinctive way.

So bundle up and take a ride in a modern sled pulled by some of the best dog teams in the United states. See the Teton and Shoshonii National forests, or Granite Springs where you can splash in the hot springs and see wildlife along the way.

There is nothing that can compare to traveling at the SPEED OF DOGS!

For a list of Dog-Sledding tours click here.

Hats off to Frank Teasley and Billy Snodgrass, Jackson's own Iditarod veterans.

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.