It’s officially winter, which means it’s time to hit the slopes! Jackson Hole’s snowfall is in full swing, and Teton Village is filled with the holiday spirit, making it the perfect time to plan a ski or snowboard trip. Can’t wait to feel the powder underneath your feet? We’re here to help you get your go-to items in order, because packing some simple mountain essentials can make the difference between a good ski trip and a great one.
Your Hydration Station
Fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery, and plenty of adrenaline are some of the major draws to visiting Jackson Hole. However, along with the high altitude comes a lot of dry air, which means you’ll need to prep yourself or feel the wrath of chapped lips and dry skin.
The first go-to on your hydration checklist is a good tube of lip balm that will seal the moisture into your lips, so you can keep smiling as you challenge your outdoor abilities. Once you’ve locked down your favorite brand of lip balm, it’s time to start looking for a quality body and hand lotion. Get something that offers deep moisturizing and SPF so you can kill two birds with one stone.
Last but not least, our secret slopes weapon is a wearable hydration pack. You’re going to be working up a sweat, and you don’t want to waste precious time on the slope looking for a water fountain or stumbling around with a water bottle. Keep things sleek and streamlined with a hydration pack you can wear on your back, and you’ll keep your energy up for a full day of fun.
Entertainment On & Off the Slopes
Prepping the right playlist is key to a stellar descent down the mountain. Making your own soundtrack with feel-good tunes will make you feel like a rockstar once you’re weaving and bobbing through your snow-filled playground. Need some help finding the perfect tracks? Check out Spotify’s 2019 Ski Playlist or Outside Magazine’s staff-picked ski playlist from 2018.
Once you’re off the slopes, you’ll be needing some calming activities to wind down the night. Nothing beats reading a good book snuggled up in your favorite pajamas next to a wood-burning fire. If this sounds like a relaxing evening to you, check out this list of 2019’s best sellers that you don’t want to miss, which includes hits like the sequel to A Handmade’s Tale and Stephen King’s latest psychological thriller The Institute.
Self Care
While you can’t take a first aid kit with you on the slopes, it is a good idea to have a stash of pocket-worthy health items that will get you out of a rut. Tissues are a must when you’re breaking a sweat in cold weather. Everyone knows the discomfort a runny nose can cause while skiing with nothing to help except a cold, rough glove. Keeping a pack of soft tissues on hand will keep your nose feeling fresh and clear to breathe in that crisp pine air. Painkillers are also a great addition to your coat cargo. Whether you start feeling a headache coming on, or you find yourself falling enough to cause some pain the next day, a few ibuprofen can alleviate your next morning woes.
Snow King Resort
Get the closest you can to the slopes by staying at Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole’s preferred luxury retreat. Located at the base of Snow King Mountain, this resort offer ski-in, ski-out lodging, which means you’ll be an unbeatable distance to the slopes. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of other winter activities that their concierge can arrange for you during your stay, including snowshoeing, heli-skiing, and a dip in the local natural hot springs.
