Joyful In Jackson Hole

Four Seasons Jackson Hole

There was a quote by the Dakota Tribe I read when I arrived at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole that goes as follows “We will forever be known by the tracks we leave behind us.”  I agree with this deeply and even more so after visiting this resort located in the heart of the West and Wyoming has won my heart forever.  This Five-Star lodge and resort is located in a verdant mountain valley about 40 minutes from the Jackson airport is host to year-round luxury, adventure, exploration, relaxation and literally more than you could ask for.  The great news is you don’t have to ask for anything.  The amazing staff there already has it done for you.  While my word count allowance won’t do it justice let’s see what I can tell you about my dreamy experience there.

The Four Seasons Jackson Hole is perfect for families, singles, couples and groups.  There is something for literally everyone from the adventure junkie, the nature junkie, the food and cocktail junkie to the hang at the spa and fireplace fanatic.  Located in the Rockies in the Teton Village it is a ski in ski out resort set into rugged mountain peaks and acclaimed ski runs.  It’s fantastic location also is on the threshold of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone about a mile away.  This allows for outdoor adventure and nature excursions that will astound you. The fabulous town of Jackson Hole with its restaurants, art galleries and shopping are about 20 minutes from the resort.   I was lucky enough to visit during December where the holidays and the holiday spirit were in full swing.  The hotel was adorned in evergreen's, white lights, paperwhites and pines. Decor highlighting all that the surrounding area provides naturally. My spirits were at an all-time high while there.  

The resort is designed in the Alpine style with nods to Native American heritage and from the moment you walk into the lobby with its warm wood and roaring fireplace and comfy sofas you are already dreading checking out. The entire resort has beautiful artwork and pieces curated from regional and American artists that reflect the design aesthetic.  After being offered a hot apple cider with rum for my jet lagged self I was checked in and taken up to my room which honestly, I could have been happy in all weekend.  The resort boasts 155 rooms.  Eighteen are suites and 31 are residences.  There are also 57 private residences on the property with access to all the resort offers.  Every room has a fireplace and a balcony to bring the clean, bright air right to your doorstep. Luxury linens on the beds and bathroom are not overlooked for your comfort.  The bathrooms with separate shower and tub have Codage Paris soaps, shampoos and lotions to pamper the effects of altitude skin.  Did you travel with 10 suitcases?  That’s fine.  The room I was in a had a walk-in closet that rivals custom built ones in very large homes.  If you are in a suite, you have a separate living and dining area with that fireplace in your line of sight. There are food and beverage offerings in the dry bar area along with complimentary waters always being restocked. Housekeeping comes twice a day for morning cleaning and evening turndown. The Four Seasons is committed to conservation and let you know how you can contribute to their mission while you are a guest.    There are iPads to contact and request anything you need to make your stay top notch.  Want to make cosmos in your room?  I mean who doesn’t.  You can request that along with several other cocktail kits like the Buffalo Ginger Snap if you want to make your robe your evening outfit.  The in room dining options are available 24 hours a day and I can say 100% delicious. 

There is too much to do to stay locked in your room for too long because when you have all of this at your doorstep you have to find a way to soak it all in.  Located off the second level of the resort is base camp and mountain access for skiers' paradise.  The ski concierge is at your service for everything you need to hit the slopes such as ski tuning, in room boot fittings, rentals and storage so you can focus on hitting one of the 13 lifts located right outside the door.  I heard many times while I was there about the steep vertical drops the resort ski and snowboard terrain boasts and it instilled some fear in me.  Thank goodness I am a klutz and was recovering from 2 broken toes so I didn’t have to embarrass myself.  Although skiing is what you see from first glance out the windows it is NOT required to get the best experience here.  The seasonal and year-round adventures here are as unique and aplenty as snowflakes.  There are miles of plowed and paved paths and trails for fat tire biking, exploring and walking/jogging even in the winter months.  There are shooting experiences both in archery and clay (seasonal) with professional instructors ready to help the novice learn and the experiences sharpen the skill.  With Grand Teton and Yellowstone a mile away, the possibilities to spend time in these revered spaces are literally more than you can dream up.  You can take a wildlife safari excursion and put yourself in the splendor of not only the parks but the diverse wildlife including bison, wolves, moose, grizzlies and elk that call the land their home.  Don’t want to stand?  Then take in the snowy landscape via dog sled with your own team and leader. Or even better sitting in a horse drawn sleigh in the National Elk refuge watching animals and the scenery slide by you.   Snow shoeing is offered with a private company both for private and groups tours.  The same is true for snowmobiling in the peaks and powder.  These guided tours can be geared to the families with beginners to the experienced snowmobilers looking to cover some serious terrain.  Families and non-skiers can also enjoy snow tubing nearby as another way to glide down the mountains.  Feel like you need to jump out of a helicopter to ski?  My husband does.  Full day reservations can be made in advance to take you to the top of five different ranges at 12.000 to 15,000 vertical feet.  Um, I think I’ll stick with the hot cider and rum.  Back at the resort you can enjoy ice skating starting in mid-December right in the Teton Village as well as nightly smores by the firepit.  

And those were only some of the Winter activities!!!  To my surprise many of the guests, employees and resident owners I spoke to said Summer and early Fall are the times of year that Wyoming and Jackson Hole shine brightest.  Four Seasons Santa Fe has an adventure center.  Four Seasons Jackson Hole should have an adventure complex.  Golf which is of course available sounds mundane.  There isn’t anything you or the skilled concierge staff can conjure up that can’t be found.  Mountain biking for any level, hot air ballooning, hiking, mountain climbing, fly-fishing, white-water rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, chuck wagon dinners, tandem paragliding (I mean what!!!)  and ATV excursions are just the beginning. Stargazing with wine and charcuterie sounds good to me.  Chartered flights can be secured in advance to have an aerial view of this pristine splendor of relatively untouched lands. To me the most jaw dropping excursion is a Day with Wolves.  You and 7 guests can get on a private flight with an expert naturalist and view/observe the grey wolves of Yellowstone in their own habitat.  The commitment of the resort to respect and educate you on the wildlife and land that was here long before us is unfortunately a necessity these days.

As I stated earlier you do NOT have to be an adventure enthusiast or outdoor adrenaline junkie to get the most out of the resort. There are so many offerings on property leaving is optional. If you just want to take in the scenery hop over to the tram and take it to the top. You can do this without having to ski and its very cool. The pool and separate jacuzzies located just off of the ascent lounge (more on that to come) are heated and ready for year-round use. In winter your robes and towels are warmed in a heater box to keep you snug.  There are fire pits overlooking several of the lifts are always lit and waiting to be sat at either in the early morning with coffee or nightly for smores, hot chocolate and cocktails.  Families will be entertained with numerous child centric activities such as movie nights and a Kids Club and game room located on the third floor. Babysitting is also offered by request.  If you stop by the concierge desk you can obtain information of the featured daily and weekly complimentary offerings for guests like daily coffee, seasonal yoga, whiskey and cigar pairings, morning hikes and Teton Raptor Encounter with local birds of prey such as owls located in the lobby.   Need some retail therapy?  Two adorable boutiques are located on the fourth floor off the lobby near the spa. 

Ah the spa....... over 11,000 square feet of pure luxuriously relaxed bliss. I must insist you spend time here.   With its own fitness center offering a full selection of cardio and weight equipment as well as classes such as HIIT, vinyasa and restorative yoga, Zumba and Power Pilates to round out a few of the fitness interests.  A full-service salon offering hair styling, blowouts and nail services also reside in this paradise.  There are sperate women’s and men’s locker rooms and relaxation areas with fireplaces, infused water, light snacks and fruit offerings.  A large whirlpool is available with a cold plunge pool next to it for those who are soothing sore muscles and increasing circulation by doing the alternate plunging. I loved this.  My daughter who was with me lasted 8 seconds in the cold pool!  With 16 spa treatment rooms guests can indulge in locally inspired body treatments like the Wildcrafted Facial, Turquoise Sage Body Ritual or Alpine glow Rejuvenating Body Wrap.  Massage offerings range from Swedish Alpine to the Warm River Stone or my favorite the Intentional Aromatherapy with therapeutic essential oils.  Shout out to Kasandra my masseuse who was phenomenal.  The facial treatment offerings range from an organic mountain facial to the uber popular HydraFacial with several options to rehydrate high altitude skin. If you need next level relaxation book a relaxation experience such as the Connection Ritual which combines yoga and an aromatherapy couples massage or the Apres at the Spa.  A private spa suite where you sip champagne and soak in an oversized jetted tub infused with salts followed by a customized massage with local arnica and willow bark body wrap and foot scrub.  You had me at champagne in the tub. If you can't get that booked do what I did and get a bottle of Laurent Perrier from your mini fridge and soak your troubles away in your room.  Kind of the same right?

In case you thought you were going to starve and not get your thirst quenched you thought wrong.  I saved the best for last.  Or at least my favorite things for last.  The Four Seasons Jackson Hole boasts numerous dining options for its guests and locals alike.  Let’s start with apres ski or didn’t ski at all cocktails.  There is a Moet and Chandon heated champagne tent located right off the fire pit studded patio of the Ascent Lounge. My love of the bubbles made me think I was in paradise.   It offers adorable chic alpine décor with music and Moet and Chandon themed cocktails as well as regular champagne pours.  Make sure to look for Luke when you are there. He knows the resort well and makes a mean bubbly cocktail.  Need to hydrate before you move on?  There’s a new slope side oxygen tent and IV therapy in the spa or your room to get you recovered from your day and go strong into your night.  I mean whoever thought of that is a genius.  Highly recommend for those who just want to acclimate and prepare for the altitude.  To celebrate a day doing whatever makes you happy in this wonderland head to the Handle Bar restaurant and beer hall located slope side at level two where ski base camp is located.  Think FUN when you stop in.  Outside firepits are blazing and skiers, guests, spa goers and whoever are toasting and dancing to the house DJ in the afternoons.  It is an American themed menu with a large selection of local, craft and international beers as well as lots of whiskeys.  Like homemade Fireball?  I do now after trying it.  Who knew?  Menu standouts include their burger, truffle tater tots, elk chili, squash soup and apple orchard salad.  Want something a little more mellow?  The Ascent lounge located just off the lobby and near the Moet tent is the place for you.  Blazing fireplace, cozy seating both inside and out (seasonal) you can relax with cocktails in this intimate, inviting atmosphere. The lounge offers daily tastings and classes you can sign up for such as mixology 101 for hot cocktails, old fashioned and martinis to name a few.  Also, beer, whiskey and local wine tasting from the Jackson Hole winery.  You just need to sign up to elevate your own cocktail knowledge and skill.   Featuring acoustic music on the weekend I was there it was perfect for settling into or ending your evening.  The cocktails are sophisticated and delicious.  My favorites were the spicy margarita, espresso martini and hot toddy.  My 21-year-old daughter Katherine who was my traveling buddy for this trip was not shy in trying several more such as the Clover Club and the Never-Ending Summer.  She is 21 after all. Want a favorite you don’t see on the menu?  Not a problem the immensely talented mixologists will make it happen.  Bartenders Tim and Kevin know their guests, their preferences and have a libation poured that will put a smile on their guests faces.  They are also from Philly like myself and what can I say but “Go Birds” (I mean they are going to the Superbowl).  They also offer nonalcoholic cocktails for those who don’t imbibe.  The menu is Pan Asian themed and offers light bites and several mains.  We loved the brussel sprouts, oysters and edamame while hanging out there.  Keep an eye out for Luke from the Moet tent and Teddy on the floor delivering top notch service to all the lounge guests.  If you are looking to elevate your dining experience then Westbank Grill is exactly the place for you.  Located just down the hall from Ascent think elevated, cozy mountain steakhouse with amazing views of the mountain’s Rendezvous Peak and Teton Village.  Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner you will not be disappointed in the offerings. Executive chef Michael Goralski and his chefs make sure of it.   I was able to eat breakfast and dinner there and it was perfection.  Breakfast highlights were the avocado toast, fresh squeezed juices and specialty juices, amazing cappuccino and lobster hash. Dinner was the most memorable meal I shared with my daughter and she agreed.   The service is attentive but not over bearing, informative and educational as they source from the surrounding area to highlight Wyoming’s and the West’s bounty.  A special nod to Adam who was our exceptional server and seemed to know every guest and made sure to make their meal memorable too.  Our menu standouts were the oysters, the wedge salad, bone in Wagyu ribeye and of course have to have an Idaho twice baked potato! And just enough room for a bite of the cowboy cookie (can be made gluten free) with vanilla ice cream.  We are still full. 

As I end my 800 words over my limit reminiscing of this trip I cannot stress enough to please go on the resort's website and explore it for yourself.  There is so much to do and so many wonderful experiences offered I wish I could have touched on them all. Next book a trip ASAP!  I implore you. Doesn’t matter what season, you will fall in love with the Four Seasons Jackson Hole and Wyoming.  Thank you, Kim Cole, Director of PR for showing me this spectacular location. As always, The Four Seasons and their employees go above and beyond to deliver to every single guest.  They seek out and highlight the best of each area they occupy and deliver it to each person who walks through its doors.    I am so grateful I get to see this beautiful country and World, its diverse locations and populations.  We are so much more alike than what makes us different. Make sure to leave beautiful tracks behind you as you travel too.