Jackson Hole Vs. Alta

OneLove_skier

OneLove_skier

Active member
A couple friends and I are planning a road trip, and we've narrowed it down to either Jackson Hole or Alta.Has anyone been to both. Which would you recommend? What are some pros and cons of each place. +K for help, Thanks
 
I've been to alta and it was pretty good but a lot of the people there are all pretty douchy and they actually have no park at all
 
If he's deciding between Alta and JH, I'm sure he's not going because of park.

OP: I'd advise going to Alta/Bird. Arguably they get more consistent snow and the fact that there are so many other great resorts closeby is a good "insurance policy."
 
Having skied both I'd recommend Alta.

Not sure when you're going but Alta's snowfall per year is ridiculous, you're almost guaranteed a powder day. On top of that, in my opinion Alta is a lot easier to get around and to access the good skiing even if you're just there for a few days.

Finally, J Hole gets nasty cold which can literally ruin a ski trip as the mountain isn't much fun when it hasn't snowed for a while and its -30.

 
This past season, I did a few days at Alta, then drove directly to Jackson to ski there the next day. Both are incredible ski resorts. It's only a 4 hour drive between the two places so you really don't have to choose one or the other.

Jackson is much bigger, is steeper and has better terrain. Hands down, no argument. However, Alta gets more snow, and more frequently. If you can get deep snow, Jackson is the place to be. The only other places in North America I'd rather be on a day with 18+inches of fresh, light stuff would be either Revelstoke or Kicking Horse. One huge bonus of Jackson is the town. It's a ton of fun, there is lots to do and the apre ski scene is pretty live. Could be more girls, but it's a ski town in Wyoming. SLC is pretty much the worst place I've ever been as far as night-life goes. That all aside, I've had the deepest days of my life at Alta and the resort itself is unique. It's possible to ski both without missing a day of skiing in the same trip. A big storm could potentially hit both resorts. If you time it right, you can get fresh at both places, back to back. Both are experiences that no skier should miss.

Oh, and if you are looking to ski park, Park City and the Canyons are a short drive from Alta. Jackson does have a terrain park.

Good luck! Bring the fat sticks.
 
Both are an experience to be had...Jackson for steep difficult runs, Alta for the snow...Jackson is a place that you don't want to go with anyone who is going to hold you back...at Alta is someone is less experienced there is usually an easier run adjacent to a more difficult run and it is really easy to meet at the bottom around the same time...so I guess it depends on your group. The other thing about Jackson is that there is always a stash somewhere, it's just a matter of finding it...I always have a difficult time finding a stash at Alta if there hasn't been fresh in a while b/c it gets tracked up sooo fast...I think the vibe is top at both mountains, but at Alta people will stand and watch you do a large drop whereas at Jackson they will beat you to it...the locals at Jackson charge hard 24/7, no pole tapping at the top of a run there jst straight off the lift and too the bottom...
 
I've skier Jackson and Alta.... and Jackson by far had the best terrain. Best terrain out of any mountain i've skied... it's straight down, until the bottom, and massive.

BUT... for a family vacation, you can't beat the convenience of SLC. If you have enough money to fly into Jackson, do that for sure... but most people don't want to drop $800 a piece on a plane ticket.

SLC is cheap to fly into... cheap to stay in, and if the snow is terrible you can always go to PC or a place with an ill park.

Not sure if you're even planning a family vacation, but just something to throw out.
 
He is pretty much spot on I think. A few things I'd like to add though would be to disregard his SLC nightlife opinion. There is plenty to do in SLC, if your 21 anyways; however, if it's a ski trip revolving around good snow, you probably wont be doing a ton of partying.

If I were you I would wait til a few days before the trip and keep checking weather. Both mountains kind of suck without new snow. Jackson does have a park, but Alta has many resorts close by with parks too. And if you have a friend living in Jackson, having a tour guide there will give you the most amazing access to crazy shit everywhere. But i wouldn't venture too far out of the gates without knowing what you are getting into.
 
Jackson with snow is better than anything. Alta, however, has more dependable snow. Example - I live in Jackson, but spent almost the entire month of February skiing Alta because Jackson was pretty dry. Dylan and Dan are pretty much spot on with everything they said.
 
Alta hands down. Jackson is east facing so the snow sucks. The visibility usually sucks as well. Its way too cold and the locals have an attitude problem. Corbets is too icy and why do you need one of those "avalanche detectors" to go into the backcountry? And I almost forgot, the grooming is terrible. Or at least thats what most of the the tourists coming through our shop last winter told me.
 
I'd rather hang out in Jackson than SLC--Better bars/nightlife.

Jackson has better terrain, but it needs snow. Don't decide right now. wait a week before you leave and watch the storm systems in both places. If it's dumping or going to dump in jackson, go there, no questions.
 
jackson for sure. there are many cliffs to huck dont have much of a park but have a pipe.there is so much terrian at jackson.i havnt been to alta but goin this season
 
it still can be nice to finish off a nice pow run with a quick lap in the park to cool off the legs and shit relax buddy
 
another thing to consider is the money factor. Pretty sure Alta's day passes / mulit day passes are cheaper than JH by about 10 bucks a day. Not positive but if memory serves. Also SLC is much cheaper in the way of hotels/motels and a lot more to choose from. JH being a small town and hotels can get away with chardging more. So you could save yourself 100 or so bucks. just an FYI
 
I would go to alta and if they didnt get snow you can go to park city or brighton and shred park.
 
Jack, I say you call up Mackdawg, get him and his crew to build the kicker at Chad's, ski Alta and then session Chad's. You can get directions from Creedman672, if he ever logs on again. Then hit JH on the way back, but you have to back flip Corbet's. Then we'll all chissle your face into Mount Rushmore with our skis.
 
i have been to both jackson hole and alta numerous times. Jackson hole 4 times, alta 4 times as well. Skiing wise I have to go with alta because its my favorite mountain. Although I think some of the terrain at Jhole is steeper and sometimes a lil harrier, Alta DOES get the best snow on earth. Alta has sick terrain, the most snow youve ever seen, and its so damn fluffy. If your thinkin about park FORGET IT, you can do that shit at your home mtn. just shred the pow. definitley alta for that shit, nice trees, nice outta bounds, I honestly think its a safer mtn in regards to ski patrol blasting and avy testing. I have to admit though that if your looking to rage at night neither are that great. Jackson hole prolly has a better night scene just because its NOT in Utah, and they can actually serve alchohol there. But seriously, I have skiied NUMEROUS times in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, All over the east coast, Italian Alps, Canada, but ALTA is my favorite place to go. YOU WONT REGRET THIS GO TO ALTA!
 
Multi-month old thread bump woo.

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Both places are just as far away, give or take 30 minutes. The only difference is that one of our group is a snowboarder so alta is a no go, but jackson is looking to be a little pricier.

Does anyone else have any opinions to offer on snowbird vs. jackson hole?
 
If you are a pussy, definitely go to Alta....maybe I'm biased?

Alta gets more consistent snow, but if you wanna get real wild, JH is the place to be, hands down. Less consistent snow, but more gnarly terrain than you could ever hope to ski in a lifetime.
 
utah man. iv been to both and i have to root for utah based on the consistant snowfall. and the fact u have alot more than just one mt. why go to one mt when u can go to 6.

saltlake is close to the mts too. u should go to alta then the bird and also brighton. all are super sick good skiing and u wont miss out on the park jibs befor u get to the bottom or ur runs. park city blows. the canyons blow. there is a little mt 45 min from slc in ogned called powder mt and its also pretty sick for a mellow day. alot of good backcountry runs and shit. deff wont be tracked out.

snowbird if u get there in the am for fresh tracks it is epic. same with alta and brighton dosent get tracked as fast and its really eaisy to get to some sick cliffs with out hiking. check it out man.

if u go to jackson there is a bus that runs to grandtargee too. shits epic. good mt but there u only have 2 choices and u never know the snow conditions.
 
SHAMPOO IS BETTER IT GOES ON FIRST TO CLEAN THE HAIR NO CONDITIONER IS BETTER IT GOES ON TO MAKE THE HAIR SILKY SMOOTH. that reminds me of this talk everytime it comes up each month.

yea utahs night life blows. maybe you arent enlightened enough yet not to drink your nights away anyway, dealing with peer pressure unreliable snowpack and brutal temperatures would step my drinking up a few levels too.

as of last year lift tickets are like 87 dollars at jackson 20 bucks less at alta.

jackson has much more variety of terrain.

jackson has an epic tram, that the 'pros' go up in early and steal your line from you even though you just paid 90 dollars for your lift ticket.

alta has the bird which if you ask me is the same resort, well thats what my season pass says. bird gives alta terrain thats almost on par with jhole. alta has epic areas like baldy and the castle which is very unique terrain and chock full of enough gnar to keep any skier busy for a while.

jacksons lift serviced ski season and pass price is a joke.

the town of jacksons prices is a joke

u get hurt in jackson have a fun flight to salt lake.

jackson faces east and when the sun comes out on an east facing slope the snow consolidates rapidly, even if the air temp is -75. this is sweet for sending huge and stomping but not sweet for skiing deep powder.

teton pass does not compare to the cottonwoods for backcountry. the park is literally untouchable until spring except by the worlds elite mountaneers.

but you are obviously going to catch days at each resort making you question why you ski the other.

make your own choice you wont be disapointed at either place. shampoo or conditioner?? but personally i dont use conditioner ;)

 
having never been to Jackson. im not here to persuade you one way or the other.

but Alta is one of those places you HAVE to ski before you die... and i would imagine it to be much cheaper than Jackson..

although Jackson is one of those have to ski places too, the tram looks insane...

its probably gonna be a bit harder to get to. (idk where you are coming from, but SLC has an international airport)
 
I've never been to Jackson, but I did a winter in Alta.
Let's just say, I learned to ski there after snowboarding for over a decade and it totally renewed snowsports for me. I used to dig riding, but I am addicted to skiing and all of it can be attributed to the greatness that is Alta.
I think during the whole season there was maybe a week of high pressure when the snow got weak, but it nukes @ Alta (I think we broke 700 inches, winter 07-08).
It's like faceshot, video segment shit on the daily, but you are usually too busy skiing to film that shit.
Chances are that you will be stoked either way.
 
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