Jackson Hole Ski Resort is a behemoth of a mountain with some of the most extreme terrain of any North American ski area. Fully one half of the 2,500 acres of skiable terrain at Jackson hole Ski Resort is labeled black diamond — and rightfully so, these slopes take no prisoners. A Jackson Hole Wyoming ski vacation is a chance to experience Rocky Mountain skiing at its finest and most extreme.

With a 4,139-foot vertical drop, Jackson Hole Ski Resort is famed for its long steep runs. The most extreme terrain is at the very top of Rendezvous Mountain, off the East Ridge lift. There are two choices from the summit: the infamous rocky passage known as Corbet's Couloir and the open Rendezvous Bowl, a challenging face littered with rocks, moguls, and deep powder. If you can handle these runs, you will also enjoy the other bowls: Amphitheatre Bowl, Casper Bowl, and the Laramie Bowl. None of these are easy rides.

The black diamonds at Jackson Hole Ski Area run all the way to the base lifts, so from the summit you can ski steep runs all the way to the bottom. Alternatively, stay on the Sublette lift for a while and explore the chutes and bowls serviced by this high-speed quad. If you tire of these runs, there are black diamonds off almost every one of the 12 lifts at Jackson Hole Ski Area. Backcountry skiers can also hike out of bounds for some of the best off-piste runs anywhere in the United States. Beware though: these runs are not patrolled and can be very dangerous.

Wyoming Map

A Jackson Hole Wyoming ski vacation is not just for advanced downhillers. Half the trails at Jackson Hole Ski Area may be labeled black, but this means the other half is suitable for intermediates and beginners. Intermediates will enjoy the blue runs off the Apres Vous lift. If you can handle ungroomed powder, try Wide Open run off the Casper Bowl lift or Upper Teewinot off the Apres Vous, for some gentle but powdery trails.

Beginners should be satisfied with the large learning area serviced by the Teewinot and Eagle's Rest lifts, but should be wary of skiing anything but green runs at Jackson Hole Ski Resort. The blues are generally steeper and more difficult than those at other ski areas.

You have two choices for places to stay on a Jackson Hole Wyoming ski vacation. Choose Teton Village at the base of the slopes if you want to be close to the mountain and don't care as much about dining and après ski. For more nightlife and restaurants, try a place in the town of Jackson, about 12 miles from Jackson Hole Ski Resort but easily accessible via a ski shuttle.

Jackson Hole Ski Area is not the only resort accessible from Jackson. Grand Targhee is about 40 miles west and the small and affordable Snow King Ski Area is inside the town limits, so you can enjoy several areas on a Jackson Hole Wyoming ski vacation.