Abundant Resources and Casual Attitude Define Jackson Hole Life
Jackson Hole is the commonly used name for the broad-based valley that lies at 6,200 feet between two mountain ranges: the Tetons to the west and the Gros Ventres to the east. Bisected by the Snake River, the valley ascends gently to the north until, at Jackson Lake’s northern end, the volcanic uplift of Yellowstone National Park intrudes. About 10 miles south of the town of Jackson Hole, the valley ends abruptly at the Snake River Canyon, through which the Snake River flows before turning west through Idaho to join the Columbia River and then on 840 miles to the Pacific Ocean.
From each side, east and west, a mountain pass twists into the Jackson Hole basin, dubbed “the Hole.” At the southwestern end of the range Highway 33 climbs west over Teton Pass and drops into Idaho while Highway 26 runs north along the 25,000 acre elk refuge, through Grand Teton National Park, then turns east to surmount Togwotee Pass. Wild lands sprawl in all directions, undeveloped and pristine. Jackson Hole is considered part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact temperate ecosystem in the lower 48 States – 18 million acres of protected wildlife habitat, national forest and national park lands.
The Tetons, the nation’s youngest mountains and staple of Jackson Hole, are surrounded by two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. As the gateway, Jackson Hole is 55 and 10 miles south of both entrances respectively. In fact, 97 percent of the Jackson Hole region's land is permanently preserved by national park, national forest, Bureau of Land Management and other varieties of public land. Natural habitat provides a home for moose, elk, bear, wolf, coyote, river otter, bald eagle, and cutthroat trout just to name a few. Of the 3 percent of land in the private sector two-thirds is either already developed or preserved by conservation easements. Jackson Hole Land Trust and Teton County Scenic Preserve Trust pro-actively ensure the Jackson Hole legacy of open views and a thriving ecosystem.
The coveted nature of the land means Jackson Hole real estate and private property appreciates at a fast clip. The boom in Jackson Hole real estate, which began in the 1990s, further elucidates the area’s status. Homes in Jackson Hole real estate then went for well above the asking price, illustrating the penchant for lifestyle investments within Jackson Hole real estate. Since that decade, housing demand gives no hint of abating. Contributing to the appeal, there are no state income or corporate taxes, no estate taxes beyond the federal level, and property taxes are considered favorable when compared to other states.
Bloomberg Personal Finance ranked Wyoming as one of the most wealth-friendly states in 2002. Outside Magazine called Jackson Hole Mountain Resort one of the Top North American Ski Resorts. National Geographic Adventure lauded Yellowstone as among the five best national parks for wildlife viewing, and deemed the 38-mile long Teton Crest Trail in Grand Teton National Park as one of the five best treks within American’s national parks. The New York Times weighed in on Jackson Hole’s vibrant art scene spotlighting film, visual and performing arts. Smithsonian Magazine dedicated nine pages to the Jackson Hole region for its unique heritage and land preservation successes. Jackson Hole continues to garner acclaim in a range of categories.
Very few places in the world combine world-class outdoor recreation, quiet mountain living and abundant cultural essentials: restaurants, galleries, theaters, gear shops, pet groomers, financial firms, religious centers, and entertainment. Jackson Hole's town square and its branching streets make a quasi-cosmopolitan district. The town of Jackson itself is compact – approximately 9,000 people in a three square mile radius. Outlying hamlets – Wilson, Teton Village, Moose, Moran, Kelly and Hoback Junction – are effectively connected to the town of Jackson, bringing the county population to nearly 20,000.
To this day a unique mountain lifestyle prevails within Jackson Hole, one that celebrates open spaces and the can-do sensibilities that keep the town of Jackson always in its prime. People have nestled into this rugged wilderness, calling it home since the early 1800s. Itinerant fur trappers made their fortunes from natural resources. Homesteading and then dude ranching followed the trail west. Tourism has long capitalized on Jackson Hole's bountiful landscape, and residents continually celebrate their home for the many outdoor attractions that once made dude ranching a vital part of the Jackson Hole economy. Recognized also as the “Equality State," Wyoming was the first to give women the right to vote. The town of Jackson Hole also elected the first all-female town government in the country.
Jackson Hole has always been considered progressive, and tourism plays a crucial role in bolstering services which are also convenient for residents. Direct flights from major cities and the convergence of four major highways allow residents and visitors to move through the region with ease. Interstate-15 is only one and a half hours away.
Diversity has become the core of Jackson Hole's open-minded and increasingly sophisticated charm. Residents find Jackson Hole’s diversion-rich mountain culture a boon to pursuing individual passions and pastimes. Year-round offerings allow residents to stay active and engaged. In addition to superlative biking, hiking, fishing and golf, main street overflows with contemporary and western art and a wide selection of casual and fine dining. When temperatures dip in the winter, people slide into down-hill, cross-country, and skate ski adventures. Pampering spas, salons, and resorts balance this dynamic lifestyle. Residents of Jackson Hole feel the energy that comes from novelty, progress, and self-realized opportunity.
Some make the move to Jackson Hole to “retread, not retire." They often volunteer or sit on the boards of nearly 200 non-profit organizations. Devotees of the arts find a plethora of outlets. Selecting a pet project is easy with a spectrum of trusts and foundations supporting issues that range from the environment and sustainable living to transportation and education. Youth also benefit extensively from generous giving. Philanthropy is a strong force in this mountain town. Whether through volunteering or direct donation, residents choose to enhance life through their active commitment to the community.
Simply put, Jacksonites are friendly. Residents love their chosen home and it shows through good-natured camaraderie. A bustling social and economic landscape confirms a distinctly Jackson Hole type of professionalism too. People can be spotted packing a Blackberry in their Carhartt jeans and conducting business in a way that speaks volumes about Jackson Hole’s causal way of life. In some offices dogs are a welcome part of the scene. In the summer, biking to work adds a refreshing spin to the day. Enthusiastic greetings are also part of Jackson Hole's charisma, heard from the grocery store, to the coffee shop, to the fundraising gala and theatre event. Designers, architects and artists thrive in this place where people surround themselves with beauty, both indoors and out. The location, with its superior quality of life and stunning natural environs, is the driving force.
