The Weekender: A Guide to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

As a self-proclaimed solar chaser, I have to admit that Jackson, Wyoming, was not beforehand on my shortlist of locations to move to within the useless of winter. Having by no means skied a day in my life, I believed a city identified for winter sports activities and its proximity to the famed Teton Mountains could be misplaced on me. You may in all probability inform the place that is going (particularly for those who’re one of many individuals in my life who needed to hearken to all of my tales from this journey for weeks on finish). I just lately had the possibility to spend a weekend at Jackson’s premier boutique lodging, the Anvil Lodge, and haven’t stopped speaking about Jackson, Wyoming, ever since. With an open thoughts, I launched into what would turn into an iconic weekend of journey, artwork, fabulous western trend, and even higher meals within the coronary heart of the American West.

Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

Simply outdoors of the city sq. in downtown Jackson, Wyoming, sits the understated but visually intriguing Anvil Lodge. Whereas the property could initially seem unassuming, the fashionable however delicate particulars of the richly hued paint job and shiny signal enable the resort to mix into its environment and keep true to the historical past of the city. Developed by visionary hotelier Erik Warner, Anvil Lodge exceeded all expectations that I had for a keep in Wyoming.

It shortly grew to become obvious that the core rules of tradition and neighborhood are on the coronary heart of every thing that the Anvil Lodge and the opposite properties beneath the Eagle Level Lodge Companions portfolio do. The workers is each welcoming and devoted, and the comparatively small measurement of the resort by no means impacts the fixed stage of service out there to all visitors. When talking with Brian Gorman, the inventive strategist behind the event of Eagle Level’s properties and programming, the eagerness that each he and Erik have for what’s being created at every resort is palpable. Anvil goals to provide visitors the possibility to be immersed within the native tradition and neighborhood of the town, whereas additionally providing programming with a deeper connection to the humanities in a classy and cozy setting.

Whereas guests to Jackson have the selection to help one of many nationwide resort conglomerates current close by, a keep on the Anvil gives visitors the expertise of true immersion and thoroughly curated programming in contrast to any resort that I’ve ever skilled prior. The care of Anvil’s workers was injected into all features of our keep, and a few of our greatest restaurant and procuring ideas got here from their native perspective.

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Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

Kulture Collective is designed to deliver a component of cultural and creative engagement into visitors’ keep on its properties by the use of occasions and conversations, like its Jackson-based Unusual Artwork residency program. I had the true pleasure of having fun with my weekend-long keep on the resort concurrently two Kulture Collective members: Brendan Fernandes and Dan Madison Savage.

Fernandes, an internationally-recognized visible and efficiency artist, spoke as part of the Collective’s Hearth Speak collection, a program that’s out there to any and all guests to Anvil Lodge and close by Alpine Home and Cache Home properties. Fernandes mirrored the resort’s ethos when sharing the ways in which the numerous communities he’s been part of, together with the queer, ballet, and artwork communities, have served as main influences to his life.

Savage, a author and movie director, shared the optimistic impression that the tranquility of working from a spot like Anvil Lodge and the close by Teton Arts Heart, a companion of Anvil, had on his work. The alternatives for Anvil’s visitors to have interaction with members of Kulture Collective was an enormous drawing level for me and one other stand-out side of the Anvil expertise.

Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

As a primary time customer to Jackson Gap, the area’s Central Reservations website is a tremendous useful resource for reserving actions within the space. When looking for issues to do as a non-skier visiting through the winter, I discovered that snowmobiling excursions are among the many hottest. Jackson Gap Central Reservations recommends Teton Tour Co., amongst others, and there’s a plethora of choices for various excursions.

My outsized fur maxi coat on a snowmobile that has been put into “sport mode” was a real sight to behold. As somebody who usually has to hype herself up for driving on the freeway, I discovered myself zipping via a mountain vary over a foot of snow, fairly often on the sting of a cliff. After combatting the preliminary nerves (any person inform me how courageous I used to be!), I discovered the pin-drop silence of the wilderness and the pristine blanket of snow so far as the attention might see to be profoundly lovely and so price it. Much more price it was our vacation spot of Granite Scorching Springs, a pure sizzling spring that may attain temps as sizzling as 112 levels Fahrenheit within the winter, providing a a lot wanted mid-excursion reprieve from the whiteknuckle grip I had on that snowmobile. Who is aware of, I’ll check out a snowmobile once more sooner or later, however I’ll in all probability put on one thing extra stylish subsequent time.

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Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

Of all the ways in which Jackson impressed me, the style and road model made the highest of the listing. Suppose luxurious cowboy hats, shearling every thing, and ultra-curated boutiques to rival even essentially the most unique NYC neighborhoods. I like to recommend Onyx & Antler to search out lots of of cowboy hats, or Encounter Hat Co. for a completely bespoke expertise. I additionally introduced dwelling just a few equipment from Intensify—a Lisa Says Gah-esque store with tremendous affordable costs—and swooned on the knitwear within the extra upscale Habits.

Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

On Anvil’s property, visitors will discover the world’s most famous Italian eatery, Glorietta Trattoria, identified for providing a Jackson-style spin on the classics with dishes like Elk Bolognese and Bison Tartare. (Evidently, I skilled a whole lot of firsts on this journey.) The stylish interiors and super-friendly workers cultivated the proper vibe for the a number of meals that we had the pleasure of having fun with at Glorietta. I might undoubtedly advocate reserving upfront. Don’t miss the Aperol Spritz!

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Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

I’ll really always remember the Grown Up Grilled Cheese from Persephone full with bacon, goat cheese, and gruyere with a aspect of tomato soup. This bakery cafe gives a brilliant cozy reprieve from the chilly Jackson temps and serves as the proper lunch spot after a morning of snowmobiling or perusing the close by outlets. Persephone additionally has a collection of kitchen and residential merchandise, and there’s nothing higher than a memento that you simply’ll really use.

Picture: Courtesy of Caroline Dunn

I’m fairly certain that it is a Jackson ceremony of passage. I occurred to have the pleasure of experiencing Million Greenback Cowboy Bar on an evening headlined by the “Cowboy DJ” and loved a really fairly priced drink beneath the watchful eyes of a number of taxidermy creatures. New York Metropolis might by no means!