The Most Outdoorsy State In America

Above, Wyoming's Devil's Tower National Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is one state in the lower 48 states that has been deemed the most "outdoorsy" state in the U.S. Based upon my experience with it, I have to agree. It is a fun place to travel in and with plenty to see and do.

Above, whitewater rafting the Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

That state is Wyoming. My most recent visit was last summer.

Travel + Leisure took a look at different states and posted which ones are the most "outdoorsy" states to enjoy.

They begin with:

It’s easy to picture coastal states like California, Florida, or Maine when thinking about the best of America’s great outdoors. And while those destinations are undoubtedly stunning and offer tons of water-based activity options, what if we told you the most outdoorsy state in the country is actually completely landlocked?

A new study by RV rental company RVezy analyzed all 48 states in the continental U.S. for which there was available data using five sources—AllTrails, Google Maps, Campsite Tonight, Summit Post, and the National Park Service. It evaluated 12 metrics measuring access to outdoor recreation, with applicable factors calculated per 100,000 residents. Walking trails, campgrounds, and percentage of public land carried the most weight at 10 percent each, followed by hiking trails and state parks at 9 percent; mountain biking, road biking, horseback riding trails, and water sports access at 8 percent; waterfalls and national parks at 7 percent; and ski resorts at 6 percent.

“It’s one thing to have beautiful landscapes, but another to have the infrastructure that allows people to explore them safely and easily,” said RVezy founder Michael McNaught, in a press release. “From my experience, the best destinations are the ones that offer flexibility. You might go for a hike in the morning, paddle in the afternoon, and camp under the stars at night. States that rank highly in this study tend to offer that kind of all-in-one experience, which is exactly what travelers are looking for.”

Wyoming ranked No. 1, taking the top spot in three of the 12 metrics: hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and access to national parks. With the second-lowest population density of any other U.S. state (only Alaska has fewer residents and more land), Wyoming’s population of roughly 590,784 leaves a lot of nature to explore, with not nearly as many crowds.

Above, Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Travel + Leisure: Guide To Grand Teton National Park

Above, the Grand Tetons reflected on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those thinking on what to do and where to go this summer for a vacation trip, Travel + Leisure has posted a guide on Grand Teton National Park to help with the decision-making.

Grand Teton National Park is virtually next door (to the south) to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. I have been there several times, most recently in 2019.

The guide starts with:

There are few national parks as recognizable, or as photogenic, as Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The steep, craggy, and commonly snow-capped peaks of the northern portion of the Teton Range tower over the park’s glorious alpine lakes, rivers, and impressive wildlife population that includes moose, grizzly bears, bison, and wolves. 

The park didn’t take its current expanded form until 1950, following its official establishment in 1929, but this part of the country has been drawing visitors for thousands of years. If you spend even a couple of hours taking in the majestic scenery — whether you’re taking an ice-cold dip in Jenny Lake or experiencing an unforgettable sunrise at Schwabacher Landing — you’ll quickly understand why. 

Thanks to continued conversation efforts, Grand Teton National Park has maintained a natural, rugged beauty that captivates more than 3 million visitors every year. It’s also one of the top attractions for travelers coming to Jackson Hole (the town of Jackson is just a 10-minute drive from the Moose Entrance Station). Given the park’s popularity and proximity to hundreds of square miles of sheer wilderness, it’s critical for visitors to enter the park prepared. That means not only knowing where to go and how to keep themselves safe, but also understanding the importance of respecting both the ecosystem and fellow travelers. “Ultimately, we are all stewards of the natural world,” explains Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience. “We need to be visitors to the landscape.”

To develop a comprehensive guide explaining what that entails, we tapped Shill, as well as Monica Robinson, a naturalist guide with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, to give us the lowdown on everything you need to know before visiting Grand Teton National Park.

To read more, go here.

John Wayne and Norman Rockwell

In 1973, John Wayne sat for artist Norman Rockwell in his Stockbridge, Massachusetts studio for a painting commissioned by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

The painting later was auctioned in 2018 and the top bidder, a collector, successfully bid $1,496,000 at the Jackson Hole Art Auction.

Here is Wayne with Norman Rockwell as well as the finished painting:

Norman Rockwell passed away in 1978 and Wayne died a year later.

Reader's Digest Yellowstone Itinerary

Above, Old Faithful Geyser in eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It hardly seems possible that it has been five years since I was last in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks area. 

That trip was made possible as a friend and I went to Buhl, Idaho to visit an ailing friend. Since we were in the vicinity, we decided to go on to Jackson, Wyoming and the national parks.

Above, yours truly (white shirt) rafting the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming.

Reader's Digest has posted one family's one-week itinerary which looks pretty interesting that one should consider.

It starts off with:

Every time I told anyone—friends, family, people I had just met—that my family’s summer vacation plan was to visit Wyoming and Montana, they inevitably asked about our Yellowstone itinerary. I get it. As a lifelong East Coaster, planning a trip to a national park out West is intimidating, even for an experienced traveler like me, who, as an editor at Reader’s Digest online, has the advantage of being able to consult with tourism boards and other travel experts.

After a year-plus of research and planning, here is the one-week Yellowstone itinerary I followed with my husband and two elementary-school-age kids—along with the one thing I wish we had done differently.

To read more, go here. 

USA Today: Grand Teton National Park

Above, the Grand Tetons and Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When one thinks of mountains, one may think of Grand Teton National Park.

At least that's according to an article on the park in Wyoming (just below Yellowstone National Park) by USA Today.

They wrote:

Some places in this world make you realize how small you are. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is one of them.

Its namesake peak, Grand Teton, towers at 13,775 feet tall, while others in the Teton Range top 12,000 feet, according to the park. 

Scenic Jackson Hole valley sprawls below with a wide array of wildlife to see and wilderness to explore.

It’s easy to see why so many people visit the park, one of the most popular in America.

Here’s what travelers should know about Grand Teton, the latest national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series.

I have been in Grand Teton National Park three times, the last being a more extensive visit in 2019.

To read more, go here. 

Kitco News: Solid Gains For Gold and Silver

Above, Morgan and Peace silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some reports of the near 4% rise in silver's spot price yesterday said that it pulled up gold's price. It sounded as if silver acted like "coattails" for gold.

Silver is still over $24/toz today, although it settled down a bit. We'll see how things go as the trading day progresses.

According to Kitco News, the surge in silver was attributed to:

(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are solidly up in midday U.S. trading Wednesday, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar index and a dip in U.S. Treasury yields at mid-week. More short covering by the futures traders and perceived bargain hunting are featured in the two precious metals. The technical posture for silver has significantly improved this week, which is inviting chart-based speculators to the long side of that market. December gold was last up $20.60 at $1,946.60 and September silver was up $0.91 at $24.36.

(Note: For exclusive market forecasts and intermarket insights, sign up to my new weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at  https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html )

Traders and investors are anxiously awaiting the Kansas City Federal Reserve’s annual symposium held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late this week. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde are set to give speeches. The speeches are expected to provide insights into the future monetary policy direction of their respective central banks. The ECB is expected to pause its recent tightening cycle at its September meeting, while U.S interest rates are expected by most to remain elevated for an extended period due to still-significant upward inflationary pressures. The marketplace will be listening closely for a potential shift in the Fed’s inflation goal. An upward revision to the Fed’s present target of around 2% annual inflation could have major implications for the U.S. bond market, particularly longer-dated U.S. Treasuries, likely increasing Treasury yields which are already at the highest levels since 2007.

To read more, go here. 

Jackson and Jackson Hole: What's The Difference?

Above, a view of Jackson Hole and the Snake River from the Jackson Hole Tram. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many people get confused over Jackson Hole and Jackson, Wyoming. They often wonder, "What's the difference?"

Well, to clear up the confusion, Brent Thomas posted at SnowBrains:

Last August I took my family to Jackson Hole for our summer vacation. It was my first time visiting the area and we had a fantastic time hiking, biking, and visiting national parks.

When I would tell others about the trip, they would often be confused about the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole. So here is a post to get you in the know about one of the most beautiful spots in the country.

To put it simply, Jackson Hole is the entire valley that encompasses the area, while Jackson is the name of the only incorporated town in the area.

To read more and see a map at what Jackson Hole includes, go here. 

Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA No More

Above, the then-Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While working on this blog post on "greedflation", I was reviewing my account with KOA Kampgrounds which shows the history of my stays.

As I was doing so, I spotted this:

It was a nice park, but we noticed that the park catered more to cabin stays rather than RVs. There weren't that many RV sites there, we noticed (compared to other KOAs). We stayed there in 2019 while visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks along with some river-rafting on the Snake River.

Hopefully, another park in the Jackson Hole area will become a KOA Kampground as it is a prime area for RV camping. The nearest one is 57 miles east of Jackson.

This makes two KOA Kampgrounds I have stayed at in recent years that have left KOA. The other being the Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA in Cortez, Colorado. 

Best Jackson Hole Restaurants To Try On A Budget

Above, yours truly under an antler arch in Jackson. Photo by Mitch Germinsky.

The last time I visited Jackson, Wyoming was three years ago. 

During that trip, a friend and I camped at a KOA south of the town along the Snake River. While there we visited Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and I did some river rafting on the Snake River. We also did some shopping and grabbed a meal in Jackson. The price wasn't bad, but I can't recall the name of it. It could be one listed in the following article.

TravelAwaits posted their 7 favorite restaurants to try while on a budget (Jackson can get pricey).

They begin with:

Jackson, Wyoming is a beautiful mountain town located on the doorstep of the majestic Grand Tetons Mountain range and Grand Teton National Park. This area is full of scenic vistas and offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. So whether you want to tour the area by car or get out and hit the trails or lakes, you’re in for a treat. 

Jackson is also conveniently located near another national park, Yellowstone. In fact, Jackson is less than 60 miles from the southern entrance of the park. Known for its Old West flair and bustling downtown, its Western, rustic vibe will bring out the country in you. This is a town for all seasons, so pick your favorite time to visit and get busy making plans. 

In all seasons, there are plenty of outdoor activities. From hiking, biking, and fishing in summer to skiing at one of the world-renowned ski resorts during ski season, Jackson offers fun any time of year. But all this fun and beauty doesn’t come cheap. Jackson is an expensive place to live — and to visit, for that matter. Known as one of the most expensive places in the United States to live, money is a factor. Rumor has it that the billionaires are chasing the millionaires out of town!

We wanted to find good food that didn’t cost a fortune on our recent trip. While none of these spots are gourmet restaurants, in a town so pricey, I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of good food we found at relatively inexpensive prices. Here are our top picks, in no particular order.

To see what they are, go here. 

Benefits of An RV Vacation

Above, The Beast in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is understandable that many RVers are skipping an RV road trip this summer with gasoline prices creeping toward (and surpassing in some states) $6.00 per gallon.

Rather than skipping an RV vacation this summer, I am modifying mine to places closer to home.

RV Travel says there are five benefits of taking an RV vacation and skipping it would be a mistake.

They begin with:

With fuel hitting all-time highs, many RVing families are reconsidering their summer vacations. In order to save money, folks are thinking they’ll simply forgo a vacation this year. That could be a big mistake. Even dangerous. Here are five reasons why you should take an RV vacation this year.

To see what they are, go here. 

Lonely Planet: Best Day Trips From Jackson Hole

Above, yours truly under an antler arch in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The northwest corner of Wyoming is a great and fun place to visit on vacation. There's plenty of things to see and do.

Near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks is the valley known as Jackson Hole. It is an ideal base camp for exploring the region. There are plenty of hotels, motels and campgrounds in and near the town of Jackson.

Lonely Planet has posted an article on the best four day trips from Jackson Hole.

They begin it with:

There’s enough to do in Jackson Hole to keep you busy for weeks at a time – and most visitors use the valley as a home base to explore the wider area, too.

Two of America’s most famous national parks are within 60 miles of Jackson Hole, and the history of the American West feels omnipresent in the region. Here are the top four day trips for visitors to Jackson Hole.  

To see what they are, go here. 

Jackson: Stylish Western Ski Town Even Non-skiers Will Love

Above, a view of the Snake River flowing through Jackson Hole. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one is a skier, there is one place in the U.S. that skiers and non-skiers would enjoy visiting. That is Jackson Hole and the town of Jackson, Wyoming.

Besides being near to Grand Teton National Park, Jackson is a great place to do some shopping and eating. 

Above, one of the shops in Jackson where I made some purchases. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is nestled in the valley of Jackson Hole. I was last there during the summer three years ago. I was able to do some shopping and partaking in cuisines in Jackson. We stayed at a KOA Kampground situated on the Snake River south of town. While there, I did some whitewater rafting.

Above, yours truly on a rafting trip on the Snake River near Jackson. 

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on Jackson Hole, calling it a "stylish Western ski town." (Just to avoid confusion, Jackson is the town, Jackson Hole is the valley.)

They begin it with:

Jackson Hole has always been a little rough-and-tumble, the kind of place that’s more about fresh powder than see-and-be-seen après-ski glitz. But even as it has held tight to that independent, cowboy-country spirit, the area has quietly become one of America’s most stylish wintertime retreats.

 To read the full article, go here.

Travel + Leisure: 10 Best Fall Vacations

Above, Jackson Hole and the Snake River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The autumn equinox arrives on September 22, but that doesn't mean that taking a vacation then is out of the question.

On the contrary, it is a great time to take a vacation.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on the 10 best fall vacations for every kind of traveler.

They start it with:

Crisp, cool weather and brightly colored foliage make fall the perfect time to travel. Whether you head to the mountains to spot the changing leaves or flock to sunny shores to soak up a few more days on the beach before winter sets in, we've rounded up the best fall vacations for every type of traveler. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists make destinations like New York City and Maui ideal for fall getaways, and outdoor adventures await near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Flagstaff, Arizona, where you'll be just a short drive from some of the country's best national parks.

Travel restrictions and guidelines are changing as the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, so be sure to check with any destinations, hotels, or attractions to ensure they'll be open when you visit.

Here are the 10 best fall vacations for your next autumn getaway.

To see them, go here. 

Patagonia Pulls Products From Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Above, the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Patagonia, the left-wing sportswear company, is pulling products out of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the "crime" of holding a fundraiser for the conservative House Freedom Fund. 

Gasp! The horror! Oh, my!

From the Jackson Hole News & Guide:

Patagonia, the iconic sportswear company that has built a worldwide reputation on outdoor athleticism and environmental activism, will no longer supply Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with its products after a resort owner hosted a fundraiser for the right-wing House Freedom Fund.

Patagonia confirmed Tuesday that it would no longer sell to the resort, its largest single customer in the Jackson Hole area. The resort company operates retail stores in Teton Village at the base of the ski area, as well as Hoback Sports and the Jackson Hole Resort Store in Jackson.

The move came after Jay Kemmerer, one of the resort’s owners, co-hosted a fundraiser Aug. 5 at a posh Jackson hotel for the House Freedom Fund. U.S. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows; and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, headlined the event. Admission cost a minimum of $2,000 per couple.

It's okay for lefties to hold fundraisers and be politically active, but it's not okay for conservatives to do the same. 

This isn't the first time Patagonia got involved in politics.

Four years ago:

From Weasel Zippers via Breitbart: 

The CEO of outdoor clothing giant Patagonia is burnishing her anti-Republican bona fides again, this time saying she intends to pledge her entire company to the “resistance” of President Donald Trump. 

Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario recently attacked President Trump for his statements about rolling back President Obama’s unusually aggressive campaign of confiscating millions of acres of state lands and claiming them as “national monuments.”

Hopefully, the "go woke, go broke" mantra will apply to Patagonia.

To read more, go here. 

Jackson vs. Jackson Hole: What's The Difference?

Above, one of the famous antler arches in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to the state of Wyoming often get Jackson and Jackson Hole confused. I have to confess, I have done so myself.

What's the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole?

TravelAwaits has posted an article that explains the difference between the two.

They begin with:

I was guilty of calling the town of Jackson, Wyoming, “Jackson Hole.”  Imagine my surprise when I learned they were two different places — the town of Jackson and the valley of Jackson Hole. Luckily, I never wagered my entire potential winnings on this question in Final Jeopardy (R.I.P. Alex Trebek).

Just in case you are selected as a contestant on Jeopardy — or love a good trivia game — let me give you some background on Jackson vs. Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Above, a view of Jackson Hole from the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 The town of Jackson is the closest town to Grand Teton National Park. 

To read more, go here. 

Things To Do In Grand Teton National Park

Above, the Grand Tetons are reflected on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone National Park's next-door neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, is an interesting place in its own right. It is different than Yellowstone in many respects and there are plenty of things to see and do.

Another thing that's different about Grand Teton National Park from Yellowstone: it is a lot less crowded!

TravelAwaits has posted an article on the nine best things to do in Grand Teton National Park.

They begin it with:

Founded in 1929, Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is named for the Teton Mountain Range that formed when tectonic plates collided 100 million years ago. The mountains are newer than that though, having risen from the valley floor about 10 million years ago after massive earthquakes caused the mountains to rise and the valley to fall. 

Two million years ago, glaciers etched and eroded the mountains leaving the jagged peaks you see today — 40 miles of them along the park’s western border. The mountains alone are worth the trip. 

But wait, there’s more! The valley, called Jackson Hole, is surrounded by the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and is home to wildlife and remnants left from homesteader days. The Snake River winds its way through the park and its floodplain is home to wildlife as well. As a bonus, moraines — the sediment and rocks pushed around by glaciers — dammed streams and rivers creating alpine lakes that are nestled in the Tetons. 

Many people visit the park in conjunction with a trip to Yellowstone National Park, located just 6.8 miles north via U.S. Highway 89/191. I made it my primary destination on a recent road trip, spending two days exploring the park.

If you opt to fly to Grand Teton National Park, the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the area. It is located within the national park boundary, 7 miles north of the town of Jackson. Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, and United Airlines are the major carriers that service the area. 

Here are the nine best experiences in gorgeous Grand Teton National Park and the reasons I can’t wait to go back.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton Air Tour Company Rebuked, But Gets Permit Anyway

Above, the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Helicopter and fixed wing air tours of national parks have always been a touchy subject with people.

I have flown in air tours twice, the first being in 1984 over Grand Canyon National Park in a DeHavilland Twin Otter and in 2016 over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by helicopter.

In Wyoming, Wind River Air, an air tour company, violated its agreement with the Jackson Hole Airport Board by not sticking to the agreed-upon flight paths over Grand Teton National Park. It was rebuked, but still was granted a permit to continue operations.

According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide:

Jackson Hole Airport Board President John Eastman showed Tony Chambers a map of where he said he’d fly his helicopter alongside overlain lines that displayed where he actually flew.

Clear as can be, the web of promised and actual flight tracks differed dramatically, with lines from a GPS device mounted onto Chamber’s red Robinson R-44 helicopter painted all over eastern skies of Grand Teton National Park.

Eastman wasn’t happy about it.

The haranguing took place at a Jackson Hole Airport meeting where board members later voted 4-to-1 to give Chambers another one-year permit to continue his scenic flights while basing out of the commercial airport in southern Teton park. Bob McLaurin voted against the permit renewal in an exceedingly rare split vote about an airport board affair.

To read more, go here. 

Winnebago Industries Is A Pandemic Winner

Above, The Beast at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Regular readers of this blog are aware that since the pandemic began last year, the RV industry has been seeing great numbers in sales and in rentals.

According to Seeking Alpha, Winnebago Industries (WGO) is one of the winners during the pandemic.

They reported:

I have been a bear on the economy and Winnebago (WGO) for several years. I assumed once government stimulus ended, the economy and RV shipments would falter. The pandemic provided a pin that burst the economy. Pfizer (PFE) and Moderna (MRNA) have both received Emergency Use Authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine, creating a pathway to reopening the economy. The outlook for the economy could brighten as more people return to corporate offices after the pandemic subsides.

In its most recent quarter, Winnebago reported revenue of $$839.9 million, up 34% Y/Y.  

Revenue from Winnebago's reportable segments was $822 million, up 35% Y/Y. Winnebago temporarily closed factories when the pandemic first materialized in the first half of 2020. Things have changed for the better. RV shipments for the month of February rose 30% Y/Y; the secular trends in domestic travel and outdoor recreational activities remain intact for now.

To read more, go here. 

"Ultimate" Guide To Grand Teton National Park

Above, the majestic Grand Tetons. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, here's another one of those "ultimate" guides to whatever.

This time it's Outside magazine's website that has the "ultimate" Grand Teton National Park travel guide. It is worth a read, even if one is not presently contemplating a trip there.

It starts out with:

My relationship with Grand Teton National Park started inauspiciously: I moved to Jackson Hole in northwest Wyoming unaware of the park or the mountains that are its heart. Of course I knew the town had mountains—I’d gone there to be a ski bum for a year, after all—but had no idea these mountains were the snaggled, serrated, rising-7,000-feet-straight-from-the-valley-floor Tetons, part of one of the world’s most intact ecosystems and home to glaciers, shimmering alpine lakes, and wild animals I knew only from photos, as well as more opportunities for adventure than I had the skills or fitness to handle. On my first hike in the park, I got my mom and myself spectacularly lost—and also contracted a case of giardia. 

While floating down the Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam two weeks later, my GI tract still suffering, I knew one year here would not be enough. I’m now on year 24 and have learned that a lifetime isn’t enough to explore this park, even if, at 310,000 acres, it’s only a fraction of the size of its 2.22-million-acre neighbor to the north, Yellowstone. 

To read more, go here. 

COVID-19 Hurdles For Wyoming Skiing Tourism

Above, Corbet's Cabin at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ski season has arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The season will not be "business as usual" due to the pandemic, but Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is adapting to the current reality.

I visited Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last year and even took the aerial tram up to Corbet's Cabin, a mountaintop cafe and "jumping off" point for skiiers. As I visited the resort during the summer, there was no skiing going on. The views of Jackson Hole were spectacular.

Above, a view of Jackson Hole and the Snake River from the mountaintop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Buckrail has an article on the changes that the pandemic forced upon the resort and the rest of Wyoming's tourism industry.

It begins with:

WYOMING — On Thanksgiving Day, skiers loaded the lifts at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the first time since the resort closed March 15 — an end nearly a month ahead of schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Like it does most years, Thanksgiving marked the kickoff of Jackson and Wyoming’s winter tourism season. And like most other traditions, it looked different in 2020. Skiers were required to wear face coverings, lift lines came with new spacing requirements and restaurants operated at limited capacities.

The biggest engine of winter tourism in the state — JHMR reported 715,000 skier visits in 2018/19 — prepared for the season as COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths surged in Wyoming and the U.S.

Resort staff have learned many lessons in the nine months since the mountain abruptly closed, JHMR Communications Manager Anna Cole said.

Along with adapting on the fly to accommodate large crowds of summer visitors, JHMR has spent the time modifying and planning. The resort is implementing COVID safety measures at every level of winter operations, Cole said, from new skier limits on its tram to reengineered lift lines. The resort plans to be flexible, she said.

To read more, go here.