Published May 5, 2000 12:00AM
If you like your summer resort experience heavy on Wild West flavor, head to remote Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where the rugged Tetons rise dramatically from the valley floor, the Snake River runs deep and fast, and the resort’s hiking and biking trails can be mercilessly steep. Ride the tram to the top of 10,450-foot Rendezvous Peak for stunning views of Bridger Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. You may like it so much that you’ll return with your gear to camp at one of the sites in Granite Canyon. Looking for an alternative way to descend the 4,139 feet to the base area? Sign up for a tandem paraglide flight. Sound intense? That’s just the beginning.
But there’s also a tamer side to Jackson. Zubin Mehta, one of the world’s premier orchestra conductors, resides here. His 175-Member Resident Company performs throughout the summer in 740-seat Walk Festival Hall (307-733-1128; www.gtmf.org) at the resort’s base. If the kids want to bow out of a classical performance, The Cody House Kids’ Ranch (307-739-2691) takes young campers Monday through Friday. For a family treat, book a scenic float trip through Grand Teton National Park with Barker-Ewing (307-733-1000; 800-448-4202). A 2-mile float winds down a serene stretch of the Snake River. As you follow the base of the Teton Mountain Range you might encounter a moose and her calf or a bald eagle teaching her brood how to fish. Two hours later you’re in Moose, where you can cap off your day with cocktails on the deck at Dornan’s¿strategically placed to capture brilliant vistas of the Tetons.
DON’T MISS Designed by Arnold Palmer, Teton Pines’ championship resort course (307-733-1005) is a must play.
BEST DEAL Customized lodging-and-activity packages are available through Jackson Hole Resort Lodging. Call (800) 443-6613, or visit www.jhsnow.com