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Ski trails on Snow King Mountain, overlooking Jackson Hole, shine at dusk.


Jackson Hole, Wyo.


Snow and adventure are guaranteed at Jackson Hole, Wyo., a popular ski town just outside Grand Teton Na- tional Park, where activities range from downhill skiing to dogsledding. Several companies in Jackson Hole off er half-day, full-day, and over- night dogsled tours, and some, like Continental Divide Dog Sled Adven- tures, run by Iditarod veteran Billy Snodgrass, even teach newbies how to mush their own sleds through the wild Teton backcountry. Another fun way to explore the wilderness is with a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge. A century-old tradition in Jackson Hole, these horse-drawn sleigh rides ven- ture into the refuge, which is home to thousands of Rocky Mountain elk as well as bison, coyotes, and foxes. But wildlife isn’t the only unique


experience Jackson Hole has to off er. Jackson Hole Snowmobile Tours off ers a guided snowmobile ride to


a toasty reward — a soak in the Granite Hot Springs, which averages 103 degrees to 112 degrees. Guests enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot pools while their guide prepares a steak lunch. Shut- terbugs might want to look into snowmobile tours that investigate the Continen- tal Divide Trail system through the Bridger-Teton National Forest or the Togwotee Pass ride, which off ers amazing mountain views and some of the country’s best snowmobiling. After a long day relaxing in hot pools or exploring trails in Jackson Hole’s wilderness, guests can retire to a variety of luxurious lodging options in town. The Wort Hotel, an elegant Tudor Revival-style resort and his- toric landmark that opened in 1941, is only a few steps away from the town square, which features dozens of gal- leries, restaurants, and boutiques that carry everything from cowboy boots and elk antler chandeliers to jewelry, home decor, and fi ne art. The National Museum of Wild- life Art, located two and a half miles


north of the town square, is a great stop for wildlife and art lovers. The museum, founded in 1984, houses 14 exhibition galleries and an interactive gallery for children. Its permanent collection holds more than 5,000 items, including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by more than 100 artists, from early American to contemporary. The building, situated on a cliff overlooking the National Elk Refuge, is made of Arizona sandstone and was inspired by the ruins of Scot- land’s Slains Castle. For dinner, stop in at The Wort’s


Silver Dollar Bar and Grill and enjoy food and drinks as you take in origi- nal oil paintings created by western artist Ray McCarty and 2,032 inlaid silver dollars decorating the bar. Complete with a dance fl oor, the Sil- ver Dollar features regularly sched- uled entertainment with nightly happy hour specials and bluegrass music on Tuesday nights.


MO


— Deborah Huso is a Virginia-based freelance writer. Her last article for Military Offi cer was “On the Job for You,” May 2011.


Sleigh rides at the Na- tional Elk Refuge offer daily opportunities to view wintering elk.


PHOTOS/IMAGES: TKTK S: ABOVE, SHUTTERSTOCK; TOP, JACKSON HOLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


MO DECEMBER 2011 MILITARY OFFICER 65


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