Wyoming, Usa · Indy
Snow King Mountain
Wyoming's first ski area, 1936. 34 runs, 400 acres, night skiing in downtown Jackson. Indy Pass access.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
6 Dec 2025
Closes
5 Apr 2026
Days open
120
Annual snow
11ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Snow King Mountain's summit reaches 7,808 feet, dropping 1,571 vertical feet to a base at 6,237 feet across 34 runs spread over 400 acres on the southeast edge of Jackson, Wyoming. Terrain splits 40 per cent advanced, 24 per cent intermediate, 18 per cent expert and 18 per cent beginner, a steep mix for a town-adjacent hill. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 132 inches, well below the totals at nearby Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee. The resort operates on the Indy Pass.
Snow King earned its nickname 'the Town Hill' from its location directly at the edge of downtown Jackson, close enough that locals can walk from town to the base. The 40 per cent advanced and 18 per cent expert terrain share makes it steeper than its small size suggests, a legacy of its original informal ski routes from the 1920s. Night skiing extends access into evening hours, a feature not offered at Jackson Hole. The mountain also hosts an alpine slide and, since 2024, an observatory and planetarium at the summit.
Wyoming's first ski area, Snow King traces its skiing history to informal use in the 1920s, when locals hiked up for runs down what was then called Kelly's Hill. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a switchback trail to the summit in 1936, and the area was officially renamed Snow King in 1938. A 4,000-foot rope tow installed in 1939 became Wyoming's first lift-served skiing. The mountain underwent a significant renovation completed in the 2020s, adding a gondola and new summit facilities.
Indy Pass holders receive access to Snow King alongside dozens of other independent resorts across North America. Adult day tickets run from 75 to 95 US dollars depending on date, with a season pass priced at 599 dollars. The resort suits locals and value-focused visitors seeking a steep, town-adjacent alternative to Jackson Hole's larger and pricier terrain. Its position inside Jackson itself, rather than a separate base village, makes it the most accessible ski area in the valley without a car.
1,572ft
Vertical
34
Runs
400 acres
Skiable
11ft
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
34 runs across 400 acres skiable
Snow King Mountain spreads 34 runs across 400 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 40%, with 6 beginner runs to find your feet and 20 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
34
runs
34 runs across 4 grades
Beginner6 runs · 18%
Intermediate8 runs · 24%
Advanced14 runs · 40%
Expert6 runs · 18%
Time it right
When to visit Snow King Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Snow King ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week window shorter than nearby Jackson Hole's season despite similar opening timing. The mountain's lower base elevation of 6,237 feet, relative to Jackson Hole's 6,310 feet, and lower snowfall contribute to a slightly earlier close. Night skiing extends the useful hours of the season without extending its calendar length. Season dates shift year to year based on snowpack and grooming capacity.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 132 inches is markedly lower than Jackson Hole or Grand Targhee, both of which sit higher and catch more direct storm exposure. This lower natural snowfall makes snowmaking and grooming comparatively more important to Snow King's season-long conditions, though specific snowmaking coverage is not confirmed in available resort information. Base depth typically builds more slowly than at the valley's higher-elevation resorts. The mountain's south and east-facing exposure toward town can affect snow retention compared with more sheltered aspects.
Midwinter, from January through February, offers the most reliable conditions once early-season snowpack and any snowmaking coverage have built up. Night skiing sessions run through the core of the season, giving Jackson locals an after-work skiing option not available at Jackson Hole. Late-season visits in March and early April can be more variable given the mountain's lower base elevation and snowfall. Weekday and evening visits typically carry lighter crowds than weekend daytime sessions.
Night skiing is Snow King's signature seasonal feature, distinguishing it from Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee, neither of which lights runs for evening skiing. The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium, opened at the summit in 2024, adds a non-skiing draw through the winter season. The mountain also operates an alpine slide and other activities outside the core ski season. As Jackson's historic town hill, the calendar leans toward local, after-hours use alongside standard daytime skiing.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
5 Apr 2026
Closes
120
Days open
11 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Snow King Mountain, and where to stay
Snow King Mountain sits on the southeast edge of Jackson, Wyoming, close enough to downtown that it is known locally as 'the Town Hill.' Base elevation is 6,237 feet, with the summit reaching 7,808 feet across a 1,571-foot vertical drop. Unlike Jackson Hole's purpose-built Teton Village, Snow King's base sits within walking distance of Jackson's town square. The mountain looks directly down over the streets of Jackson below.
Jackson itself is the nearest town, effectively adjoining the ski area rather than requiring a separate drive. The town retains its Western character, with a historic square and elk antler arches, alongside its ski-tourism economy. Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort sit roughly 12 miles northwest, a separate destination from Snow King within the same valley. Grand Teton National Park lies further north again, beyond both ski areas.
Local Jackson streets and Highway 89 provide direct access to Snow King's base, with no separate mountain access road required given its in-town location. This makes Snow King the most walkable ski area in the Jackson Hole valley, reachable on foot from many in-town lodging options. Winter driving within Jackson is generally well-managed given the volume of ski season traffic. No separate shuttle service is needed to reach Snow King from central Jackson, unlike the START bus required for Teton Village.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the nearest airport, roughly 10 miles from Snow King and inside Grand Teton National Park, closer to Snow King than to Teton Village given Snow King's in-town position. The airport offers seasonal service to roughly 20 cities during ski season. Idaho Falls Regional Airport offers an alternative around two hours away by road. No rail service reaches Jackson, and most visitors combine a Snow King visit with a stay in town rather than a separate airport transfer.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Snow King Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
22 July 2026
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
22 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Hoshino Tomamu - Corporate Japan's Mountain Playground Revisited
Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.
21 July 2026
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.
21 July 2026
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
21 July 2026
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
21 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
19 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
Banff Sunshine Village sits at 1,660m base and receives 9.27m of snow annually. Inside Banff National Park, it offers a six-month season and terrain split that skews heavily advanced - though the crowds and lift infrastructure tell their own story.
18 July 2026
Lift tickets
Indy10 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Full Day
US$75up to US$95 peak
Full day skiing at Snow King Mountain, Jackson's original ski area. Features 41 named runs and brand-new gondola just 3 blocks from Jackson's Town Square with Teton views.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Full Day
US$65up to US$80 peak
Youth daily ticket for Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming. Affordable skiing with expert terrain overlooking Jackson and encompassing wild views of the Tetons.
Buy passChild 6–12
Child Full Day
US$55up to US$70 peak
Children's lift ticket at Snow King Mountain. Jackson's town hill offers beginner to expert terrain with family-friendly atmosphere and spectacular Teton mountain views.
Buy passChild 0–5
Child (5 & Under)
Free
Free skiing for children 5 and under at Snow King Mountain. Jackson's original ski area welcomes families with affordable alternative to nearby mega-resorts.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Full Day
US$65up to US$80 peak
Senior lift ticket for Snow King Mountain in Jackson. Discounted access to 500+ skiable acres with three lifts and Magic Carpets just blocks from downtown Jackson.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Beginner Package
US$125up to US$150 peak
Learn to ski or snowboard package at Snow King Mountain with lesson, rental, and lift ticket. Perfect introduction to skiing at Jackson's affordable mountain.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 18–64
Half Day
US$55up to US$70 peak
Half day skiing at Snow King Mountain starting in the afternoon. Perfect for shorter visits to Jackson's town hill with easy access to downtown dining and shopping.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Snow Tubing
US$25up to US$35 peak
Snow tubing at Snow King Mountain - the only snow tubing in Jackson. Cowboy Coaster and King Tubes provide winter fun for non-skiers with Teton views.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Cowboy Coaster
US$20up to US$25 peak
Cowboy Coaster rides at Snow King Mountain available all winter. Thrilling alpine coaster experience with spectacular views of Jackson and the Teton Range.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–64
Season Pass
US$599
Unlimited access to Snow King Mountain with Powder Alliance benefits including 60+ free days at 18 resorts worldwide. Jackson's affordable season pass alternative.
Buy passSnow King Mountain lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Snow King Mountain closed on Apr 5, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$20, with peak rates up to US$150.
Lift tickets FAQ
How much does a Snow King Mountain day pass cost?
Snow King Mountain day passes range from US$20 to US$150 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Snow King Mountain lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Snow King Mountain lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Snow King Mountain, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Snow King Mountain lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Snow King Mountain - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Snow King Mountain lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Snow King Mountain offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Snow King Mountain directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Snow King Mountain.
More Snow King Mountain intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.