Jackson Hole

February 2023

Jackson Hole is one of those places where you feel the difference the moment you arrive. The air’s colder, quieter, and heavier in a way that makes you slow down whether you plan to or not.

We went with a big crew — around 15 people and seven dogs — staying in separate cabins just outside of town. It sounds like a lot, and it was, but having space made all the difference. Everyone could do their own thing, and the dogs weren’t stacked on top of each other all weekend.

The days filled up fast. Skiing with the crew, snowmobiling through wide-open terrain with views of the Tetons, wandering town when we felt like it. But no matter what the plan was, mornings and evenings always belonged to the dogs. Long walks in the cold, time in the snow, booties when the temperatures dropped hard. They came first, every time.

It was Super Bowl weekend, and somehow our cabin became the host spot. It got louder and more crowded than we usually prefer, but that’s part of traveling with groups. Knowing that, we built in an extra day after everyone left — and that decision saved the trip.

Once things cleared out, we slowed everything way down. Quiet walks. Fewer plans. A visit to nearby hot springs to end the trip. Just us and the dogs, resetting before the drive home.

Jackson Hole delivered everything it always does — big scenery, cold days, and full ones. But the biggest takeaway was simple: when you’re traveling with dogs (and people), recovery days matter just as much as adventure days.