Jackson Hole Packing List
And a bonus restaurant guide...
Packing for Jackson Hole requires a different mindset than preparing for the polished glamour of Aspen or Vail. Jackson is all rugged, natural beauty with a laid-back luxury that feels refreshingly unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where no one blinks if you show up to dinner in upgraded sweats and a fleece, and frankly, that’s part of the charm.
It’s all about a Western edge that somehow pairs perfectly with modern essentials. This trip, I leaned into athletic wear and elevated loungewear that strikes the perfect balance between practicality and chic (as opposed to last year’s trip where I barely opened my suitcase because I had covid the entire week).
The Essentials: Ski & Athletic Gear
On the slopes, it was all about function and comfort without sacrificing style. My go-to pieces included:
Base Layers: I brought a few sets but ended up finding these from Terramar to be the most comfy and breathable.
Ski Socks: I like these light cushion, moisture-wicking pairs from Half Days.
Fleece Layer: I got the Patagonia R1 Air Zip, a thin, breathable fleece the day before this trip. It will do double duty for my upcoming trekking adventure in Bhutan next month!
Ski Pants & Jacket: Both from Half Days, I have the Emma Pants and Lawrence Jacket. I love that they strike that ideal balance of style and function. The pants are so cozy and fleece lined and I feel silly that I didn’t discover these features until my last day skiing, but the jacket has underarm vents, a phone leash, a dedicated pass pocket and a goggle wipe! I felt so tricked out
Fleece Gaiter: Also from Half Days, a cozy essential for cutting the chill.
Goggles: A trusty pair from Smith.
Helmet: I went to Paragon here in NYC and asked the ski bums downstairs all the questions - here is where I landed.
Mittens: I prefer mittens over gloves, and my North Face pair kept my hands toasty all day.
Elevated Loungewear & Casual Layers: The Coziest Pieces I Packed
Jackson Hole is really all about comfort—and this trip was no exception. The true MVPs were the cozy, lived-in pieces that made me feel warm, relaxed, and still pulled-together while collapsing into a booth apres for a “cowboy” cookie (more on that another time, lol). Highlights included:
Stadium Sweatpants in Black from The Great: The ultimate pair of sweatpants—relaxed, soft, and somehow still polished enough to feel intentional.
Sweatshirt Material Button Down from Frank and Eileen: A clever, elevated take on comfort wear that feels put-together without even trying.
Vine Half Zip from Varley: This has quickly become my favorite sweatshirt, and for good reason. The ribbed texture makes it feel a bit more elevated than your standard fleece, giving it just enough structure to feel polished while still being the definition of cozy. It’s thick and substantial, and I love wearing it zipped all the way up as shown here:
Apiece Apart Meridian Jeans: Currently my most-worn pair. They’re loose without feeling too trendy—no dramatic barrel leg, no kooky details—just a cool, unfussy silhouette that works hard without looking like it’s trying hard. They’re perfectly casual and baggy, incredibly comfy, and ideal for layering long johns and thick socks underneath when the temps really dip. Also shown in the pic above!
La Ligne Dunton Jeans in Khaki: My most “Western” vibe pant—a nod to the local aesthetic while still feeling like myself.
Boots: I rotated between my Penelope Chilvers Fleece Lined Cosmos boots for lounging pre and post ski, and the Manolo Blahnik Brown Suede Tomosa Shearling Lined Boots for dinners and wandering around town.
Underlayers: Layering my Frances de Lourdes thin cashmere shirts under sweatshirts and sweaters for extra warmth. I wish I didn’t have a $300 cashmere tee-shirt habit but here we are…
Sweaters: I packed a few that felt on-theme: a Fair Isle pullover by Nili Lotan, a Fair Isle zip-up from Vince, and a mock neck pullover from Frank and Eileen. All cozy, all perfectly suited to the Jackson Hole aesthetic.
Loungewear: Since I was in bed by 8 PM every night (never got off east coast time and completely wore myself down between skiing and solo parenting), I rotated between a few pairs of my favorite Lake PJs—I always go for the long sleeve / long pant sets, regardless. This set is called Moroccan Boxwood but looks like a little fair isle snowflake! It’s the little things that spark joy, lol.
Where To Eat (Because It’s Not All About The Clothes)
Handle Bar: Our go-to for après-ski or a mid-ski day lunch. The kids love it, and they have the best homemade pretzels.
Snake River Grill: Everyone raves about this place, but it’s a bit of a schlep from Teton Village where we stay. We only make the pilgrimage once a trip.
Hotel Caldera: The two new-ish restaurants, Shin Shin and Corsa, are pretty much the only places with a real "vibe" in Teton Village. Definitely worth checking out.
Alpenhof: If you’re in the mood for a throwback to a ‘70s-style Swiss chalet vibe—complete with fondue—this is your place. It’s not actually good, but it’s fun if you know what I mean.
Teton Thai: Last year, this place was a welcome break from the meat-and-french-fries-heavy options everywhere else. Sometimes you just need some curry to reset.
Final Thoughts:
Jackson Hole’s magic lies in its authenticity. It’s not about showing off; it’s about dressing practically and comfortably without sacrificing style. There’s something refreshing about packing like you’re heading out on a really chic survival expedition, where being cozy and collected reigns supreme!
