Resort height: 1924m
The mountains
Heaven knows how the geology works in Jackson Hole, but the valley floor is as flat as pancake. Then, suddenly, it tilts up into a vertiginous mountain wall - and that's what you ski in Jackson Hole. There are several good pistes here, but what really excites people are all the un-pisted lines you can ski - through chutes, between the trees, or over open fields of pillowy powder. What's more, all the terrain within the ski resort boundaries is avalanche-controlled: so, provided your skill levels are good enough, and you read all the signs, you can go almost anywhere, without having to hire a guide.
It's worth signing up for at least a day of guiding and/or ski tuition though. Not surprisingly, the exciting terrain in Jackson Hole attracts a lot of America's most spirited wintersports enthusiasts, and together they give the ski and snowboard school a supercharged atmosphere. It's well worth buying into some of their experience and zest for life.
Getting there
It's a long haul, and involves at least one and often two changes of planes from the UK. But most people who go to Jackson Hole think it's worth the effort.
Rating: 
8/10
Après-ski
Jackson Hole is home to one of skiing's most unusual après-ski scenes. The Mangy Moose at the bottom of the slopes offers beer, live music, bar food, and lots of left-over buzz from the slopes, and is a great place to start the evening. But sooner or later you've got to jump in a bus or a cab and sample the scene in the main town of Jackson, 12 miles away. In particular, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a must - you sit at the bar on saddles and line-dance alongside proper ranchers (so don't laugh at their ten-gallon hats).
Rating: 8/10
Non-skiers
Jackson Hole is not a place for shoppers, but anyone who wants to mix spas, on-mountain meals and outdoor activities will be happy here. Ski-doo safaris into the Yellowstone National Park are popular, too.
Rating: 8/10
Cost of living
Jackson Hole is currently trying to drag itself upmarket (which is tough because most well-heeled skiers don't have the time to develop the skills necessary to tackle the terrain here). But there's still a good budget base - featuring cheap condos, hostels and bargain-basement restaurants.
Rating: 8/10
Attractiveness of the resort
The ski resort of Jackson Hole itself hugs the bottom of the slopes and is well-laid out and easy to get around without a car. Make sure this is the place you stay - tour operators also sell hotels in the main town of Jackson, which is a 12 mile commute from the slopes. That's okay once or twice in a ski holiday, but every morning? No thank you!
