SKI Magazine Makes the Call: Jackson Hole is #1
Enough said.
Jackson Hole has long enjoyed it’s time in the sun and snow as a top destination for serious skiers. A coveted cover shot and #1 designated honor coming from the authorities at Ski Magazine assures the outdoor community that Jackson is making an impact on an increasingly broader community of consumers. This is good news for locals and anyone interested in the lifestyle approach and economics of Jackson Hole. If you love it here, you already know why or if your interest is perhaps peaked by this accolade and you’re thinking of checking it out for the fist time, this huge kudo means there’s no time like the present to make that ‘bucket list’ ski trip a reality.
Rob DesLauriers, owner and developer of slopeside luxury hotels Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa and Hotel Terra Jackson Hole and Realty Group of Jackson Hole member, reports that Hotel Terra’s winter booking pace is already up an unprecedented 115 % over this time last year. That’s a strong indication that consumer confidence is returning and becoming increasingly robust. Compounded by this news of Jackson scoring the outstanding #1 vote, means this winter promises a new record over last years’ pickup. So, time to plan that trip- Jackson Hole is hot and it’s about to get really cold around here!
Business Week touts trends in skiing and picks up on the increasing interest in Jackson Hole with this great article “Once Extreme, Now Mainstream: Jackson Hole is Named North America’s Number 1 Ski Resort.”
Here’s the Press Release from Jackson Hole Mountain Rresort’s Anna Cole:
SKI Magazine Readers Vote Jackson Hole
North America’s Overall #1 Resort for 2014
(September 18, 2013), Teton Village, WY – The votes are in, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is ranked #1 Overall Resort in North America by the annual SKI Magazine Reader’s Poll. SKI Magazine’ssurvey, now in its 26th year, provides an annual snapshot of the Top 50 resorts in North America. Readers rank resorts in 20 different categories that include anything from snow and lifts, to dining and service. TheSKI survey is the longest-running annual resort survey in the winter sports industry and since 2005, the #1 award has been dominated by Deer Valley, Vail Mountain and mostly recently Whistler in 2013. Last winter JHMR was #6 overall and before that, had not been ranked inside the top ten. “This award truly reflects the combined efforts of our ownership, the dedicated JHMR staff, and the Jackson Hole community,” stated JHMR President, Jerry Blann.
Jackson Hole earned the top spot this year, as well as Top 10 rankings in a wide range of areas, from Challenge and Character (both # 1’s) to Lodging (# 3) and Service (# 7). For a mountain never known for extensive grooming until the recent “All New All Blue” initiatives, Jackson Hole ranked #19 in grooming this year. “Jackson Hole has done as good of a job as any resort in recent memory of expanding its appeal to a wider audience, now offering a remarkable experience to skiers of all talents and tastes,” Greg Ditrinco, Editor of SKI Magazine says.
These results affirm the community’s goal to continually improve the guest experience year over year. “The Kemmerer Family and JHMR’s Board of Directors have been dedicated to improving the infrastructure of the resort and with their focused leadership; over $135 Million in on-mountain improvements have been invested. That, combined with the hard work of JH AIR, the JH Travel & Tourism Board, Wyoming Tourism and the passionate local community, has transformed Jackson Hole into a premier winter destination,” Blann commented, and added, “This is an exciting time for JHMR and all of Jackson Hole. Our plan is to continue on the path that has led to this #1 award – staying true to our independent spirit, our western hospitality and a truly authentic offering in the ski industry.”
“This positions Jackson Hole on a strong footing heading into this season. Additionally, we are in good company with the Mountain Collective partnership, five of our Mountain Collective Resort partners are in the SKI Top 15, with Whistler (#6), Snowmass (#9), Aspen Mountain (#13) and Mammoth (#14). It validates that SKI readers believe in the unique and high caliber resort experiences these mountains offer,” stated JHMR Chief Marketing Officer, Adam Sutner.