Sip Northwest, Summer 2014

37 SIPNORTHWEST COM The peaks gazed back down at Jackson Hole and this awestruck visitor like a wise and compassionate elder dramatically contouring the valley millions of years ago and still shaping the impact of the valley today It was early spring as threadbare snow began to melt into the grass and the ski crazed mountains were set to shut down for the season the following weekend The hushed tranquil atmosphere was a gentle harbinger back to what this cowboy town must have once been like pre dating the now saturated winter ski zone and summer sports haven My rubbernecking was concluded to take on an actual property tour of the Snow King Resort a genuine ski lodge with kitsch met chic Western charm front of the house men are adorned in belt buckles and cowboy hats and newfangled updates a 16 million overhaul renovating rooms meeting spaces building exterior spa and more in early 2013 Snow King and its personal mountain of the same name serve as the boundary of Jackson Hole town lines the ski hill itself known as the locals mountain where many residents learned to carve the hillside themselves since the 1930s In the summer the mountain is an alpine slide with miniature golf attractions and hiking zones En route via hotel shuttle to Snow Kings luxury condominiums Grand View Lodge I encountered my first moose of the trip This mother and her calf were on an eating frenzy in the middle of the resorts property mowing down the lodges well manicured foliage and minding their own business Can I get closer to her I asked standing in my seat and leaning toward the window Not unless you want to get charged at my driver said back with a smirk and a wink Moose are more aggressive than you think And thats exactly what Jackson Hole Valley is the luminary range and its animals co existing below with Snow King Resort serving as the valleys wildlife liaison and gateway to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks R R I N JACKSON HOLE Kissing the old dated appearance of a shabby ski retreat goodbye Snow Kings facelift took this 75 year old gal on a journey back in time wiping away years of wear and tear and enhancing the old west theme into the modern era of the dapper rancher Snow King is the towns largest full service year round resort with 203 rooms two of which are suites in the hotel and the Grand View Lodge offers one and three bedroom condominiums of alpine grandeur as well as studio suites The western hospitality goes all the way from formal pleasantries at the front desk cant recall the last time I was called maam in Seattle to the guestrooms with rustic lodgepole pine furnishings vintage cowboy photography and colorful geometrically woven blankets and throw pillows Both the king and double queen rooms are outfitted with modern additions like an iHome flat screen TV and wifi along with rural effects from the wooden desk to the dresser and complete with a private restroom area stocked with Gilchirst Soames bath products and rain showerheads The Grand View Lodge provides its patrons with all that and then some the condos are furnished with