Westward Bound

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Born in Denver, there was never a moment in my childhood when I doubted I would live in the mountains. Raised in rural St. Louis by adventurous parents, my childhood was spent exploring the woods. As a family, we spent weekends hiking, camping, and canoeing on the Current River, where spring-fed waters flow gently beneath Missouri's Ozark bluffs. But most importantly, for winter vacation, we skied. And I had to live where I could ski.

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Like many of Jackson Hole's young female population, I arrived there by following a college boyfriend. However, to my credit, it was my encouragement that brought us to Jackson Hole, despite having briefly visited only once. My first experience of Jackson Hole was camping for a few days in the backcountry of Dubois, so when I arrived in 2013 with a Jeep full of my belongings, I didn't know what to expect at all. 

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Against all odds, I found housing. And a job aligned with my college degree (eventually). But more than that, I found friends who became family, skied more in one winter than I had in my whole life, and fell in love with new types of adventures. I experienced true peace in the remote wilderness of the mountains that I'd been longing for my whole life. That my husband and I ended up in Wilson, Wyoming, feels like a dream every day.

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What makes Jackson so special?

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Resilience Required

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As is true for ski towns around the country, it takes tenacity to make a life here. The abundance of open public lands makes housing scarce and expensive. Much of the job market is built around the tourism industry, with many seasonal opportunities in hospitality and outdoor recreation. However, the high cost of living and limited year-round positions make it competitive and challenging for workers. This means that the people who are here really want to be here, and we are just as passionate about doing whatever it takes to make this place home as we are about outdoor adventures.

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Where Grit Meets Grandeur

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Alongside a hardcore outdoor culture forged by locals who thrive on adventure, many of the world's elite have also made Jackson home (be it their first, second, or third home). These residents bring experiences from the world’s most cosmopolitan cities to Jackson, and add dimensions of luxury, culture, and philanthropy to the fabric of our community—not necessarily what you would expect to find in a remote mountain town. They choose Jackson over places like Aspen or Park City for its western roughness and decidedly more down-to-earth aesthetic.

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The Wild Is Just Outside

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​Here, the wild is part of everyday life. Deep forests, high mountains, alpine lakes, and wide-open spaces are around every corner. These scenic landscapes makes life feel lighter and full of potential, but the real connection to nature comes from the endless opportunities for recreation. Skiing, hiking, camping, biking, fishing are all just minutes from our front door. And the community is built around a shared passion for enjoying the outdoors—whether it’s biking to the office, a quick lunchtime hike to a mountain viewpoint, or a sunrise ski on a powder day. This time spent outside creates strong bonds and fills life with joy and purpose. 

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Inspired Living

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For me, a life centered around time spent outdoors, in the wild, deeply connected to my inner self, a tight-knit community, and spectacular natural surroundings reminds me every day to live with purpose. Being here makes me a better, stronger, more inspired, and passionate person, and for that, I'll always call Jackson Hole home.