Ride the iconic Aerial Tram up 4,139 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, where legendary ski runs, high-alpine hiking trails, and warm waffles at Corbet's Cabin await.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort dominates the southern reaches of the Teton Range, rising from the valley floor of Teton Village to the wind-scoured summit of Rendezvous Mountain. Founded in 1965 by Paul McCollister and Alex Morley, the resort has carved out a legacy defined by its steep, uncompromising terrain and immense scale. The mountain boasts a continuous vertical drop of 4,139 feet, the longest of any ski area in the United States, spanning 2,500 acres of in-bounds terrain. In February 2024, the resort transitioned from three decades of ownership under the Kemmerer family to a local investment group led by Teton County residents Eric Macy and Mike Corbat, a move designed to preserve the mountain's fiercely guarded independence and family-run character against the tide of corporate consolidation.
The centerpiece of the resort's lift system is the iconic Aerial Tram, affectionately known as Big Red. Originally opened in 1966 and completely rebuilt in 2008 as a thirty-two million dollar investment, the tram carries one hundred passengers from the base to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain in just nine minutes. Stepping out of the tram cabin at the summit brings visitors directly to Corbet's Cabin, a rustic outpost famous for serving hot, griddled waffles topped with brown sugar, butter, nutella, or bacon. Just steps from the cabin lies the entrance to Corbet's Couloir, a legendary, near-vertical chute named after mountaineer Barry Corbet. The couloir requires a terrifying leap of faith over a massive cornice, serving as a rite of passage for expert skiers from around the globe.
While the resort is renowned for its expert terrain, including Après Vous Mountain and the vast bowls of Rendezvous, it has systematically expanded its infrastructure to accommodate a wider range of abilities. Modern high-speed lifts like the Sweetwater Gondola, the Bridger Gondola, and the Casper quad chairlift weave across the mountain, providing access to groomed intermediate runs and dedicated beginner zones. During the summer months, the ski slopes transform into a hub for outdoor recreation, featuring a lift-serviced mountain bike park, a challenging via ferrata climbing experience, and a network of high-alpine hiking trails that connect directly to the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park. With slopes covered in winter powder or summer wildflowers, the resort maintains an authentic, high-altitude character that honors its rugged Wyoming roots.
To beat the crowds for the famous waffles at Corbet's Cabin, take one of the first morning tram rides up Rendezvous Mountain. If you are visiting in summer, the tram offers direct access to high-alpine hiking trails, but be sure to check the seasonal schedule as operations pause briefly in late spring and autumn.