What to Wear in Jackson Hole

(including Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park)

Wyoming is notorious for changing weather patterns. Review, revise, and edit your wardrobe constantly. Wear layers always, everywhere, and at a moment’s notice. (Consequently, I’m working on getting approved by some affiliates so you can see exactly which layers to wear, more on that next.)

Wyoming is COLD.

Even in the summer months, Jackson mornings can be in the 40s. A friend visited in July who was not used to this; and she had to wait till noon to start mountain biking due to the lower morning temps. Pack and dress for chilly mornings. Summers in Jackson are mostly in the high 70s; however, heat waves can occur which bring the temps to the high 80s and low 60s at night. Waves last for a week or two at most.

Wyoming is WINDY.

The winds are cold as well. Jackson has been known as “the gateway to Alaska”; which feels like an Arctic Tundra at times, sometimes year-round.

Wyoming WINTERS

Wyoming winter is not for the faint of heart. January is the coldest month with negative temps; however, usually this occurs only in town with the ski resort experiencing inversions. This means warm temps in the 20s-30s are at the top of the mountain. Again, layers are key – especially when skiing. It’s warm up high; but the minute you ski to the base, your nose hairs freeze and there’s frostbite warnings. I always wear a ski mask or double up my buffs.

Wyoming FIRES

Wildland Fire season can be intense and the air quality can change with the wind patterns. Fire season now starts mid July and ends in September. I have the Air Now app from IQ Air on my phone to watch when the air quality is ok to breathe. If you have any lung conditions, the reduced quality could affect you when the reports are in the moderate range and the pm2.5 is above 10. The rest of the folks with no conditions are fine until the range is over 100 and pm2.5 is high 20s. It just depends on your own lungs, if you have asthma, or any chronic condition. Read up on IQ Air for more info; every person has different tolerability.

Air Quality Alert; hazy skies signal poor air quality.

Smoke Plumes of a new fire just starting; photo taken from top of Static Peak.

All that being said; preparing and planning with a shell or rain jacket and a puffy handy, you’ll experience the most beautiful, amazing wilderness on the face of the planet. Wyoming is a gorgeous place to visit. Stop by one of the local shops if you forgot to bring a sweater or fleece. You may need it, at a moment’s notice.

I recommend Teton Mountaineering or Skinny Skis for last minute gear purchases locally.

https://www.tetonmtn.com/

https:// skinnyskis.com/