Ski, Soak, Eat, Explore: The Jackson Hole Basecamp I Keep Coming Back To

Mountain Modern has 194 rooms and suites, and they don’t feel like typical Jackson Hole lodging. They’re simple, well-designed and a little playful, with a laid-back, authentic feel that fits this town. Think mini-apartments with open floor plans, space for skis and boots and room to stretch out after a day on the mountain. The room types range from studios to multi-bedroom suites, great for solo travelers, friend groups, families and everyone in between. 

The location also makes everything easy. Jackson Hole Airport is 15 minutes away, so you can land and be in town in no time, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a quick 20-minute ride. Downtown is right outside the door. 

There’s a common Jackson Hole debate: stay slopeside in Teton Village or stay in town near restaurants and nightlife. It’s a tough choice, but Mountain Modern nailed the solution. The hotel runs a free skier and snowboarder shuttle straight to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Morning departures start at 7:30 a.m. and run until 10 a.m., and afternoon returns run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

That means skiers don’t have to stress about parking, fees or a designated driver after après. 

My Expert tip: I usually skip a rental car entirely when I’m staying at Mountain Modern. With free skier shuttles, a 15-minute airport taxi and a walkable Town Square, I have access to everything I need for a ski trip.  

Once I’ve made it to the resort, my first mission is to get a couple runs in. Then, I head up the tram to get a famous waffle from Corbet’s Cabin. There’s something special about riding the tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, taking in the views and warming up with a waffle before heading back out into the snow. And if you're a confident skier, don't leave without exploring the legendary terrain right off the tram. Jackson Hole is known for its steep lines, challenging chutes and the kind of skiing that keeps you coming back for more.

If someone in your crew doesn’t ski, don’t leave them in town. The Aerial Tram has one of the best views in the West. The ride has more than 4,000 vertical feet to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, and the Teton Mountains fill the windows the whole way up. At the summit, grab a waffle and watch skiers drop into the steeps before you ride the tram back to the base.

Want a mellower ski day? Snow King Mountain is a quick walk from the hotel. It's the town hill, it's steep for its size, and it's great for a few laps on arrival day or a night-skiing session after dinner.

This is the part of the day I look forward to almost as much as first chair. Mountain Modern has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub along with an indoor heated pool and hot tub, so you get to pick your vibe.

Soaking in water under the Wyoming sky while snow falls around you is the kind of moment people book ski trips for. If the kids still have energy to burn, the indoor pool gives them somewhere to go while you warm up.

My Expert Tip: Don’t skip the hot tubs after a day on the mountain. They’re the perfect place to unwind and to recap all the fun from your ski day. So plan a soak in the early evening to relax before grabbing dinner in town; it's the perfect way to end a great ski day.

After a soak, the fire pits are where everyone ends up. It's a way to swap stories about the day, meet other skiers and decide where to head for dinner.

Some nights you want the full Jackson dining scene. Other nights you want to put on sweats and not think about it. Mountain Modern covers both.

• The Triple M: Grab-and-go bites from sunup to sundown, plus all-day dining and a full bar. This is my pre-shuttle breakfast stop. My go-to is one of their breakfast burritos and a latte to start my day.
• Big Hole BBQ: Fresh-smoked barbecue right on site. After a day chasing powder, a pulled pork sandwich and some fried Okra hit differently.
• Bapp: Korean cuisine and an unexpected local favorite. It’s a fun change from all the burgers and steaks in town and next door to Mountain Modern.

When you do want to venture out, you're two blocks from Town Square. My favorite restaurants in town are The Local, Jackson Drug and Hand Fire Pizza. For après, I end up at the historic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar more often than I'd like to admit.

My Expert Tip: Restaurants fill up fast during peak ski weeks. If there's a dinner you've got your heart set on, let your Mountain Travel Expert know when you book, and we'll help secure a reservation.

Mountain Modern has earned its reputation as a basecamp. Step outside and you're two blocks from Town Square, with its famous elk antler arches, galleries, western shops and winter events that keep downtown lively after the lifts close.

Build in a rest day, and you've got some of the best non-ski adventures in the West close by:

• Grand Teton National Park is a short drive away. Here, winter turns the park into a quiet, peaceful expanse, with big views and wildlife spotting.
• Yellowstone's south entrance is about 90 minutes from the hotel. In winter, the park's interior is reached by guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours, and a day of geysers steaming in the snow is unforgettable.
• Teton Reverra Gallery, right on site at Mountain Modern, is where I go to slow down after a big day. This family-owned art gallery captures the wild, quiet side of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, and you might even find a piece of the Tetons to take home.
• Jackson Hole Children's Museum is a short walk from the hotel and a great rest-day pick for families. It's full of hands-on exhibits and creative play, so little skiers can keep exploring off the slopes.

My ideal rest day plan features grabbing a coffee with a cream cheese bagel, hot tubbing, walking around the beautiful town square and having a fire in your room while watching a movie. 

Jackson Hole has plenty of places to stay. What makes Mountain Modern my go-to is how easy it makes every part of the day: a free ride to the mountain, a hot tub waiting when you get back, three restaurants downstairs, the town right outside the door and some of the country’s best national parks a drive away. It's a basecamp that lets you spend your trip skiing and exploring instead of managing logistics.

Ready to make it your basecamp too? I've stayed here, skied these runs and I'd love to help you build your Jackson Hole trip around the ski days you dream about. Connect with a Mountain Travel Expert to start planning. It's free, and there's zero obligation.