Among serious skiers, few names carry the weight of Jackson Hole. The resort at Teton Village has built a legend on steep, challenging terrain and abundant snow, drawing experts from around the world to test themselves against its slopes.

The mountain's reputation is well earned. Its aerial tram climbs more than 4,000 vertical feet, delivering skiers to high, exposed terrain that includes some of the most demanding inbounds runs in North America. Corbet's Couloir, a chute entered by leaping off a cornice, is a rite of passage that has intimidated and injured many who dared it.

Yet Jackson Hole is not only for the fearless. The resort has expanded its beginner and intermediate offerings over the years, and neighboring areas provide gentler slopes for families. Still, its identity remains bound to the extreme, a place where the toughest terrain is a badge of honor.

The setting elevates the experience. Skiing here means carving turns with the Teton peaks filling the horizon and the valley of Jackson Hole spread below. Combined with the deep, dry powder that regularly blankets the range, it makes for a skiing experience that lives up to the considerable hype, and keeps devotees coming back season after season.