Jackson Hole, Rebooted: The Tattle’s Back and Better Than Ever

It’s been about two months since the Tattle last landed in your inbox — not exactly part of the plan. But I’m back, and this time with a sharper, more focused newsletter for those who love visiting Jackson and for locals like me who call it home.

Before we jump in, a quick note:

Teton Takes

1️⃣ Things Really Do Slow Down - Think Hard About Sept/Oct Visits

Yes, the summer traffic in Jackson was brutal. But that chaos funds our town, from the ski patrols to the streetlights.

Unless Wyoming’s about to import Zohran Mamdani, the socialist darling of NYC who’s convinced he can tax his way to utopia, we’re still relying on tourism, not ideology, to keep the valley running.

If you’re a planning a 2026 visit to Jackson, I highly recommend late September or October. Same mountain views, 70% fewer brake lights, 100% more sanity.

Everything is open, the autumn leaves are amazing, and frankly you will pay a bit less compared to our insane summer season hotel rates.

2️⃣ Expectations if you are visiting in November

The most common reaction I hear when people plan a Jackson trip in November is surprise that it’s considered “slow season.” After all, the Tetons are still standing tall, the town is still beautiful, and there’s usually some snow on the ground, so what’s “slow” about it?

Well, November in Jackson sits in that in-between zone. After the fall colors fade, but before ski season is in full swing. Summer tourists are long gone, and the mountains doesn’t officially open for skiing until after Thanksgiving (usually the last week of November). The result? A quieter, more local version of Jackson that’s perfect for visitors who prefer elbow room over lift lines.

You can expect:

• Lower lodging rates and easier restaurant reservations.

• Cooler temps (20s–40s °F) and occasional early snowstorms.

• Some businesses closing briefly for seasonal breaks or renovations.

• Wildlife still active, especially elk and moose moving into the valley for winter.

• A relaxed, local vibe that’s hard to find mid-summer.

🚨 Important Note on Park Access
If you’re hoping to explore the national parks, keep in mind that access to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park is limited in November. Most Yellowstone entrances, including the South Entrance from Jackson, close to vehicle traffic in early November, reopening only for guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours in mid-December. Grand Teton National Park remains partially open, but many interior roads close to vehicles once the snow begins to stick, leaving only plowed routes like Highway 89/191 and the section between Moose and Moran.

3️⃣ We may have suicidal Moose….

I know for many people this is not a joke, but how the hell are we killing five moose in as many months in this area?

The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation (JHWF) is urging drivers to slow down and stay alert after a troubling streak of five moose deaths in five months along a one-mile stretch of WY-390, the Village Road. While this area has long been a hotspot for wildlife-vehicle collisions, this year’s losses underscore how dangerous local highways can be for both animals and motorists.

On average, 3.5 moose-vehicle collisions have been reported annually on this highway over the past 10 years. So we are trending way too high when we are almost double the annual collisions in a 5-month period.

Reader Poll 📊

Details coming soon on this trip giveaway. I just need to know which of the three choices below works best you wonderful people.

❄️ Jackson, WY Weather This Week ⛅️

Jackson Hole Weather Today

 🦃 NOVEMBER EVENTS IN JACKSON

🎃 November 1–2: Shenanigans

Riot Act’s Halloween Ball – Hand Fire Pizza
Costumes, pizza, DJ, and prizes. 6–10 p.m. Tickets $50–$100.

Halloween Party at Melvin Dojo
Spooky cocktails, costume contest, and music. 8 p.m.–midnight.

Margo Price + Logan Ledger – Center for the Arts
7 p.m. Country-rock perfection.

Casino Night – Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Gambling (for good), dinner, and live music. 6:30 p.m. $150.

Fall Harvest Radiance – Grand View Spa
Pumpkin Yam facials all weekend. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

🎨 November 5–8: Arts, Film & Comedy Weekend

Teton Mudpots Fall Sale – Center for the Arts
Local art + pottery = perfect gift season kickoff.

Frank’s Fall Film Festival – Center for the Arts
A Jackson tradition since 1990. Multiple screenings, festival pass $63.

Laff Staff Improv – Center for the Arts (Nov 7 & 8)
Live, local, and unpredictable laughs. 8 p.m., $20.

🍺 November 13: Beers & Banter

The Arc of Skiing – Jackson Hole History Museum
Wade McKoy shares 45 years of ski photography and stories. Free, 6–7:30 p.m.

🎿 November 21: Grand Targhee Opens (Weather Permitting)

Get those early turns in. Targhee’s calling → grandtarghee.com

🦃 November 27: Annual Turkey Trot

Start Thanksgiving with a 5K run/walk from Wilson Boat Launch. Gobble, then wobble.

🎿 November 28: Ski Season Officially Begins

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Opening Day
The big one’s back — time to drop in

🎄 November 28: Town Square Lighting

A Jackson Hole classic. Cocoa, cookies, carols & Santa’s mailbox under 10,000 twinkling lights. 5-7pm.

🥘 Restaurant Rankings (Dinner Focus)

🍳Breakfast Options

1. Virginian

2. The Bunnery

3. The Bistro (Cloudveil) - Sneaky good breakfast

4. Pearl Street Bagels

5. Cowboy Coffee

6. Bubba’s

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