 Poster: A snowHead
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For an upcoming trip to Big Sky and Jackson Hole I am flying into Bozeman then the first day will be spent driving leisurely from there to Jackson. No snowboarding.
Which route is best for this cruise?
Where to stop for lunch, wildlife spotting etc?
I *think* Yellowstone is closed to public traffic in winter...correct?
Also I need to buy a new snowboard and pants somewhere en route - any recommended shops?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm doing the reverse, Jackson up to Bozeman/big sky. Around end of Jan. Going to wing it. When are you going? If I go before you remind me and I'll update you with my experience
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Cheers. 31 Jan
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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hd, Stop for lunch in West Yellowstone, Slippery Otter is pretty good.
You'll probably have to go straight through West Yellowstone anyway, s it will be the only road available IIRC - watch out for raod closures though. Often at Island Park, and theres wildlife around there.
As you enter Yellowstone NP - you just go through a small section after Big Sky - we saw a wolf pack between the road and river  , so there may be other stuff too. The rest of Jellystone is closed to traffic though.
Again check for road closures if its all clear, get off the 20 at Ashton, and take the 32 through to Tetonia and then Driggs. From there Teton Pass to Jackson - straight past TGR headquarters, in Wilson. Obviously Jackson to Bozeman reverse this. 
But if flying into Bozeman, you should stay a day and ski Bridger Bowl. Big Sky is about 40 mins south of Bozeman.
Done this drive a couple of times, once after the roads had been closed for 3 days due to snow - that was fun through the night. Our usual plan is to hit the road after skiing, Think we did Jackson to Big Sky in around 3 hrs
It can get cold though, first time we drove we had temps of around -10 F, roads clear and making excellent time 
It is a fantastic drive with some great scenery, hopefully doing it again in 2021, amongst other places - Montana is just so empty, and vast 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Bones great tips thanks. Yes considered Bridger but the 5 hour drive from there to Jackson after a ski day is somewhat off-putting, especially at night with lingering jetlag, plus the risk of weather and road closures, plus need to buy a board somewhere on our first day.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Not thought of that - is there no sales tax in Montana at all, or only in Bozeman???
Other shopping options I'm aware of en route are in Driggs ID and obviously Jackson WY - but is a new board likely to be significantly cheaper in Bozeman?
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hd, Its Montana, 0% tax. Only been to Peaked Sports in Driggs, nice place and usually has sales on from Feb onwards. But its not that large and may have limited stock.
Plenty of places in Jackson but its not going to be the cheapest, as most things there aren't either - but you should get what you want.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Why fly to Bozeman?
Jackson Hole has an airport.
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@abc, opening sentence of first post explains all. It's a pair of resorts I've often considered including in a single trip but never quite managed it. Travelling from the UK, open jaw flights can be considerably more expensive than out and back flights.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Bones, you are a remarkable fountain of knowledge. Thank you.
@hd, chances are we will drive by one another. I'll give you a wave/high five
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I'm interested in this too as I will be doing the Jackson to Big Sky drive at the end of February. Good info above.
I have driven north from Salt Lake to Jackson Hole a couple of times and that's an easy drive.
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You know it makes sense.
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You may want to look into buying your board at Bozeman. It’s a good size city (by USA standard). Must have a ski shop or two.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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FAQ
. Then check into a cheap hotel. Up with jet lag around 3-4, hit the road and be in Jackson - well Id actually hit Targhee, then drive to Jackson after. After all it is an adventure lifestyle 
