Meet Some Local ‘Legends’ of Jackson Hole
These 7 locals of note or notoriety share some inside tips on what they love about living in Jackson Hole.
If you really want to get the inside scoop on what makes Jackson Hole so special to the folks who live here—and how to make the most out of your visit beyond the obvious—it’s best to ask a local. To that end, Jackson Hole Traveler sought out a small cross-section of fairly high profile residents representing a variety of cultural, artistic and athletic pursuits and offered them this simple query: “What do you love to do in Jackson Hole?”
Here are their responses and suggestions.
Annie Fenn
Physician turned food writer, creator of jacksonholefoodie.com and brainworkskitchen.com
“I LOVE:
• A Saturday morning hike up Snow King, then heading to the farmers market for a Sweet Cheeks Meats Sunnyside Swine breakfast sammy
• Dining at Sub Rosa—a ringside seat in The Rose’s kitchen as the chefs artfully prepare a tasting menu from local ingredients
• Meeting friends at Bin22 for a glass of Barolo and a plate of arancini
• A pour-over coffee for one while knocking out a deadline at Picnic
• The kale salad with a side of falafel at the Stagecoach after mountain biking on Teton Pass. Twist my arm and I’ll get the truffle fries too.”
Benny Wilson
Jackson Hole native, ski instructor, fly fishing guide, ski designer/builder, Jackson Hole Air Force founder
“I LOVE:
• Paddleboarding on Jackson Lake
• Margaritas at Hatch
• Dropping the right side into Corbet’s Couloir
• Rack of ribs and slaw at Big Hole BBQ
• Hanging out on the Snow King ropes course with my son, Mattias.”
Bill Briggs
First person to ski down the Grand Teton, former Exum Mountain guide and ski school instructor, musician
“I LOVE:
• Playing at the ‘Hoot’ (the Jackson Hole Hootenanny) each Monday night at Dornan’s
• Working with Open Range Films every morning
• Lunch and coffee at the Virginian Restaurant each noontime
• Teton County Library
• ‘Going to church’ every Sunday evening to make music with the Stagecoach Band.”
Bland Hoke
JH Public Art artist-in-residence, designer of public art and products (making pans and floatable hammock frames), a MacGyver-kinda guy
“I LOVE:
• Relaxing on String Lake in the Hammocraft from Teton Backcountry Rentals
• Sunset cross-country skiing on Shadow Mountain
• Brainstorming with creative people at Picnic
• Going “glamping” with a Grand Pan on Teton Pass
• Snorkeling the Snake River.”
Buck Milligan
Food Network’s “Chopped Junior” champion, Jackson Hole Middle School honor student, whitewater kayaker, big-mountain skier, hunter/gatherer
“I LOVE:
• Going to my dad’s knife shop, New West KnifeWorks. He makes the best kitchen knives and you can throw tomahawks there
• Taking an inflatable kayak trip down the Snake River Canyon with Rendezvous River Sports
• The ropes course and mountain bike park at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. My mom built them and they are super fun
• Mead Ranch beef. I live at the Mead Ranch and sometimes help feed the cows
• Rendezvous Bistro. Chefs Tim and Jessie trained me for ‘Chopped Junior.’”
Johanna Love
Editor of the award-winning Jackson Hole News&Guide, cyclist, hiker, quilter, lover of vintage trailers
“I LOVE:
• Mountain biking in Black Canyon
• Attending art gallery receptions I find out about in ‘Scene,’ the weekly entertainment section of the News&Guide
• Kayaking from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek
• Sunset horseback rides
• Happy hour at Piste atop the Bridger Gondola at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Peter “Chanman” Chandler
Co-founder of Tram Jam, musician, bandleader, singer/songwriter, skier, husband, father, homeowner
“I LOVE:
• Playing all-weather mountain music with Tram Jam at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on Saturdays during ski season
• Dining out at Lotus Organic Restaurant with my wife, Kathie
• Concert on the Commons, summer Sundays in Teton Village
• Riding the bike paths
• Polka at the Alpenhof Lodge.”
