World Championship Snow King Hill Climb is roaring into Jackson Hole

The World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb is one of Jackson’s biggest events

 

It’s about to get a little bit rowdy and a lot bit crowdy in Jackson Hole with snowmobiles greeting you with a loud and friendly “howdy!”

 

Why? Because the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb at Snow King Mountain Resort starts March 22^nd and continues through the 25^th.

 

Since 1975, the Jackson Hole Snow Devils has sponsored this 4-day event that draws more than 300 snowmobile hill climb racers and more than 10,000 fans from all over the U.S. and Canada to find out who is “king of the hill.” This event grows every year, with crowds flooding the town as machines struggle to get up the 1,500-foot vertical rise mountain that is aptly nicknamed “The King.”

 

The Snow Devils say this year they really want to make this an unforgettable experience for both the racing fans and the spectators. Again, the event will be televised on two JumboTrons, one located right at the base of the mountain and the other one located inside the ball field.  Food and beer concessions will be open along with the official Hill Climb merchandise tent. Related vendor tents will be showing off their wares as well.

 

After listening to the “braap, braap, braap” of snowmobiles for a couple of hours, you may want to seek the quiet sanctuary of one of Jackson Hole’s nearly 30 art galleries or the many retail shops that line Town Square. One of the favorite things visitors find themselves doing while on the square is walking into the amazing candy emporium of Yippy I-O Candy Company. If you can’t get your sugar buzz on there, you’re just not trying!

 

The nightlife around town should prove to be even more energized with the addition of the numerous Hill Climbers and fans of the event who are in town for a few days. We recommend whooping it up at the Silver Dollar Bar on the square where there are always live, local bands.

 

It’s a good idea to fill up your belly in the morning before you wander over to the Hill Climb race. The Bunnery is Jackson Hole’s No. 1 go-to breakfast spot. Even after 40 years, the awesome food and homemade pastries are as fresh as ever. Read all about it here.

 

If it’s lunchtime and you’re watching the snowmobiles climbing up and down Snow King, check out The Lift Restaurant—conveniently located next to the base–to satisfy your hunger. Depending upon where you’re seated inside, you can still view the action while you eat one of the delicious burgers the restaurant is famous for.

 

Observing all those snowmobiles creating s(n)o(w) much fun may make you itch to ride one yourself. If so, Scenic Safaris can scratch that itch in spades. You can rent your own snowmobile from them, or, better yet, take advantage of the company’s numerous guided tours of Yellowstone National Park or the backcountry winter wonderland that surrounds Jackson Hole. An added bonus is you will also learn about the wildlife that populates the park and national forests here.

And after a full-day of watching the Hill Climb and/or perhaps taking a snowmobile for a whirl yourself, gather your family and friends together for dinner at Gather (the elk Bolognese is legendary and beyond yummy). Maybe one of the best parts of this restaurant choice is that it faces the King, so you can relive some of those jaw-dropping moments of the competition.