Jackson’s lifestyle communities understand that the Tetons are where people want to live. The residential developments celebrate the beauty of the place and provide recreational opportunities that connect people to the place. There was a time when home choices were just that—a good floor plan in a nice neighborhood, but this simplicity has been overtaken. Now people want to get out and enjoy the locale where they choose to live, and lifestyle communities offer these opportunities. By attracting people with similar interests, lifestyle communities offer the additional benefit of being surrounded by like-minded people.
Lifestyle communities are in many ways like destination resorts. They are distinctive in outdoor sport and adventure offerings, and they also vary in choices for the size of homes and lots and the balance of privacy and companionship. What they share are opportunities to fully enjoy and take part in all the activities of the vicinity, and few areas can compare with the area around Jackson. The town of Jackson combines charm with cultural opportunities, dining options, arts and galleries, and specialty shops. Additionally are the nearby rivers and ski resorts, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Wyoming, too, has a strong appeal for many wishing to relocate in the West because of its favorable taxing structure. Within the destination are many planned community choices for an exciting lifestyle filled with adventure. We highlight some.
Snake River Sporting Club
Just south of the confluence between the Snake and Hoback Rivers and adjacent to the Bridger-Teton National Forest lies the 800 acres of the Snake Creek Sporting Club. Anchored by a 26,000-square-foot clubhouse, the development features a golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, six miles of private access to the Snake River for fly-fishing, and a network of equestrian, mountain biking, and hiking trails for summer enjoyment, in addition to canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Winters, the Club offers an ice-skating rink behind the clubhouse, cross-country skiing on groomed trails, heli-skiing, and shuttle service to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Jackson is 20 minutes away. Property options include cabin, ranch, and estate lots, as well as just completed turnkey cabins. srsportingclub.com
Huntsman Springs
A 45-mile drive from Jackson is Huntsman Springs in Driggs, Idaho, Huntsman Springs enjoys a different but spectacular view to the Teton Mountains. The unique community design features a community center, an 18-hole golf course with lots and homes integrated around the perimeter, 500 acres of wetlands with a two-mile boardwalk, and a recently completed pool and wellness center. Property options include rustic mountain view homes, furnished and landscaped park homes in a neighborhood setting, and custom homesites. huntsmansprings.com
3 Creek Ranch
The first combination private fly-fishing and golf development in the area is set just five minutes from Jackson. The 3 Creek Ranch setting is 710 acres in the central valley with Gros Ventre Mountains one direction and the Tetons the other. Golf Digest rated the private 18-hole golf course designed by Rees Jones #1 in the state of Wyoming in 2011. Included in the clubhouse is a fitness center. The natural streams amid the cottonwoods are rated blue ribbon for fly-fishing, and an outdoor pursuit center coordinates outdoor activities for residents. In addition, a naturalist familiar with the greater Yellowstone ecosystem staffs a separate nature center. During the winter, nine miles of Nordic ski trails are set, and the development is near the three alpine ski sites, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Ski Resort, and Grand Targhee Resort. Overall there are 136 homesites: 87 half-acre cabin homesites; 43 two-to-five-acre estate lots; and six 35-acre ranch estate parcels. 3creekranch-jh.com
Shooting Star
Thirteen miles northwest of Jackson at Teton Village and the edge of Teton National Park is a former working ranch, Shooting Star. Much of the 1,300-acre ranch is preserved as open space, and the golf course designed by Tom Fazio is physically separate from the homes and surrounded by natural features. Complementing the course is a year-round clubhouse with dining, a fitness center, spa, and pool, and in addition there is the alpine barn for special events, kids activities, and ski lockers. From the barn, a shuttle runs during the winter to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and a 15-K Nordic course is set. The average lot size is well over an acre, and there are plans for 100 single-family homes, 34 cabins, and 48 townhomes. shootingstarjh.com
Spring Creek Ranch
A former ranch atop East Gros Ventre Butte, Spring Creek Ranch offers view lots. As 700 of the 1,000 acres are preserved as open space, Spring Creek offers equestrian activities with an extensive trail system, as well as other trail sports. Spring Creek is affiliated with the Amangani Resort, and owners receive open privileges to the hotel amenities like the pool and tennis courts and the opportunity to rent out their homes through the resort, as well as convenient dining. Properties include townhomes and lodges. springcreekranch.com
Bar-B-Bar
Located north Jackson and partially along the Snake River with Grand Teton Mountain views, the 780-acre Bar-B-Bar Ranch offers 35-to-100-acre ranch sites for sale. The sites combine glorious raw scenery with proximity to Jackson. barbarranch.com
These are some of the many diverse lifestyle choices in the Jackson area. For those with an affinity for the outdoors, there is sure to be a development that suits and perpetuates that wonderful vacation feeling found when visiting the area.