5 Winter Activities for Non-Skiers in Jackson, Wyoming

We've been going to Jackson, Wyoming every December for five years now. Jackson is well known for their downhill skiing but I actually do not ski! My husband loves to ski so he typically skis for a few days while I work from our cabin and explore the downtown area. One of my favorite things to do is attend classes at Pursue Movement Studio during the day. I walk there from our cabin, get my sweat on, and then move on with my day. As much as I love classes, I love to get outside in Jackson and explore the area during the winter.

Since I have so many people ask me about what to do in Jackson if they don't ski, I decided to put it all in one place right here for you!

P.S. If winter isn't really your thing we've also been to Jackson in September after hiking in Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park. You can read about it here.

5 Winter Activities for Non-Skiers in Jackson

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Snowshoeing

Each time we travel to Jackson we rent snowshoes so we can explore on foot for at least a day or two. We typically take ours up to Taggart Lake in Grand Teton National Park. It's freeing to be able to walk the trails in the snow. They take a few minutes to get used to but after that you'll be walking like normal in no time!

Snoeshoeing through Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming

Snowmobiling

We just did this for the first time a few months ago and it was AMAZING. We don't buy each other gifts, we take trips instead so our snowmobiling trip was our Christmas and 10th-anniversary "gift" to each other. I'm having a hard time describing the trip, it was that amazing. I'm going to do a separate post on this soon but we took a full day trip from Jackson to Yellowstone National Park. The scenery was amazing and we were even able to see a bison in the snow! You can read the original post I did on this trip here.

We used Scenic Safaris.

Snowmobiling through Yellowstone National Park in Jackson, Wyoming

Snowmobiling through Yellowstone National Park in Jackson, Wyoming

Dog Sledding

Dog sledding was one of the first non-skiing winter activities we did in Jackson. It was a great experience but we probably wouldn't do it again. Honestly, after we went snowmobiling we decided that we liked that a lot more. They are two completely different experiences though so if it's on your bucket list, book it! You might just love it!

We used Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours.

Dog sledding in Jackson, Wyoming

Fat Tire Biking

We went fat tire biking at Cache Creek right outside of Jackson, Wyoming. If I remember correctly it was -13 degrees that day (yes, NEGATIVE!). It was an amazing experience and we will definitely do it again. If you are looking for a workout, this is it! 

We rented from Teton Mountain Bikes.

Fat Tire Biking in Jackson, Wyoming

Fat Tire Biking in Jackson, Wyoming

Fat Tire Biking in Jackson, Wyoming

Sleigh Rides

This is one that I don't have any pictures for because we have never done it! It looks gorgeous though, picture a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow with huge mountains in the background - doesn't get much better than that! There are a few options for sleigh rides in Jackson. One that we see each time we visit is the one in the National Elk Refuge.

Bonus: Cross Country Skiing

I didn't include this one on my list of five because it is skiing but I think it still deserves a mention. :) Cross-country skiing is a great activity if it's just the downhill part of skiing that you don't enjoy. We've been cross-country skiing to Taggart Lake and Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park and we've been to the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, Montana twice. Even though I don't like downhill, I enjoy cross-country skiing. Give it a try - you might also!

We typically rent our skis from Skinny Skis.

Cross Country Skiing in West Yellowstone, Montana

Cross Country Skiing through Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming

If you aren't into outdoor activities, there's still plenty to do. Take a stroll through the cute stores (one of our favorites is MADE) and restaurants downtown (check out Pinky G's pizza and the hot and cold bar at Jackson Whole Grocer - this one is a little bit further out of the downtown area!). Driving around and taking in the breathtaking views is another one of our favorite things to do!

I'm a little behind (like years!) on recapping our trips but you can read this one from a few years ago when we went to Jackson, Wyoming!

Hiking Etiquette 101

Hiking is one of the most free-spirited activities on the planet. You can set out early in the morning on any given trail and potentially never encounter another soul…some of us desire this solitude on the trail while others look to hiking to disconnect from their usual lives, but not completely eliminate social interaction.  Regardless of your stance, there are some unwritten rules that we should all consider to ensure the hiking experience is as enjoyable as possible.

I put together a list of common trail etiquette considerations we should all acknowledge each and every time we go on a hike. Some of these unwritten rules are obvious while others seem to be broken almost every time Whitney and I go hiking, but if we can all understand that every hiker seeks a different experience then we can guarantee his/her experience goes as expected.

Click here to read all about our hiking adventures!

Please take all of these suggestions into account next time you’re on the trail:

• Interactions with other hikers:
  • Yield to uphill hikers – this is not obvious, but yielding to uphill hikers ensures the person huffing and puffing up the trail doesn’t have to break stride and lose their momentum or get out of their hiking groove. It’s also quicker going down than it is going up, so it helps to make sure uphill hikers reach their destination at a reasonable time.  With all that said, most uphill hikers love the chance to catch their breath, so if they yield to you, by all means…go ahead!
  • Hikers yield to horses, bikers yield to hikers – horses are historically prey animals, so they can be spooked by humans haphazardly walking on the trail and take off running or, even worse, kick at you with their hind legs.  Bikers must yield to hikers because it’s not easy for hikers to get out of the way of cyclists on the trail.
  • Allow faster hikers to pass – we get it…it’s not a race, but Whitney and I like to hike at a faster pace than most because we like to treat our hike as a workout along with the enriched experience of being in nature.  It’s also more dangerous to not allow faster hikers to pass through because you tend to hike faster than you’d like to accommodate the speed of the hiker(s) behind you.
  • Groups hike single file – don’t take up the whole trail – spreading out on the trail increases erosion and leaves a long-lasting impact on wilderness. One of the biggest rules of proper trail etiquette is to leave no trace.
  • Move off trail when taking a break – this one is obvious…there are likely other hikers on the trail, so please move out of their way when resting.
  • Watch your language – don’t get us wrong…we definitely aren’t prudes, but have some bleeping respect for others on the trail; there are kids out here!  We recently heard some girls in their early 20s ranting about the trail talking about how f’ing awesome it was and how the trail f’ing kicked their asses…nobody wants to hear that!
     
• Technology:
  • Use headphones if you want to listen to music – nobody wants to hear “Despacito” blaring from 50 yards away just to encounter you on your way down the trail, refusing to yield to the uphill hikers.
  • Don’t text or post to social media on the trail – hiking is supposed to be an opportunity to unplug…nobody cares to see your portrait on top of the local scenic vista right at the minute you arrive.  We get it, you’re proud of the accomplishment…we are too, but it can wait until you get back off the trail.
     
• Leave No Trace:
  • Pack out what you pack in – food scraps, wrappers, Kleenex…all of it.  Don’t leave it on the trail.  It’s an eyesore and leaving your trash may even cause trail officials to close a trail if the trash cannot be managed. 
  • Relieve yourself 200 feet from trail and water sources – dig a “cat hole” to bury waste in and do not leave toilet paper visible.  Feces decompose very slowly in rocky and alpine areas, so you may even be required to use a “wag bag” and pack out your own waste.  Do NOT leave the wag bag on the trail to pick up on your way out…it won’t kill you to carry it for a few hours!
  • Don’t cut switchbacks – trail maintenance volunteers and officials have to work tirelessly to prevent erosion when hikers cannot stay on the trail.  When trail become overly eroded they are at risk for closure and have a long-lasting impact on the landscape and surrounding areas.  You’re also more prone to injury, tick encounters and interactions with poisonous plants when you go off the trail.
  • Leave existing cairns, don’t create new ones or destroy previous cairns – there are mixed reviews on cairns (called ducks in some areas).  Some people think it violates “leave no trace” principles while others find them very useful for navigating less obvious trails.  We’re a fan of cairns because they help identify the optimal path for summit approaches in rocky or talus terrain where a clear and obvious trail is not possible.  If you see a cairn, leave it as is…there are hikers that depend on them!
  • Don’t feed wildlife – this is our biggest pet peeve on the trail.  That cute little chipmunk is not your friend…feeding the chipmunk a little bit of your trail mix does nothing but hurt him/her because it disrupts their normal foraging process and tricks them into thinking food is always available and human food is their primary food source.  It also causes the population of chipmunks living around trail stopping points to become overwhelming and they get so focused on human food sources that they will dig into your bag and steal your food when you’re not looking (this happened to us on Clouds Rest in Yosemite National Park).  Feeding bears or other large animals is worse because it increases potentially dangerous interactions with those animals.
  • Read more about the LNT Principles here.
     
• Dog Etiquette:
  • Use a leash – not everyone likes dogs – we’re indifferent to dogs, but I really don’t enjoy hiking with your dog for hundreds of yards while he/she runs ahead of you unleashed on the trail.  I also don’t want your dog begging for my snacks when I’m hanging out at a trail stopping point.
  • Pick up poo bags ­– when hiking the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado, we came across about 10 different dog waste bags in the span of a mile.  What an eyesore! 
  • Try to avoid your dog urinating in water sources – to ensure decent water quality when refilling your water on the trail or around camp.  Dog urine does carry viruses and bacteria just like human urine does, so please take proper precautions to keep our water supply as clean as possible. 

Following these “unwritten rules” will ensure everyone on the trail enjoys their hike to the fullest, but you may want to familiarize yourself with all the dangers on the trail and read this article on why you probably shouldn’t go on a hike.

5 Reasons to Visit the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

DISCLAIMER: Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa graciously paid for Scott and I to stay at the resort. Thank you for supporting He and She Eat Clean!

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As I shared in my weekly update, we visited the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL a few weeks ago. We went for Scott's family reunion. This was our second reunion here, we loved it so much last year we returned again this year! It was action packed weekend but also relaxing at the same time. We were only there from late Thursday night to late Sunday night, next time we will definitely stay longer! We drove down Thursday after Scott got off work and arrived at the resort around 11:30 PM.

Below is a quick recap of our stay:

Friday (Day 1): We toured the facility with Jenna, relaxed at the Cabana Beach Club, and had Dinner at Alice & Pete's Pub (delicious!). We were supposed to do the Hobie Cat but the weather didn't cooperate! We'll make sure to try that next time!

Saturday (Day 2): We woke up and went to spin class (one of the best we've taken!), had breakfast at Vernon's, toured the apiary with Chef Matt, tried out the SurfStream® and then relaxed at the Cabana Beach Club. That evening we ate dinner at a BBQ restaurant and hung out by one of the fire pits.

Sunday (Day 3): We started the day at the pool but it didn't stay open long because of bad weather! The boys were playing at The Stadium Course and were delayed about two hours because of the weather. Since we were running late and had a six-hour drive in front of us we got our dinner to-go from Alice & Pete's Pub (yes, again!) and drove six hours straight home (arriving at 4 AM)!

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As I mentioned, this was our second time at the resort. We have a big spread of ages (from babies to retirees) come to the reunion and this resort has a little bit for everyone! There is always something to do not matter what. Below are just a few of the reasons we visited the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa.

5 Reasons to Visit the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa (these are in no particular order!)

1. The Cabana Beach Club

Just a short shuttle ride away from the resort is a private beach club. There are pools, the beach (obviously), and restaurants! You can rent chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, and paddleboards!

2. The Pools

Have people in your party that do not like the beach? No problem! There are pools galore! You can choose between the pools at the resort or the pools at the beach! The SurfStream® is also at the resort near the pools. I was terrified of the SurfStream® at first but it was a blast!

3. The Golf Course

The guys in the family played at The Stadium Course and loved it. It was a great bonding experience for Scott, his uncle, and cousins. Scott was impressed with the clubhouse and loved the 17th hole!

4. The Bees

We loved our apiary tour with Chef Matt! Ever since we lived with my cousin (who had bees) for five weeks in between houses, we've been very interested in bees. You can just sense the passion in Chef Matt when he talks about the bees. He was even kind enough to give us some honey to take home and we have already used it multiple times. We can't wait to come back one year and the apiary tour is a major attraction!

5. The Restaurants

We ate dinner at Vernon's twice last year, we ate at Vernon's for breakfast twice this year, and we ate at Alice & Pete's Pub twice this year for dinner! There are five restaurants to choose from and you will be satisfied whether you are at the resort, pools, or the beach. Food is always convenient, which is important for us! Not only is it convenient but it's also delicious. I normally don't like hotel restaurants but Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa had very good food!

We haven't been to the spa but I'm sure it would be our 6th reason to visit. We did take a spin class in the spa that was amazing! Maybe we'll do the spa experience along with the Hobie Cat next year.

If you are looking for a relaxing but adventurous (if you want it to be!) vacation in Florida, consider the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida!

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