Jackson Hole in December

Winter (December through February) means world-class skiing and frozen waterfalls, but also crowds and $400 hotel rooms. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort gets 459 inches of snow annually, and Corbets Couloir attracts expert skiers from around the world. Summer (June through August) brings hiking, wildlife watching, and music festivals. The weather's perfect but everyone knows it — expect traffic in the national parks. July temperatures hit 80°F during the day and drop to 40°F at night, so pack layers. Spring and fall offer the best deals and fewer people, but weather gets unpredictable. Snow can fall in May or September. The shoulder seasons work great if you're flexible and don't mind restaurants with limited hours. Elk migrate through town in late fall, creating traffic jams of a different sort.