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Rafting, ballooning, canoeing and more, in the shadow of America's Alps

Summer adventure in Wyoming: Frequently-Asked Questions about Grand Teton Adventure

Spend a week amidst the grandeur of the Teton range. Each day, enjoy your choice of activities that include white-water rafting, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and more. Then relax at night in luxurious condos.

This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page.

Contents:

• How do I get to Jackson, and then to the condos?
  
• Where do we stay?
  
• This is called a 7-day trip. Exactly what does that mean?
  
• How's the gay nightlife in Jackson, Wyoming?
  
• Will I need a car while I'm there?
  
• I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
  
• What's the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole?
  
• You say we can pick any four of five activities. What if we want to do all five?
  
• Why isn't hiking among the five activities we can pick from?
  
• What about mountain biking?
  
• What are the meals like?
  
• Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
  

How do I get to Jackson, and then to the condos?
Jackson is served by three major airlines (or their subsidiaries): American, United, and Delta, and the competition helps keep prices reasonable. Still, to get the dates you want, we recommend that you reserve as early as possible, particularly if you hope to use frequent flyer points.

A cab from the Jackson airport can often be $50 with tip. Often you'll be able to share with others arriving at about the same time. Our pre-trip newsletter facilitates such matches.

Many travelers, however, find it less expensive to fly into another nearby airport, rent a car, and drive to Jackson. Idaho Falls, Idaho is about a 2-hour drive; Salt Lake City about 5 hours. In both cases, the drive to Jackson Hole is scenic and varied, and will be part of your adventure. Bus service from these two cities to Jackson is available from Jackson Hole Express ( 800-652-9510; in WY: 307-733-1719).

Where do we stay?
Our accommodations are comfortable 2- and 3- bedroom condos in Teton Village, right at the base of the mountains. Each condo is shared by several people, and condos may be co-ed. If you request a single room, you'll have your own bedroom in a shared condo, with either private or shared bathroom facilities. We find this arrangement far more comfortable than hotel rooms, as you'll have a living room and kitchen. Restaurants and shops are just a few minutes walk away.

This is called a 7-day trip. Exactly what does that mean?
Our trip officially begins at 6:00 p.m., with a reception and orientation, followed by dinner. We officially end after breakfast on the last day, although you can leave as early as you like. Or stay around all day, for sightseeing with your new friends.

Our "7-day" trip thus consists of 6 full days and two partial days. Some companies promote a trip of this length as being 8 days since it includes pieces of 8 different days. We feel it's more accurate to refer to this as 7 days.

How's the gay nightlife in Jackson, Wyoming?
Pretty limited -- until we get there! One benefit of traveling with a gay and lesbian group is that if you've still got the energy to dance all night after our day's activities, there will be someone you can ask to accompany you.

Will I need a car while I'm there?
It depends. We stay next to the mountains at Teton Village because it is quieter, much prettier than town, and allows you to go hiking from your door. However, Teton Village has more limited services than Jackson township, which is about 20 minutes away, and about $20 each way by taxi, if you go on your own. We provide transportation for all included activities and meals and will spend an evening or two in town. But you will appreciate having your own transport if you enjoy shopping quite a bit, want to check out all the galleries in town, or wish to tour the park or travel to Yellowstone on a free day. We offer a discount to those bringing their own cars, who won't need us to supply transportation to meals and activities. Please ask about it when you call to confirm your participation in the trip.

I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
Most of our trips draw more single travelers than couples. When couples do join us, it's usually because they're looking forward to interacting with a gay group; if they wanted a holiday by themselves, they wouldn't have signed up to travel with us. Furthermore, the activities included with our trips serve as natural ice-breakers. Within a day, you'll be traveling with friends.

You don't need to pay the single supplement if you're traveling alone. We'll be happy to match you with a roommate. Pay the single supplement only if you want a bedroom to yourself.

What's the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole?
Jackson is the name of the major Wyoming town associated with, and close to, Grand Teton National Park. (Though not quite the closest: The tiny town of Moose, Wyoming, is right at the park entrance.)

Jackson Hole is the geographic name for this entire valley, nestled between the Teton range to the west, Gros Ventre mountains to the east, and Snow King to the south. ("Hole" was a term used by settlers for a low area surrounded by mountains.) Jackson Hole is also the name used for the ski resort at Teton Village, just outside Jackson.

You say we can pick any four of five activities. What if we want to do all five?
You can do them all for a modest extra fee.

Why isn't hiking among the five activities we can pick from?
That's because hiking is free. Hiking trails are abundant, and we find it's best to let everyone enjoy hiking on their own schedule and pace.

You'll have one or two open days (depending on whether you take four activities, or all five) with nothing scheduled. That's a good time for an all-day hike. Also, the horseback ride ends by mid-afternoon, so the remainder of that day is available for hiking or other activities.

What about mountain biking?
The Tetons have some great mountain biking trails. However, because individual abilities vary so much, it's unrealistic to expect a group to stay together, or even to enjoy the same trail. Experienced mountain bikers will want to take off on some exhilarating rides such as Cache Creek; beginners would find this trail rough going, but can enjoy others, such as Antelope Flats.

If mountain biking appeals to you, we suggest that on one of your open days, you rent a mountain bike in Teton Village or Jackson, at a cost of $25 to $40 a day, and enjoy this activity with others who are at a similar skill level.

What are the meals like?
Breakfast is generally in the form of breakfast supplies in the condo. We supply cold cereal, eggs and bacon, yogurt, fruit, orange juice, coffee, tea, milk, and other items to give you a good selection. One day we may all head out to a local institution known as Bubba's, famous for its hearty breakfasts.

Opening night, we'll have a tasty buffet reception as you get a chance to meet the rest of the group. Three more dinners are included, with our last dinner at one of Jackson Hole's top restaurants. Vegetarians are always provided for as part of our planning, not as an afterthought.

That leaves just three evenings on which dinner is not included. Often a couple of people in a condo offer to cook a meal for their unit, or even for the whole group. Once or twice, you'll probably want to get away with just one or two new friends for a quieter evening.

Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
We encourage you to do so. Outside Magazine says that talking to people who have taken a trip previously is one of the best ways to evaluate whether it will be right for you, and we agree.

Our website includes a full page of comments from past travelers. Most of them have volunteered to talk about their experiences with future potential travelers. Please call for the names and phone numbers of references in your area.

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