Rachael Burks in the Jackson Hole Backcountry. Photo courtesy rburks.com

For the past few years, professional skier Rachael Burks has spent several weeks each winter in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to film with Teton Gravity Research. Burks is known for getting inverted off massive cliff drops, so you may not want to blindly follow this Salt Lake City native’s tracks through the Jackson Hole backcountry. With a penchant for having a good time wherever she goes, however, Burks is the perfect person to lead us around this classic Western ski town. Here are a few of her favorites.

Place to Stay: The Teton Mountain Lodge is pretty darn nice. I’ve stayed there a handful of times and the rooms are sweet. Plus the Cascade restaurant downstairs is a great place to have an apres drink and appetizer. Their food is delicious.

Ski Run: Jackson is full of them. Most of my favorite runs are out of bounds … Not going to lie–I’ve had some pretty fun runs down Spacewalk. In-bounds I’m a total sucker for the Sublette lift and lapping a few right under the chair. The Alta Chutes are a blast on a pow day if you’re lucky enough to get up there before the masses.

Sliders, White Buffalo Club style. Photo courtesy White Buffalo Club

Favorite restaurant: Ooo, this is my kind of question. My favorite place to grab dinner is the Rendezvous Bistro or The Cellar of the White Buffalo.

Favorite place in Teton Village [where the resort is located] for dinner: The Cascade.

Favorite dessert: order “The Cookie” at The Kitchen in town.

Favorite breakfast: The Lotus (p.s.: best Bloody Mary ever). For great Thai Food and cocktails, go to Thai Me Up (and of course Teton Thai if you’re in the Village). Cheap eating: check out Pica’s for a burrito. Best Fine-Dining: The Snake River Grill.

Favorite place for a drink: Hands down, no questions asked, the “V.C.” (Village Cafe). Grab a beer and a slice. It’s locally owned (which is rare in and around J-Hole), has a friendly feel, and the drinks are cheap. Walk down those stairs and grab a beer with all the peeps you shredded with that day.

A beer and a slice are waiting for you at the “V.C.” Photo courtesy Derek Taylor

Favorite downday activity: Well, I’m a movie-goer, so on my downdays I usually head to one of the theaters. But the day would begin with a bloody from the Lotus for sure. Also, Inversion Yoga has some great classes and a sweet facility. It gets crowded, but it’s great.