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Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The tax-friendly state in America where ultra-wealthy flock to
Wyoming is rapidly establishing itself as a top destination for ultra-wealthy individuals and businesses, drawn by its tax advantages and high-end real estate market. As one of nine US states with no state income tax , Wyoming offers significant financial incentives for affluent residents. Additionally, the state's Dynasty Trust laws allow families to transfer wealth across generations while avoiding estate, inheritance and state income taxes - further solidifying its status as a tax shelter. The state's appeal is amplified by its business-friendly environment and low property taxes, attracting both individuals and companies seeking to minimize their tax burdens. 'Wyoming is the most tax-friendly state,' Latham Jenkins, a real estate agent with Live Water Jackson Hole told . 'Retirement benefits are not taxed at the state level, and it's one of the most business-friendly states in the nation.' Wyoming's luxury real estate market is also thriving. Although the state's overall housing inventory is limited, its high-end listings stand out. Approximately three percent of active listings in Wyoming are priced over $5 million - ranking significantly higher than neighboring states such as Idaho at 1.3 percent and Montana at 1.9 percent. The Teton County area - home to Jackson Hole, a world-class skiing destination - dominates the high-priced market, with 57 of the 69 listings above $5 million, reported. Aside from its proximity to the top-rated Jackson Hole Mountain resort, the region's appeal to the ultra-wealthy is driven by its exclusivity, stunning landscapes, and celebrity presence, with A-listers like Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock, and Kanye West reportedly owning property in the area. The median listing price in Teton County sits at $2.95 million, while the state's median is $495,000. The area's limited land availability, with 97 percent of Teton County federally protected, further drives up demand, making it an attractive option for wealthy buyers. Despite strong demand, luxury homes in Wyoming tend to stay on the market longer than in other states. Properties priced at $5 million or more have a median listing period of 187 days, compared to 81 days in Idaho and 114 days in Montana, according to the real estate outlet. The state's extended timeline reflects a market where sellers, often without mortgages, are less inclined to lower prices, leading to a more patient and strategic selling process. Margi Barrie, associate broker with Prugh Real Estate, notes that sellers are in no rush. 'People are more bullish in their prices, and more confident. A lot of people aren't leveraged on their property so that they can sell them, or not,' she explained to In Teton County, 33.1 percent of listings were priced above $5 million as of May, suggesting a growing influx of high-net-worth individuals. However, the lack of price reductions indicates that many sellers are not eager to exit the market quickly. The northwestern state's combination of tax advantages, business-friendly policies, and a high-demand luxury real estate market make it an increasingly attractive destination for the ultra-wealthy. Its limited land availability and unique legal structures further enhance its appeal, positioning Wyoming as a key player in the ultra-high-net-worth market.


Forbes
17-06-2025
- Forbes
The Wyoming Town For All Seasons
No matter if it's warm or wintry, Jackson Hole is a wildly entertaining destination. Here's an interesting fact about Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Teton is the wealthiest county in the country, with a median household income of $1.3 million. And did you know that Yellowstone Park, just an hour from the center of Jackson, is the world's first national park? Another interesting piece of trivia is that Jackson Hole Airport sits inside Grand Teton National Park, making it the only commercial airport in the United States that can state such a claim. This convergence of Mother Nature and modernity makes Jackson Hole — to be clear, Jackson Hole is the 42-mile-long valley between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountains that holds Jackson, other towns, the airport, the parks and ski resorts within it — one of the most popular destinations in the country for an elevated winter getaway. But here's another fascinating factoid: Jackson Hole is far from being a destination that only delivers in the chilly months. With outstanding fishing, awesome bike trails and some great shopping, the region wants you to know that it looks good in flip-flops and fast-drying shorts, too. Hotel Yellowstone gracefully sits atop East Gros Ventre Butte. Whenever the wind blows you in the direction of this scenic stretch of the West, reserve accommodations at Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole. Sitting on four acres of sophisticated solitude that opened in August 2024, this adults-only retreat already has weekend cowboys screaming its praises from the top of Mount Owen. The hotel's nine cabin-like structures contain 36 elegantly appointed suites that sprout from the elevated terrain like Douglas firs. The interiors blend in with the rugged outdoors seamlessly thanks to generous patios, fur-covered chairs and dark wooden headboards. But no matter how much you're in awe of the swaying cottonwoods, the Calacatta marble baths can't be ignored. Nor can the toiletries from Swedish brand Byredo or the electronic toilets from Toto. You're in the rough, sure, but there's no roughing it. As the mercury rises outside, so too does the number of activities that can be arranged by the resort. It doesn't matter if you're trying to get wet (tubing down the Snake River), wild (side-by-side UTV ranch tours), a little romantic (a charcuterie-and-wine picnic at Grand Teton), or if you're do something in the morning (complimentary breakfast from onsite all-day eatery Olivia's) or the evening (the Suite Dreams add-on includes items like an aromatherapy turndown and magnesium L-threonate packets), the hotel has you covered this summer. Find nature near your suite or on a summer excursion. In town, seasonal fun can be had with live music (Concert on the Commons summer series, Sundays through August 17), major art events (Fall Arts Festival, September 5 to 14) and theatrical productions (Jackson Hole Playhouse's Cat Ballou, through September 27). Just a few miles from Jackson's Town Square sits the National Elk Refuge. When it's warmer, the namesake deer may migrate away, but bighorn sheep, eagles and coyotes can still be captured by cameras. And the cutthroat trout always seem to be biting this time of year at the refuge's Flat Creek. You'll have to work a bit for a shot at the elusive bison, but you'll get your Ansel Adams moment with a little patience and a lot of luck. See plenty of bighorn sheep during a wintertime day safari. When the snow starts falling, the scene around Hotel Yellowstone looks like something straight from a Taylor Sheridan storyboard. The Teton Range, covered in powder, amazes as far as the eye can see. In the valley below, herds of cattle can be seen moseying about. On the property grounds, things are just as tranquil. Back in the suites, you'll find heated bathroom floors and gas fireplaces. At Olivia's, the menu runneth over with soothing options like lobster mac, baked crap dip and duck confit empanadas. Over in the spa, you'll not only find an outdoor sauna — it's five steps in the snow to get there — but a treatment menu of warm services like the hot stone-aided therapeutic massage as well. People come from all over to experience Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Like in July or August, the hotel can arrange day trips to one of the national parks with Backcountry Safaris in December and January. Sure, you could take your rented SUV and fend for yourself at Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park, but without one of Backcountry's expert guides, you'll likely overlook the moose kneeling in the snow-topped brush and miss the best angles to capture lockscreen-worthy shots from the Jackson Lake Dam and Reservoir. But what's wintertime in Wyoming without the slopes? Jackson Hole remains one of the country's premier options for downhill fun because of its trio of ski resorts: Grand Targhee Resort, Snow King Resort and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The latter is a perennial favorite for its vast and varied terrain. It has an avalanche of après-ski options, too. Offering adult sloshies (Mangy Moose), slow-braised elk (Spur Restaurant & Bar) and fresh sakura rolls (Shin Shin), the bars and restaurants in Teton Village are attractions themselves. Jackson's Town Square is quite the sight when it's snowing. The same goes for spots around Jackson's Town Square. There are quaint shops and little restaurants that give the area a quintessential small-town feel. Come Christmas, though, all eyes move to the four twinkling archways at the corners of the square. These aren't just any arches, though. These are made of shed antlers that area Boy Scouts have collected over the years. The unique displays are easily some of Jackson Hole's most photographed scenes. Another big Town Square draw is Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. The iconic address' upstairs is all about pitchers of local wheat ales and country DJs spinning Morgan Wallen hits, yet the basement steakhouse is where the sweet tunes from the sizzling stovetop can be heard. But here's the thing about juicy, chimichurri-topped rib-eyes: they taste great no matter if the temperature is a blistering 20 F degrees or a balmy 83.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials celebrate as grizzly bears are caught on camera using unique new bridge: 'It was pretty amazing to see firsthand'
KHOL 89.1FM reported that grizzly bears in Wyoming are exploring the new wildlife crossings near Wyoming Highway 22. WYDOT, Teton County, and the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resources Trust funded the four new crossings in the area for wildlife navigation around the existing intersection construction. After a rancher spotted the bear using one, project engineer Mick Farrell captured a photo as it crossed the Snake River. Designated crossings can improve wildlife conservation for Wyoming's 122 mammal species by reducing unnecessary contact with people. Seeing a healthy grizzly bear safely using the crossing was good news after four fatalities in a month. KHOL 89.1FM reported that one cub was hit by a car, and two young bears may have been killed by an adult male grizzly. Another one was euthanized after dangerous behavior in Yellowstone. Grizzlies enable healthy biodiversity, so it's a good sign to see them roaming in their space. These apex predators keep nature in balance by hunting herbivores capable of overgrazing, which also reduces foraging and habitat space for pollinators. Typical grizzly activities like digging help aerate the soil, and they disperse blueberry and buffaloberry seeds in their feces. The brown large bear that can reach up to 700 pounds is listed as threatened by the Endangered Species Act. However, conservation acts like wildlife crossings and data from tracking collars placed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department can prevent them from moving up to endangered. Wildlife crossings in other areas have already shown success. The Banff Wildlife Crossings in Canada have reduced car collisions with wildlife by 80%. Bison in the UK are also getting some space — their roaming area will increase from 123 acres to 494 acres — from government-backed construction on the nation's first-ever bison bridge. Los Angeles is also taking action by building the world's largest wildlife crossing — measuring 210 feet long — over an eight-lane freeway. According to Smart Growth America, there are as many as one to two million collisions between cars and wildlife. Consequently, people can also get hurt, as 200 human fatalities, 26,000 injuries, and as much as $8 billion in property damage result from these specific accidents, per Pew Research. Safer and separate crossings are invaluable for all species, not just grizzlies. However, it's good that these legendary bears are leading the way. Farrell said, "It was pretty amazing to see firsthand the wildlife crossings working." Should the U.S. invest in building more wildlife overpasses? Absolutely Depends on how we do it Depends on where we do it Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.


Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Montana man's drunken attempt to impress women leaves him humiliated
A drunk man in Montana was left red in the face after attempting to impress a woman by climbing the iconic Wyoming elk antler arches moments before police arrived. The humiliating spectacle began after the man, on a night out drinking, had met two women and stumbled across the archway on May 13. Around 12.40am, the Jackson Police Department said Teton County Dispatch had been alerted to 'people on top of the arches,' Cowboy State Daily reported. His daring act, however, left him red in the face after climbing onto the archway and reaching the top, only for a police officer to arrive on scene. The man, from Belgrade, said he had 'been drinking and wanted to climb the arch to impress some girls he had just met.' Which only seemed to backfire when he was handed a fine for $100 from the police officer for climbing the arch. The four elk antler arches are iconic for the Jackson area and a popular spot for tourists, but climbing them is not advised and has been made illegal. Lt. Russ Ruschill with the JPD told the outlet that it's uncommon for people to attempt to climb the arches and could only recall a handful of times throughout his career of reports of such behavior. 'I've seen it a couple of times in my career here, but don't remember the last time we've written a citation specifically for climbing one of the arches,' he said. However, he was surprised that the man was able to, while drunk especially, climb so high onto the arch. 'I don't think I've ever seen anybody quite get up as far onto the top like this gentleman,' Ruschill added. 'We usually catch them thinking about it, talking about it or just starting to climb.' Photos shared on Instagram showed one woman reach near to the top of the arch before the gentleman climbed and managed to reach the very top. The photos showed one woman remaining on the ground with her phone out before police arrived. The gentleman's actions, however, spurred outrage online as the account that posted the photos wrote: 'Idiots in Jackson get caught climbing up the arch antlers in Jackson Square.' 'Being drunk or being a dumba** isn't an excuse!' Commenters on the post shared the same frustration, with one who wrote :'They should be fined at a minimum. Community service, maybe. Unbelievable!' Another called the climbers 'entitled,' while others said more respect should be shown especially when visiting from out of town. One said: 'The arrogance of people never surprises me any longer. Where is the respect?!' Ruschill also stressed the dangers of climbing on top of the arches, especially when intoxicated. 'It's a long way to fall from the top of the southwest arch,' he said. 'Someone could get injured or killed doing such a thing. That's the public safety message to this incident.' The man can pay the $100 bond or plead his innocence, Cowboy State Daily reported. 'Our defendant is innocent until proven guilty,' Ruschill said. 'But in Jackson, it's illegal to climb something that's not meant to be climbed.'
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Travel + Leisure
12-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the First U.S. County to Be Fully Dark Sky Certified—and It Just Added the World's First Dark Sky Airport
The night skies over Wyoming have seen some major milestones in recent weeks. In late April, Teton County—home to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Teton National Park, and part of Yellowstone National Park—made history as the first county in the world to be certified as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International. Just 10 days later, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) followed suit, becoming the first airport ever to earn the designation as an International Dark Sky Place, a recognition typically reserved for parks, preserves, and remote communities. But these "world's first" designations come as little surprise when you consider the data. Light pollution is the enemy of dark skies, and Teton County's small, low light-impact communities help keep night skies pristine. The town of Jackson, the county's largest population center, has just over 10,000 residents, while the tiny community of Kelly is home to only 254. Add to that the vast stretches of protected open space—including all of Grand Teton National Park, 40 percent of Yellowstone, parts of three U.S. National Forests, and the 24,700-acre National Elk Refuge—and it's clear why Teton County is leading the way in night sky conservation. Similarly, the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park, which incentivizes the airport to take care of the area's natural resources—dark skies included. 'JAC staff dedicated hundreds of hours to updating lighting fixtures and programming to adhere to responsible lighting practices," DarkSky International said in a release. "These measures will not only improve the stargazing experience, but they will also help protect the wildlife in Grand Teton National Park as well as surrounding areas that rely on the natural nocturnal environment to thrive.' The state's journey towards these dark sky designations started in 2013 when Wyoming Stargazing began hosting weekly public stargazing programs. 'The stars are literally etched into our DNA,' said Samuel Singer, the executive director of Wyoming Stargazing, in a press release. 'If dark night skies ever disappear, we will have lost a part of what it means to be human.' Teton County and Jackson Hole Airport's efforts to improve lighting policies not only improve the experience of every visitor that will come to its two national parks, but every creature living within them as well. 'This community commitment to ensuring future generations of park visitors and county residents all have access to the beauty Wyoming skies offer in the night is something we are all proud to be a part of,' said Chip Jenkins, a Grand Teton National Park superintendent, in a statement.