The highly anticipated mountain-top restaurant, Aurora, is now open! We couldn’t be more excited for this new elevated option in town!
Start your experience by taking the Gondola up to the Snow King Summit and enjoy breathtaking views of the Tetons. Watch the evening skiers whip around the mountain as you travel 7,808 feet in elevation and if you try to time your accent to the sunset, even better.
The Interior
Aurora is upstairs in the new Summit House building at the top of Snow King Mountain. Once in the restaurant, the focal point is the stunning bar and its art installation, by local artist Bland Hoke, of Snow King’s ski runs. The bar seats 10 patrons and is open to walk ins. It’s a great spot to go solo, strike up a conversation with a new friend, dig into their signature spiced nuts and sip on a specialty cocktail.
We suggest the Peartini, a delightful and refreshing combination of pear vodka, organic pear juice, Prosecco reduction, St. Germain and fresh lemon. The dining room is perfect for parties of all sizes, and with the floor-to-ceiling windows, each seat has a spectacular view. If you are lucky you might just catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing over the valley while you dine.
Note: While the bar is open to walk in seating, only those with confirmed reservations have access to a free gondola ride up. Discounted gondola tickets will be sold this summer for evening walk-in access.
The Food
Aurora’s menu offers elevated regional cuisine that will suit all palates. Their shareable options such as artisanal salumi and farmstead cheese and alpine fondue are large enough for parties of four or more. We started off with the fondue, served with fingerling potatoes, crudités, fresh country bread and andouille sausage. Fondue on the summit of a mountain sets the vibe for an unforgettable evening. Diners can choose other items such as marinated olives, grilled octopus and buffalo sirloin carpaccio to get their evening started.
Once we had our fill of cheese we moved on to the pastas and mains. There are plenty of options for everyone such as pasta carbonara, rigatoni, grilled swordfish and Colorado lamb chops. We chose the vegetarian option of gnocchi a’la Parisienne served with fricassee and charred corn, and the prime filet mignon with potatoes, asparagus and béarnaise sauce. Both were delicious, cooked perfectly, and beautiful presented.
The kitchen is lead by Chef Brandon Hicks, an acclaimed talent whose career includes time at New York City’s Brasserie 8 1/2, ilili and Michelin-starred Picholine, as well as San Francisco’s exclusive private club, The Battery. Chef Hicks brings his expertise and creative touch to Jackson Hole, crafting a menu that highlights elevated regional cuisine from the Greater Yellowstone area.
Alongside the menu, Aurora’s wine list was carefully selected by Food and Beverage Director, Nicholas Berti, who originally hails from Florence, Italy. When selecting your wine, he’s a fantastic guide to ask for recommendations. Aurora’s specialty cocktail and wine menus will continue to grow and plan to be complete by the summer re-opening.
To round out our dining experience we indulged in Aurora’s baked Alaska for dessert. Fired table side, this dessert is the perfect cap to alpine dining. It’s quite a crowd pleaser both visually and of course for the sweet tooth! Riding the gondola back down and taking in the view town lit up, makes for an exceptional experience unlike any other in the Town of Jackson.
Reservations
Reservations for Aurora can be made via Resy.com or by calling (307) 284-4427. A reservation fee is charged upon booking and refunded on the final bill. For those looking to experience Aurora without a dinner reservation, guests can sit at the bar and choose from the available bar menu. Guests can call ahead or inquire at the base of the gondola for a complimentary ride to the summit throughout February.
Extend your evening
Not ready to go back down to town after enjoying your dinner? Guests can elevate their visit by combining dinner at Aurora with a stargazing experience at the Snow King Mountain Observatory and Planetarium. Stargazing and dining packages will soon be available, offering a unique way to explore both of these new summit attractions.
