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The Only Mountaintop Observatory & Planetarium in the United States.
Experience astronomy like never before at the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium (SKOP), located at the summit of Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Ride the scenic Snow King Gondola to discover one of the country’s most unique science destinations, where immersive full-dome planetarium experiences, world-class telescopes, interactive exhibits, breathtaking mountain views, and Wyoming’s spectacular dark skies come together for an unforgettable adventure.
As Jackson Hole’s premier destination for astronomy, stargazing, and space science, the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium offers year-round experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re exploring the universe during the day, enjoying an immersive planetarium show, or observing distant galaxies beneath Wyoming’s exceptional dark skies at night, every visit offers a new opportunity to discover the wonders of the cosmos.
Begin your journey to the summit today.
Buy TicketsWhy Visit the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium?
- Visit the only mountaintop observatory and planetarium in the United States
- Stargaze beneath Wyoming’s spectacular dark skies in Jackson Hole
- Ride the scenic Snow King Gondola to the summit of Snow King Mountain
- Experience immersive shows inside our 8-meter full-dome planetarium
- Observe the universe through the 1-meter PlaneWave Telescope, one of the largest public telescopes in the Rocky Mountain region
- Explore Earth and space through NOAA’s Science On a Sphere® interactive visualization system
- Meet Achilles, SKOP’s interactive robotic astronomy guide
- Learn from knowledgeable astronomy educators through engaging astronomy and space science experiences
- Enjoy year-round astronomy experiences during the day and beneath the stars at night
- Take in panoramic views of Jackson Hole, the Teton Range, and Grand Teton National Park
Explore the Experiences
Discover Everything Included
1-Meter Optical Telescope
Full-Dome Planetarium:
Journey across the universe inside the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium’s immersive 8-meter full-dome planetarium. Experience stunning full-dome astronomy films, live planetarium presentations, interactive tours of the night sky, and guided journeys through the solar system and beyond, all led by knowledgeable astronomy educators.
Observatory & Telescope Viewing:
Observe the universe through the 1-meter PlaneWave Telescope, one of the largest public telescopes in the Rocky Mountain region. Depending on weather and seasonal sky conditions, guests may observe the Moon, planets, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and other celestial wonders while learning from experienced astronomy educators.
Science On a Sphere:
Explore Earth, our solar system, and the universe through NOAA’s Science On a Sphere®, an interactive six-foot globe that transforms real scientific data into breathtaking visualizations of weather, oceans, climate, astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration.
38-Seat Planetarium Theater
Guided Stargazing:
Experience Jackson Hole’s exceptional dark skies as astronomy educators use laser pointers to guide you through constellations, planets, the Milky Way, seasonal stars, and other celestial highlights visible above Wyoming’s internationally recognized dark skies throughout the year.
Solar Viewing:
Safely observe the Sun through the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium’s dedicated solar telescope during daytime experiences. Discover sunspots, solar activity, and the dynamic surface of our closest star through specialized solar observing equipment.
Meet Achilles:
Meet Achilles, Snow King Observatory & Planetarium’s interactive robotic astronomy guide. Achilles welcomes visitors while making astronomy fun, approachable, and engaging by sharing fascinating facts about space, science, technology, and the ongoing exploration of our universe.
Science On a Sphere
Interactive Exhibits:
Discover astronomy photography, interactive exhibits, educational displays, videos, and hands-on learning stations throughout the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium. Every exhibit is designed to inspire curiosity about astronomy, space science, and the universe around us.
Educational Programs:
The Snow King Observatory & Planetarium offers year-round astronomy education through live presentations, science demonstrations, planetarium programs, educational films, and special seasonal events led by SKOP’s astronomy team.
Summit Views:
Beyond the astronomy, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Jackson Hole, the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, and the surrounding Rocky Mountains from the summit of Snow King Mountain. It’s the perfect combination of science, nature, and one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Wyoming.
Choose Your Snow King Observatory & Planetarium Experience
Discover the perfect astronomy experience for your visit, from daytime exploration and immersive planetarium shows to guided stargazing beneath Wyoming's spectacular dark skies.
Daytime Experience
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Select Days
Last tickets sold at 3:00 PM | Last planetarium show at 3:30 PM
Explore the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium at your own pace during the day. Your ticket includes unlimited access throughout daytime operating hours, allowing you to experience everything the observatory has to offer while enjoying one of the most unique science attractions in Jackson Hole.
During your visit, experience immersive full-dome planetarium shows, explore interactive exhibits, discover Science On a Sphere®, watch educational films in our classroom theater, tour the observatory and telescope dome, meet Achilles, SKOP’s interactive robotic astronomy guide, and safely observe the Sun through our rooftop solar telescope.
With rotating planetarium presentations, hands-on exhibits, and live educational programming led by knowledgeable astronomy educators, every visit offers something new to discover.
Evening Planetarium Shows
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM & 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Select Days
Experience an unforgettable journey through the universe inside the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium’s 8-meter, 4K full-dome planetarium. Each one-hour program features two acclaimed astronomy short films in our immersive planetarium.
Perfect for families, couples, and visitors of all ages, this experience brings astronomy to life regardless of weather conditions.
Complete your evening with dinner at Aurora Restaurant, located nearby at the summit of Snow King Mountain.
Night Experience
9:00 PM – 10:30 PM on Select Days
Experience everything that makes the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium one of the most unique attractions in Jackson Hole.
As darkness falls beneath Wyoming’s spectacular dark skies, you’ll enjoy a guided astronomy experience featuring Science On a Sphere®, an immersive planetarium presentation, a behind-the-scenes visit to the Telescope Control Room, guided stargazing from the observatory deck, and telescope viewing led by expert astronomy educators.
Guests will have the opportunity to observe celestial objects through multiple telescopes, including the 1-meter PlaneWave Telescope, one of the largest public telescopes in the Rocky Mountain region. Depending on the season and sky conditions, you may observe the Moon, planets, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects.
If weather conditions prevent outdoor observing, your experience continues inside the planetarium with a live astronomy presentation exploring the constellations, planets, galaxies, and celestial objects visible above Jackson Hole that evening.
Space is limited, and advance reservations are highly recommended.
LATE Night Experience
10:30 PM - Midnight on Select Days
Available June 13 - August 16
Designed for dedicated astronomy enthusiasts and anyone seeking the very best stargazing conditions, the Late Night Experience offers the premier observing experience at the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium beneath the exceptionally dark skies of Jackson Hole.
Ride the scenic Snow King Gondola to the summit as twilight fades, then spend the evening exploring the observatory deck, viewing celestial objects through multiple telescopes, and observing the universe through the 1-meter PlaneWave Telescope while astronomy educators guide you across the night sky.
With darker skies, longer observing sessions, and extended telescope viewing, this premium experience offers exceptional opportunities to observe planets, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, the Milky Way, and other celestial wonders.
If weather conditions limit outdoor observing, guests will enjoy an engaging live planetarium presentation exploring the night sky and celestial objects that would have been visible from the observatory.
Space is limited, and advance reservations are highly recommended.
Current Planetarium Films at the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium
The Snow King Observatory & Planetarium features a rotating lineup of immersive full-dome planetarium films that bring astronomy, space exploration, cosmology, planetary science, and the latest scientific discoveries to life. The films below are currently showing in our full-dome planetarium and are featured during select Snow King Observatory & Planetarium experiences.
Dark Universe: Journey into the mysteries of modern cosmology as you explore dark matter, dark energy, and the invisible forces that shape our universe. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, this immersive full-dome planetarium film reveals how astronomers are working to understand some of the greatest mysteries in modern astronomy.
Capcom Go: Experience the inspiring story of NASA’s Apollo program and the remarkable people who made the first human journey to the Moon possible. This immersive planetarium film explores the innovation, teamwork, and determination behind one of history’s greatest achievements in space exploration.
Edge of Darkness: Travel to the outer reaches of our solar system as you explore comets, asteroids, Pluto, and other distant worlds. Featuring breathtaking imagery from the Rosetta mission and humanity’s first close-up views of Pluto, this immersive planetarium film showcases some of the most exciting robotic missions in modern astronomy.
We Are Stars: Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages, this immersive full-dome planetarium film explores our cosmic origins, from the Big Bang and the birth of stars to the formation of the elements that make up Earth, our solar system, and every living thing. Narrated by Andy Serkis.
Unseen Universe: Discover how powerful telescopes allow astronomers to observe the universe beyond visible light. Explore radio astronomy, infrared observations, the Event Horizon Telescope, and the groundbreaking achievement of capturing humanity’s first image of a black hole. Narrated by John Billingsley.
Forward to the Moon: Follow NASA’s Artemis program as humanity prepares to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Learn about the next chapter of lunar exploration, including plans to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface. Narrated by Kari Byron.
Cosmic Mashups: Explore dramatic galaxy collisions, the formation of supermassive black holes, and the powerful forces that shape our universe. Produced by the Fiske Planetarium, this immersive planetarium film brings cutting-edge astronomy research to life through spectacular visualizations.
DESI: 5,000 Eyes: Discover how the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is creating the largest three-dimensional map of the universe ever assembled. Produced by NOIRLab, this immersive full-dome planetarium film explores how astronomers are studying dark energy, galaxy evolution, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos.
Our lineup of immersive full-dome planetarium films rotates throughout the year, giving visitors new reasons to return to the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium. From astronomy and cosmology to planetary science and space exploration, there’s always something new to discover inside our planetarium.
Stay Connected to the Best Views in Jackson Hole!
Join the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium’s monthly newsletter for the latest astronomy events, planetarium updates, celestial happenings, special programs, and what to watch for in the night sky above Jackson Hole each month. Be the first to learn about new experiences, seasonal programming, and exciting discoveries from the summit of Snow King Mountain.
Private Events & Group Experiences
Reserve the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium for Your Private Event
Create an unforgettable experience by reserving the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium exclusively for your group. As the only mountaintop observatory and planetarium in the United States, SKOP offers one of the most unique private event venues in Jackson Hole for corporate events, wedding welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations, family reunions, nonprofit events, educational gatherings, and private stargazing experiences.
A private facility buyout gives your group exclusive access to the entire observatory and planetarium, allowing you to customize the experience to fit your event. From personalized full-dome planetarium programming and guided stargazing to custom event schedules, décor, branding, and food and beverage service provided by Aurora Restaurant, our team will help create an unforgettable experience tailored specifically to your group.
Your private event can include exclusive access to:
- The 8-meter full-dome planetarium
- Science On a Sphere®
- The 1-meter PlaneWave Telescope
- Solar telescope viewing during daytime experiences
- Guided stargazing led by astronomy educators
- Interactive exhibits throughout the observatory
- Customized planetarium programming
- Achilles, SKOP’s interactive robotic astronomy guide
Located at the summit of Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium combines astronomy, education, breathtaking mountain views, and Wyoming’s spectacular dark skies to create one of the most memorable private event venues in the Rocky Mountain West.
School Groups
Planning a school field trip or educational visit? In addition to private facility rentals, the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium offers engaging educational experiences for school groups of all ages. Our curriculum-based programs combine astronomy, space science, interactive exhibits, and immersive full-dome planetarium presentations to create memorable learning experiences for students and educators alike.
Contact Us to learn more about field trips, curriculum-based programming, and group visit options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium unique?
Planning Your Visit
Where is the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium located?
Do I need to ride the gondola to visit the observatory?
How long should I plan for my visit?
Should I purchase tickets in advance?
Experiences
What's the difference between the Daytime, Evening, Night, and Late Night Experiences?
Can I look through the large telescope?
What can I see through the telescope?
What happens if it's cloudy?
When is the best time to visit the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium?
Do I need astronomy experience to enjoy my visit?
Families
Is the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium suitable for children?
Is the observatory wheelchair accessible?
Astronomy
Can you see the Milky Way from the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium?
Why is Jackson Hole such a great place for stargazing?
What is Science On a Sphere®?
Tickets
Can I visit Aurora Restaurant before or after my observatory experience?
Are private events available?
Other Activities
Scenic Gondola Rides
Enjoy the best views of the Tetons, the Elk Refuge, and the town of Jackson on our brand-new gondola to the summit of Snow King Mountain.
