Great American West - Yellowstone and Green Idaho

Jackson Hole is a broad Wyoming valley framed by the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park, the southern gateway to Yellowstone and a kingdom of outdoor activities. The lively town of Jackson welcomes visitors with its famous arches made of elk antlers, art galleries, saloons and western boutiques. Don't miss a visit to the National Elk Refuge, a winter sanctuary for around 8,000 elk, and the adjacent National Museum of Wildlife Art. Along the Snake River, rafting and canoe trips run through grand landscapes, while the National Elk Refuge shelters thousands of elk in winter, viewable from horse-drawn sleighs. To the north lies Yellowstone, the world's first national park, with its steaming geysers, iridescent hot springs and extraordinary wildlife of bison, bears and wolves. An ideal destination for those seeking wild nature, hiking and skiing.

The landscape between Jackson Hole and Yellowstone is marked by the magnificent Teton mountains, rising sheer from the flat, large prairie, amidst lakes, waterfalls and forests where moose and bison roam free. The tallest peak of the range is Grand Teton, with a height of more than 4,000 m. Established in 1872 as the world's first national park, Yellowstone spreads across a volcanic plateau between Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, holding one of the most extraordinary concentrations of geothermal phenomena on the planet. Here the famous Old Faithful geyser erupts at regular intervals, while the Grand Prismatic Spring dazzles with its rings of shifting colours and the limestone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs form surreal landscapes. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, carved by the river of the same name, plunges into spectacular waterfalls between golden walls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is also a wildlife sanctuary where bison, elk, grizzly bears and wolf packs can be spotted, especially in the Lamar Valley. Among forests, alpine lakes and meadows, Yellowstone offers hikes, wildlife safaris and the thrill of a primordial, powerful nature, a symbol of the American wilderness.

The landscape between Yellowstone and Jackson Hole is marked by the picturesque Teton Mountains, which rise steeply from the flat prairie between lakes, waterfalls, and forests inhabited by elk and bison. The highest peak is the Grand Teton, which exceeds 4,000 meters.

Idaho Falls rises in eastern Idaho, crossed by the Snake River which forms an urban waterfall ringed by a pleasant greenbelt of trails and parks. The most populous city in the region, it is a convenient base toward nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton, as well as the volcanic landscapes of Craters of the Moon. Its lively riverfront and the Mormon temple mirrored in the waters make it a welcoming centre. A crossroads between deserts, mountains and great parks, Idaho Falls blends convenience, nature and the charm of the American West.

Salmon rises along the river of the same name in central Idaho, set amid the wild mountains of the north-western frontier. The homeland of the guide Sacagawea, who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, it is today the capital of rafting on the famous "River of No Return". Its landscapes of canyons, forests and rushing waters draw lovers of adventure and pristine nature. Salmon is a gateway to the wild America of the Rocky Mountains.

Ketchum lies at the foot of the Smoky Mountains in mountainous central Idaho, just minutes from the famous Sun Valley resort. The town keeps the feel of a frontier settlement turned refined alpine retreat: compact streets lined with art galleries, bistros and boutiques, and a packed calendar of outdoor pursuits. In winter it is a skiing kingdom on the slopes of Bald Mountain; in summer it becomes a base for hiking, mountain biking and fly-fishing along the Big Wood River. Ernest Hemingway lived here for years and rests in the small local cemetery. Ketchum is an ideal destination for those seeking nature, sport and elegant calm among Idaho's peaks.

Stanley gathers at the foot of the spectacular Sawtooth Mountains, in the mountainous heart of Idaho, a tiny village surrounded by grand nature. The jagged peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes and the Salmon River make it a paradise for hikers, rafters and fly-fishers. Natural hot springs dot the surroundings. Stanley is the ideal destination for those seeking wild mountains, outdoor adventure and the purest wilderness of Idaho.

McCall overlooks the shores of Payette Lake, a refined mountain resort in the wooded heart of central Idaho. A ski resort in winter and a lakeside destination in summer, it offers beaches, water sports, hiking and hot springs nearby. The famous Winter Carnival, with its ice sculptures, enlivens the town in the cold season. McCall is the ideal destination for those seeking alpine lakes, outdoor sport and the relaxed atmosphere of Idaho's mountains.

Boise, capital of Idaho, spreads along its namesake river at the foot of the Boise Foothills, where the desert plain meets the first heights of the Rocky Mountains. A city of surprising vibrancy, it owes its name to the cottonwoods that struck the early French explorers (les bois, "the woods") and today combines a dynamic downtown, a growing culinary scene and exceptional access to nature. Boise still strongly preserves its Basque cultural heritage from its early settlers.The Boise River Greenbelt, a long green path along the river, crosses the city linking parks and neighborhoods, while the picturesque Basque Block tells the heritage of the largest Basque community in the United States, with restaurants and its own museum. All around lie trails for hiking and mountain biking, rivers for rafting and ski resorts within easy reach. A city with an enviable quality of life, perfect for lovers of outdoor sport and the authenticity of the American West.