Looking for a modern mountain lifestyle in a casual uncrowded environment? Tributary is a low-density private residential mountain community nestled in the shadows of the Teton and Big Hole Mountains in a valley full of wildlife, natural splendor, and breathtaking views.
Primarily designed by Chicago-based firm Northworks, the Tributary residences feature a natural palette, airy open floor plans with soaring ceilings, modern conveniences, professional-grade kitchens (think Wolf and Sub-Zero), and expansive windows that celebrate the beauty of the outdoors. The overall architecture embraces nature and emphasizes the Teton Valley landscape. Six different “cabin” plans are available, varying in size from 3,900 to 5,700 square feet.
The views from the living room are so extraordinary you may be tempted to snuggle up on the couch and admire them from within. However, an endless array of activities draw you outside. Tributary offers easy access to fly-fishing (the Teton River is a world-class fly fishing river with an access point three minutes from Tributary’s entrance), charming nearby mountain towns, hiking, national parks, biking, cat skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating, Nordic skiing, and a seemingly endless lineup of other outdoor sports for every season including a David McLay-Kidd-designed championship golf course for spring, summer, and fall fun. The on-property Activity Barn offers gear to all residents including single and tandem kayaks, inflatable SUPs, inner tubes, Nordic ski gear and fat, mountain, and electric bikes.
Another wonderful way to experience the property is to explore the two-mile boardwalk that winds through a unique wetland ecosystem. Five hundred of Tributary’s 1,500 acres are a “fen,” a type of peatland rich in soil carbon. The fen is under a permanent conservation easement but the boardwalk allows residents the opportunity to enjoy the area without damaging it.
Off-campus, you’ll find access to two ski resorts – the first, Grand Targhee Resort with shuttle service to and from the Tributary clubhouse. This year-round mountain resort lies on the western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming. The resort’s abundance of powder (over 500 inches annually) and lack of lines is the perfect place for the skier and snowboarder who crave an uncrowded slice of paradise. The resort consistently ranks in the top five resorts in the U.S. for its percentage of annual powder days. In the summer, it is transformed into a hiker and mountain biker’s wonderland and is home to wildflower-covered hillsides.
The second skier’s playground is the famed Jackson Hole ski resort – a beloved destination where skiers can go “steep and deep” on its renowned long runs. The resort is less than an hour-long scenic drive through the Targhee National Forest. Along the way in the winter, you are surrounded by enchanting pine-forested hillsides blanketed in a sheath of white and laced with the tracks of backcountry skiers and local wildlife (don’t be surprised if you see elk and moose dotting the hills).
The plethora of activities is sure to work up a hearty appetite. The curated cuisine at Tributary satisfies your hunger while bringing the terroir of the region to your table. The recently-opened clubhouse feels like a home away from home. It houses a bar and a farm-to-table restaurant helmed by one of the region’s most celebrated executive chefs. Our menu favorites were the bison carpaccio and the elk T-bone with sweet potato puree, swiss chard, and a cranberry-ginger compote. Refreshing bespoke cocktails like the Bee Sting – reposado tequila, lemon, honey, and bitters – offer a wonderful winddown to a thrilling day.
The Wellness Facility, across from the clubhouse, houses a gym and spa, and just beyond that is the pool. There to greet members daily is the resident Bernese Mountain dog. He was as comfortable and relaxed as the members. The membership—a large representation from Texas and the Midwest—is a friendly group with a very equable vibe.
Although the Idaho side of the Teton Valley feels fairly undiscovered, Tributary is easy to reach. For arrival, you have three choices of airports. Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport is less than a two-minute drive and accommodates a range of private aircraft giving new meaning to “door-to-door” travel. If you are flying commercial, Jackson Hole Airport and Idaho Falls Regional Airport are easily accessible as well. O’Hare offers direct flights to Jackson Hole’s picturesque airport, and the quick three-hour flight makes Tributary an easy weekend destination.
On your way in or out, do stop to see Jackson, a quaint mountain town steeped in adventure where the streets dead-end into local ski slopes. The town itself looks like a Hollywood set and is dotted with high-end shopping and dining options.
Looking for rustically refined luxury intimately tucked inside a heavenly mountain valley in the heart of the West? The mountains are calling and Tributary awaits.
