Lodging tax board to weigh support for Snow King Neil deGrasse Tyson event

The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board (the lodging tax board) meets April 9 and is expected to hear Snow King Mountain’s proposal for a ticketed “An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson” event tied to the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium and broader “astrotourism” goals. The event is presented as a responsible-tourism/shoulder-season activation aligned with dark-sky messaging. See the meeting agenda: Lodging Tax Board Meeting Agenda.

In its presentation, Snow King estimates the single event could generate about $71,796 in lodging revenue, and argues longer-term marketing effects could influence roughly 672 additional room nights annually (about $382,000 in potential annual lodging revenue), based on assumed overnight visitation and an average daily rate of about $569. Snow King also floats the possibility of a second speaker event the night before (estimated ~75 room nights / ~$44,872). See: Snow King Observatory & Planetarium Event Proposal Presentation.

Snow King’s proposed ticket pricing is $50 general admission and $100 VIP, with gondola access included. The presentation lists in-kind contributions including an estimated ~$21,000 in gondola access (600 guests × $35) and an estimated ~$18,450 impact from closing portions of the observatory/planetarium operation for event-related sessions, while noting the proponent is exploring local sponsorships to offset production and hospitality costs. Snow King Observatory & Planetarium Event Proposal Presentation.