Having spent substantial time in both places, the answer is skiing and weather. While the skiing in Washington State is excellent, in the Tetons it's world-clas

Having spent substantial time in both places, the answer is skiing and weather. While the skiing in Washington State is excellent, in the Tetons it's world-class, possibly in the top 5 best places to ski in the world. And Jackson is substantially sunnier than dreary Western Washington, where all the culture is.