Featured Picture: Stephen Shelesky
At 5’6″ Madison Rose Ostergren may not be the tallest within the raise line, however she’s probably the fiercest. You’ve in all probability seen the fiery redhead on the web. In case you’re fortunate, you could have seen her ripping round Jackson Gap Mountain Resort with the crew. Luckier nonetheless, you may need caught her within the backcountry, tackling a number of the gnarliest strains within the Tetons. Catch her if you happen to can, for she’s an unstoppable power, with an infectious spirit that has captured the center of the ski business.
Ostergren didn’t develop up within the mountains she now calls dwelling. Hailing from Traverse Metropolis, Michigan, Mads—as she’s lovingly recognized in some circles— swears she was sprinting “straight out of the womb.” And we consider her. With desires as huge as her six-pack at age six—probably from lifting up her dad’s buddies—the whole lot was a contest. Judging by the house movies, she gained most of them. As she grew, her aggressive drive was fueled by sturdy supporters, notably her mom, Tracy.
“She informed me I may do something I set my thoughts to, and I believed it,” says Ostergren. “She let me run free, attempt my hardest and simply do my factor.”
After transferring west in highschool, Ostergren raced downhill at Utah’s Westminster College and commenced to catch photographers’ eyes whereas scrambling across the Wasatch. However it was when she moved farther north, to Jackson Gap, that her snowboarding desires actually took off.
“It’s the very best resort snowboarding in America—no questions requested. If you wish to be a professional skier or only a actually freaking good skier, you come to Jackson. The terrain is unbeatable—steep, sustained, rocky and never for the faint of coronary heart.”
She’s not flawed. With over 4,000 toes of vert, the choices contained in the resort are limitless— from sustained, steep groomers to inbounds couloirs, awe-inspiring cliffs and the whole lot in between. That’s all earlier than going out of bounds, the place some 40 sq. miles of rowdy Teton topography stretch to the north and south. The north boundary of the resort abuts Grand Teton Nationwide Park, the place the enduring, namesake peak smiles down from a towering, 13,775’ summit.
It’s no marvel Jackson Gap Mountain Resort and the Tetons have produced a number of the finest skiers and ski mountaineers on the earth. With strains pioneered by icons like Doug Coombs and Invoice Briggs (who skied the unskiable Grand in 1971), it’s secure to say this geography has been pivotal within the progress of US excessive snowboarding. Madison is proud to be part of this historical past as she provides her personal chapter to ski tradition.
“Having this as my yard is a dream. The terrain right here exams you as a high-alpine athlete and ski mountaineer. It’s the place you possibly can really push your limits.”
Jackson’s athletes are always elevating the bar and Ostergren isn’t any exception. However the group’s ardour for snowboarding runs deeper than simply technical prowess. “The mountains make you a greater skier, however the individuals push you to be extra soulful and acutely aware in how you progress by way of them.”
Go to the resort on any given day and also you’ll see jaw-dropping feats—bumps smashed more durable, cliffs despatched larger and trenches laid deeper than maybe wherever within the US. However you’ll additionally see extra smiles, excessive fives and camaraderie. Ostergren is on the coronary heart of this group, embodying that depth. There’s extra to her character than huge strains and quick snowboarding.
She’s a skier’s skier that’s obsessed with each side of the game. “I wish to be as versatile as I might be: bumps, groomers, ski mountaineering, skijoring, huge mountain, shralpinism, no matter!” she proclaims. “I adore it all and I wish to ski the most important mountains on the earth. I’m fiercely pushed and consider the street to success is paved with aim setting, arduous work and gritty dedication.”
But, the “Teton Onerous B*$#h,” as she proudly identifies, should stability herself with a calmer facet. Based mostly on her social media presence, it’s straightforward to view Madison as an ever-burning ball of power, however an outdated soul resides inside—the sort who’s tucked into mattress by 8pm—if solely to wake at 4am for an alpine begin. Whereas she’s typically the lifetime of the get together, she additionally treasures quiet time at dwelling, whether or not that’s enjoying an instrument or cooking dinner for a pal.
Resting as arduous as she trains is one in all her best challenges, Ostergren admits, however she’s dedicated to it. This quest for stability has formed her into one of many hardest-charging ladies within the business, a reality not misplaced on her fellow athletes.
“Madison is an absolute power of nature,” says skilled skier Ingrid Backstrom. “She brings her entire coronary heart to no matter she does and places within the work behind the scenes. The strains she’s flashing in Jackson are critical, technical and masterful, but she by some means makes these superhuman feats look easy-breezy.”
Backstrom goes on to focus on one other side of Ostergren’s persona; one that actually units her aside. “She brings an artist’s artistic eye to her strains, and a dancer’s rhythm that permits her to shred them with grace. She’s the kind of one who is so good at the whole lot that it could possibly be intimidating. However she leads along with her coronary heart and brings everybody alongside in her magical, radiant frequency. I’m fully impressed by Madison, on the mountain and off.”
Madison’s radiant frequency electrifies the whole lot she does. If you end up at Jackson’s Wort Resort on a Tuesday night time, you’ll hear rowdy bluegrass tunes and see a flash of crimson lighting up the dance flooring, lifting up everybody round her. Ostergren is true up there with the very best dancers within the valley, instructing many-a-novice methods to nation swing, together with this creator.
But her skills prolong far past snowboarding and dance. This low season, she’s pouring her artistic power into recording her debut album. Her music, a mix of indie Americana and pop-rock, channels artists like Maggie Rogers and Kacey Musgraves, whereas evoking the timelessness of Bonnie Raitt or Gillian Welch. She sings and performs a number of devices on the file, which she’s additionally producing.
From enjoying music, dancing and drawing, to portray, baking and cooking, Madison’s creativity flows in lots of instructions. She even obtained a drone to attempt her hand at aerial images and in a single extremely entertaining chapter, purchased and commenced retrofitting a small college bus. The development section didn’t go as deliberate however yielded some worthwhile classes, and proved but once more that if she desires to, she is going to.
Madison is a uniquely artistic thoughts—a mix of badass mountain chick and rockstar Broadway babe. One may even name her a Renaissance lady. Her numerous skillset echos that of aforementioned Invoice Briggs, who not solely made the primary ski descent of the Grand Teton but in addition based the Jackson Gap Hootenanny, a weekly musical cabaret that has showcased Jackson’s brightest musical expertise for over 30 years. Madison has carried out there quite a few occasions.
“The depth of her expertise is insane,” says fellow professional skier Amie Engerbretson. “Sure, she completely rips on skis, however her exuberance, dancing, voice, power and infectious persona make her really one-of-a-kind. I’ve by no means met anybody with Mad’s power.”
Nevertheless radiant, it’s a tall order to be anticipated to be exuberant on a regular basis, and this power comes at a price. Whereas she was born to carry out, Ostergren’s novel persona hasn’t at all times been met warmly and she or he’s confronted her share of critics.
“My accomplishments have been questioned,” she notes. “Together with my power and my potential to make it as knowledgeable skier—all of it.” Even her authenticity has been challenged, which might dim anybody’s mild. Nonetheless, Madison continues to function on a elementary precept: lead with love.
With a chip on her shoulder, she acknowledges a mixture of naivete and slightly impulsivity. “The critiques change into gas, which intensifies my motivation.” And with a wry smile, she provides, “Watch me.”
In a current Fifty+ article, ski business chief Cody Townsend states what he believes is the job of knowledgeable skier. Utilizing Shane McConkey and an aggressive, California surf tradition as his backdrop, Townsend explains, “Professional skiers are egotistical to various levels. Some are worse than others. To change into knowledgeable athlete, one will need to have an inherent perception in their very own capabilities—a perception so sturdy that it borders on pure-blown egotism.” He cites early MSP movies, wherein McConkey’s pleasure between takes, goofy smile and self-deprecating humor created an aura that made snowboarding look like the one most enjoyable exercise on Earth. He concludes that the singular job of the skilled skier is to encourage. If we take Cody’s phrase for it, Madison is doing a rattling good job.
Huge personalities are likely to ruffle feathers and people within the highlight depart themselves open to criticism. But sustaining a course true to oneself whereas remembering to guide with love? That’s actually value celebrating.
“Madison’s pleasure and drive to be the very best model of herself is contagious,” says professional skier Michelle Parker. “She’s sturdy, succesful and endearing. Her technical potential on skis is tough to match, however along with her athleticism, she’s shiny, smiles huge and simply admits that she’s human. She possesses a contact of femininity that we not often see from individuals doing huge issues within the mountains. It’s refreshing and delightful, intoxicating and susceptible. I completely adore her.”
We may all use only a little bit of what Madison has in droves. It ain’t at all times good but it surely’s genuine. In a world of followers, it takes a courageous soul to be unique. Whether or not snowboarding down Thunder Bumps at JHMR, singing round a campfire or dancing the night time away, she’s proof that you just don’t have to suit a mould to achieve success. You simply must convey you entire self. And that’s precisely what she does.
“Madison Rose is just like the climate,” says JHMR athlete and Ostergren’s ski companion, Jim Ryan. “You’ll be able to complain about her all you need, however she’s dictating your day, and it’s finest you propose round her. Even higher, admire her. She’s lightning and sunshine. She’s a colossal ache in my ass, however I wouldn’t give her up for the world. Who would quit climate? She’s a g*d@#m power of nature.”
JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT SPECS
BASE ELEVATION: 6,311 ft
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 10,450 ft
VERTICAL RELIEF: 4,139 ft
SKIABLE ACRES: 2,500
CHAIRLIFTS: 13
AVG. ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 458 in
LOGISTICS
GETTING THERE
Jackson Gap airport (JAC) has nonstop flights from 12 main US cities. From there, it’s a straightforward, 15-minute drive to the city of Jackson and simply half-hour to Jackson Gap Mountain Resort. By automotive or shuttle, Jackson is 4.5 hours north of Salt Lake Metropolis, UT and 4 hours south of Bozeman, MT.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Jackson Gap Resort Lodging
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a one-bedroom rental in Teton Village or a large home for you and your folks, the pleasant employees at JHRL may help you discover the proper spot.
Jackson Gap Resort Reservations
JHMR’s official reservations service has specialists on the prepared. They may help you e-book mountainside lodging on the Gravity Haus or line you up in-town accommodations like Mountain Trendy, simply 2 blocks off Jackson’s city sq.. Moreover, they may help you propose your complete dream journey, together with flights, native transportation, ski leases and different actions across the valley.
RESORT TIPS
Reserve Dates Early
There have been a couple of years wherein tram strains obtained slightly out of hand at JHMR. To its credit score, the resort started limiting day by day capability to ship a greater expertise and that imply it’s finest to order raise tickets early. IKON and Mountain Collective passholders additionally have to make superior reservations.
50% off Carry Tickets
Throughout choose weeks, passholders from any resort on the earth can get half worth raise tickets. JHMR’s Golden Ticket deal applies between November 29-December 25 March 17-April 13, 2025.
JH Insider App
JHMR’s app that helps you navigate your day on the resort. Helpful options embody day by day snow and climate experiences, real-time parking information, present raise and mountain standing and reside webcams.
