Featured Picture: Stephen Shelesky
At 5’6″ Madison Rose Ostergren won’t be the tallest within the elevate line, however she’s probably the fiercest. You’ve in all probability seen the fiery redhead on the web. If you happen to’re fortunate, you could have seen her ripping round Jackson Gap Mountain Resort with the crew. Luckier nonetheless, you might need caught her within the backcountry, tackling a number of the gnarliest traces within the Tetons. Catch her when you can, for she’s an unstoppable power, with an infectious spirit that has captured the guts of the ski business.
Ostergren didn’t develop up within the mountains she now calls house. 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 imagine her. With goals as large as her six-pack at age six—probably from lifting up her dad’s buddies—every little thing was a contest. Judging by the house movies, she received most of them. As she grew, her aggressive drive was fueled by robust supporters, significantly her mom, Tracy.
“She instructed me I might do something I set my thoughts to, and I believed it,” says Ostergren. “She let me run free, strive my hardest and simply do my factor.”
After shifting west in highschool, Ostergren raced downhill at Utah’s Westminster College and started to catch photographers’ eyes whereas scrambling across the Wasatch. Nevertheless it was when she moved farther north, to Jackson Gap, that her snowboarding goals actually took off.
“It’s the perfect 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 unsuitable. With over 4,000 toes of vert, the choices contained in the resort are countless— from sustained, steep groomers to inbounds couloirs, awe-inspiring cliffs and every little thing 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 planet. With traces 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 development 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 checks you as a high-alpine athlete and ski mountaineer. It’s the place you may actually push your limits.”
Jackson’s athletes are continuously elevating the bar and Ostergren isn’t any exception. However the neighborhood’s ardour for snowboarding runs deeper than simply technical prowess. “The mountains make you a greater skier, however the folks push you to be extra soulful and acutely aware in how you progress by them.”
Go to the resort on any given day and also you’ll see jaw-dropping feats—bumps smashed tougher, cliffs despatched greater and trenches laid deeper than maybe anyplace within the US. However you’ll additionally see extra smiles, excessive fives and camaraderie. Ostergren is on the coronary heart of this neighborhood, embodying that depth. There’s extra to her character than large traces and quick snowboarding.
She’s a skier’s skier that’s enthusiastic about each facet of the game. “I wish to be as versatile as I may be: bumps, groomers, ski mountaineering, skijoring, large mountain, shralpinism, no matter!” she proclaims. “I like it all and I wish to ski the largest mountains on the planet. I’m fiercely pushed and imagine the street to success is paved with objective setting, arduous work and gritty dedication.”
But, the “Teton Arduous B*$#h,” as she proudly identifies, should steadiness herself with a calmer aspect. Primarily based on her social media presence, it’s simple to view Madison as an ever-burning ball of vitality, however an outdated soul resides inside—the type who’s tucked into mattress by 8pm—if solely to wake at 4am for an alpine begin. Whereas she’s usually the lifetime of the get together, she additionally treasures quiet time at house, whether or not that’s enjoying an instrument or cooking dinner for a good friend.
Resting as arduous as she trains is one in every of her best challenges, Ostergren admits, however she’s dedicated to it. This quest for steadiness has formed her into one of many hardest-charging girls 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 traces she’s flashing in Jackson are severe, technical and masterful, but she by some means makes these superhuman feats look easy-breezy.”
Backstrom goes on to spotlight one other facet of Ostergren’s character; one that basically units her aside. “She brings an artist’s inventive eye to her traces, and a dancer’s rhythm that allows her to shred them with grace. She’s the kind of one that is so good at every little thing 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 utterly impressed by Madison, on the mountain and off.”
Madison’s radiant frequency electrifies every little thing she does. If you end up at Jackson’s Wort Lodge on a Tuesday night time, you’ll hear rowdy bluegrass tunes and see a flash of purple lighting up the dance flooring, lifting up everybody round her. Ostergren is true up there with the perfect dancers within the valley, instructing many-a-novice the way to nation swing, together with this writer.
But her abilities lengthen far past snowboarding and dance. This low season, she’s pouring her inventive vitality 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 bought a drone to strive her hand at aerial images and in a single extremely entertaining chapter, purchased and started retrofitting a small faculty bus. The development section didn’t go as deliberate however yielded some priceless classes, and proved but once more that if she needs to, she’s going to.
Madison is a uniquely inventive thoughts—a mix of badass mountain chick and rockstar Broadway babe. One may even name her a Renaissance girl. 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, vitality and infectious character make her actually one-of-a-kind. I’ve by no means met anybody with Mad’s vitality.”
Nonetheless radiant, it’s a tall order to be anticipated to be exuberant on a regular basis, and this vitality comes at a value. Whereas she was born to carry out, Ostergren’s novel character hasn’t all the time been met warmly and he or she’s confronted her share of critics.
“My accomplishments have been questioned,” she notes. “Together with my power and my skill to make it as an expert skier—all of it.” Even her authenticity has been challenged, which may dim anybody’s gentle. 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 turn into gas, which intensifies my motivation.” And with a wry smile, she provides, “Watch me.”
In a latest Fifty+ article, ski business chief Cody Townsend states what he believes is the job of an expert 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 turn into an expert athlete, one will need to have an inherent perception in their very own capabilities—a perception so robust 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 seem to be the only 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.
PHOTO: Stephen Shelesky
Large personalities are inclined to ruffle feathers and people within the highlight depart themselves open to criticism. But sustaining a course true to oneself whereas remembering to steer with love? That’s definitely value celebrating.
“Madison’s pleasure and drive to be the perfect model of herself is contagious,” says professional skier Michelle Parker. “She’s robust, succesful and endearing. Her technical skill on skis is difficult to match, however along with her athleticism, she’s vivid, smiles large and simply admits that she’s human. She possesses a contact of femininity that we not often see from folks doing large issues within the mountains. It’s refreshing and exquisite, intoxicating and weak. I completely adore her.”
We might all use only a little bit of what Madison has in droves. It ain’t all the time excellent nevertheless it’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 simply don’t have to suit a mildew to achieve success. You simply should carry you entire self. And that’s precisely what she does.
“Madison Rose is just like the climate,” says JHMR athlete and Ostergren’s ski associate, Jim Ryan. “You possibly can complain about her all you need, however she’s dictating your day, and it’s finest you intend 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 surrender 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 automobile 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 apartment in Teton Village or a large home for you and your pals, the pleasant workers at JHRL may also help you discover the proper spot.
Jackson Gap Resort Reservations
JHMR’s official reservations service has consultants on the prepared. They may also help you ebook mountainside lodging on the Gravity Haus or line you up in-town motels like Mountain Trendy, simply 2 blocks off Jackson’s city sq.. Moreover, they may also help you intend your total dream journey, together with flights, native transportation, ski leases and different actions across the valley.
RESORT TIPS
Reserve Dates Early
There have been just a few years wherein tram traces bought 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 elevate tickets early. IKON and Mountain Collective passholders additionally must make superior reservations.
50% off Raise Tickets
Throughout choose weeks, passholders from any resort on the planet can get half worth elevate 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 embrace day by day snow and climate studies, real-time parking information, present elevate and mountain standing and stay webcams.
