Catching Up With Madison Rose Ostergren

Madison Rose Ostergren is a professional big mountain skier based in Jackson Hole, WY, known for her fearless style, flaming red hair, and dedication to pushing limits. A former NCAA D1 ski racer from Northern Michigan, Madison transitioned into big mountain skiing and quickly made her mark. Her dynamic skiing is featured in three Warren Miller Entertainment films, Volkl Skis' Beauty Full Send, her acclaimed self-produced film Fuel—which was showcased at the Banff and Mountain Film Festivals—and her latest YouTube series with JHMR athlete and mountain partner, Jimmi Ryan.

In the past two seasons alone, Madison has tackled iconic, challenging steep ski descents in Grand Teton National Park. She's skied the Grand Teton numerous times mid-winter, completed an ambitious single-push link-up of the Grand, Middle, and South Tetons in winter conditions, set the Women's Supported Fastest Known Time for the Grand Teton "Picnic," and conquered technical routes that blend ice climbing and rock ascents, including scaling the Upper Exum Ridge of the Grand Teton in ski boots.

Madison is on a mission to become one of the top all-around skiers in the world, inspiring others with her resilience and passion for trying hard and having fun. Whether skiing Thunder Bumps at Jackson Hole with friends, making music with her crew, or cooking pancakes in the tram line, she’s an undeniable force, pushing herself and the sport to new heights.

Nate: Madison, thanks for joining me! To start, tell us a bit about your background. Where does your passion for skiing come from?

Madison: Thanks for having me, Nate! I’m originally from Michigan but in high school I moved to Salt Lake City, which is where my skiing journey really took off. I started as a competitive alpine ski racer and raced Division 1 in college. Now, I’m living in Jackson and focus my pursuits on big mountain skiing and alpinism. I love doing it all—whether it’s ski mountaineering or taking on technical lines, I’m always looking for the next challenge. I like to say I was born in the hills but I'm made for the mountains!

Nate: That’s an incredible journey! What have you been up to over the summer? Do you treat your summer activities as training for skiing?

Madison: Absolutely, skiing is my number one priority and passion, so everything I do in the summer ties back to it. I spend a lot of time climbing—my second favorite sport. I love how it’s so different from skiing but complements it in terms of focus and endurance. I’ve been doing a lot of sport and trad climbing, plus some epic link-ups in the Tetons, like the Cathedral and Grand Traverses.

Two summers ago, I focused my energy on the picnic, a wild endurance mission that involves biking from the Jackson Town Square to Jenny Lake in Grant Teton National Park (~20mi one-way), swimming across Jenny Lake, summiting the Grand Teton, and then doing it all in reverse—it’s intense! I ended up setting the supported women’s Fastest Known Time (FKT), which was such a cool experience, definitely something I'm super proud of. Those types of adventures build my strength and skills for skiing while keeping it fun.

Nate: That’s so impressive! So, how did your career take off? Were you always drawn to big mountain skiing and mountaineering?

Madison: Moving to Jackson was a game-changer. My career skyrocketed once I found my community here—I'm so grateful for everyone who supports and pushes me to be the best version of myself, both on and off the mountain. The terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) and the easy access to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) is unmatched and has pushed me athletically in so many ways. It’s made me a better skier and allowed me to flourish and grow.

I’ve always sought progression, and Jackson is the perfect place to push myself. Mountaineering was always a goal, but it wasn’t until college that I realized how much I loved the uphill grind. I started with trail running and hiking, then tackled my first mountaineering lines, like climbing Oregon’s volcanoes. Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with the human-powered side of skiing, especially technical climbs followed by ski descents. About three or four years ago, I realized I could be really good at this, and it’s been the coolest journey since!

Nate: You’re incredibly active on social media. How can fans follow along with your adventures?

Madison: Definitely check out my YouTube channel I have with Jimmi, Jim & Mads! We’ve got a series on there that showcases a lot of what I’ve been up to. Also, don’t miss Teton Hard B*tch, a series I did with Veronica. It’s a fun mix of badass ski missions and storytelling. And, of course, I’m active on Instagram where I share updates, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments. Follow me on Instagram, as I'm most active on that platform.

Nate: You’ve been a Jackson Hole athlete for a few years now. How has that recognition impacted your career?

Madison: Being part of the JHMR family is such an honor—it feels like a dream! The community here is like family; we all support each other and share common goals, like spreading the stoke for skiing. Growing up, I looked up to the athletes on the team, and now being one of them is surreal. It’s also motivated me to push myself even further to inspire others, just like I was inspired.

Nate: What’s next for you this winter? Any big goals?

Madison: We’re working on more episodes for the Jim & Mads series, including a few in partnership with JHMR. I’m also planning to go hard on some iconic lines in the side country of JHMR—big mountain downhill style. And I’m hyped to spend more time at the Resort and just keep progressing while having a blast.

Nate: What advice would you give to aspiring skiers looking to push themselves in the mountains?

Madison: Ski as much as you can and surround yourself with people who push you to be better. Work hard, connect with people in the industry, and don’t be afraid to show up at events or reach out. But most importantly, be yourself—have fun, be bold, and try hard. The right people and opportunities will come when you stay authentic.

Nate: How do you manage your emotions in the mountains, especially in high-stakes situations?

Madison: I’m a pretty emotional person, but I stay very in-tune with myself. In exposed terrain, you have to be fierce but also self-aware. I focus on preparation—controlling what I can by being as dialed as possible. Communication with your partners is key, and so is knowing when to step back if you’re not feeling it. In the end, my motivation comes from within. Achievements are for me, not for anyone else.

Nate: Are you fearless?

Madison: Funny enough, I have a tattoo that says “fearless,” which reminds me that I can overcome anything I set my mind to. That said, fear is part of the process—it’s usually the fear of uncertainty or things out of my control. Over time, my risk tolerance has evolved. I experience fear, but I use it to stay calculated and focused.

Nate: Lastly, what’s your favorite run on a powder day at JHMR?

Madison: Oh, that’s a tough one! There are so many good choices. But, I’d start by dropping into Corbet’s Couloir, rip down Tensleep Bowl, then cruise through Expert Chutes and down Amphitheater before finishing in Dick’s Ditch. My second choice would be Rendevous Bowl to the top of Sublette, then into Alta Chutes, and then skiing Lower Sublette Ridge to the base of the mountain. Honestly, you can’t go wrong—spring skiing in the Meet Your Maker zone is also a blast with fun slush bumps!

Nate: Madison, thank you for your time and for sharing your story. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Madison: Thank you, Nate! It’s been great chatting with you. See you out there this winter!