Jim Ryan: From East Coast Racer to Jackson Hole Big Mountain Skier

Nate: Jim, thanks for joining me. Can you share a bit about your background and where your passion for skiing originated?

Jim: I’m from Rutland, Vermont. I grew up skiing at Killington, I think I could ski before I could walk. My dad was on the U.S. Ski Team, so skiing was a family thing. My parents were incredibly supportive, shuttling me to the mountain and races, and enrolling me at Killington Mountain School. Skiing provided me with my earliest sense of self and my first real chance at independence. 

Nate: How did your upbringing in Vermont influence your skiing style?

Jim: Coming from the East Coast, I've developed a knack for tackling challenging conditions that others might not necessarily enjoy. I take pride in skiing terrain that demands technical precision, whether it's super icy or narrow, exposed lines. 

Nate: What was your path after high school?

Jim: I attended Colby College in Maine, where I continued ski racing. The New England mentality emphasized academia alongside athletics, and being part of the ski team there was pivotal. I don’t think I would have made it without my teammates. If I had known I was going to become an endurance focused athlete after graduating I probably would have gone to more parties in college. 

Nate: How did you transition from ski racing to big mountain skiing?

Jim: After racing, I felt the pull towards bigger mountains and more varied terrain. Moving to Jackson Hole was a game-changer. The terrain here really encourages progression. I immersed myself in the local ski culture. This place just makes you better, everyone here is so good, you almost get better by accident. That’s maybe not true, I tried really hard. 

Nate: What have you been up to over the summer? Do you approach your summer activities as training for skiing?

Jim: Summer 2023 was intense; I took on "The Scenic," a variation of the Picnic—a mega triathlon combining biking, swimming, and climbing in the Tetons. I completing it in 24 hours. 24 hours and 4 minutes actually. It wasn’t the actual event that rocked me, it was all the training. By April 2024, I needed a break, so I embraced a "soft summer”, no big goals, just waking up and going into the mountains because I felt like it. I ended up skiing a lot and skied 5 or so different big lines in the Tetons, and a few classic lines that are traditionally winter/spring lines. 

Nate: Can you tell us about your recent projects and career trajectory?

Jim: Lately, I’ve earned a reputation as a "bad snow mercenary”. In 2020, I filmed a powder segment for TGR, which was…tough. Everything I do is dependent on the weather, but that was too much. The following year, I shifted focus to technicality, filming an entire segment in the National Park. “Magic Hour” ended up being my favorite segment I’ve ever made. Since then I’ve basically been totally obsessed with mountaineering and steep skiing. 

Nate: Tell us about your YouTube series, "Jim and Mads”

Jim: Mads [Jackson Hole athlete Madison Rose Ostergren] and I just wanted to do our own thing. We’ve both been in the big feature flicks and wanted the challenge of making our own content. And Mads rules, we get along, we really do hangout all the time and our relationship is really fun. And people tell us it’s funny, our friendship. So we decided we should capture that. The first season was good so we’ve got high hopes for the future. 

Nate: How has being a Jackson Hole athlete impacted your career?

Jim: The terrain is ideal for training on big lines, and the community is unparalleled—unapologetically dedicated and supportive. That’s the best thing about being here. It’s the people. 

Nate: What were the highlights and lowlights of last season?

Jim: A standout moment was skiing Central Couloir. Another highlight was winning the Driggs Skijoring event; I'm now fully immersed in skijoring and have signed up for a bunch of races this upcoming winter. A low point was a big crash I had in Norway, which served as a good reminder to keep the ego in check. 

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Nate: What are your goals for the upcoming winter?

Jim: I'm diving deeper into skijoring, with several races lined up. We're also elevating our YouTube series for Season 2, including an episode dedicated to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Expect more diverse content that reflects the reality of our skiing experiences, both inbounds and in the backcountry.

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Nate: What advice do you have for aspiring skiers?

Jim: Progression should be incremental. It's tempting to rush, but skipping steps can lead to trouble. Embrace patience and discipline, allowing yourself to complete each phase of development. This approach ensures sustainable growth and way less of a chance of dying…If I’m being honest. 

Nate: What's your favorite run at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on a powder day?

Jim: On a powder day, I love dropping into Corbet’s, hitting the Tensleep booter, navigating the far left of Expert Chutes, then flowing through Toilet Bowl, and finishing with Ashley’s Ridge. For groomers, "The Grand" is the bees knees, and "Wide Open" is the best in the spring.

Nate: Thank you, Jim. Can't wait to see what you get into this winter!