Jim Ryan's Skiing Gear & Expert Recommendations
Professional Skier
Jackson, WYJim Ryan is a professional skier whose career blends high-level mountain objectives with endurance feats and first descents around the world. Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Jim has appeared in four Teton Gravity Research and five Warren Miller films, showcasing a style defined by precision, speed, and creative route-finding. His accomplishments range from a 19-second descent of Jackson Hole’s Central Couloir to The Scenic—a self-designed, 24-hour triathlon linking bike, swim, and summit across the Teton range. Internationally, Jim has skied first descents in New Zealand and Norway, demonstrating a commitment to exploring remote and technical terrain. Whether pushing pace on classic lines, planning multi-sport endurance challenges, or scouting unskied couloirs across the globe, Jim approaches every project with meticulous preparation and a drive to expand the limits of modern ski mountaineering.
Discipline: Skiing
Specialty: Mountaineering
Expert Gear Picks from Jim Ryan
Expert skiing gear recommendations from Jim Ryan, Professional Skier, based in Jackson, WY.
Jim Ryan's Resort Ski Kit
This is what I wear for chairlift powered skiing, inbounds and side country
Jim Ryan recommends the Volkl Volkl Men's Mantra 102 Skis
Jim Ryan recommends the Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket
Jim Ryan recommends the Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Binding
Jim Ryan recommends the Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell 2.0 Ski Pants
Jim Ryan recommends the Helly Hansen HH Durawool Crew Long-Sleeve Shirt - Men's
Jim Ryan recommends the Volkl Volkl Men's M7 Mantra Skis — If there’s one ski that can truly do it all at the resort, it’s the <strong data-start="139" data-end="158">Völkl Mantra M7</strong>. Whether you lean toward the narrower 96 mm version or the wider 102 mm. It’s rare to find a ski that handles everything, but when you’re uncertain about the day’s conditions, this is the pair you bring. The Mantra powers through crud, arcs confidently on groomers, and stays lively in bumps. While it’s a bit limited when the snow gets truly bottomless, the reality is that most resort days aren’t that deep—and this ski excels in the conditions we actually ski most often. For almost all resort skiing, the Mantra M7 is my top recommendation.
