After my parents moved our family to Idaho when I was 10, slowly my favorite activities and passions began to center around being outside. It started with annual Fall and Spring backpacking trips with my school's outdoor program, to planning outdoor adventures with my brothers, to eventually attending Colorado College where I officially learned to mountain bike, took my first avalanche education course, and made frequent trips to the desert and mountains to recreate. I eventually found my way back to Idaho where I've continued to prioritize the outdoors as an integral part of my life. I've found myself drawn to the intersection of medicine and the outdoors and plan to continue evolving my career in this field. I'm usually busy exploring new zones on my skis in the winter and brainstorming adventurous (and suffer-worthy) bike rides the rest of the year. 

Where do you live and what’s your day job?

Ketchum, Idaho! I work as an ER nurse for my day job, but love to stay involved in lots of things including ski patrolling and working as a first responder! My career is ever evolving and always driven by helping others and being outside as much as possible. 

What are 3 words your best friends would use to describe you?

fiery, tenacious, stubborn 

Doughnuts or Bagels? Bagel and cream cheese

Home mountain range? Sawtooths/Pioneers

What's something not many people know or would expect about you?

I speak French and Spanish! I love languages and traveling. 

What do you do when you're not skiing/riding/biking?

It's rare that I'm not doing one of those things...but on the unlikely occasion you catch me on a rest day or in between moment, I love yoga, painting, good coffee, fly fishing and hiking with my dog, Diesel. 

How do you help build community in the outdoors? 

I think an important way I help build community in the outdoors is by sharing information, whether that be about mountain bike trails, my favorite gear, route finding, ideal tire pressure, snowpack conditions, or avalanche rescue best practices. By openly sharing information, I believe we can create a more cohesive, welcoming and safe space for everyone to enjoy being outside. 

Why Wild Rye? 

I met Cassie (founder of WR) many years ago while pedaling an enduro stage at the Scott enduro series in Sun Valley. That day, we found out we had a lot in common, but Cassie also told me all about the new company she was starting with a goal of creating beautiful and technical apparel for women in the outdoor space, a category that largely didn't exist at the time. Fast forward (9?) years and Wild Rye not only has robust bike, ski and lifestyle apparel lines, but works tirelessly to advocate for women's rights, equity for women in business and create community for women of all levels and walks of life recreating outside. I am so grateful to continue to be a part of this team!

Follow Nicole's Adventures @_nicolejorgenson