Growing up as an alpine ski racer in Boise, Idaho, and Truckee, California, Maris transitioned from the race course to the backcountry while attending the University of Oregon, where she studied journalism, political science, and science communication and earned a certificate in outdoor leadership. She developed a passion for storytelling at the UO, serving as the editor-in-chief of her campus magazine and striving to use communication to promote positive change. Now, Maris lives in Portland, Oregon, and spends her free time exploring the Cascades through backcountry skiing, mountaineering, backpacking, trail running, and more. When she isn’t in the outdoors, she hopes to inspire care and community surrounding the environment with her communication skills and as a sustainability researcher for Better Trail.