The mountains aren’t just where we test our gear at Ridge Merino—they’re part of who we are. We depend on cold winters, deep snow and healthy ecosystems to do what we love, and we know the world as we know it is at risk. That’s why we partner with Protect Our Winters, a nonprofit that unites the outdoor community to take meaningful action on climate change.
About Protect Our Winters
Protect Our Winters (POW) was founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones when he saw firsthand that places he’d counted on to have deep snow were no longer reliable. He tried to find organizations mobilizing the snowsports community to get involved with climate advocacy, but he couldn’t find any, so he started his own.
What started as a small network of athletes and brands has grown into more than 77,000 members united by the goal of advocating for the outdoor spaces and experiences we love most. POW works to depoliticize the climate conversation and mobilize everyone who loves the outdoors to take action.
“It’s not just our powder days and clean air that’s at risk; it’s our livelihoods, our environment, our communities. We don’t have a day to waste. We all need winter and we all need to work together.”
- POW
Here are a few of POW’s accomplishments over the years:
- 2012 - POW worked in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council to publish a study on how climate change affects the economy of the winter sport/tourism industry in the US
- 2018 - POW executed congressional briefings and lobby days, including the highest attended annual September Lobby Day, with nine major outdoor companies represented
- 2022 - POW mobilized the outdoor industry in support of the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant climate legislation in US history
- 2024 - POW helped rally the outdoor community to protect millions of acres in Alaska
POW has executed multiple get-out-the-vote campaigns and regularly mobilizes outdoor industry support for protection of public lands across the country. They also provide tons of education on how to become a climate advocate and spread the word within one’s own community.
Working Together for Climate Action
Through our partnership with POW and our 1% For The Planet commitment, every Ridge Merino purchase helps fund climate advocacy and environmental protection. Our shared mission is to keep the mountains (and the winters) we love healthy and accessible for everyone. When you choose to shop with Ridge Merino, you’re helping advance POW’s mission.
We’ve been supporting POW since 2015, and the organization has grown significantly since then. What started small has become a huge force in fighting against climate change and protecting our environment.
“Ridge Merino’s support helps us mobilize the outdoor community to push for real climate solutions. Together, we’re protecting the places and seasons we all love. Our focus over the next four years is on growing our local volunteer chapters, advancing clean energy projects, and protecting public lands and we’re grateful for partners like Ridge Merino in working toward these initiatives.”
- Patrick King, Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships at POW
Join Us In Supporting POW
Shop with us to contribute to POW’s efforts, and consider joining the team to help protect our winters for many generations to come.
