Layer Like a Pro: Molly Armanino’s Winter Kit
Professional skier Molly Armanino spends as many days as she can skiing every winter. Whether she’s participating in ski competitions, working on her first film project or exploring backcountry lines in a new mountain range, Molly trusts Merino wool base layers and mid layers to get her through the longest, coldest winter days.
The Layers Molly Relies On
Molly participated in last year’s Freeride World Tour, a skiing and snowboarding competition held in iconic mountain destinations around the world. Competitors choose their own routes down ungroomed mountain slopes and are judged on their line choice, control, fluidity, technique and overall impression. Having the right layering setup is key to be able to fully focus on the competition.
Molly’s first run in the 2024 Freeride World Tour in Verbier, Switzerland.
Molly was named Vice World Champion on the 2022-2023 Freeride World Tour in Verbier.
Molly’s MVP layers for the Freeride World Tour:
Aspect High Neck Top – Molly loves the built-in buff so she’s never without face/neck protection.
Inversion Base Layer Leggings – She likes the heavier weight that keeps her warm but still allows for full freedom of motion. Good base layers add warmth but not bulk to your layering kit.
Ritter Ski Socks – A lightweight, no padding Merino wool ski sock that fits perfectly in a tight ski or snowboard boot.
Ridge Beanie – Our 100% Merino wool beanie that Molly likes to wear under her helmet.
Why Merino Wool?
Molly loves Ridge Merino wool gear for its breathability, warmth and temperature regulation, but it’s deeper than that too. Molly is passionate about sustainability and finding ways to tread more lightly on the planet, so natural, renewable Merino wool is an obvious choice. She appreciates that well-made Merino wool clothing holds up well over time and can be worn for so many different things.
“It’s not cheap for the sake of fashion. It’s functional and long-lasting. It’s empowering using high quality gear that will last. I’m using everything I have on repeat. If you use the gear you have, it doesn’t go into the waste stream.”
For the Love of Skiing
Molly smiles on a backcountry skiing yurt trip in Virginia Lakes.
Molly has spent plenty of time thinking about her love of skiing. Like many of us, what she loves most is being in the mountains and seeing new places. But she also loves the history of skiing.
“I love that skis are designed not just as a fun sport, but also an ancient mode of transportation,” Molly said. “As someone with Scandinavian heritage, I think it’s in my blood to love skiing. Of course I also love the adrenaline that comes with exploring new places, finding a line and ripping it!”
Skiing has fostered a deeper love for nature in Molly, and she wants to do whatever she can to help protect and preserve beautiful places. She’s working on her first film project, figuring out what kind of story she wants to tell as she goes.
Her goal this winter is to have the most fun she can with the sport of skiing instead of putting so much pressure on success.
“[When I’m having fun] is when I’m the most comfortable and physically capable. I want to ski lines because they look amazing, not because I need to get the shot or perform well in a competition.”
She also plans to learn to snowmobile, submit for GoPro awards and put on a female freeride camp at the end of the winter season. Beyond this winter, Molly is excited to explore more mountain ranges – both close to home and around the world – and keep creating content and stories that encourage protection and stewardship of the places we all love so much.
Molly and Tim Humphreys hike to ski another line on a backcountry yurt trip.
More of Molly's Ridge Favorites
Aspect High Rise Base Layer Bottoms — Molly wears these for climbing too because “they are perfect leggings - warm and flexy”
Natural Tee and Wander Tee — “I’m obsessed with Ridge’s plain shirts. They’re perfect for biking and daily activities.” Molly wore the Natural Tee in Outside Magazine's Ultimate Mountain Athlete competition (which she won).
Solstice Sun Hoodie — “It’s the perfect base layer for cold and warm days. I wore mine the entire time I was skiing in the Eastern Sierra to stay protected from the sun. It’s so light and breathable that I rarely had to take it off, but when I did, it compacted perfectly.”
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