Ladies we Love: Ski Gypsy Molly Baker

March 3rd, 2014 • BY Erinn Morgan

[This Ladies we Love profile is the first installment in our new monthly series featuring the highly inspiring roster of female athlete ambassadors from Outdoor Research. They are skiers, climbers, mountaineers, and more—all breaking down barriers and pushing the edge.]

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Molly Baker lives large—but also small. This pro freeskier, who travels the globe in search of epic lines for the ski films and photo shoots she appears in, also travels the country with skier Zack Giffin in the Outdoor Research Tiny House (an elegant but tiny 112-square-foot trailer “house” on wheels) in search of fresh-flying powder. Molly also writes about her adventures as a modern-day ski gypsy for publications and websites such as ESPN Freeskiing and the Ski Journal. Here, Molly shares the details on why skiing was so hard for her to learn, the best (and worst) of mobile living, her favorite skiing snack, and her biggest indulgence.

WomensMovement: Why skiing?

Molly Baker: Skiing has been the personal challenge that has given me a great opportunity to evolve. I didn’t ski much until college, so it was a skill I had to learn and master later in life (still in the mastery stages). The things in our lives that aren’t just second nature are our biggest catalysts for growth. I was lucky enough to find skiing, find it to be difficult, and have an immense motivation to overcome that difficulty. Where I am today I realize the challenge never goes away—it just evolves with you. With skiing you always have opportunities to be better, as a skier and a person. The mountains are great teachers.  

WM: Your best ski day this season?

Molly Baker: Yesterday, actually. A few new friends from Europe were at my home mountain of Mt. Baker in Washington and I had the chance to show them the spots I love the most, deep in the forest amidst 115 inches of new snow that has fallen in the past 11 days. The best days are stormy, when you ski with your hood up and balaclava on and you can’t see your friends, but you know they’re right behind you.  

WM: Why Tiny House?

Molly Baker: A tiny house cuts out the commute. Instead of driving to and from the ski area or mountain pass every day, you come back from skiing, build a fire, dry your gear, feed your body, and then use the extra time to read, write, play an instrument, or draw. I call it “Culture Cultivating” time. Instead of driving, being on your cell phone, or getting caught in skier traffic, you can really utilize your time. A tiny house allows you to live at the mountain really comfortably during a big storm cycle and use that extra time a commute doesn’t allow. The Tiny House has largely been about being in the right place at the right time and committing a life to living for experiences instead of the consumption of more things.

There is something called the contrast principle. As humans, we often understand something better when we see it in comparison with something else. How would we enjoy living vagrantly—parked on mountain passes, sans showers and cell phones, if we didn’t know the other option? We wouldn’t. Understanding the beauties of living in the Tiny House has been all about the contrast we can draw from the other years of our lives. The years spent on the computer. Moments used packing up things we have, but don’t need, and days gone without enjoying the outdoors.

WM: How would you describe your life, goals, and focus?

Molly Baker: I am forever seeking the interesting, quietly observing the weird, and listening to those who want to tell their stories. Life is about people and experiences, without those I have nothing. I’ve always loved a quote from Hemingway: “A writer’s only obligation is to lead an interesting life and then tell people about it.” My modus operandi is really to never be comfortable when things are easy, to seek challenge, always listen to other people, and share stories that help life make sense.    

WM: The best—and worst—thing about mobile living?

Molly Baker: Less stuff and less driving are the best attributes of tiny living. The sacrifice? Less showering and never feeling grounded. We make a lot of trips to local rec centers and hot springs to shower while we’re on the road, and I always have a need to go and spend a few weeks in the house I grew up in. Having roots somewhere is essential to every human being. 

WM: Best mobile living tip?

Molly Baker: Narrow it down to the essentials. Really. If you’re on a ski trip, only take what you need for skiing, a change of clothes, and something that will keep you entertained during the down time. It’s a great exercise in being comfortable with boredom sans the distractions of modern life.

WM: Favorite Tiny House homemade meal?

Molly Baker: Definitely quesadillas on the wood stove.

WM: Will you still travel in the Tiny House in the summer?

Molly Baker: This summer I am moving to Austria for three months to work with Atomic, my ski sponsor, on their women’s program. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to influence how women are included in the current ski story, what products are being made, and what role we play in the ski community. Atomic has a really incredible female athlete team because the company has always placed value on their women’s programs, from racing to freeskiing.   

WM: Favorite in-your-ski-jacket-pocket energy snack?

Molly Baker: Clif Bar Shot Bloks, any flavor. They don’t freeze, are easy to stomach on really long days out skiing and hiking, and are the perfect combination of energy and nutrition.  

WM: Favorite piece of gear this season?

Molly Baker: I’ve been skiing in the Outdoor Research Paradox Pant and Jacket, which will be out next fall. It’s a waterproof, breathable, soft-shell combo that’s been perfect for hiking and skiing everthing from heavy, wet snow in the Pacific Northwest to windy, sub-zero days in Utah. The soft-shell is just so comfy and easy to move in, but it still offers the protection of a hard-shell. It’s been hard to pry me out of this jacket and pant. We’re on our way through Northern B.C. to Alaska with the Tiny House next week and it’s the only outerwear setup I’m taking.  

WM: Biggest indulgence?

Molly Baker: Pastries—I love a chocolate croissant like skiers love their powder—that and spending an entire day reading. Sometimes life requires getting lost in someone else’s words.

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