Videos
loss, grief, resilience
Slopes of Change | A film by Molly Armanino
For skiers the mountains are often a place of solace, but for Molly Armanino that relationship is more complicated. The SCOTT athletes’ powerful latest film explores a very human story of love, loss, grief and resilience.
Molly had built her life in the mountains and in them found purpose, success and fulfillment. But following the tragic death of her brother, Sam, in an accident while he was building bike trails, Molly’s relationship with the mountains changed – once a place that felt like home revealed its cruel indifference.
1.
Molly's hard-charging all-or-nothing style won her a FWT season wildcard in 2023.
Andrew Chad
2.
With friend Mckenna Peterson, Molly explored the backcountry of Tahoe - and her grief.
Andrew Chad
In the wake of this life-changing event, a new-found friendship with Mckenna Peterson developed in the shared experience of losing someone to the mountains. Mckenna’s experience guided Molly in exploring her own grief through time in the mountains. Mckenna helped Molly on her way to rediscovering joy in a place that had taken so much from them both.
In the belief that success through her skiing would be a way of reconnecting with her lost brother and rediscovering happiness, Molly hurried her return to the Freeride World Tour. Failing to make the cut for the finals after a consequential crash in Georgia caused more introspective soul searching and self doubt than before.
The decision to step away from competitive skiing was a good one. Molly was able to return to skiing for the joy of being in the mountains, rediscovering them as the sanctuary they once were. By returning to skiing at her own pace, she rebuilt her confidence and trust in the mountains, subsequently reconnecting with her brother and finding true happiness.
The film’s message is powerful and moving – Molly concludes that resilience is not founded in isolation but found in the collective spirit of friendship and the healing power of nature.
Friendship and shared experience helped Molly find true happiness in skiing again.
Andrew Chad
Set to an atmospheric original soundtrack, Slopes of Change not only includes plenty of Molly’s rad skiing but also effectively conveys a message of hope for the future after a loss. Molly recently took her first win in the Freeride World Tour at Kicking Horse, completing her comeback to competitive skiing – the future is bright for the SCOTT rider.
Molly is back in an FWT bib for the 2025 season and is better than ever.
Elias Lundh