Fusalp Base Layers and Sweaters: The Women’s Guide

Fusalp base layers are slim thermal tops in brushed Powerstretch, such as the Gemini, Orion and Stellia, plus modal and cashmere layers knitted without seams, like the Alisier and Troop. Over them go Fusalp sweaters, led by the Andromede with its contrasting V-shaped stripe, which the brand calls a house signature. Coveti stocks both on our Fusalp page and in women’s ski base layers.

What is a Fusalp thermal layer made of?

Fusalp works in two families. The technical tops use Powerstretch, a stretch fabric brushed on the inside for a soft, warm face against the skin. The softer layers blend modal (on some labels, viscose) with 10% cashmere, 10% polyamide and 5% elastane, knitted without side seams so nothing rubs under a ski jacket. Every piece is designed in France and tested in the Annecy laboratory. Production is named per product: in our edit the Gemini and Orion are made in Romania, the Stellia and Negam in Tunisia, and the Alisier, Troop and Alliance in Portugal.

These pieces have no Fusalp warmth score; the 1 to 5 rating in Fusalp warmth levels explained applies to outerwear and some knits. Base layers come in letter sizes, XS to XL on most styles and XS to XXL on the Stellia, Alisier and Troop.

Fusalp base layers at Coveti, compared

The Powerstretch half zips: Gemini, Orion and Stellia

For a day on skis, start here. The Gemini Thermal Layer in Black is the plainest and most useful: slim, brushed inside, with a half zip so you can vent on the climb. The Orion Thermal Layer in Snow is the minimalist one, with a matte Fusalp signature on the chest and a water-repellent zip. The Stellia Thermal Layer in Black adds the tricolour knit stripe down the arms, so it looks finished when the jacket comes off at lunch. The Negam does the same job with a contrasting stripe along the shoulder and sleeve, and there is a full zip version for wearing as a light mid layer.

All four sit close to the body, which is the point. A base layer works best when it lies flat against the skin and leaves room for the layer above.

The cashmere blends: Alisier, Troop and Alliance

The Alisier Thermal Layer in Snow is the one Fusalp calls a flagship of the collection: a turtleneck in a modal and cashmere blend, knitted without seams, worn against bare skin. It is light enough to tuck into a fuseau and smart enough to wear under a blazer in town. The Troop Crew Neck Thermal Layer in Black is the same idea with a round neck, so it disappears under a V-neck sweater. Below the waist, the Alliance Legging in Black is a pair of long johns in the same blend, close to the body, and fine enough to sit under a fitted ski pant.

I wear the Alisier more off the mountain than on it. Under a camel coat it does the job of a cashmere roll neck with less bulk.

Fusalp sweaters: the knits worth knowing

Fusalp has a long knitwear history. French Wikipedia records that the house was a market leader in fitted sweaters and fuseaux in the 1970s and 1980s, and that its Montant sweater, popular with ESF ski instructors in the 1950s, was later relaunched. Today’s knits are cut slim to sit under a ski jacket, and the best of them carry the graphic codes. Browse the full range in women’s sweaters.

• Andromede Sweater in Black and Snow: 2×2 rib in a viscose blend, gauge 7, with a high zipped neck and the V-shaped intarsia stripe on the front. Close to the body. Made in Portugal.
• Deltanao Sweater in Navy, Racing Red and Snow: a mid-weight half-zip rib in a viscose blend with contrast bands, which Fusalp suggests as a second layer on the slopes. Made in Portugal.
• Mirala Sweater in Navy, Racing Red and Snow: 100% RWS merino in a beaded rib, gauge 5, thick and warm, with a half-zip stand-up collar and colour-block intarsia.
• Mireva Sweater: a mohair blend with a zip trucker collar and a retro diamond jacquard at the chest, cut oversized, in Arctic Wolf, Falcon and Sorbier.
• Elwena Sweater in Snow: a cable-knit turtleneck in 90% wool and 10% cashmere, gauge 5, with raglan sleeves.
• Judith and Ancelle: fine turtlenecks in EcoVero viscose, made in Portugal, for town and for layering.

Fusalp’s wool is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. Sweater sizing is in letters, XS to XL, with XXL on the Deltanao, Judith and Ancelle.

How to wear a Fusalp base layer and sweater on the mountain

Keep it to two layers under the jacket on most days. A Powerstretch half zip goes against the skin; over it, a slim knit such as the Andromede, with a technical mid layer like the Lirvane as the alternative. For the method in more depth, our how to layer for skiing guide walks through it, and the outer pieces are in the Fusalp ski jacket guide and Fusalp down jackets guide. A neck warmer and beanie finish the system; see the Fusalp ski accessories guide.

How do Fusalp base layers fit?

Fusalp base layers and sweaters use letter sizes, unlike the numbered Fusalp 34 to 44 of its ski jackets. Most are described as true to size and designed to sit close to the body; the Mireva is the exception, cut oversized. The Gemini in Cloud also runs down to XXS. Fusalp’s general advice is to take your usual size, and the larger one if you are between two. Conversions for numbered pieces are in the Fusalp size guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best women’s base layer for skiing?

For skiing, a slim brushed stretch top with a half zip works best. The Fusalp Gemini, Orion and Stellia are all brushed Powerstretch half zips cut close to the body, and the Alisier adds a modal and cashmere blend for softer warmth.

Where are Fusalp thermal layers made?

Fusalp thermal layers are designed in France and tested in Annecy. In our edit the Gemini and Orion are made in Romania, the Stellia and Negam in Tunisia, and the Alisier, Troop and Alliance in Portugal.

Do Fusalp sweaters have a warmth rating?

Fusalp uses its 5-point warmth rating mainly on outerwear and some knit accessories. The sweaters and base layers in our edit do not carry a published level, so compare them by fabric and gauge instead.

What is the Fusalp V-stripe sweater?

The Andromede sweater has a contrasting V-shaped intarsia band on the front, which Fusalp describes as a house signature. It is a 2×2 rib in a viscose blend with a zipped high neck, made in Portugal.

How do Fusalp base layers fit?

Fusalp base layers run in letter sizes from XS to XL, with XXL on some styles. They are designed to sit close to the body. Take your usual size, and the larger one if you are between two.