Been Skiing

Skiing appears to be the perfect environmentally sustainable sport, nothing but two tracks in the snow and you're gone. However, in reality, there is little doubt that the ski industry boom of recent decades has had a significant impact on the environment.

In the past a skier would have had trouble squaring the circle when it comes to skiing and protecting the environment. The ski industry itself has a less than perfect record when it comes to taking damage to the environment into consideration when developing ski resorts.

Today maybe the piste is a different place?

The cutting down of forest tracts, the destruction of wildlife habitats, mountain erosion, artificial snow makers draining and polluting local water resources, a disregard for local communities may all be a thing of the past. There is evidence that some ski resorts are turning green. There seems to be a new willingness by some companies to give the environment a higher priority when planning or extending developments.

Today it is water and energy conservation, water quality protection, waste reduction, habitat protection, forest and vegetative management, and air and visual quality protection that are the new buzz words. However, due to the impact of climate change we may find future ski resorts moving to higher altitudes in search of snow, this will inevitably have a negative impact higher up the mountains. Climate change and global warming will also increase the use of snow machines by resorts to counteract reduced snow levels.

What can we do?

Skiers and snow boarders must take responsibility for their actions and the impact they have on the environment. You may feel you are powerless to make a difference, what can one person do. However, it only takes one, then another one to follow that one, then before you know you have million making a difference.

If your planning on skiing in the US, make sure the resort has signed up to the National Ski Area Association Sustainable Slope environmental charter. For more information see: www.nsaa.org

Give ski touring, cross country skiing or even snow shoeing a go. These all have less create less environmental impact on the environment and are not dependent on graded slopes and ski lifts. There are many companies offering this kind of alternative

Take all your litter home, or at least back to your chalet or hotel.

Al - Zoozoo2