5 Ways to Ski More Sustainably this Winter
Before carving off that piste, read our roundup of ways we can all help make winter sports more sustainable and to continue chase powder for years to come.
Let’s be real: There’s nothing quite like standing at the top of a piste looking out across a majestic mountain range and taking in one last breath of cold air before plunging down the slope at a zillion miles an hour.
Or, in the case of a 3-year old, practicing a wobbly pizza wedge down the bunny slope for an hour. Skiing, at least in our humble opinion, is one of life’s greatest adventure sports for all ages. Just seeing and playing with snow can rock a kid’s world. But to sail down a hill attached to a board or a pair of skis is one of the most thrilling and formative experiences we can expose them to. It’s a skill that will stay with them for life, and a feat that, once accomplished, gives back in so many ways.
Snow sports help our little ones to build up their muscles and their self-confidence, release energy, interact with nature, strengthen their cardiovascular system, learn balance and coordination, and sleep better at night. It offers them the opportunity to fall down and learn from their mistakes, to follow directions, and to make new friends.
Basically, at a time when all parents wonder how to minimize screen time and expose their kids to the natural world in a fun and educational way, participation in winter sports offers one of the most comprehensive solutions.
On the other hand, ski resorts have historically contributed to the very climate change that is now threatening their existence. Over the course of the last few decades, we have witnessed a seismic transformation on the slopes. Ski seasons have shortened as the planet warms, and wildfire and other extreme weather events threaten mountain infrastructure. Instead of bundling up, people often head out in their t-shirts to chase a winter that increasingly looks like summer.
It’s easy to forget about our eco-footprint once we’re up in the mountains, but if we want to continue to pass this joyful sport down to future generations it’s important that we educate ourselves on new developments in the industry. So, if you love snowboarding or skiing as much as we do, take a look at these tips on how to shred responsibly before planning your next trip to the snow.
1. Choose Eco-Minded Resorts
From their vast grids of lifts to the ever more necessary snowblowers, ski resorts can guzzle up energy and contaminate the mountains we go there to enjoy. But don’t despair – there’s good news! Resorts around the world are upping their sustainability game. More and more ski destinations are using renewable energy sources to power their lifts, implementing innovative low-energy snowmaking practices, offering more public transport options, providing energy-efficient accommodation, and more. With the giant strides being taken across the industry, it’s easier than ever to choose a more responsible snow adventure.
In the US, the Vail Resorts group is making good on its ‘Epic Promise’ to achieve zero net emissions and zero waste to landfills by 2030, with 50% progress toward this goal by 2025. The associated resorts in Colorado and around the country have installed low-energy snowmaking equipment, adopted green standards for building and construction, planted or restored forest impacted by their presence and partnered with eco-friendly restaurant suppliers. Both Vail and Breckenridge are even Mountain IDEAL certified. Wyoming’s Jackson Hole reduces its carbon emissions by recycling cooking oil and using it to fuel its vehicles.
In Europe, Switzerland’s Sass-Fee ski area transports visitors in zero-emission electric buses and powers their lifts using renewable hydroelectricity. Also in Switzerland, Zermatt offers stunning slopes in a car-free, renewable energy-powered environment. This resort goes above and beyond, by using waste plastic to resurface roads and in its commitment to wildlife preservation. In the ski village of Kaprun, Austria, some lifts use renewable energy, and a free bus network runs between resorts to reduce the number of cars on the roads.:
More Mountains Making Eco-Friendly Moves
Gstaad, Switzerland
Arosa Lenzerheide, Switzerland
Flimsz Laax Falera, Switzerland
San Martino di Castrozza, Italy
Carezza, Italy
2. Travel in (Responsible) Style
We know all too well that when kids are involved it’s much easier to just pack up the car and go. But it actually doesn’t require too much of an adjustment to make small changes in the way we visit ski resorts. Maybe that looks like picking up an extra passenger along the way, maybe it means subbing out flights for train rides, or maybe you and your family can commit to taking those free shuttle buses in and around the resort once you arrive. A little goes a long way, especially when kids see from a young age how important it is to incorporate eco-friendly choices into travel planning.
Ride share apps like Rideski and Skibuds make it easy to carpool to the mountains, reducing carbon emissions and building community to boot. Check out Snow Pals for rides between the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. For those hitting the snow in Colorado, Snowriders International provides a wealth of information on how to cut back on emissions and even get rewarded for your carpool efforts.
In the UK, Snow Carbon has a great selection of rail-to-ski packages that reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%, and our pals over at Byway also offer fabulously designed train-to-ski holiday itineraries (will link). Taking the train is an added bonus for kids, who love whizzing through the winter landscapes of Europe, especially if they involve a pajama party on a sleeper train.
3. Practice Conscious Consumption
When it comes to what we wear on the slopes, choosing the right brands makes a big difference. Especially because of the materials used in this type of active wear, snow clothes can contribute to environmental problems like landfill, chemical, and microplastic contamination. Some companies offering more durable, sustainably made – and even some climate neutral - products include Patagonia, The North Face, Vaude, Picture Organic Clothing, Peak Performance, and Cotopaxi. When we support these brands, we decrease our carbon footprint while boosting fair trade practices.
Many of these brands also offer repair services and trade-in programs designed to help their products last even longer and curb the fast fashion problem. Rather than tossing and replacing apparel as soon as it has a defect, consider patching and repairing whenever possible. Check out Patagonia’s Worn Wear and North Face’s ‘Clothes the Loop’, available in the US, Germany, and Canada. Worn Wear even has the option to buy secondhand clothing for those looking to save a little money while protecting the planet from more landfill. And, of course, don’t forget the hand-me-downs. Give the old, dusty gear in your closet another life by passing it on to friends with younger kids or donating it to a local thrift shop.
Whichever brands you end up choosing for your trip to the snow, keep an eye on the materials they use. Look for plant- based ski and board waxes, for example, as traditional ingredients can take up to a millennium to decompose. Avoid Gore-Tex and other waterproof materials made from toxic chemicals. Opt for “PFC-free” materials instead to make sure your gear is cleaner and more sustainable.
And lastly, shop local! Support local, independently owned businesses and cut down on packaging waste and shipping emissions whenever possible.
4. Build Better Habits
We should all be incorporating these eco-friendly tips and tricks into our daily life as much as possible, but they have an even bigger impact when we’re eating and sleeping away from home. Packing a good supply of reusable water bottles, snack containers, travel cutlery, and insulated travel cups is a good place to start. Millions of disposable cups are used every day and less than 1% are recycled. There’s nothing better than enjoying a hot chocolate at the end of a long day in the snow, but there’s nothing worse than having to throw another cup and plastic lid away afterwards.
Clean up the mountain
If you see any rubbish – plastic or not – on the mountain, pick it up and put it in a designated trash pocket. Then dispose of it properly when you can. Every little thing we can do to protect our mountains helps. If this makes you squeamish, designate another pocket to some eco-friendly hand sanitizer.
Turn off the lights
Before you leave your house or your hotel room, switch off your lights and unplug anything you can to save energy. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re rushing to catch the first lift on a beautiful pow day. But it’s such a simple thing we can do to reduce our footprint.
Take shorter showers
After a long day of shredding (or pizza wedging), it’s only natural to head to the shower to clean off and warm up. But try to keep it short. The average shower lasts 8.2 minutes and uses 17.2 gallons of water. Five minutes per family member is a reasonable time limit to aim for to save water and the energy it takes to heat it up.
5. Pro-activate
Explore your own backyard
Before jetting off to the Alps, check out what your area has to offer in the way of winter sports. Getting out in the snow, whether it’s a visit to a smaller mountain, a sledding hill, or an ice-skating pond, will overjoy your little ones no matter where you are. If you live in warmer climes, find the nearest indoor skating rink and start there.
Offset your carbon emissions
If you do end up taking a long car ride or even a flight, calculate your emissions and look for a way to compensate for them. Paying for carbon offsets for every trip to the mountains may seem like a lot, but if you can afford to ski, chances are you can afford to give a little back. Check out the Protect Our Winters (POW) website to calculate your footprint and learn more about carbon offsets.
Become a Winter Activist
Beyond offsets, there are many ways to help stave off the effects of climate change while keeping winter sports alive and sustainable. From donating to volunteering, organizations like POW, above, and the Sierra Club have ample ideas on how to begin. Voting, signing petitions, and contacting elected officials are all free, easy ways of advocating for our mountains.
More Winter Resources
Freeride world champion and professional snowboarder Aline Bock made a film about becoming a mom of twins. Check out our interview with her.
Polar Explorer and Antarctic Ambassador Susan Adie shares her thoughts about visiting Antarctica in a climate crisis, and more.
Protect Our Winters rallies winter enthusiasts around the world to help solve climate change.
