The first descent in powder snow, the sun over the endless mountain peaks and the rush of emotion in every turn. Skiing means freedom for millions of people who head to the ski resorts every winter anew. The popularity of winter sports continues to grow, which unfortunately has negative consequences on the environment, creating a conflict. If you don't want to give up skiing, you can at least make your ski vacation as sustainable as possible. Below you will find some tips on how, with little attention, you can make your ski vacation much more ecological, so that future generations can enjoy the same experiences in the mountains.
1. Choosing the right ski resort
The choice of ski resort for your upcoming ski vacation is the first one in which you can decide to go green. Make sure to choose regional or local ski resorts instead of planning a heliskiing vacation, including flights and transportation to Canada. Among the local ski resorts, you should also make sure to choose a ski resort that has enough natural snow and is not mainly covered with artificial snow. This is because snow guns require a lot of energy and water. For the latter, storage ponds and pipelines are needed, which is ecologically very damaging and triggers additional erosion. Artificial snow also stays longer, which increases the usage phase and, at the same time, reduces the regeneration phase. This contributes to the vegetation not having enough time to recover in the summer before being artificially stressed again for too long. At the same time, you should make sure that the ski area does not have too many kilometers of slopes, but rather opt for a smaller or medium-sized ski area, since expansions, lifts between two ski areas, or ski swings all represent an additional burden on the environment. In order to make a sustainable choice of a ski resort, make sure that both summer and winter tourism is practiced and, therefore, the natural vegetation cycles are respected. In the best case, choose a certified ski resort, such as Alpine Pearls, a label created by 23 ski resorts. Each ski resort with the certification has good public transport connections, uses renewable energy, and has developed concepts for soft tourism.
2. Plan your journey
Once you have chosen the right ski resort, you still need to plan your arrival and departure, which accounts for 75% of the total emissions of a ski vacation. It is best to check the train connection first. While a car journey of 200km produces almost 40kg of CO2 emissions, the same distance by train produces only about 3kg. In addition, the railroad company offers combined tickets, including ski tickets, which is not only ecologically but also economically efficient for the consumer. Locally, the infrastructure of the ski resorts is being developed more and more. Therefore, in many places, it is already possible to use ski buses (usually free of charge with existing lift tickets), which take guests from the accommodations to the lift at regular intervals. However, if there is no train connection and the car is unavoidable, behavior can also be adapted here. To keep emissions low, opt for a longer ski vacation with several days and a full car rather than planning day trips with individuals.
3. Choose accommodation
When choosing lodging, you can look at certifications to see who is using more eco-friendly and local materials, as well as partners, to offer a sustainable alternative to hotel resorts. Certified hotels that stand for sustainability and resource conservation include the German certificate Viabono, the Swiss label ibex fairstay, the Austrian Ecolabel or the Blue Swallow. These also support car-free travel by offering shuttle and pick-up services.
4. Behavior on and off the slopes
The trend to go off-road is unfortunately increasing. In doing so, it is not only forbidden but also harmful for the animals. Therefore, stay on the designated slopes to protect wildlife from stress and avoid negligently triggering an avalanche. During and after skiing, focus on local and regional suppliers when choosing products and restaurants. This not only protects the climate but also supports the local economy.
5. Equipment? - Rentya
Skiing requires a lot of equipment, which you buy beforehand. It is advisable not to buy a new set of skis or a new jacket every time to not encourage material waste. If you do need new equipment, look for outfitters that actively use sustainable resources, such as Patagonia, which makes clothes from recycled materials.
However, the best solution is to share your gear with others and thus benefit ecologically and economically. That's what Rentya is here for. With us, you have the most resource-saving option, always new equipment and at the same time save costs in already expensive ski vacations.
Rentya brings together product owners and potential renters, allowing them to exchange everyday items, tools and other products in an easy and secure way. Learn more at www.rentya.de.
