December 2nd, 2007

Environmental Thoughts on Winter Sports

Posted by Monica Schenk

It’s safe to say that most downhill skiers and snow boarders love this planet. After all, breathing clean mountain air and taking in majestic landscapes are a big part of what makes winter sports such a joy. Just thinking about it makes me happy and I’m a marginal skier at best.

Unfortunately, the three billion dollar winter sports industry is not exactly good news for the planet. From the creative destruction of equipment; transportation emissions and excessive energy and water use for run grooming and snowmaking; all the way to deforestation, run-off pollution and loss of habitat. It’s expensive and we’re not just talking about your $87 lift ticket.

There are a few things we can do to lower the environmental and financial cost of winter sports.

One of the greenest things you can do for your favorite mountain is not to drive for fly to it. In 2006 Americans made 59 MILLION visits to mountain resorts. At a conservative estimate of 200 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per trip, our winter sojourns caused close to 6 billion tons of emissions. Our airborne pollution is making evergreen trees more susceptible to disease and parasites, says Steve Barilotti in Loved to Death, adding another layer to the mountain drivers global warming contribution. Find a train, bus, shuttle or hybrid carpool. Almost anything beats taking your personal, gas guzzling SUV up to the slopes. The added benefit here is a no limit après ski party –bums and bunnies beware.

There are a few winter sports that make less of an imprint on the environment and still put a rose on the cheek and a sparkle in the eye. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in designated areas are a lift-free, nature-made snow alternative to downhill adventures. These sports are also much easier on the body for us aging skiers. If downhill is the only way you roll, there are several resorts that are taking big steps in the right direction.

Aspen Snowmass in Colorado and Jackson Hole in Wyoming have the most progressive environmental management programs in the United States, with clean energy, biodiesel vehicles and low-flow toilets, to name a few initiatives. They both have the International  ISO 14001 Certification, which has become the gold standard for green ski resorts. Expect to see more resorts with this certification in the near future, as mountains scramble to make environmental peace with their economic livelihoods.

There are so many resorts making green efforts, primarily in the area of clean energy, that we can’t mention them all here. One of my personal favorites, Sugar Bowl in Truckee, California is said to be the first resort to rely exclusively on wind power and several dozen have since followed suit.  Go to www.keepwintercool.org to find a list of ski resorts trying to do the right thing or ask about the environmental programs at your favorite destinations and choose the mountain doing the most.

On the equipment side, if you are not Sean White or Johnny Mosley, there is no need for the latest equipment. Try a ski swap before heading to the sports equipment superstores. Then rummage through the family chest – I’m dying to see all those stretch pants and one-piece ski suits back on the slopes.

When new gear is a must, there are a few manufacturers using sustainable materials and clean energy. Venture Snow Boards makes boards with certified wood in a wind powered facility and Liberty Skis bamboo skis with clean energy too. Nau and Patagonia are classic standouts in the sustainable winter sports wear category, but even some of the trendy brands, like Volcom and Holden Outerwear, have come out with green lines.