Jun 122017
 

Hi everyone,

The ski season officially opens this weekend. The keen skiing enthusiasts amongst us will be hoping for lots of snow and already thinking about heading off to do a bit of skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing. Some of us might even be thinking about a visit to simply check out the lovely snow covered scenery and no doubt many have already booked a trip.

If you’re planning to hit the slopes this year, please consider the environment while you’re there.  Here’s some tips to get you started:

  • Transport is probably the biggest environment impact of going to the snow – avoid flying if you can, catch a bus, train or car pool
  • Choose ski resorts close to home rather than overseas to reduce the transport miles
  • Carbon offset your travel
  • Use public transport to get to the slopes and use public transport or walk to get around the resorts
  • Choose skis and snowboards from companies that follow green principles and make products from sustainable resources such as bamboo
  • Look for eco-friendly ski gear and vegetable- based snowboard wax
  • Recycle / Donate your old equipment and ski gear
  • Don’t litter, use recycling bins where available and carry a rubbish bag around with you in case there’s no bins when you need them. You could even take that extra step and pick up litter you see.  Note: At high altitudes, orange peel takes up to 2 years to break down and cigarette butts up to 5 years
  • Respect out-of-bounds areas and stay outside  national parks whenever possible
  • Consider cross-country skiing or snow walking as these activities don’t need cleared, graded slopes, chairlifts etc.
  • Choose environment friendly resorts – check environment pages on resort web sites
  • Turn down the heat to 20 degrees and wear an extra jumper etc inside to keep nice and warm and turn off the heat when you go out
  • Switch off lights when leaving rooms and electrical appliances when not in use, just like you would at home
  • Take shorter showers (e.g. 4 mins max), turn down the hot water pressure and be frugal with water usage
  • Reuse towels when you can instead of getting fresh ones every day
  • Take your own refillable water bottles

Source: G magazine, Issue 12, July 2008, pg 57, www.gmagazine.com.au, How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding, treehugger, http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-skiing-snowboarding.html#tips

Practice green skiing tips when you next venture to the snowfields and do something good for our precious environment

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

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