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Make A Difference
When You Travel
You may think, "What recreation could be more environmentally friendly
than winter sports? All I leave behind are my tracks in the snow."
It is true that the spectacular mountain terrain and unspoiled natural
surroundings are major attractions of winter snow sports.
In fact, winter sports and recreational tourism have very significant
negative environmental and cultural impacts.
At SkiEurope, we are concerned about these issues. We offer the following
information to inform you, to suggest how to minimize your impact, and
to let you know what we are doing.
- Environment Impact of Snow Sports
- Before You Go
- During Your Stay
- Shopping
- At Your Lodging
- On The Slopes
- After You Return
- At SkiEurope
Environment Impact of Snow
Sports
- In fact, winter sports and recreational tourism have very significant
negative environmental and cultural impacts. All these things disturb
the natural environment.
- Most downhill skiing takes place on prepared slopes. This involves
removing trees and grading the land into suitable runs. In addition,
pylons and structures for ski lifts must be installed.
- Due to global warming, snow has become less reliable at lower altitudes
and the use of artificial snowmaking has increased. Snowmaking is a
water- and energy-intensive process. In some cases, chemicals are added
to ensure the formation of snow crystals.
- Similarly, global warming is forcing ski areas to use higher altitudes
that are more ecologically sensitive, even glacier areas which are receding
due to warming.
- Litter carelessly tossed from lifts or dropped on ski runs does not
readily degrade. It takes five years for a cigarette butt to disintegrate.
- Wildlife is disturbed by the initial construction and nightly maintenance
of ski trails, and by the daytime skier population.
- Ski resort tourism does create a significant amount of seasonal employment.
However, much of this employment is in the form of low-skilled low-paying
jobs that exceed the size of the local workforce. As a result, there
is an influx of outside workers with the attendant challenges to housing
and social support.
- The cultural landscape of mountain villages is changed by absentee
ownership and part-time occupation of local properties and by a large
number of tourists.
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What You Can Do: You Can Make a Big Difference
Just by Doing a Few Small Things.
Before You Go
- Learn about ski destinations and their efforts to reduce effects
on the environment. Find out if they adhere to the National Ski Areas
Association Sustainable
Slopes Environment Charter (in North America) or are ISO
14001 accredited (Europe).
- Much of the enjoyment of travel is in the planning. Educate yourself
about the destination by studying the places and the local people through
travel articles and guidebooks.
- Consider learning the basics of the local language: this will enrich
your experience and be very welcomed by the locals. It may also help
you understand what you can do to minimize your impact on the local
environment.
- Plan to travel by train or bus. It is convenient and reduces emissions.
Most destination ski resorts do not require private transport within
the area..
- Consider cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing. They do not require
graded slopes and ski lifts, and have lower environmental impact. Avoid
heli-skiing and snowmobiling.
- Recycle travel brochures and collateral material printed from the
Internet.
- When packing your suitcase, recycle or dispose of unnecessary packaging
from clothing and toiletries to avoid leaving waste in the destination
you are visiting.
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During Your Stay
- Respect local traditions and customs. Ensure that your clothing and
behavior is appropriate.
- Ask if you can photograph the local people, as some cultures do not
favor that.
- Inform other travelers who are less knowledgeable about local traditions
and customs. Act as an example.
- Be careful about displaying wealth in front of people from less-affluent
countries.
- Be open to different ways of thinking, living and working. It is all
part of your vacation experience.
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Shopping
- Contribute to the local economy by using local transportation, guides,
lodging, restaurants and stores.
- Rather than mass-produced souvenirs, buy locally made products. Treat
yourself to local food and drink. It enhances your experience, gains
you respect, and benefits the local economy.
- Comply with international environmental regulations. about importing
certain materials and products.
- Do not purchase any animal or plant products while traveling especially
if they belong to endangered species.
- Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature.
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At Your Lodging
- Conserve water at your hotel by re-using linens and towels or changing
them only when necessary.
- Conserve energy at your lodging by turning off the lights when leaving
your room and keeping the heating or air conditioning to a minimum level.
- Reduce and recycle waste produced during your travel or skiing. Buy
products in bulk to avoid unnecessary packaging and purchase recycled
products when available.
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On The Slopes
- Follow the "Leave No Trace" principles of outdoor ethics
at ski areas.
- Dispose of your own waste properly. Never throw anything from a lift.
- If you see litter left on slopes by other skiers or snowboarders,
pick it up and dispose of it.
- Re-use trail maps instead of getting new ones every time you go skiing.
- Observe ski area boundaries and area closures. These are not only
for your safety, but for the well-being of plants and animals in sensitive
situations.
- Be quiet; let nature's sounds prevail.
- Respect other guests and protect the quality of their experience as
well as your own
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After You Return
- Continue your commitment to the protection and preservation of the
environment in your everyday life by acting responsibly and supporting
groups or organizations that are environmental-friendly.
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At SkiEurope
SkiEurope aims to be a leader among recreational travel providers
through managing our business in a way that demonstrates our commitment
to environmental protection while meeting the expectations of our guests.
- SkiEurope is a member of the National Ski Areas Association and supports
their Sustainable Slopes environmental initiative for ski areas. (See:
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes/.)
- SkiEurope endeavors to re-use and recycle our office supplies.
- SkiEurope has never printed an annual catalog with a large print run.
- In order to remove the need for printed brochures, SkiEurope has developed
a website that has comprehensive information about every major ski area
in North America and Europe.
- SkiEurope is active in a movement to convince national and local tourist
authorities to minimize the negative impact of extensive distribution
of printed materials by substituting online information.
Useful links:
Green
Resort Guide: a list that provides information about the eco-friendliness
of ski resorts.(Provided by the Ski Club of GB)
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