One of the most bizarre things I've seen around the world was a ski slope in Dubai. Yes, a ski slope in one of the hottest places on the planet. You might ask how? The answer is simple: it was inside a gigantic mall using artificial snow and a buck load of air-con. This is a very extreme example of how skiing is often environmentally unfriendly. And it's not just artificial skiing that's providing examples of this. But as fate would have it, it's starting to emerge that skiing is already suffering under the effects of climate change. Luckily for snow bunnies, there is a simple answer and unlike many other things, this can all be easily fixed. Let's explore!
Why Is Skiing Often Unsustainable?
First things first, let's delve in deeper as to why skiing is often bad for the environment:
Habitat Destruction
Believe it or not, ski slopes and the resorts that go with them don't grow on trees - or mountains for that matter. Even though the general slope and snow tends to be there, trees tend to be there too and they are quickly removed to make space for the skiers, which destroys wildlife habitats. So please remember: constructing resorts and ski lifts generally goes hand in hand with deforestation and soil erosion.
Energy Use and Water Consumption
Ski resorts need a lot of electricity to run - think ski lifts, resort infrastructure and even snow-making machines. Even if this energy comes from renewable sources (which it more than often doesn't), there are many that argue that renewable energy would be better used building something more essential - for example, hospitals. When it comes to skiing and water consumption, the water is usually drawn from local ecosystems, which is unfair and puts a strain on these resources, especially in places where water is already a scarcity. Like with energy, it begs the question - why use water on a non-necessity when there are creatures, trees and humans that are thirsty?
Tourist Footprint
Unfortunately, there is often a lot of not-so-eco-friendly travel involved in ski tourism and it's mostly done by car and plane. This contributes to carbon emissions and, as this is a non-essential activity, could be considered reckless and wasteful.
Artificial snow and snow-making machines
If you're anything like me (under-educated) you might not know the difference between snow-making machines and artificial snow. I thought that artificial snow was made of polystyrene - the stuff of bad Hallmark movies and that snow-making machines made, well, snow. Actually, it turns out that snow-making machines make artificial snow, not the hallmark fake snow, but snow created by forcing water droplets to freeze.
It's denser than natural snow and doesn't have that unique snowflake quality that natural snowflakes all have. Whilst I'm happy to hear that ski resorts and Dubai malls aren't supplementing with fake hallmark snow, I'm unhappy to hear that snow-making machines and hence the artificial snow they make are very environmentally concerning - here are the reasons why:
- Water use: Snow-making requires large volumes of water, which can deplete local water supplies.
- Energy consumption: It relies on energy-intensive machinery, contributing to carbon emissions unless powered by renewable energy.
- Additives: Chemical additives, if used, can potentially pollute local ecosystems or water sources.
- Ecosystem impact: Artificial snow is denser, which means it melts more slowly. This can delay the natural growing season for plants and disrupt local wildlife.
Why Climate Change Is Damaging Skiing
In a turn of events, in many places skiing is already feeling the effects of climate change - namely that global warming has reduced snow availability. Many ski resorts, particularly the ones in lower altitudes have been forced to closed because of a lack of snowfall. Assuming we want to do away with artificial snow (see above for why we do), no snow means no skiing - or does it?
And How Skiing Can Be Made Sustainable, Again
It might sound like a simple solution, but it's looking like Dry Slope Skiing might be the answer.
What is dry slope skiing?
Dry slope skiing is basically what is sounds like - all the skiing, none of the snow. Invented in the late 1920s in Austria, it looks like it's having a comeback - albeit with very different materials. Using our special futurist technologies, we can now use synthetic surfaces to mimic hard-packed snow. So long as the synthetics are zero-carbon footprint sourced, there seems to be nothing but positives here. Even snow bunnies - who I guess will become slope bunnies - will be happy because their skiing skills will get a chance to be improved thanks to dry slope skiing being more technically demanding.
Other things you can do as a visitor
Although I'm a big advocate that it should mainly be on the companies to fix their practices, I do also believe that demand has an effect on supply and hence you might as well do the things that you can do to make skiing more sustainable:
- Ski locally: if you can travel there by train or bus or even carpool, it's so much better than flying. If you can only get there by flying, ask yourself whether you really need to be a skier. Maybe surfing is more suitable where you live!
- Opt for eco-certified ski resorts: these might cost more, but not to the planet;
- Buy second-hand gear or opt for renting your skiing gear;
- Respect local cultures and ecosystems!
Conclusion
Skiing is an exhilarating sport that connects people with the beauty of winter landscapes, but its environmental cost cannot be ignored. From deforestation and energy use to water consumption and the carbon footprint of travel, the industry faces significant challenges. The irony of skiing’s impact on climate change while simultaneously being threatened by it underscores the urgent need for change. Fortunately, solutions like dry slope skiing, eco-certified resorts and conscious visitor behaviour offer a path forward. By embracing these alternatives, we can ensure that the joy of skiing doesn’t come at the expense of our planet.
Whether you’re a snow bunny or a slope enthusiast, we all have a role to play in preserving the natural beauty that makes skiing so magical. It’s time to think beyond the slopes and carve a more sustainable future! (Photos by Markos Mant and Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash)
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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