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Skiing is the time-honored tradition of descending a hill at breakneck speeds while standing on two planks. The sport is over 4500 years old. The ancients didn't ski for pleasure or to meet hot snow bunnies. They just did it to get around in the snow. In the 1700's, some near-fjord-living Norwegians popularized it as a leisure activity. You'd think an activity this old would be green, but that is not the case. A lot of modern skiing niceties—artificial snow and ski lifts for example—aren't that eco-friendly. How can one ski and still remain faithful to the environment?
- Visit only environmental charter ski resorts
Choose to ski resorts who are taking part in the National Ski Areas Association's Sustainable Slope: Environmental Charter for Ski Areas. The ski resorts who have subscribed to this charter have done so by making investments in green power and purchasing carbon offsets. If you're thinking of taking a trip down the slopes, don't do it unless the resort has gone green. - Don't ski on artificial snow
Artificial snow taxes the water supply. It takes about 90 million cubic meters of water to put snow on a mountain for a season. That's as much water as 1.5 million people use in a year. Wait until it actually snows to go skiing. - Consider taking up cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
Downhill skiing is the biggest eco-offender, because it involves travel to a mountain, fake snow and ski lifts. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be done locally with real snow and without a mountain. - Take the train to the mountaintop
It is true that trains take longer to get to their destination than planes, but they don't burn as much fuel. Taking a train to the mountain will save on travel emissions. - Stay on the slopes
Skiing might bring you close to the wilderness, but the wilderness is home to plants and animals. The ski slopes have been set aside for skiing. Don't go plowing through virgin territory. You could destroy snow-covered plants and disrupt the habitats of mountain animals.
Read more about green travel:
Plan a Romantic Fall Getaway to an Eco-Friendly Spot
Travel Guilt-Free Through Green Volunteerism
Green City Guide: Copenhagen
G Word Video: Green My Slopes
