Climate change is the single biggest threat facing skiers and the skiing industry.
The ski season is shortening in many resorts around the globe and while loads of them are investing in more sustainable infrastructure to try and help the situation, we all need to do our part to help make skiing more sustainable.
Most of our groups already choose to travel to their ski resorts by coach, which is a great way to make a ski trip more sustainable. Here are a few more (easy) tips for your next trip:
Bring a Collapsible Water Bottle
Easy to fill up and stashable (just chuck it in your backpack) – collapsible water bottles are one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste on the slopes and make sure your group stays properly hydrated.
Support Sustainable Brands
Many outdoor brands are realising the importance of producing more sustainable clothing, whether that’s sourcing recyclable materials, prioritising durability or even encouraging customers to refurbish and recycle products rather than buying new each time.
You could make a real difference just by looking out for those brands who actively work to decrease their carbon footprint (like Patagonia and The North Face).
And while buying new from these brands can sometimes work out to be quite expensive, there are a number of other ways to support their efforts, like renting, buying second hand or taking advantage of their recycling initiatives.
Rent Your Gear
For the kids, the most sustainable option for them when it comes to getting kitted out is almost certainly renting.
For one thing, they’ll still be growing, so it’s likely to be more cost-effective for parents to rent their gear than buy it and have to replace it each year as they grow out of it.
Renting is also a great option for first-time skiers, as it means they can try different styles before committing.
Maximise Gear Life
Got a rip or tear? In a world dominated by fast fashion, your first instinct may be to throw it out and replace with something new. But consider patching or mending items where you can first.
Some companies (like Patagonia and The North Face) will recycle your gear for you through their respective ‘Worn Wear’ and ‘The North Face Renewed’ initiatives.
And if you really do need to get rid of your gear, remember that you can donate your used gear to charity shops or second-hand shops to extend its life and reduce its carbon footprint.
Buy Pre-Worn Gear
Buying second-hand ski clothing and equipment is a more sustainable option than just buying new.
Getting your gear through a peer-to-peer marketplace (like Whoski) won’t just save you money, it’ll also help to keep those items out of landfill.
And this is a really great option for growing kids, because once they’ve outgrown the clothes you can just sell the items on again.
Shop Local
One of the golden rules of sustainability is shopping local.
By shopping local, you cut down on the carbon emissions caused by shipping items globally, so it really is a great option. And you’ll be boosting the local economy too (win-win).
Travel by Coach
Probably one of the biggest differences you can make when it comes to making your school ski trip more sustainable is travelling by coach if you’re skiing in Europe (as many of our groups already do).
It could make your trip a bit easier too, as the coach will carry you from door to door (whereas if you fly, you’ll probably also need a coach transfer to the resort). And you’ll be able to use the coach in-resort to take you to and from après-ski activities.
Recycle Your Rubbish
We don’t need to tell you that leaving behind your waste harms the environment and ruins other skiers’ experience of the slopes, but it’s certainly worth reminding your group of this.
Make sure they know they should always take rubbish back with them and recycle what they can.
And keep an eye out for zero-waste and plastic-free snacks and drinks as well.
Visit Sustainable/Green Resorts
Look for resorts actively trying to minimise their environmental impact and use renewable energy.
More and more resorts are focusing on their environmental impact each year. In fact, if you take a look at our 'what’s new' blog, you’ll see how many are investing in renovating their infrastructures to switch to renewable energy and greater sustainability.
And in France, you can look out for the Flocon Vert label, which is awarded to resorts that are committed to sustainable development in the mountains.
Choose Chemical-Free Wax
If you’ve got a group of experienced skiers (or you’re joining us for ISSC), you might want to use ski wax, which maximises speed and performance on the slopes.
And that’s great, but just be aware that many waxes contain harsh chemicals that seep into the snow and eventually make their way into the waterways. This can damage wildlife and vegetation (which is obviously terrible news for the environment).
The good news is that there are plenty of eco-friendly waxes available now, so keep your eyes peeled for those instead.
Turn Down the Thermostat
Once you get back to the hotel after a day of skiing, you’re obviously going to want to whack the heating on to warm up.
And we’re not saying that you shouldn’t do that (obviously, it’s really important to stay warm). But if you can pop another layer on and turn the thermostat down a degree or two, you’ll really be doing your bit to help the environment.
Got any more tips to share with other Group Leaders?
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