The environmental consideration of wintersports

According to United Nations and European Environmental Agency studies, there are no other mountains on earth that are being affected by global warming as severely as Europe's Alps.

They say, "Climate change is a severe threat to snow related sports. Lower earnings in winter tourism will reinforce economic disparities between urban areas and the less developed alpine regions. Additionally, the ski tourism industry will 'climb' up the mountains to reach snow reliable areas at high altitude. This process will lead to a concentration of winter sport activities, and will put further pressure on the sensitive environment of the high mountains." From the UN Environment Program Conference on Sport and Environment, 2003:

Werner Schmultz of the World Radiation Centre in Switzerland, says of a resort close to the heart of the British Royal Family, "We don't expect to have snow in low lying resorts such as Klosters for more than the next 10 years,"

In July 2006 Swiss researchers from the University of Zurich concluded that the Alps will lose 80 percent of their glaciers by the end of the century. That's at a scenario of an average temperature rise of 3 C.
The higher estimates of a 5 C rise could result in the disappearance of all Alpine glaciers.

More information about ski resorts, glaciers and global warming issues www.saveoursnow.com

Direct and Indirect impact of skiing and the environment

The huge expansion of ski resorts since the 1970s has had numerous effects on mountain;

* water levels of lakes and streams

* damaged mountain wildlife through the destruction of habitat

* noise and pollution in addition to affecting annual climate conditions.

The increasing popularity of skiing and development of the ski industry has created a demand for larger accommodation blocks to be built in the popular resorts. With limited space for new aparments and chalets on the valley floor, this forces more erosion of the surrounding hillsides in order to fulfil accomodation demands. In order to keep up with the tourist demand for the sport, resorts are under pressure to build more lifts with a faster and higher skier capacity. The improvement in resort facilities ultimately leads to an increase in the number of individuals visting the resort which in turn creates pressure to improve transport links to these resorts and so the cycle continues. The indirect cost of this increase in human wealth and enjoyment is that of the mountain and its environmental condition. The damage and environmental changes which are being brought upon them by humankind is hard to repair. Implications of these changes on the alpine environment can be seen by the following changes in recent years.

* poor snow records

* receding glaciers

* unusual weather patterns

Pistehors.com recently reported that, average seasonal temperatures across France have risen by 1C, with temperatures rising up to 3C during winter at an altitude of 1800 meters in the French Alps. Further, they say that the high temperatures experienced during the summer of 2002 caused some recession of some European glaciers by up to 10%, causing fears in climate specialists that the Swiss glaciers may melt away within as little as 50 years.

The issues of global warming here

As pressure mounts on the ski companies to build higher into the mountains to reach snow reliable areas, sensitive high mountainous environment then become ultimately affected. The increases in global temperatures will have a serious implication for the many ski resorts located at lower altitudes.

Snow cannons environmentally sound ?

European resorts have experienced a decrease in rainfall during the last three years which has led to some resorts having to regulate their water supply to conserve supplies. The reduction in the volume of snowfall across the Alps in recent years has led to an increase in the use of artificially created snow in many resorts. These cannons spray water at great pressure into sufficiently cold air which then falls as snow on the ground. The long-term environmental impact of this at the present time is uncertain. It is clear however that the manufacture of artificial snow is costly in terms of energy and quantities of water needed.

There is also a suggestion that chemicals used in the production affects natural vegetation. As melt water comes off the slopes, chemicals used in the production of snow potentially find their way into rivers that supply drinking water for the resort.
Ski Press World has reported that low lying resorts like Les Gets (1172m) are spending up to €300,000 searching for additional water supplies in an effort to meet an increase in demands for resort expansion.

What can you do to ensure you're an environmentally friendly skier/snowboarder?
There are a few environmentally friendly steps can you take next time you’re on your skiing holiday:

•Be aware of your environmental impact as skiers and boarders. Educate yourself about your environmental impact on the mountains, and what you can do to minimise it. Avoid low lying resorts that rely on artificial snow. A number of ski resorts which lie below 1800 metres tend to use artificial snow cannons because of poor snow conditions.

• Don't take short cuts through areas of young trees and avoid damaging shoots. Be aware of its environmental impact, especially where resorts back onto National park or heritage sites/conservation areas.

• Do not leave litter on the slopes. When the snow melts at then end of the season, litter left behind by skiers and boarders will still be there. Bin it or take it home with you. Did you know it takes up to two years for an orange peel skin to be absorbed by the earth; and a cigarette butt takes up to five years! If you find litter on the slopes, be responsible and do the right thing - pick it up!

• Don't smoke on the mountain. If you must smoke, do it where you can dispose properly of your cigarette butt.

• Use public transport not your own car to travel to your resort. When you fly or drive your carbon dioxide emissions add to global warming. Why not try alternatives such as the Eurostar or Snowtrain to get you to resort.

• Go on holiday with a company who promote environmentally conscious practices and who are positively demonstrating their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment.

You can show care for the future of the mountains by supporting their cause, and by buying a RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN green wristband. Each of the wristbands costs £2, and can be obtained online by visiting Ski Club of Great Britain. here
(All profits from the sale goes towards a tree planting scheme and research project.)