In recent times, there has been some debate about just how ecologically friendly the sport of skiing really is. While it is certainly true that most, if not all, skiers are fans of the great outdoors and would like to see it preserved, there is little doubt that some aspects of the ski industry are harming the environment.

Some of the main culprits are the ski resorts themselves. Due to global warming, many once-snowy mountains are becoming decidedly less so, and some resorts have begun to make their own snow just to stay in business. However, the process of making snow is, as you can imagine, not particularly eco friendly. In order to generate enough snow for just one hectare, a resort must use four thousand cubic metres of water and twenty five thousand kilowatts of electricity. While this helps to provide reliable snow in the short term, it is hastening the onset of global warming, which in the medium term will probably put paid to most of the snow-covered mountains that we ski on today.

While we cannot undo the damage that has already been done, there are a few things that skiers can do to reduce their environmental impact. The first, most obvious one is to make sure that you visit resorts that make little or no snow. As long as it remains economically viable to make snow, the resorts will continue to do it, but if customers turn their back on resorts that make lots of snow, this may force them to be more eco friendly in future. There are plenty of resorts in areas such as the French Alps that receive more than 400 inches of snow every year, and hardly ever have to make their own snow. You can get some great deals on ski holidays in the French Alps if you book online with a specialist firm such as Alpine Elements.

Also, whenever you are skiing, it is important to have some respect for your immediate environment. Cold weather ecosystems are particularly fragile, so you should do everything you can to protect them. Don’t drop litter on the trails, and avoid going off the designated trails to explore, as you may disturb the habitat of plants and wildlife without realising.