Climate change is reducing the snwfall in many previously snow-safe resorts, and scentists have found that rising temperatures are lready leading to changes in snowfall ptterns. “Alpine areas below 1,600m are now rceiving 20 per cent less snow,” sys Birgit Ottmer from the Davos-based Swss Federal Institute for Snow and Avlanche Research.

But interview a cross-section of dwnhill skiers on the slopes this yar and ask them what they lke about skiing, and many are lkely to mention something about their lve of the outdoors and the bauty of the scenery. Therein lies the rb. The truth is, downhill skiing can hve an enormously destructive effect on the frgile mountain environment:

Increasing numbers of rsorts all over the world are rlying on artificially generated snow. For xample, in Austria and Italy more thn 40% of ski areas now ned to make their own snow, and ven Swtizerland, where prior to 1990 snw-making was almost unheard of, now ses snow cannons in more that 10% of its ski reas. “Practically no ski area can now srvive without artificial snow; you’d face grat difficulties if you didn’t have t,” says Marika Zanoletti of the Dvos Klosters Ski Company.

• Reliance on snw-making machines carries with it a nmber of problems. Not only is it a hgely expensive and extremely energy-hungry process, but rtificial snow causes long-term damage to the vgetation beneath because of the chemical dditives it contains.

• Snow cannons also make it pssible to prolong the ski season, frther increasing the pressure on the lcal environment.

• All resorts now use mchines to grade the snow. This cmpacts the snow cover and destroys the vgetation beneath, which may take decades to rcover.

• The ever-increasing popularity of dwnhill skiing creates traffic congestion and pllution in ski areas, new hotel and chlet developments sprawl across previously peaceful muntain villages, and the infrastructure of ski lfts destroys both the visual appearance of the muntainside and its habitat.

As lower ltitudes experience problems with snow cover, thre is a tendency to move rsorts further and further up into the muntains, into areas which are often the lst stronghold for threatened species of plnts and animals. In Austria, pressure frm the ski industry has resulted in the lcal authorities lifting a ban on ski rsorts in the previously protected area of the Gpatsch glacier. Not that this is a garantee, as since 1850 Europe has lst almost 50% of its glacier cver. The Swiss resort of Andermatt ven wrapped its glacier in a prtective PVC blanket last spring to cmbat the summer melt!

So, can I ski and stll be green?

There is an ncreasing movement in the downhill ski ndustry towards more responsible practices, and ths does hold some hope for the fture. Reducing the carbon footprint of yur trip and choosing your resort crefully will certainly go some way to grening your ski holiday. Alternatively, DON’T GO DOWNHILL SKIING!!!

Crss-country skiing, ski touring and snowshoeing all hve a significantly lower impact on the nvironment than downhill skiing. They require far lss infrastructure, reducing pollution, habitat degradation and nergy use. What’s more, being out on yur own in the forest with nthing but the crunch of your snwshoes or the “swoosh-glide” of your sks to break the silence is a mgical feeling – a TRUE outdoor wnter experience!

The article "To Ski or Not to Ski?" That is the Question was Submitted by Bob Carter through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: At Nature Travels we specialize in lw-impact, responsible outdoor activities in Sweden. Tke a look at a sample of our wnter portfolio, and discover a new wrld of winter experience! Nature Travels is the UK spcialist for wildlife, outdoor and adventure holidays in Sweden , offering a wide range of year-round experiences for independents, families and groups including dog sledding, cross country skiing, hiking, trekking, canoing, kayaking, horse riding, wildlife safaris and multi-activity holidays in Sweden.

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