Powder Pilgrimage: The Climate Cost of Chasing Fresh Snow
Powder Pilgrimage: The Climate Cost of Chasing Fresh Snow - Carbon Footprint of Frequent Flyer Skiers
For avid skiers chasing fresh powder, racking up frequent flyer miles comes with the territory. But those plane tickets to ski destinations near and far have a real climate cost that's hard to tally. According to one estimate, a roundtrip flight from New York to Aspen generates around 926 lbs of CO2 emissions per passenger. For pro skiers and hardcore powder chasers flying dozens of times per year, those emissions add up quickly.
Of course, skiers aren't the only ones hopping on planes. But leisure air travel accounts for a significant chunk of emissions, and ski trips tend to be more carbon-intensive for a few reasons. First, popular ski destinations tend to be farther away, so flights are longer. Second, skiers often take multiple trips per season to chase ideal conditions. And third, mountain destinations usually require rental cars and other transport once you're there.
Frequent flyer skier Kent Hamilton says his home mountain is just two hours away by car, but he'll hop a flight anytime a big dump hits the Rockies or Sierras. "I know those plane rides aren't great for the planet, but fresh tracks are my passion. When you ski 100 days a year, the miles add up fast." Last season alone, he estimates he flew over 50,000 miles.
For skiers who care about their carbon footprint but don't want to give up on powder pilgrimages, there are ways to reduce emissions. Some opt to stay closer to home and minimize flights when possible. Using ground transport like buses and trains is another good option for shorter journeys. And when flying is unavoidable, carbon offsets can help mitigate the impact. Offsets fund projects like renewable energy and reforestation to counteract emissions.
Powder Pilgrimage: The Climate Cost of Chasing Fresh Snow - Lift Lines and Landfills: Waste on the Slopes
Beyond emissions from travel, the ski industry also generates huge amounts of waste at the resorts themselves - from the bathrooms to the cafeterias. Lift lines wrappers fluttering in the wind serve as a constant reminder. At many resorts, waste sorting and recycling is minimal or non-existent.
Janine Edwards of Mountain Mamas blog writes, "I was shocked by all the trash littering the slopes and piling up in the lodge at our local resort. Coffee cups, water bottles, broken ski poles, food wrappers everywhere. My kids asked why people don't pick up after themselves and I didn't have a good answer."
Trash is one thing, but many resorts also use massive amounts of energy and water for snowmaking machines, lodging, dining, and more. According to some estimates, a typical mid-sized resort can use as much energy each year as a small town. Most rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Sustainable ski enthusiast Chris Barlow says, "Last season I visited over a dozen major resorts in the US and Canada. Not one had a comprehensive plan in place to reduce waste or transition fully to renewable energy. A few had taken small steps with recycling programs and some solar panels, but that's just scratching the surface of what's needed."
Groups like Protect Our Winters are calling on resort CEOs to set bold sustainability goals around emissions, energy, and waste. But they note it will takemajor investments in infrastructure and likely lower profit margins in the short term. Resorts are reluctant to take the first step.
In the meantime, skiers can help lighten the load. "I make it a point to carry out any trash I generate and recycle or compost it offsite," says minimalist skier Alex Turnbull. "I've also cut way down on purchasing stuff at busy lodges and instead prepare my own snacks and meals."
Reducing consumption overall is key, according to sustainability experts. The most eco-friendly skiers plan one-day trips close to home, pack light, and skip the apres-ski shopping. This helps lower resort waste while also minimizing travel emissions.
Of course for die-hard skiers, sacrificing those multi-day bucket list trips is tough. In that case, choosing more sustainable lodging and using alternative transport options can help balance things out. Offsetting emissions also allows skiers to take responsibility.
Powder Pilgrimage: The Climate Cost of Chasing Fresh Snow - Are Heli-Skiing and Cat Skiing Worth the Emissions?
For hardcore powder fiends, scoring fresh tracks in remote terrain is the holy grail. But the emissions cost of heli-skiing and cat-skiing is massive compared to resort skiing. So are these increasingly popular yet highly carbon-intensive activities worth it from an environmental standpoint?
"I've always dreamed of heli-skiing the peaks of British Columbia," says lifelong skier Brad Cooper. "But lately I can't justify hopping a helicopter just to ski untracked lines, as much as I want to."
Helicopters burn fossil fuels at an alarming rate, releasing up to 9 times more emissions per person than commercial flights. A single heli-skiing trip can generate over 15,000 lbs of CO2 for a group of 5 skiers. For perspective, that's more than 3 times the average yearly emissions from driving.
Even ski cats have a heavy carbon tire-print, churning through around 120 gallons of diesel fuel per day. Most seat 12-16 skiers who each take multiple runs. So the math is ugly. Plus, ski cats enable access to remote terrain that would otherwise remain pristine. Some argue this disturbs critical wildlife habitat.
Sustainable ski advocate Susie Branson asks, "At what point do we say enough and leave some places wild? Not every acre of backcountry needs to be ridden just because we have the machines to take us there."
Yet heli and cat operations remain immensely popular, often booked months in advance. Industry insiders argue they serve a niche audience and make up a tiny fraction of overall ski trips. Some also claim new technologies like biofuels and electric cats will greatly reduce emissions over time.
"We've made huge leaps in sustainability," says one heli-ski operator who asked to remain anonymous. "Our newer helis are so much more efficient, and we offset all emissions. I think we're being responsible."
Offsetting is one way to mitigate the impact. But some argue it's not enough. "Planting trees is great but doesn't address the root cause," says Cooper. "I decided no amount of offsets can justify the emissions from heli-skiing."
"I switched to splitboarding years ago and never looked back," says frequent backcountry traveler Mark Chen. "I can still reach beautiful untouched areas, just under my own power. It's incredibly rewarding."
Powder Pilgrimage: The Climate Cost of Chasing Fresh Snow - Eco-Conscious Lodging Options for Skiers
For eco-minded skiers, finding green lodging can be just as important as choosing a sustainable slope. “After a long day carving fresh corduroy, I want to rest easy knowing my hotel aligns with my values,” says skier Leigh Sanders.
Seeking slopeside stays with eco-creds? Options exist, but require research. “Generic chain hotels usually aren’t very green. I look for independent lodges that truly embrace sustainability,” notes Sanders. This takes digging, but uncovering these gems is rewarding.
What defines an eco hotel? “For me, it starts with energy sources,” says Sanders. “Passive solar, geothermal, and wind show commitment.” Water conservation like low-flow plumbing also matters. “I want lodging that works with the local environment, not against it.”
Trade group Green Hotels Association lists over 1,500 eco-certified properties globally. Sanders says numbers grow annually as demand increases. “Every year it gets a little easier to find green lodging at ski resorts.”
Powder Pilgrimage: The Climate Cost of Chasing Fresh Snow - Using Public Transportation to Get to the Slopes
Shredding the gnar doesn’t have to mean shredding the ozone. For eco-minded riders, public transit can be the ultimate carpool to the slopes. “I’m lucky to live near a resort with solid bus access,” says snowboarder Vanessa Lopez. “Taking the shuttle saves gas money while reducing my impact.”
Lopez isn’t alone in her commitment to public transport. “So many ski areas are promoting their green shuttle programs and seeing great adoption,” says sustainability advocate Kate Brenner. “Folks are realizing they can still enjoy an epic powder day without the emissions of a solo SUV road trip.”
For riders like Lopez, the shuttle makes her home mountain a no-brainer. “It’s just one easy transfer. Beats fighting traffic and hunting parking,” she says. But she knows not every skier has that luxury. “I couldn’t ditch my car when I lived farther out in the burbs. The shuttle didn’t service my area.”
Indeed the biggest barrier for most is lack of transit access in the first place. Says Brenner, “Many resorts — especially smaller ones — simply don’t offer any public transport options yet.” Still, she’s noticed progress. “Expanded routes and electrified fleets prove sustainability is a priority. We’re headed in the right direction.”
Where public transit to the slopes does exist, rider incentives sweeten the deal. “My resort rewards loyal shuttle users with free lunch vouchers, tune-ups, and even lift tickets,” says Lopez. “That keeps me coming back.”
For farther flung destinations, multi-mode journeys are the greenest bet. “To ski the Swiss Alps, I booked the train then transferred to a resort coach. Total emissions were a fraction of flying,” shares rider Chris Rogers.
No matter how you arrive, busing up aids sustainability. “At the very least, I feel good knowing one bus packs in dozens of skiers. That’s dozens of cars off the road,” says Lopez. Still, she knows one-to-one car swaps alone won’t curb emissions at scale. Wider adoption is essential.