How do we make skiing more socially responsible?

How do we make skiing more socially responsible?

  

For years, skiing has been a popular way to get outdoors for anyone. Some people love the parking lot cookouts, the long chairlift talks, the epic bluebird days, or the fun first days of lessons and laughs. But with that fun comes consequences. Skiing has become less and less accessible for everyone. The cost of skiing continues to grow making it an exclusive sport. The effects skiing has on the environment are becoming greater as well. Nobody can be perfect, but how do we do our best? Today I will talk about ways we can personally be more sustainable on the slopes.

5 ways to ski sustainability 

• Support sustainable brands

• • Support companies like Patagonia, North Face, REI, Arcteryx and more
  • Many of these companies have second-hand shops online 
  • Second-hand shopping is the most sustainable way to shop

• Bring Reusable water bottles and tupperwares of snacks
  • Instead of using plastic water bottles opt for the more environmentally-friendly options of reusable water bottles such as a Hydro Flask
  • Bring your reusable tupperware for lunch time and snack time.

• Carpool or take the bus
  • Before the pandemic, the University of Oregon had a UO Snow Club that offered student bus transportation

• Leave no trash behind
  • The amount of trash found on mountains after ski season would horrify you
  • Always pack out your ski lift snacks — there are garbage cans everywhere
  • Trash harms the environment and animals

• Shop Local and utilize your gear
  • A few local ski shops in Eugene:
    • Berg’s
    • Eugene Ski Swap
    • Play it Again Sports

• Learn to backcountry ski

• • If you backcountry ski you should take an avalanche safety course
  • Backcountry skiing is an awesome way to get outside, exercise and reduce your carbon footprint
  • Backcountry skiing is completely human powered and you ditch the long lift lines

All outdoor sports have an impact on the environment. No action can be perfect, but it is our responsibility to strive to be the best version of ourselves. We have the capability to make the world a better place without actions.