Winter sports getaways are one of the most popular types of holidays worldwide. Year after year, ski and snowboard enthusiasts flock to resorts across the planet to get their hit of adrenaline on the slopes. But now, there’s more to winter sports getaways than simply finding snow-sure resorts with brilliant aprés-ski scenes and invigorating runs.
Responsible travel is increasingly at the forefront of travellers’ minds when choosing trips and destinations. Defined as travelling to minimise your negative – and maximise positive – impact on the environment, communities, and wildlife in a destination, as many as 2 in 3 travellers plan to embrace more responsible travel plans, according to reports.
So, when it comes to ski getaways, how exactly does one have a responsible ski travel experience? In this guide, we’ve given you the low down on how to enjoy a responsible ski getaway, including the best places to visit and what to pack to be environmentally conscious on the slopes.
How to Choose a Responsible Ski Getaway
If you truly want to embrace a responsible ski getaway, there are several ways you can be more sustainably-minded in ski resorts worldwide. We’d highlighted some of these core ways below:
Book with Conscious Ski Operators:
Reflecting on the ski providers you’re booking with and what they’re doing to be more sustainable and eco-friendly can be the first step to having a more responsible ski experience.
More companies worldwide are working hard to find greener ways to ski and snowboard, playing their part in combatting climate change, and offering cleaner transport and accommodation options to consumers.
Stay in Environmentally-Friendly Ski Accommodations:
Choosing to rest your head after a long day of skiing in environmentally-friendly accommodations is a fantastic way to be more responsible, such as those with official green certifications like Green Globe and LEED.
Equally, looking at exactly what accommodations are offering is important. Have they stopped providing single-use items like miniature toiletries and individually wrapped breakfast items, instead switching to more environmentally-conscious alternatives? If so, this is a great sign. Be sure to play your part too by bringing any reusable items you know you’ll need on your trip to minimise waste and prevent you using single-use alternatives.
Find Ski Destinations You Can Reach in a More Environmentally-Friendly Way:
Think about exactly how you’re reaching your ski destination. If there’s a more environmentally-friendly alternative, see if you can make the switch to be responsible.
For example, if you normally drive to ski destinations with your partner, could you carpool if there are others you know will be visiting at the same time? Or, make use of ski train routes, like the Eurostar Snow Train, which runs from London, England to major ski destinations in the French Alps, for a more sustainable travel experience.
If you have no option but to fly, think about how you can offset the carbon emissions of your journey by booking with airlines which have good carbon offset programmes.
Credit: Adrian Michael – Own work
The Best Places for a Responsible Ski Getaway
For responsible travellers, there are particular ski resorts that stand out from the crowd for their dedication to the environment and sustainability. When you’re narrowing down your options, there are a wealth of different types of ski holidays to choose from.
You can choose to book your own self-catering accommodation, like an eco-friendly lodge, and flights separately, or if you value convenience, you can choose all-inclusive ski packages with SNO. Not only does this include all aspects of your ski trip from flights to accommodation and lift passes for maximum simplicity, but you can find a responsibly-focused holiday with SNO’s team of experts.
So, when it comes to the best ski resorts for responsible getaways, we’ve outlined a few top options:
Laax, Switzerland:
Laax Resort in Switzerland is entirely run with renewable energy. Set up by the Greenstyle Foundation, it aims to be the world’s first self-sufficient ski resort. Recycling efforts at the resort are impressive too, with bins located even on mountains to encourage travellers to protect the planet.
Flaine, France:
Flaine’s traffic-free resort in France minimises the need for transportation, making for a more responsible ski getaway with less pollution. Everywhere in the resort can be walked on foot, which is not only convenient but more environmentally-friendly. And, the area uses sustainable energy, with the neighbouring Grans Massif Area being the first ever to receive Green Globe Certification.
Jackson Hole, USA:
Jackson Hole is apparently one of the world’s most sustainable resorts. With plenty of green certifications and accolades, the resort offers everything from environmentally-friendly lighting and renewable energy to a well-implemented recycling programme.
Credit: Jon Sullivan, PD Photo. – PD Photo
The Best Things to Do on a Responsible Ski Getaway
If you’re planning a responsible ski getaway, there are several things you can do to be more green and clean. For one, you can try activities beyond just skiing and snowboarding that have a small carbon footprint, like snowshoeing or hiking in nearby mountain landscapes.
In some cases you can even volunteer at ski resorts to give back to and protect the local environment. These schemes allow you to learn about the environmental initiatives taking place and to take part in activities like planting trees and restoring wildlife habitats.
And don’t forget to choose local restaurants and eateries to support independent businesses during your holiday on the slopes. From grabbing a drink in a café to eating lunch at a restaurant, or even buying souvenirs to take home, choose local.
What to Pack for a Responsible Ski Getaway
While you’ll want to choose responsible ski destinations and experiences during your getaway, you might also consider shifting your focus to packing with the planet in mind.
For example, you’ll want to minimise waste if you’re trying to be more responsible, and try not to bring single-use plastics, like disposable water bottles, to resorts. Switch these for more environmentally-conscious items like a reusable water bottle or reusable utensils.
Additionally, when purchasing ski gear in the future, think about quality and durability over cost. While one ski jacket may be more expensive, its quality could be vastly better, meaning it could last the best part of a decade before it needs replacing, which minimises the waste you produce.
Here’s a handful of items you might want to consider switching to – or buying, if you really need it – for a more responsible ski holiday:
- Reusable water bottles – to reduce plastic waste
- A thermal travel mug – for hot drinks, to avoid disposable cups
- Biodegradable sunscreen – to wear on the slopes, without damaging the environment
- Sustainable material ski gear – made from renewable fabrics and recycled products
- A Ski repair kit – with sewing needles, thread, and duct tape, to extend the life of your gear
Summary
If you are taking the next step to be a responsible traveller, we hope this guide has served its purpose in helping you realise how you can make your holiday on the slopes more sustainable.