How to ski greener

Good evening. One of the big pulls of skiing for those addicted to the mountain high is the unadulterated joy of being in freefall down a slope surrounded by magnificent scenery. There’s a weightless purity to it accompanied by a soundtrack of skis crunching over crisp snow. Except that this winter sport is not so pure after all. In recent years, booking a ski holiday with guaranteed snow has become something of a lottery due to global warming - predictions of snowfall have become increasingly patchy. And the ski industry plays its part - transport, ski lift infrastructure, accommodation, food and equipment all contribute to the eco-footprint of a skiing holiday. “The ski industry is waking up to the need for significant action,” says Dom Winter, head of programmes at the outdoor climate action charity Protect Our Winters (POW) UK. “The status quo is no longer an option.” In our report this week on how to ski greener, our writers look at what ski resorts across Europe are doing to address their carbon footprints - from converting snow groomers from diesel to synthetic renewable fuel, to installing solar ski lifts. But in terms of the overall carbon emissions of ski holidays, mode of transport dwarfs all other factors. And that’s become a challenge in recent years as rail options for skiers have decreased. “We urgently need more direct and regular routes running throughout the season – and more competitively priced tickets,” says Krissy Roe, senior sustainability manager at ski operator Inghams. With that in mind, our writers recommend 10 resorts across Europe that are making efforts to clean up their acts and are accessible by rail.