Winter is not what it used to be. While we dream of winter landscapes like in Elsa’s magical world, we now look at barren mountain slopes and snow cannons desperately trying to preserve a winter fantasy. Time for a reality check!
“There used to be more snow”
Yes, Uncle Charles, there used to be more tinsel.
And more snow…
One thing is clear: no snow, no winter tourism. The fact is, many ski areas are slowly but surely seeing their business model melt away. Studies show that the Alps are warming twice as fast as the global average. That’s why no effort (and no cost) is spared to artificially create a white winter dream.
Winer’s Little Helper
(Or: The True Cost of Manufacturing Winter)
Snow cannons have become so commonplace that we don’t even notice them on the sides of ski slopes anymore. What was originally intended to extend the season and smooth out a few bumps now, thanks to climate change, often enables a season at all – ending in unsightly images of a white strip cutting through a brown landscape.
Oh, how romantic…
The Coolest* Second-Hand Finds
*Are you cringing? So are we, but we couldn’t let that dad joke slip.
White Glory, White Lies?
Snow cannons are true water and energy guzzlers. Calculated across all Alpine ski areas, the electricity consumption of snow cannons is as high as the annual consumption of 500,000 households, and they consume about as much water as Hamburg does in an entire year.
Many rivers in the Alps now carry up to 70% less water than before the introduction of snow cannons
No Rest For the Wicked Animals
Freeriders invading their natural habitat & avalanche blastings are pure stress for alpine animals. Snow cannons & machines preparing the slopes is like sleeping next to a highway. Who wouldn’t want that?
And in case noise doesn’t disturb them enough floodlights to enable night skiing disturb the remaining nocturnal animals.
The Preparatory Mountain-Makeover
Before a ski slope can even be created, considerable work is needed. Trees must be cleared, slopes levelled, and sometimes even rivers redirected to create perfect skiing conditions. This compacts the ground so much that it can barely absorb water – imagine trying to squeeze water into a rock. The results? A cascade of problems including floods, mudslides, and debris flows. In winter, these altered slopes lack the protection that forests naturally provide.
Skiing, But Make It Sustainable
🎿 Stay on Track: Stay on the marked slopes. Makes the animals happy and is way safer for you.
💎 Alpine Pearls: These are 28 Alpine spots that are certified as sustainable and environmentally friendly.
🏔️ High Standards: Choose higher-altitude ski areas that ideally don’t need to rely on snow cannons.
💪🏼 Free Workout Anyone? Snowshoeing, ski-touring or cross-country skiing. Great workouts and save you the ski lift.
Getting There Greener
Make your winter escape count with one longer trip rather than multiple short ones. Hop on a train for a more-eco journey, and rent your gear to save $$ and space. Also, any place with winter tourism has a good ski-bus system figured out anyway, take it from an Austrian.
Winter won’t disappear, but it will look different. Maybe it’s time to reinvent our winter traditions. Instead of artificial snow and energy-consuming lifts, we could… dramatic pause …simply take winter as it comes?
Stay frosty,
the Faircado team 🧊
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