Ski Resorts Look to Cut Carbon Footprint

Mountaintop resorts (along with sea-level resorts that may go underwater) are among the industries most endangered by climate change. Many ski resorts understand the fragile nature of their business because of their dependency on snow and are doing something about it.

The Aros resort in Switzerland is pushing mass transit and asking travelers to offset the carbon they generate, including during the miles flown to get their. Part of the proceeds will be given to projects that tackle climate change.

East Coast resorts such as those in New Hampshire could be more at risk since many of them are at lower altitudes (below 5,000 feet) and will likely receive less snowfall during the coming years.

Time.com points out the irony:

In an unfortunate cycle, warmer winters mean less snow, and less real snow means that more artificial snow is made, which uses enormous amounts of energy and in turn exacerbates climate change.

In addition to the loss of snow on the slopes, climate change can accelerate the retreating glaciers that can wipe out the roads to the resorts.

Skiing can be a high carbon footprint sport since many participants must travel great distances. It only makes sense that ski enthusiasts as well as the resort operators take adjust their actions to protect the nature that they enjoy so much.