The glaciers are melting. That’s a well-known fact. Every conscious step towards clean, renewable energy counts to save our precious winter slopes against climate change. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a vacation. Instead of the newest ski resort, why not check out the winter resorts fighting climate change? These seven winter resorts are working on keeping snow on the slopes for future generations.
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1. Saas Fee, Switzerland
A quaint alpine paradise, Saas Fee boasts 300 days of sun, a Mediterranean climate, and skiing year-round. This traditional car-free village is full of charm – think cobblestoned alleys, cozy mountain restaurants, and centuries-old Valaisian wooden houses. The air is particularly fresh because it’s particle-free.
With filtered furnaces in every village and electricity from 100% renewable hydroelectric power — including railways and mountain lifts – this is one of the best winter resorts fighting climate change. Honored as an Energy Town in 2002 by Energie Schweiz, Saas Fee continues to thrill skiers and snowboarders with magnificent terrain and scenery with views of eighteen 4,000-metre peaks.
2. Palisades Tahoe (Formerly Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows), California
With two mountains, lake views, and over 6,000 acres of a winter wonderland featuring varied terrain, trees, and infamous snow, Palisades Tahoe is transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity. The first winter resort in the U.S. to commit to renewable energy at this scale, it will purchase electricity from a solar generation plant to reduce its total annual carbon footprint by 49 percent. Palisades Tahoe also banned the sale of single-use water bottles. News like this makes you want to jump off a kicker for joy.
3. Zermatt, Switzerland
This charming car-free alpine valley village is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. The resort has over two million visitors a year. And most ride up to its glaciers to ski or soak in the view, which offers a challenge to Zermatt to ensure that they don’t destroy the very thing that makes it so special.
Focusing on sustainability, Zermatt was certified ISO 14001 in 2013. And awarded the Revegetation Award to repair environmental damage, Zermatt is one of the best winter resorts fighting climate change. In addition, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Restaurant earned its MINERGIE-P® certification and won the European Solar Prize for design.
4. Kaprun, Austria
In the province of Salzburg, Kaprun has all the allure of a traditional Austrian ski village with a “guarantee” of snow on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Connected to its famous sister ski town of Zell am See, in a conscious cooperative effort to reduce pollution and preserve resources, the winter resort became ISO-certified and uses renewable energy for all lifts.
5. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Famous for massive snow parks and seemingly endless terrain, Aspen Snowmass wants you to Give a Flake about sustainability to save the snow. They’ve spent more time in Washington lobbying for climate change than any other ski resort. They’ve consistently reduced their energy consumption and actively participate in solving the climate crisis, while publishing sustainability reports year after year.
Why do they care? Because they know business as usual will put them out of business. Continued high temperatures, droughts, floods, and fires will be the demise of winter sports. Sustainability and being progressive go hand in hand as the resort celebrates 45 years of Aspen Ski Gay Week.
6. Vail Resorts, Colorado
Epic terrain, sun, and an impressive yearly snowfall are just the beginning for Vail Resorts, which in 2017 committed to an “Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint”. By 2030, it pledged to achieve zero net emissions, zero landfill waste, and zero net operating impact on surrounding forests and habitat. Vail Resorts operates 37 mountain resorts in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This massive commitment to sustainability will help preserve winter for generations to come.
7. Åre, Sweden
Åre, named Sweden’s best ski resort by the World Ski Awards, is a traditional mountain village that modernized with 100 percent renewable energy, including solar-powered lifts. Mikael Uusitalo, the founder of the adventure marketplace Thrillism, explains Sweden’s national commitment to sustainability.
He says, “For us, nature is our source of income. And for our guests, nature is their source of adventure… so these resources need to be managed carefully, and more travelers are asking for a sustainable destination.”
How You Can Save the Glaciers
1. Become a climate activist and support organizations like Protect Our Winters (POW), spearheaded by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones.
2. Take the “snow train” to the slopes rather than drive, and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint up to ninety percent. Many resorts in Europe, like Switzerland’s Verbier, offer train service just steps away from the gondola.
3. Buy sustainably made winter clothes, skis, and snowboards.
4. Speak up. Write letters to winter resorts and government officials demanding sustainability.
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