Ski Tourism in the EU – is there a future?
According to Manu Broccard, we are starting to see up to 80% artificial snow in ski stations and resorts. Over the last years the question of whether or not ski tourism has a future in the EU and across the European continent has continued to gain traction within the travel industry. With the constant threat of the climate crisis, the major economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced large European ski resorts to shut their doors, and the fact that there are many negative effects on the environment, are making people reconsider the longevity of this sector.
The Factors
The major factor affecting ski tourism is the climate crisis. This comes in many forms. We can first look at it in the sense of what will the climate look like in the next 50 years? If global warming continues there will be no snow to ski on and any experienced skier knows that skiing on artificial snow just isn’t the same.
“Austrian mechanic, Karl Oberreiter, notes that there hasn’t been ‘a full ski season since the 1980s.’”
We can already predict that the ski season will last for shorter periods of time. Austrian mechanic, Karl Oberreiter, notes that there hasn’t been “a full ski season since the 1980s.” According to DW, Mr. Oberreiter’s “concerns echo across the heart of the Alps in Austria and in Switzerland.”
These worries are felt by mountains and ski resorts all across Europe, highlighting the extreme climate crisis we are currently in. With less snow than before, and warmer weather in the smaller ski towns in the valleys, this factor is extremely worrying to the locals that make their money on tourists coming in each winter. The reliance of local communities on ski tourism was made clear during the pandemic when the shut down of major ski resorts did not go unnoticed by them. Already we have a negative impact on the environment and the local communities – two main aspects of sustainability.
“If we want to make ski tourism sustainable then we need to deal with the crowds – large tourist groups and sustainable travel do not go hand in hand.”
We can also look at it in the sense that the amount of tourists crowding these resorts is a major threat to the environment. If we want to make ski tourism sustainable then we need to deal with the crowds – large tourist groups and sustainable travel do not go hand in hand. Already threatened by global warming, adding tourists to the mix creates a larger danger for mountain habitats. A study found that the construction of ski slopes changed the “physical, chemical, and biological properties” of soil while another discovered that stress levels in animals were highest around ski resorts.
With effects on the environment, local economy, and community, it is clear that ski tourism needs a change now and it needs it fast. If we want to keep this sector of tourism alive, we need to find solutions that will tackle the unsustainable practices of skiing and maintain the support it brings to the local communities surrounding the resorts and in the smaller ski towns.
The Solutions
What is the obvious solution to fixing the ski tourism industry? Sustainable measures. Bringing sustainable practices to this sector will deal with the negative environmental impacts, as well as help pump money into the local economies and communities.
The real question is, how do we implement sustainability into an industry that has been running successfully for years and has not been subjected to real change? We are already starting to see small shifts to sustainable practices and new trends emerging within the sector. If these are continued, we might just be able to ensure a bright future ahead for ski tourism in the EU.
Sustainable Practices
One of the most significant changes in the last few years is the growing usage of sustainable energy. Resorts have started to turn to solar power and wind turbines in order to power themselves in a clean and sustainable way. According to TreeHugger, carbon footprint reduction is becoming a crucial priority in the way these resorts run things.
This ties into green building initiatives where sustainable architecture is becoming the norm. So things like energy and waste management are being greatly improved – composting has become very popular! We are also seeing cool new innovations like making snow from recycled sewage water! Finally, we are seeing resorts starting to take care of their surrounding environments with better forest and wildlife management, and even information for guests to read through.
Different Tourism Patterns
Not only is the behavior of ski resorts changing – becoming more sustainable etc. – but so is that of the tourists themselves. While ski slopes were once extremely crowded, we are now starting to see a different type of skiing emerging. Taking backtrails, ungroomed slopes, and even hiking up the mountain to ski down again, is becoming increasingly popular. While the main ski slopes are still rather busy, if this trend continues, there will be less stress on grooming the trails and disturbing the wildlife. Moreover, less energy for chairlifts will be needed! These trends are giving hope to the future of ski tourism, making it a less commercial and more environmental experience.
We are also seeing a new angle emerge within the ski tourism sector – health tourism. This form of travel was greatly popular back when doctors would prescribe fresh air and a change of scenery to their patients. It is once again gaining traction with a large focus on the environment and the “great outdoors”. Tourists are starting to take the time to care for their surroundings and enjoy being in nature. This is a very positive form of tourism which should absolutely be encouraged by the ski tourism sector in order to ensure longevity to their trade.
Trading Large Resorts for More Intimate Settings
With the rise of Airbnbs and other smaller, cheaper, more sustainable options, large, unsustainable ski resorts may no longer be in the future of ski tourism. In order to keep the sector alive, encouraging locally-run, sustainable hotels is the way to go. Moreover, frequent skiers tend to want to spread out, ski in places that not many others go, and explore new slopes without damaging the environment.
Diversification
When we look at diversification, we look at two things: branching out into other seasons, and activities besides skiing. The first is important in order to stop the crowds from coming only in winter. If small ski towns diversify into the other seasons, there will hopefully be a steady flow of tourism so they are not merely relying on winter tourists. This is great to support the local community, relieve the winter stress on the environment, and manage crowds.
The diversification of activities is already starting to take off with resorts offering things like snow yoga, winter ziplining, mountain biking (in winter!), mountain roller coasters, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, horse riding, and even cross country skiing. With more activities, guests will have more options which will again relieve crowds on the slopes.
New Technology
We already discussed the importance of technology in the future of sustainable travel, so it is clear to us that one of the solutions to ensuring a future for ski tourism in the EU is technology. We have already seen a ton of new smart accessories and apps in the works for skiers in the future like smart helmets or goggles and sustainably made ski jackets and pants.
These technologies are great but what we are really excited about is virtual and augmented reality for skiing (check out our post on VR travel). Through VR we can sustainably bring the slopes to people all over the world while making sure we care for our environment and the local communities that rely on a ski tourism income.
The Future
The future of ski tourism in the EU can be bright if we decide to focus on making the green choice. With new technology, sustainable energy, and the diversification of the sector, there is so much potential to save the industry while saving our climate at the same time. The industry relies on the climate, so it must be their priority to do all they can to save it.
We might see a complete change of the industry, as we are already starting to see alternatives to big ski resorts and more sustainable resorts appearing. Just googling “sustainable ski resorts” will give you a multitude of responses in literal seconds. Although resorts and ski stations must play a large part in creating a more sustainable experience, the tourist can also play their own part in being aware of each choice and choosing the right way to travel, the right accommodation, and the right way to ski.
Written by Quinn Donovan
Photo by Parker Ulry