Skiing has a bad reputation. Once considered a gentlemen’s leisure pursuit, the region has now become more of a home for ski bums and rabbits. There’s no denying that this is a niche sport and seriously lacks diversity. This is also a big-money industry driven by bottom lines, where drunkenness plays a major role, never mind reckless behavior on and off the slopes. Add in debate questions on sustainability, highlighted by images of rapidly melting glaciers and white strips of runway on brown fields, and it becomes a stacked list for the prosecution.
Ask passionate skiers and snowboarders to defend their passion; They will say that nothing can surpass it. So how can enthusiasts clean up their act and become proper ambassadors of snow sports? Here’s how to combat the most common bad habits, dispel misconceptions, and become a stand-up citizen on the slopes.
1. ‘Skiers don’t follow any rules’
Do you know the track rules? Did you even know they existed? Amie Henderson from the Morzine-based Piste
Know your right of way; Look before you slide. Respect the runway markings. Japan and America are much better at inspecting the tracks and enforcing the rules; careless skiers can wave goodbye to their lift passes. This is something Henderson campaigned on; behavior at the track “is out of control this winter”. From where? “An exciting return to the mountains after Covid-19 travel restrictions or perhaps difficult snow conditions this winter,” he ventures. “Watch the videos, learn the rules, and the mountains should remain a fun and safe place for families, groups, and everyone.”
How to break this habit
Keep up with the rules. Check out the FIS guidelines and visit Piste X Code which offers great learning resources for kids.
2. Improve your technique
The high cost prevents many people from taking lessons from a professional. Moreover, piste maintenance and technology have improved so much that there is much less need for technical skiing; Skis longer than two meters and (fortunately) giant perennial skis are a thing of the past.
But having better technique is something we should all strive for, regardless of our level. “It’s important to take a lesson every vacation to identify and correct any bad habits that arise,” says Mike Richards, an independent ski instructor based in Hokkaido, Japan. “And this is the safest and fastest way to feel the joy of moving around the mountain in control. Include the cost of a lesson or two in your holiday, such as a ski rental or lift ticket. Remember, smaller resorts tend to offer cheaper tuition fees.”
How to break this habit
Local ski schools are your first port of call, but if you’re short on time or money, consider booking platforms such as Maison Sport or Ski Bro. They work a bit like dating apps; Pre-select your instructor to arrange private lessons to suit your timings, group size and budget.
3. ‘You have all the equipment but no idea’
Do you really need to have all this kit if you ski once a year or less? It is expensive, cumbersome to store, and unnecessary. EcoSki estimates that a ski jacket has a carbon cost of 72.7 kg CO2-eq, uses 2.08 m3 of fresh water and 992 MJ of primary energy in production (about the same energy required to run a fridge/freezer for a year). When it inevitably reaches landfill, the same jacket can take up to 500 years to break down.
Most holidaymakers rent their skis, snowboards or boots; So why not the rest? This is a growing trend and is ideal for growing children, ensuring quality clothing stays in circulation for longer, at a fraction of the cost.
How to break this habit
EcoSki is a clothing rental company that stocks high-performance ski clothing from major brands. Rent everything from helmets, goggles and gloves to jackets, backpacks and avalanche safety kit. Additionally, EcoSki lists cleaning (in an eco-friendly Ozone chamber), repairs, and waterproofing.
If you buy it, make it a wise purchase. Arc’teryx is a leader in sustainable ski clothing. ReCARE tips are invaluable in extending the life of technical ski kit, and this month Arc’teryx is opening its first service center in Europe in Covent Garden, offering free maintenance and repair on existing equipment.
4. ‘You to think you’re an influencer’
Social media is making the mountains much more accessible, with drone and GoPro technology being used to capture the extreme lines used by the pros, showing us what (and sometimes exactly where) will excite adventurous skiers.
This easily accessible content risks normalizing the extremes of these situations and driving ski enthusiasts deeper into the backcountry. The “no-fall zone” – sections where mistakes due to rocks, cliffs and steepness can have serious consequences – is well documented and no joke, but gravity can pass through the lens and fool amateurs into thinking they can handle the terrain. .
How to break this habit
Remember your mind and know your limits. As the locals say, “The mountain always wins” and we are not there to conquer the mountains, but to enjoy them. If you’re looking for adventure or the best selfie, ski with a guide who knows the terrain and understands the conditions. They change from day to day, year to year, so remember that even well-known slopes can surprise you.
5. ‘Skiers are drunk and disorderly’
Experts estimate that accidents in ski resorts mostly occur off-piste. Table dancing in ski boots, pisteside Jägerbombs at 1,500m (increasing altitude), champagne spraying at the Folie Douce – when winter reaches its peak, social media is awash with the antics of drunken (admit it) Brits on the slopes.
Despite popular perception, these scenes do not represent the masses or the future; A recent survey shows nine in 10 Brits don’t enjoy après-ski as much as they used to. While après is still a big part of skiing, things look a little different these days, with resorts offering much more than just skis and schnapps. Even the biggest party centers (Ischgl or Mayrhofen) are trying to change their reputation and attract family crowds.
How to break this habit
Sledding, zip lining, biking, and snowshoeing are now quite common in the winter mountains; Relaxing in spas and (local) wine tasting are as popular as traditional après-ski. Try something new this winter.
6. ‘You are killing the mountains you care about so much’
The hypocritical skiers were all called that; How dare we complain about shorter, warmer winters when we are the ones building ski lifts and catching flights to ride them. Worried about the impact your carbon footprint will have on your favorite ski holidays? All is not lost.
How to break this habit
The easiest way to make a big change is to consider getting on the train. Ski Flight Free is a hub of information on how to ski greener when it comes to transportation. What’s more, the Italian ski area Vialattea (Milky Way) offers a 25 percent discount on cable car passes to those arriving by train. Choose a resort that is making changes and also champions sustainability; In France, some easily recognizable by the label Flocon Vert (Combloux, Les Angles, Morzine), Companie des Alpes (the lift company that operates Paradiski, Les 3 Vallées and Espace Killy), use 100 percent biofuel to power their ski slopes.