As the climate continues to warm and dry, today’s ski bum is
on the front line to keep snow in the mountains! Their very existence depends on it! Take heart that the ski bum will do whatever’s
necessary to see another blue-bird powder day.
Most ski bums already have green tenancies: they spend most of their free time in the
forest, they drink PBR out of cans (recyclable), and many can knit their own
beanies. With a few subtle tweaks, a
fairly climate-sensible ski bum can be turned into a lean, mean, sustainable
living champion! Below are a few
recommendations to get the ski bum back on the sustainable straight and narrow:
Ditch the car and walk or take the town shuttle: even though
your steez factor may take a ding, you know that driving your 1984 Vanagon up
to the mountain isn’t doing the environment any good. Mountain towns are small and don’t require a
vehicle. Choose housing within walking
or biking distance to work, the mountain shuttle, the bar… and that’s about
everywhere you’ll need to go! Let’s face
it, the town shuttle’s free, and you could really use that saved gas money on
an extra breakfast burrito at the lodge.
Support local business through local purchasing: plenty of dining
and retail options exist in most mountain towns. Make an effort to seek out those
establishments that are owned and operated by your neighbors. You’ll help keep money in the local economy,
your purchases will travel a shorter distance (thus greatly reducing their carbon
footprint), and in the event that you find yourself owning one of those
businesses in the future, the favor might get returned to you by the next
generation of ski bums!
Buy used ski gear: while many of you are (or wish you were)
sponsored and/or get a great pro-deal, consider buying used ski gear. By doing so, you will drastically reduce the
economic and environmental costs of new material extraction, manufacturing, and
transportation, all while keeping the goods out of the landfill. And depending on how retro the used gear is,
you may be able to bump that steez level back up a few notches (see the first
recommendation)!
For the ultimate sustainability ski bum, go back to the
basics and get in the backcountry. Backcountry
skiing creates way fewer greenhouse gas emissions, it’s a nice little workout, you
get away from the crowds at the resort, and there are unlimited powder turns
for all! Remember to be safe, educated,
and always travel with a partner!
Have fun, and see ya on the slopes!
