#protectourmountains

[malialaka]

@kaylasmartz See snow, ski snow 👀❄️ #mauna #protectourmountains #mountains #chickswhorip #chickswhohike #hike #adventuregirl #adventure #outdoorlife #chicks #girls #winterwonderland #hiker #hiking #hikingadventures https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJjZoDHA26/?igshid=30msubff5aqr

[almostnative-blog1]

Green is Winter’s Favorite Color

Last month my pow stoke-level caused me to go hours without drinking a drop of water with the consequence of an awful headache, throwing up and missing out on ski chalet shenanigans. This stupid decision was 100% my OWN fault and not the fault of the ski resort.

Last season I noticed something incredible at my local ski resort. I went to purchase a plastic water bottle but was encouraged to purchase a collapsible reusable water bottle, which I bought and used for the whole season and then recycled. I also noticed that there weren’t disposable plastic cups next to the drinking fountain – a good step in cutting back on plastic waste. Quick “fun” fact, it takes 500-1,000 YEARS for plastic to degrade. WHAT?! Unreal.

Fast-forward to this season and sadly disposable plastic cups were right there next to the drinking fountains. Why? Why did my local ski resort go back to using disposable plastic cups? Why was this small change reversed? I reached out to the resorts Environmental Sustainability and Compliance department and asked that same question. I wasn’t surprised by their answer.

“We received a fair amount of feedback from guests that they wanted to have cups to use and we don’t currently have the facilities (dishwashers) at all of our locations to offer reusable cups in the volume that our guests require. Keeping guests hydrated while at altitude and the environment are both priorities and I think we’ll continue to look for ways where we can shift to non-disposables across all of our locations over time.”

I wish I knew what “feedback” they received? Was it something like, “I can’t drink out of a drinking fountain because that takes too much effort to bend down and open my mouth in order to catch the water.” Or something like, “I can’t use a reusable collapsible water bottle because they are too cumbersome and my backpack is already full?” Or maybe, “I need a disposable plastic cup to fill a quarter of the way up with water from the drinking fountain to take one small sip and then throw the cup away because I need to stay hydrated.” Maybe I’m being too harsh. Maybe I expect more from the skiing/snowboarding community. Maybe my views on taking care of the environment are too extreme.

But maybe, just maybe, “you” don’t know or understand the consequences these convenient disposable plastic cups are having on the environment. Maybe instead of conceding to these guests who complained, this resort should have made this a good learning opportunity and started the conversation and education around why certain conveniences were stopped.

Unfortunately, this resort did what they thought would make their guests happy and what was convenient for them.

This is not about keeping guests hydrated. Drink water people. That is on you. Me vomiting due to dehydration was my own fault, not the fault of the resort.

Bring a water bottle. Drink from the drinking fountains and if you’re afraid of getting some disease, don’t put your mouth on the spout. Use a non-disposable cup! This is about doing what is right for the environment. If people are going to complain about plastic cups not being present by a drinking fountain, what more are they going to complain about? Are these cups even being recycled?  

I wrote back to this ski resort and gave my “feedback”.

“I hope you go back to not using disposable plastic cups or use non-disposable alternatives. I know the good work your ski resort is doing in regards to sustainability and I hope it continues. I hope that these types of decisions in the future are not made for entitled global warming naysayers OR those who are completely unaware of the consequences but are made for what is best for the environment. Start the conversation. Make this an educational opportunity. We need to protect our winters and our mountains - this is our ethical obligation to mother nature.”

Needs some additional ideas on how to make small environmentally conscious changes at your local ski resort? No problem, I’ve got some. 

Start the conversation. See what your local resorts are doing regarding sustainability. Not happy with something they’re doing or not doing, make your voice heard.

Bring a collapsible reusable water bottle – they’re super cheap on amazon.

Drinking a few lifties? (can’t call em roadies) make sure your beer cans are stored in a backpack or jacket pocket that ZIPS – please do not leave them in the trees. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up beer cans off the slopes. Oh, and recycle the cans!

If you see trash on the slopes, pick it up!

If you NEED a map, put it in a pocket that zips and then recycle.

Carpool if you can.

Pack a lunch.

[livsansoz]

See the earth like I see it 😉 Another beautiful fall day in the valley! #TimeToPlay #mountainsareawesome #accesstheinaccessible #seatosummit #flying #protectourmountains @salomonfreeski @petzl_official @seatosummitgear @powfrance (à Le Mont Blanc)

[livsansoz]

The step was high this morning. Snow is definitely here and mountains are beautiful. Wishing to everyone a wonderful week end 🌞 #gatetoheaven #timetoplay #mountainsareawesome #seatosummit #getoutstayout #protectourmountains @salomonfreeski @petzl_official @seatosummitgear @powfrance (à Aiguille du Midi 3842 Mètres Chamonix)

[snow-child]

》Happy《 • • • Today on this monumental day in history, both China and the U.S. signed a pact in light of the war against the environment. As of today, two of the world's most powerful countries (which account for 40% of the world's carbon emissions) made a commitment to cut down on carbon emissions and go green for the good of beautiful Mother Earth. And that my friends, calls for a happy dance in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. #gogreen #parisagreement #skisantafe #protectourmountains #motherearth (at Ski Santa Fe)

[livsansoz]

Good Morning monday :) Where will your legs bring you this week? #ExpandYourPlayground #petzlgram #mountainsareawesome #getoutstayout #ProtectOurMountains @salomonfreeski @petzl_official @lyofood @powfrance

[livsansoz]

Stunning scenery for a perfect day in the mountains. Amazing snow and good folks. What else? 📷 @eliza_sprecher #WinterInApril #mountainsareawesome #ExpandYourPlayground #petzlgram #ProtectOurMountains #Regalade @salomonfreeski @petzl_official @lyofood @powfrance