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Ski touring is becoming increasingly popular. The fascination of being out and about in untouched nature away from the crowded ski slopes is attracting more and more people to the mountains. But with the boom comes the responsibility to be sustainable and environmentally friendly when travelling. Here are our tips for making your ski tour as environmentally friendly as possible.
The comeback of ski mountaineering
Recreational winter sports have been shifting away from the slopes and into open terrain in all Alpine countries for several years now. This makes it possible once again to enjoy the snow away from large crowds and in the midst of untouched nature. However, venturing off the secured slopes also comes with a responsibility toward the environment in which we move. This responsibility doesn’t just start when you put on your skis, but begins as early as the tour planning stage.
Responsible and sustainable ski touring
From the equipment to the journey and the route up. The choice is yours. The choice for a responsible and sustainable approach to nature, our fellow human beings and ultimately ourselves. Here you will find some ideas and guidelines on how you can practise your leisure activities in harmony with nature and your fellow human beings while having a clear awareness of the need to preserve what you love and act with consideration for others.
In order to be environmentally friendly on a ski tour, it is important to be well prepared. Photo: Sport Conrad
Pre-tour: Sustainable tour planning and environmentally conscious consumption
1. Tour planning
Plan your tours with guides and maps that carry the DAV ‘Naturally on Tour’ seal of approval. In addition to the ascent routes, they also show you protected areas and wildlife conservation zones. Find out about the weather and avalanche situation in advance and take them into account when planning your tour.
2. Choose an environmentally friendly journey to the ski tour
Going on an environmentally friendly ski tour starts with the journey. After all, the journey to your destination still causes the most CO2 emissions on day trips. If you carpool or use public transport, you reduce your ecological footprint. The DAV therefore also recommends planning longer trips instead of many day trips. Once you have arrived on site, use official parking areas and only park in designated car parks. Take care not to block access roads or emergency lanes nor to park on private property or areas belonging to the nature park.
3. Your sustainable ski touring equipment
The equipment you already have is of course the most sustainable. But if you ever need something new, make sure you buy high-quality, durable equipment that has been produced in accordance with recognised environmental and social standards such as bluesign®, Green Button, Responsible Down Standard, Fair Wear Foundation, etc. Shop carefully and ask yourself whether it really is necessary to buy a new product or if you can extend the life cycle of your old product through good care and repair. You can also consider whether you need a dedicated product for each sport or if a versatile solution for various mountain activities could also meet your needs in the city. Also, ensure that your products are free from PFCs. There are now excellent water-repellent treatments available that do not contain any harmful substances.
Keep to forest/wildlife protection areas and try not to leave any signs other than your ascent and descent tracks. Photo: Sport Conrad
Environmentally friendly on a ski tour – that’s what matters in the terrain
4. Respect protected and conservation areas for plants and animals
When ski touring, we navigate open terrain within a delicate ecosystem. To minimize our impact, stick to established ski routes, forest paths, and hiking trails in wooded areas and near the tree line. Maintain distance from clusters of trees and shrubs, and take care to protect reforestation efforts and young forests. Often a beautiful, snow-covered and supposedly clear track seems to be the perfect downhill route. It is important to bear in mind that these may be reforestation areas that are urgently needed for the regeneration of alpine forests to maintain all protective functions. When skiing over these areas, the sharp edges of the skis can cause major damage to the young trees under the snow. These areas of young trees are also often the habitat of wild animals. In order to ski tour in an environmentally friendly way, we should realise that wild animals rely on their energy reserves in winter. Disturbances caused by humans can reduce their chances of survival. Therefore: avoid noise, avoid wild animals as far as possible, only observe them from a distance, avoid feeding areas, keep dogs on a leash and do not go on tours at dusk or at night. Special protection for grouse: Grouse are survival artists, but they are threatened with extinction. Any escape in winter can cost them their lives, which is why peaks, ridges and crests, where they prefer to burrow, should be avoided before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. in the winter.
5. Follow the markings and slope rules
Follow the markings, instructions and route recommendations of the DAV project #natürlichauftour. This way you can be sure that you are travelling on nature-friendly ascent routes. If you are on the piste, take a look at the rules of conduct for ski tours on pistes. You can find a good overview on the DAV website.
6. Don’t leave rubbish behind
Taking your own rubbish back down to the valley should be a matter of course. Unfortunately, it isn’t always. That’s why: Please take your rubbish back with you. This also includes banana peels. The climatic conditions in the mountains mean that only regional fruit and vegetables will rot. Tropical fruit, such as banana peel, on the other hand, requires 1-2 years. A conventional banana may also contain pesticides, which have no place in the mountains anyway.
Decomposition Times for Waste in the Mountains
- Banana peel: 1 – 2 years
- Paper tissue: 1 – 5 years
- Orange peel: 1 – 3 years
- Cigarette butt: 2 – 7 years
- Nylon fibers: 60 years
- Newspaper: 1 – 3 years
- Can: 500 years
- Plastic bottle: 500 – 1,000 years
- Baby diaper: 500 – 800 years
Source: Österreichischer Alpenverein
These are just the decomposition times—not even considering that waste like cigarette butts contains harmful substances that can pollute the soil and groundwater.
Our tip: Simply repurpose a pack bag as a trash bag, so you always have a solution on hand.
Let’s work together to protect our nature and wildlife so that we and future generations can continue to enjoy it for years to come. Being mindful and respectful doesn’t take away from the fun of outdoor activities—it actually makes them even more meaningful.
