Is cross country skiing more environmentally friendly than downhill skiing?
Yes, for a number of reasons. There are no pistes, lift systems, etc, required, so the impact on the environment is substantially reduced. Many mountain areas worldwide are now at risk because of the increased pressure from downhill skiing. Habitat is destroyed to make way for the pistes and infrastructure, plant life is damaged by snow compaction, artificial snow-making machines are energy-hungry and contribute to climate change (the very problem which may have caused the absence of snow!), and destabilisation of the hillsides can lead to an increased risk of avalanche. For a more detailed discussion of this issue, please see our previous blog article “To ski or not to ski?”. Photo: Anders Dahlin Naturfoto What other advantages does cross country skiing have over downhill skiing? Cross country skiing is a much quieter, close-to-nature experience. It is accessible for people of all ages and you do not need to be particularly fit or strong. There is a far smaller risk of injury, and the
