What Does the Ski Club Do?

The Ski Club issued their Environmental Policy in 2004 and soon after launched the Respect the Mountain campaign with the aim of helping to safeguard the natural environment and the long-term future of snowsports.

The Ski Club’s Environmental Policy is as follows: To seek to improve the environmental performance of the Club and its members in a way that helps safeguard the natural environment and the long-term future of skiing, and of the Club itself.

The Respect the Mountain campaign has to date achieved the following:

Raising Money and Awareness
The Respect the Mountain campaign has donated £34,354.22 to date. This money came from the following sources:

• £6,816.22 was raised from the sale of Respect the Mountain wristbands
• £27,538 was raised from the Club's membership environmental levy of 50p per subscription

The campaign has made donations in the following areas:

• Woodland Trust tree planting scheme - £20,000
• Research project by James Lewis, entitled "Sustainable Alpine Tourism: the British Ski Industry's Role in Developing Sustainability in the French Alps"(hyperlink) - £4,250
• Eco-boxes through Summit foundation in Verbier, Switzerland - £816.22
• "The Big Spring Clean 2008" - Scottish resort clean up day - £2000
• Makesnowsportsgreener campaign and snowsports sustainability and resort makeover - £4000
• "The Big Spring Clean 2009" - Scottish resort clean up day - £1500
• The Eco-guide to Mountain Gear - £1788

In the lead up to the 2009/10 season the Ski Club will be announcing new projects which will be supported or organised by Respect the Mountain and the Ski Club. Watch this space!

You can show how much you care about the future of the mountains by wearing a Respect the Mountain green wristband and t-shirt. Buy Online Now.

Seven Steps to Preserve the Mountain
The Ski Club developed the 'Seven Steps' that all skiers and snowboarders should follow as well as offering best practice guides for Resorts, Resort Staff and Tour operators.

Internal Practices
Environmental Audit: An environmental audit of the Ski Club's offices was performed to aim to reduce energy used and to increase recycling.

Office Policy: At the Ski Club clubhouse we recycle paper, cardboard and printer cartridges. We also use recycled paper and printer cartridges. Low-wattage light bulbs are used where possible and all Ski Club literature is printed on paper from a certified sustainable source. The majority of the office either cycle, walk or get public transport to work.

Train Travel Information
Train travel is currently generally considered to be more environmentally friendly than flying. The Club provides its members with comprehensive information on train travel to ski resorts from the UK. To find out how to get from the UK to any European resort with a Ski Club Rep, visit the Ski Club's Guide to ... Travel and Accommodation.

Awards
The Respect the Mountain campaign was jointly awarded the Lucy Dicker Award in 2005 which acknowledges innovation and outstanding contribution to the ski industry. The award is presented annually by the resort of Les Arcs in the memory of Lucy Dicker, an intrepid skier who tragically lost her life in the French resort of La Grave.

In 2006 the Respect the Mountain campaign was ‘highly commended’ in the First Choice 2006 Responsible Tourism Awards, being recognised by the travel industry for its work in increasing awareness about green issues and snowsports as well as raising money for environmental projects.