By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:33:59 +0000

Thanks Courtney for your insightful commentary! Yes, I agree “green” changes must start with the consumer. I personally try to do little things like using my own coffee mug at starbucks to buy refills, using cloth bags at the grocery store, buying recycled napkins & toilet paper, but those actions do little to offset the fact I drive very far to get to work. I do appreciate the efforts resorts are taking though, and wish we would see more of it… I think it’s a hard sell given the current economy (a lot of the changes are major infrastructure and process changes, which cost money.) We will see though.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:26:31 +0000

Thanks for bringing the environment to the forefront of the sport we love. We all love being out on the hill, but often forget about the impact of the sport on the environment. At the end of the day - this is about SUSTAINABILITY. You bring up some good points, but there are so many considerations. At resorts, the impact of erosion, water use, chemicals used for snow conservation, etc. not calcuable and continues to change dramatically the terrain, water and soil quality an on and on. However, I give props to resorts for carbon credits, recycling and changes to existing processes. Baby Steps - we need a fundamental change in resort visitor behavior to make more changes.
As far as “green” boards & products are concerned, much of the driving force is us consumers. We have an obligation to push manufacturers to not only change processes, but also type of raw materials. And the changes need apply to all products because, as Shay notes, adding one “green” board or jacket to an otherwise not green line is not environmentally friendly.
We have a long way to go to “save our winters” and not to sound hokey, but respect our Mother Earth.

Comments on: How “Green” Is Your Favorite Snowboarding Resort?

By: Erica

By: Courtney