Eco-Friendly Frontside Skis
Image: Ingusk, Adobe Stock
Despite the fact that the sport often invokes a sense of freedom and connection with nature, skiing is not inherently a sustainable activity. Not only do ski resorts use an immense amount of water and energy, mainstream ski gear tends to be made with non-sustainable materials in probably-not-great factory conditions. Thankfully, a few ski companies have taken big initiatives to create more eco-minded skis, without jeopardizing performance.
Related: US Ski Resorts that Run on Renewable Energy
Here are three ski brands that are doing better when it comes to being forwarding-thinking stewards of the mountains that we love to ski:
Meier Skis
Meier skis are made in Colorado from wood sourced from Colorado forests. They also use other eco-conscious materials to construct their skis, such as non-toxic super sap. Meier sources many of their materials from local vendors and have other sustainability initiatives such as recycling the paper that transfers ink to the top sheet as shipping materials.
Elan
Elan manufactures their skis with 100 percent green energy in the Slovenian Alps. This eco-friendly leader recently earned a GREEN STAR Certificate for the company’s integration of social responsibility and sustainability plans through 2030 and beyond. Elan built a solar power plant at their headquarters and sources 99 percent of the raw materials used to make their skis from the European Union.
Salomon
Salomon recently announced that the company would be amping up their sustainability efforts. Salomon signed the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action in December 2018 and has committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Other announced initiatives include launching a range of sustainable winter sports products, a commitment to creating 100 percent of its products with circular economy principles, and collaborating to shape the discussion towards ambitious collective sustainability goals.
Supporting brands that are doing their part to protect the environment can help align your beloved recreation time with respect for the land where you ski. Skiing is not a perfect sport, but we can all work together to decrease our collective footprint and ensure that people can enjoy playing in the snow in the mountains for generations to come.
