green, green, green....

[dl]

Lots of talk about green these days - hybrid cars, wind power, materials made from regenerating resources, corporate recycling programs, etc. While I think we'd all like to do our part, the economics don't always make sense or the issue isn't at the forefront of your mind when it comes to skiing. Here are some questions to consider:

When considering a ski area, will the area's green practices/policies have any impact on your choice (or will you choose the area you want to ski regardless)?

When choosing ski clothing, are you more likely to choose something with recycled fibers or from a source that regenerates well (bamboo/coconut/etc) or are will choose what you want regardless of how it's made?

When commuting to the ski area, will you carpool, take a bus or buy a hybrid vehichle? Is your answer any different than what you've done over the past few seasons?

If a ski shop offered a section of earth friendly products, would you gravitate towards that at all? If so, is it because you're interested in what would be available or is it because you would rather spend your $ on those types of goods over other, traditional goods?

Just wondering where we skiers fit in the good-for-the-earth spectrum.

 

[Greg]

On topic article:

http://news.alpinezone.com/35618/

 

[wa-loaf]

Everything else being equal I'll choose the green product. Otherwise there are too many things going into the decision to give a blanket statement. But I lean green when I can. I can also usually smell BS too. I don't buy the whole carbon credits/offset thing.

 

[frozencorn]

What happened to when just referred to it as "environmental?"

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Lots of talk about green these days - hybrid cars, wind power, materials made from regenerating resources, corporate recycling programs, etc. While I think we'd all like to do our part, the economics don't always make sense or the issue isn't at the forefront of your mind when it comes to skiing. Here are some questions to consider:

When considering a ski area, will the area's green practices/policies have any impact on your choice (or will you choose the area you want to ski regardless)?

When choosing ski clothing, are you more likely to choose something with recycled fibers or from a source that regenerates well (bamboo/coconut/etc) or are will choose what you want regardless of how it's made?

When commuting to the ski area, will you carpool, take a bus or buy a hybrid vehichle? Is your answer any different than what you've done over the past few seasons?

If a ski shop offered a section of earth friendly products, would you gravitate towards that at all? If so, is it because you're interested in what would be available or is it because you would rather spend your $ on those types of goods over other, traditional goods?

Just wondering where we skiers fit in the good-for-the-earth spectrum.

I choose a ski area based on location, snowfall and terrain..not based on how "Green" they are. When buying ski clothing, I don't consider the material..as long as it's reasonably priced, comfortable and has the features that I desire. Back in college we did a case study on Patagonia..not the region but the clothing brand. They used recycled materials but they are pricy. I've had a Patagonia fleece in the past and it was no better than NorthFace or EMS.

I've definitely car-pooled. When driving to the local mountain less than 20 miles away..it doesn't make sense unless two or more people live really close to one and other and have similar schedules. My first skiing last weekend was Mount Snow on the weekend of November 9th-11th. I picked up my ski buddy in the next town over and we hit the highway for the 4.5-5 hour 300 or so mile drive to Mount Snow. My passenger paid for a tank of gas and also drove on the way back so it was a win win situation. As a single person who only needs my car for myself..I see no use for an eco-disaster SUV..but for people with lots of kids, large dogs or people hauling large eco-disaster boats..it seems more worthwhile. I know ski-racks limit gas mileage but no all vehicles have the ski pass-through and some ski-pass-throughs can't accomadate all the required skis/snowboards.

If a ski shop had earth friendly products..I would check them out if the price was similar along with the quality. I'm not an environmentalist but I want the earth to be a good place to live with clean air and water. In Philosphy class we discussed car-pooling and recycling. Some people might think they themselves doing that won't make a difference and they probably won't but it's still a good thing to do..for the good of the earth. I sometimes wish there wasn't so much packaging..If I get take-out from somewhere..a simple meal is in like 4 different oversized containers..in a large bag..I also don't feel like I need a zillion napkids..I can eat a dozen messy wings with two napkins..seriously..but the wet wipes are the bomb deezy fo sheezy..ya heard.