Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

birdman829 t1_j4vszwi wrote

I mean sure, and they have. Most places have increased snowmaking capacity and coverage to supplement natural snow and extend the season.

There's really only so much they can do though beyond that. Effective snowmaking still requires prolonged periods of below freezing temps, preferably below about 27-28.

12

Cersad t1_j4xfeci wrote

I wonder how much of those profits were reinvested into efforts to mitigate global warming, though? We have "energy" (oil) billionaires transparently pushing anti-environmentalism but the response from businesses that stand to lose from global warming has been remarkably muted.

2

birdman829 t1_j4xjlkk wrote

I'm not here to promote or defend ski areas, some of them are run by greedy assholes. Others ownership groups are better just like any industry though. I have been an avid skier since I was 4 and I do often think about the environmental impact of resort skiing. Running a ski resort is very energy intensive - grooming equipment, chair lifts, compressors and pumps for snowmaking, etc.

That said, many of them do invest in green initiatives. Maybe some of the more "corporate" owned ones just want to boost their image (or protect their bottom line) but there is actually advocacy and investment from ski resorts in climate intervention, as well as efforts to reduce their own carbon footprints.

https://www.nsaa.org/NSAA/Sustainability/Sustainable_Slopes/NSAA/Sustainability/Sustainable_Slopes.aspx?hkey=3d832557-06a2-4183-84cb-c7ee7e12ac4a

https://saveoursnow.com/about-us/

https://protectourwinters.org/

5

nixiedust t1_j4xl7gt wrote

This is true. It is to protect the bottom line but a lot of people who work for even the corporate resorts love the sport and mountains.

2