How can guests save energy and CO₂?
The ski lift operators are committed to protecting the environment and the climate. However, visitors can also do their bit. On a typical day of winter sports, 84 per cent of recorded CO₂ emissions come from travel, catering and accommodation. These areas also account for emissions in other forms of tourism. Snowmaking itself accounts for just 1.1 per cent.
It all comes down to the journey
Visitors can make the biggest contribution to reducing their carbon footprint during their journey to the destination. This is because the journey accounts for the largest single share of a day’s winter sports in the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena.
Using public transport can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the journey. For example, there are railway stations in Olsberg, Winterberg and Willingen. In almost all towns, there are bus services to the slopes.
Carpooling is also a good option for travelling to the ski resorts. If private transport is unavoidable, electric vehicles can help reduce the carbon footprint of the journey.
That said, the average journey time to the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena is relatively short due to the nearby urban areas. The average visitor’s journey takes around two hours. By contrast, winter sports enthusiasts have to drive five hours or more for a skiing holiday in the Alps. The journey takes even longer in summer, when holidaymakers travel to destinations such as the Mediterranean or even fly to more distant islands or other continents. A few comparisons illustrate the scale:
- Snowmaking requires around 4.2 kWh per guest per day of skiing. That is roughly equivalent to a six-kilometre car journey.
- A visit to a thermal spa accounts for 20 kWh per guest – almost five times as much.
- A flight to the Canary Islands, including the return journey, means an energy consumption of 3,000 kWh per guest.
Other ways to protect the climate and environment
Using high-quality, durable and repairable equipment for as long as possible helps to conserve resources. Those who ski infrequently can reduce their need for equipment by hiring rather than buying. This is also the more cost-effective option for occasional use.
Tourist information centres can help you choose accommodation that prioritises renewable energy and energy efficiency.
It is important to avoid buying goods in single-use packaging and not to leave rubbish in the countryside, but to dispose of it properly.
When hiking, it is important to stay on the marked paths and not to walk across country, in order to protect the vegetation and wildlife.