| l warming and the associated changes in climate are | | | | Waste recycling is mandatory, vehicles run on |
| being caused by the so-called "greenhouse" effect, | | | | bio-diesel, and snow cannons and trail-groomers |
| which is raising the temperature of the Earth's | | | | powered by renewable hydroelectric power have |
| atmosphere. Global temperatures have been forecast | | | | been installed. At Val Thorens, the highest resort of |
| to increase from 1.5 to 6.0 degrees Celsius by the | | | | the Trois Vallées, the lifts are also |
| end of this century. Since nine of the ten warmest | | | | hydro-powered. |
| years have occurred in the past decade, skiers have | | | | Many skiers choose to remain after the snow has |
| been amongst the first spots lovers to be affected | | | | melted to take part in piste cleaning work at the |
| by the changing climate. While they are naturally | | | | season’s end. As well, ecologically sensitive |
| concerned at how this may affect their sport, they | | | | areas are checked for damage and replanted with |
| can make choices in their skiing destinations which will | | | | appropriate species to insure, as much as possible, |
| increase their chance of having a good time at the | | | | that biological diversity is maintained. Around Val |
| snow. | | | | Thorens, for example, over 200,000 trees have been |
| Some ski resorts will get more snow | | | | planted in the last 20 years. |
| While many low-level ski resorts may have to shut | | | | Global Warming could strengthen higher altitude |
| down, as reduced snowfall makes them | | | | resorts |
| uneconomical, high altitude resorts such as | | | | Europe’s 2006–2007 winter season is |
| Méribel and the Trois Vallées in | | | | on record as the warmest since 1950, with average |
| France, where 80 percent of skiing is above 2,000 | | | | temperatures 2.1 degrees higher than normal. Since |
| meters, will experience greater precipitation and | | | | resorts located below 1,500m experienced little snow |
| snowfall. While many ski resorts are moving uphill and | | | | cover on their lower slopes, the media was quick to |
| impacting on ecologically sensitive areas, high altitude | | | | report the end of skiing as a sport. But resorts, |
| Méribel is building on its long heritage of | | | | indeed regions, will continue to experience good and |
| eco-friendly policies to strengthen and consolidate its | | | | bad ski seasons, leading to longer or shorter periods |
| green ski facilities and maintain its reputation as | | | | suitable for snow sports. |
| having some of the world’s finest ski runs. | | | | With heavier precipitation, including snow, high altitude |
| Méribel has been pioneering and instituting | | | | resorts will continue to be a safe bet for snow |
| environmental controls since it was established in | | | | sports enthusiasts, and businesses here could well |
| 1938. These included green building codes such as | | | | experience a boom as competition from other lower |
| energy-saving roof and wall insulation, and mandatory | | | | resorts declines. Of course, the greater visitation of |
| construction of underground parking. Today, traffic | | | | higher areas will put strains on existing infrastructure |
| reduction is encouraged by the provision a free | | | | and the environment, but the green ethic has been |
| shuttle bus system and a network of cross-country | | | | embraced by a new breed of dedicated skiers who |
| pedestrian trails that connect the various resort | | | | see the survival of their sport tied in with the survival |
| areas. On-piste organic toilets are a recent innovation | | | | of the planet. |
| that helps reduce pollution. | | | | |