What's Your Skiing Carbon Footprint? (And How to Lower It Responsibly)
- Colton Barry
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Skiing is a beautiful, adrenaline-fueled connection to nature, but it’s far from carbon neutral. Whether you’re jetting off to Japan or Europe or skinning up a local ridge, every ski day leaves a mark. That’s why Powder Innovation built the SNOWPRINT Ski Trip Carbon Emissions Calculator, a free tool to help you measure your ski-related CO₂ emissions and take action.
Introducing SNOWPRINT
The SNOWPRINT Ski Trip Carbon Emissions Calculator is simple and easy to use. You add information related to your ski trip — transportation method, lodging details, ski activity type, and gear — and let the calculator do the rest. Using industry and university research, the tool gives you an estimate of the CO₂ emissions for your trip while offering a starting point to make smarter, more sustainable decisions.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
The global average CO₂ emission per person is roughly 4.7 metric tons per year. In the U.S., it’s closer to 14–16 tons per person annually. To meet the 1.5°C global warming target, that number must drop to 2.3 tons per person by 2030.
A single ski trip, especially one involving air travel and resort lodging, can generate between 0.5–2+ tons of CO₂, depending on location, length, and behavior. That’s a major chunk of your yearly budget if you care about climate impact.
8 Proven Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
I've compiled a list of ways to help you immediately take action to reduce your carbon footprint:
1. Ditch the Flights When You Can
Air travel is often the #1 emissions driver. If possible:
Take trains or buses to resorts within reach. Trains produce around 80-90% fewer emissions per mile than planes.
Drive with friends (carpool) to split emissions.
Prioritize regional trips over fly-to-ski weekends.
Tip: If you’re in the US, consider paying off your travel emissions through The Good Traveler Program. Ski towns and resorts such as Steamboat Springs, CO, parter with the program to help skiers pay off flight emissions directly.
2. Extend Your Stays
A week-long trip is far better than multiple short weekend getaways.
Spreading one round-trip flight over more ski days reduces the per-day impact.
3. Rent or Buy Used Gear
Renting ski gear or buying secondhand reduces manufacturing emissions.
Sites like Geartrade and local shops often carry quality used gear.
Keep your current gear longer by repairing and maintaining it.
4. Eco-Friendly Lodging Choices
Look for green-certified hotels or cabins powered by renewables.
Reduce heating use, take shorter showers, and turn off lights when not needed.
Choose locally owned lodges or off-grid huts that emphasize sustainability.
5. Reduce Food & Waste Emissions
Bring reusable water bottles, utensils, and bags.
Eat fewer meat-heavy resort meals — plant-based = lower footprint.
Compost and recycle your waste where possible.
6. Use Plant-Based Ski Wax
Petroleum-based waxes can leach harmful chemicals into snow and water.
Switch to biodegradable, plant-based waxes for your skis and boards.
7. Explore Local Backcountry Options
Human-powered skiing (ski touring, splitboarding, XC skiing) is virtually emissions-free.
Combine fitness, fun, and sustainability by skipping the lifts once in a while.
Be sure to take avalanche training and pack proper safety gear.
8. Advocate, Educate, and Join the Movement
Share your footprint results and encourage your ski crew to make lower-carbon choices.
Support ski areas that are adopting sustainable snowmaking, renewable energy, and public transit solutions.
Learn more about climate action in snow sports by joining groups like Protect Our Winters (POW) or signing up for Patagonia Action Works to discover local environmental initiatives.
What Your Results Mean
Once you run your data through the Skier Carbon Footprint Calculator:
Compare your output to the 2.3 tons/year climate target.
Use the results to decide what change offers the most impact (e.g., replacing a heli-ski trip with a resort trip = up to 1 ton CO₂ saved).
Revisit the calculator throughout the season as you make smarter choices.
Remember...The Goal Isn’t Perfection, It’s Progress
Skiers can be climate stewards. Our sport depends on cold winters, deep snow, and mountain ecosystems that thrive. That means we all have a role in protecting it by evolving how we shred.
Use the calculator. Apply a few of the tips above. Encourage your crew to join in.
Because when you ski more sustainably, everyone benefits.
Explore the Tool
👉 Take the pledge and join Powder Innovation's #SkiForChange movement. Promote eco-friendly solutions and sustainability ski practices on Social Media and educate your friends and family to start preserving the powder.
Further Education Sources
Here's a link to further your education on sustainability in the ski industry.
Sustainability Initiatives:
Eco-Friendly Products:
Helpful Articles
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