You’ve probably heard of ‘flygskam’, a term originating in Sweden for the shame of flying, given the environmental impact of air travel. But this winter, a new form of discomfort among tourists, generating a lot of guilt, especially among Austrian skiers, it seems: “skischam”. We explain the concept to you.
Ah, a winter getaway in the mountains! Cozy evenings spent eating a fondue and sipping hot chocolate, breathtaking views of the peaks and skiing sessions spent skimming the powder… Behind these idyllic images of snowy holidays, there is the environmental reality. First, there are the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation used to bring skiers to their vacation spot. Of course, this depends on the distance traveled and the means of transport chosen, but in the context of a European going on a ski holiday in Europe, this represents a substantial percentage of the overall footprint of a mountain holiday. According to Domaines skiables de France, this part is responsible for 57% of the greenhouse gas emissions of such a stay in this country. The balance also increases with the energy produced by all forms of accommodation, up to 35%. On the slopes themselves, snow groomers are the main culprit, generating 94% of a ski resort’s greenhouse gas emissions.
It is facts and figures like these that lead to increased awareness in Austria about the ecological impact of skiing. There, the mountain ranges use up to 66% artificial snow. It is a reality in which some skiers no longer want to participate, to the point of being ashamed of it. For the past few days, the Austrian press has been mapping this new feeling: “skischam”, a combination of ski and “scham”, which is a term derived from the Germanic root “skamo” meaning “shame” or “dishonor”. The newspaper Die Presse explains that some skiers are ashamed when they think “of the climate and snow cannons”.
Some ski resorts around the world are already trying to be more sustainable in their practices, for example by using low-energy snowmaking equipment, using renewable energy and hydroelectricity, promoting shared shuttles, protecting snow natural and making sure to replant the tracks.
Berangere Chatelain
