Green Skiing – Ski Resort Snow making Water use

Boreal Ski resort started to make artificial snow on September 30, making it the earliest day to date.  With droughts hitting the West, snow fall has been dismal for the last couple years so artificial snow making has been the norm at many ski resorts.

The ski resorts tout how Green they are,  but how much water do these resorts use to make snow? Is the water diverted from other uses like agriculture or natural streams?

Water is indeed a precious commodity. Arizona recently had a snowmaking squabble over using reclaimed wastewater to make snow at Snowbowl ski resort. Wastewater, blended with fresh water, is used in many ski areas’ snowmaking systems, but Snowbowl’s would be the first to use reclaimed wastewater alone, according to an article in U.S. Water News Online.

Another reason not to eat the snow on the slopes…

Ski wax, especially high-fluro waxes used by racers, may pose a health risk because they contain PFOA. PFOA, a perfluorinated chemical has negative health effects. This is the same chemical known as Teflon and Scotchgard. We have covered the dangers of PFOA on cookware coatings in the past. Be very careful when applying ski wax. Do it in a well ventilated room and use a respirator. Ski shops should really be concerned.

Related posts:

1. Eco Friendly Green Pans and Green Cookware
2. Green Pans and Green Pan Cookware for the Eco Friendly Kitchen
3. Reducing a Lawn, Grass, Garden’s Water Use – Green Weed Prevention
4. Ways to Save Money and be green
5. Hybrid Water Heaters – GE GeoSpring Water Heater
6. Car Roof Racks Reducing Car Mileage
7. Drain Water Heat Recovery Systems
8. Save Money with Water Filtration – Non Green Bottled Water

Posted on December 7th, 2010
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