Keep Winter Cool

     There’s an ongoing argument as to whether the warmer weather we are experiencing this winter is from El Nino or if it is from the effects of Global Warming.  I’m not sure what I believe but I do believe the statistics about polar ice caps melting and temperatures rising on this great earth of ours.  That’s why when I came across the Keep Winter Cool website I thought it would be a great thing to share.

     "Keep Winter Cool is a partnership between NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) to raise visibility and public understanding of global warming and spotlight opportunities that exist right now to start fixing the problem."  If the trend of warmer weather continues then winter enthusiasts like me will have less time and fewer places to enjoy the outdoors. The 322 NSAA downhill ski resorts are not only making a difference through their partnership with NRDC but also by operating their resorts as "greenly" as they can.  The NSAA understands the economic impact Global Warming can have on their billion dollar industry.  

Global Warming Means Changes on the Slopes(from the Keep Winter Cool Website)

• Fewer Ski Days: The length of the ski season could be shortened. That means later opening days and earlier closings.
• Less Snow: Rising temperatures mean potentially wetter seasons and decreased snow pack. Less snow means fewer functioning trails for skiers and snowboarders.
• Disappearing Mountains: A recent United Nations study showed that global warming could eventually limit skiing to mountains with base elevations above 5,000 feet. This would present difficulties for many resorts in the U.S. Lower elevation resorts are also where many beginners learn to ski or snowboard, and where families go for local snow outings.
• Empty Pockets: Ski areas are an important part of the economy in many states. For ski states, fewer skiers mean higher unemployment and less tax revenue for education, health care and other services. In New Hampshire, the ski industry provides 10 percent of all jobs in the winter months.
• More Snow Guns: Resorts already use snow making to enhance the early season experience and ensure reliable conditions. Warmer nights make this already costly task — which can account for 20 percent of a resort’s overall budget — more expensive and difficult.
• Scratched Races: Fans and racers were crestfallen when the 1993 and 1995 World Championships were postponed. Unreliable snow conditions can delay events or necessitate moving them to higher elevations.

     "The NRDC is a national, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment."  Their website is filled with information on how to reduce Global Warming and live Greener.  By planning a ski vacation at a NSAA Resort and by making a few changes in your lifestyle you can make a difference and help Keep Winter Cool.