Die Klimabilanz eines Skitages

The invisible trace in the snow

Anyone who buckles their ski boots early in the morning, breathes in the cold mountain air and carves the first turns on freshly groomed slopes knows instantly: winter sports are more than a hobby—they are a feeling. A feeling of freedom, nature and adventure.

Yet while many assume that snowmaking systems, grooming machines or modern lift infrastructure are the main climate drivers of skiing, recent studies paint a different picture: The decisive factor is not the ski resort—but the journey to get there.

The true carbon footprint of a ski day

Multiple European studies consistently show that around 60–90% of the emissions of a ski holiday are caused by travel to and from the destination.

A French analysis of major ski resorts confirms this finding:
A single ski day generates approximately 45–50 kg of CO₂e per person, with more than half of those emissions attributable to transport alone.

By comparison, ski resort operations themselves are surprisingly efficient relative to many other leisure activities. Modern lift systems, electricity from renewable sources and intelligent snow technologies are already delivering measurable benefits and contributing to a more sustainable future on the slopes.

The biggest lever clearly lies in mobility.

Why travel is the key climate lever

Making winter sports more climate-friendly does not mean giving them up—it means rethinking how we get there.

Studies show: 60–90% of the emissions of a ski holiday are mobility-related.

This means:

• A ski resort may operate on 100% renewable energy,

• use highly efficient snowmaking systems,

• deploy electric or low-emission grooming machines

…and still fail to be climate-friendly if most guests arrive by car or plane.

Comparing modes of transport: the difference is enormous

For a typical 800 km journey to the Alps, the carbon footprint looks like this:

• High-speed train (e.g. TGV): approx. 1.9 kg CO₂e per person

• Intercity train: approx. 4.7 kg CO₂e

• Car (4 occupants): approx. 43.5 kg CO₂e

• Plane: approx. 184 kg CO₂e

Travelling by train can therefore be up to 100 times more climate-friendly than flying.

Many winter sports enthusiasts underestimate this impact—yet it represents a major opportunity: Every ski holiday can become significantly more climate-friendly immediately through a single decision.

Why short trips worsen the climate balance

We all know them: spontaneous weekend trips when fresh snow falls. But they come with a downside.

The emissions from travel are spread over only a few ski days.

Example: car journey (43.5 kg CO₂e):

• 2-day ski trip → 21.75 kg CO₂e per ski day

• 7-day ski trip → 6.2 kg CO₂e per ski day

The longer the stay, the better the climate balance.
And honestly: a week in the snow beats a weekend every time.

Climate-friendly travel in professional winter sports

There is also significant progress at the elite level—more than many people realize.

Based on data from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), approximately 62.5% of a competition’s emissions (operational emissions excluding spectator travel) are caused by participant travel.

This includes:

• Athletes

• Teams and support staff

• Media

• Volunteers and officials

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has responded with concrete measures:

• Since the 2024/2025 season, the North American tour has been consolidated into a single travel block - fewer flights, fewer transfers.

• Events such as the World Cup in Åre actively promote rail travel through discounted tickets, partnerships and integrated mobility packages.

• At the 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, no public parking was provided at the venue. More than 300,000 spectators travelled by bus, with shuttle fleets largely powered by electric and biogas buses. Accredited transport relied on electric buses and trams, while walking, cycling and skiing to the venue were actively encouraged.

• More and more organisers are adopting “walkable venues”, reducing traffic through short distances and integrated mobility concepts.

Professional winter sports are clearly taking the lead on sustainable mobility—sending a strong signal to fans and recreational skiers alike.

Winter sports stand at a turning point—but a positive one. The problem is not the snow. Not the slopes. It is how we get there.

Choosing trains over planes, car-sharing or fully occupied vehicles, longer stays, destinations with strong sustainable mobility concepts—and using ski buses on site. No one has to be perfect to make a difference.

Those who opt for climate-friendly travel today help ensure that future generations can still experience the magic of a ski day: the crunch of snow underfoot, crisp mountain air and the sense of freedom between the peaks.

And the best part: athletes, federations and event organisers are already leading the way. If everyone contributes, winter sports can become a genuine role model for sustainable mobility.

Sources

ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique) 
Analyses of French ski resorts
European tourism and mobility research 
International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS)
SkiMag (2024)