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IV.3. Environmental influences

The low temperatures, the sun, and the high altitudes have a very beneficial physiological effect on people. (In addition to the fact that the environment itself has a recreational effect on them). At the same time it is also important to consider the harmful environmental impact of skiing as well

The construction of ski resorts and ski centres in itself is harmful for the environment and these effects are turning for the worse as the number of skiers rise. The delicate balance between the natural flora and fauna easily breaks down at ski resorts. (Wipf et.al 2005). In relation to this point two problematic issues need to be mentioned from the point of view of the protection of the environment. One of these is the use of snow cannons, the other one is the construction of ski slopes. (Herlicska 2000).  New ski slopes go higher and higher and in order to build them a lot of trees and forests  need to be cut down in the lower regions. In addition, new ski lifts, hotels, catering establishments are needed and the terrain goes through a total transformation. (e.g.. surface works, ramps and platforms built).  

For further information see
http://old.foldrajz.ttk.pte.hu/tgt/web_kozlemenyek/kozl14/pte_termeszetfoldrajzi_kozlemenyek14.pdf

Snow cannons, which are used to make fake snow to substitute for natural snow, use a lot of water and energy. When the snow is melting, the extra water causes harmful erosion and, in addition, the minerals, which come form the fake snow, the remains of oil and other harmful substances from the machinery, get into the soil. Pollution also gets into the ground waters, and, in many places ground waters represent the only water source for the entire region.

In the opinion of Dosek (2007, p. 74) ski slope operators need to keep the following rules:

  1. The protection of basic ecological factors.
  2. The preservation of local flora and fauna.
  3. The protection of the landscape.
  4. Environmentally friendly technological development. 
  5. The support of scientific research. 
  6. Improved communication and information systems.
  7. Cooperation between experts representing diverse areas in the interests of sustainable development.

For further details see . http://phd.semmelweis.hu/mwp/phd_live/vedes/export/dosekagoston.d.pdf

In addition, the consumption habits of skiers, as well as the appearance of crowds of supporters at major sport events create a lot of extra environmental problems. (e.g. extra heating systems, transport systems, rise in the amount of communal sewage and waste, increased noise levels)

For further details see.
http://www.skiculture.hu/system/files/doc/10880/kornyezetvedelm.pdf

In the last two decades of the 20th century skiing became a big business and it means that the main attraction in it is not skiing itself, but the services, organized to accompany this sport. „It creates jobs and means employment for local residents on the one hand, but on the other, serving new crowds every week is an enormous burden for the environment.’ (Dosek 2007., p. 72)”. The behaviour of sportspeople and sport tourists may significantly influence the environmental impact, meaning, that their environmental awareness is the  key to our future.