Environment

16th April 2024

International Snow & Mountain Tourism Report 2024 Published

It lists and analyses data from nearly 2,000 ski resorts in 68 countries around the world. Facts, figures, investments, visits, trends, snowfall and more.

7th April 2024

Austrian Glaciers Set to Melt Within 50 Years

That’s the finding from the Austrian Alpine Club in a recent report. Glaciers across the Alps are melting as the temperature rises at twice the global average.

30th March 2024

Easter Skiing Hit by High Winds & Lift Closures

Storm force winds in parts of the Alps have caused some problems. PlanetSKI opted to go touring to make some Easter turns.

10th March 2024

Zell am See/Kaprun – The Best All-Round Austrian Ski Destination?

It offers typical Austrian slopes, with access to a high-altitude and snow sure glacier area. Plus more than 400kms of slopes with its links to the Ski Circus resorts. PlanetSKI is sampling its attractions.

5th March 2024

How Do Ski Resorts Cope When Mother Nature Fails to Provide?

Last month was the warmest February on record in the Alps. It has had a significant impact on the lower resorts with many adapting to survive. PlanetSKI reports from Morzine.

4th February 2024

Crystal Ski Holidays Partners with Protect Our Winters UK

Crystal Ski Holidays has teamed up with outdoor sports focused climate advocates, Protect Our Winters UK, to enable the expansion of POW UK’s education programme.

30th January 2024

Skiers Leaving Toxic Chemicals from Ski Wax on Slopes

New research claims skiers are leaving toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” behind on ski slopes. It found 14 different types of the chemical, commonly used in ski wax, in soils in areas in the Austrian Alps.

24th January 2024

French-Italian Ski Area Offers Discounts for People Arriving by Train

Vialattea (The Milky Way) has teamed up with the Italian train operator Trenitalia and will offer people 25% off their lift pass if they arrive by train. It aims to encourage sustainable ski travel.

24th January 2024

Alpine Glaciers Predicted to Shrink 50% by 2050

It is the latest stark warning on the melting of the glaciers and comes in a new Franco-Swiss study.

17th January 2024

FIS Unveils Its Sustainability Plan

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has announced a sustainability action plan. It says it will guide the organisation and its key stakeholders through global sustainability challenges.

12th January 2024

What is Verbier Doing on Sustainability?

PlanetSKI reports from Verbier as it strives to tackle sustainability. Both via efforts by the resort and small businesses within the commune itself. UPDATED

8th January 2024

Morzine-Avoriaz Encourages Train Travel with Practical Incentives

It is offering the AlpinExpress Pass to those that take a train which offers a series of discounts on lift, passes, ski hire & lessons + much else besides.

12th December 2023

Avalanche Risk in the Alps

Parts of the NW Alps are seeing heavy snow, torrential rain and high winds as the latest storm hits. There is a high risk of avalanche in places. NEW

4th December 2023

A Day Ski Touring in the Tirol

It is one of the big growth areas in snowsports – ski touring. It doesn’t have to be for the experts. Check out our photogallery from the weekend.

27th November 2023

The Snowstorm Passes

It remains cold in the Alps after the latest storm bought plenty of snow in places. The sun is now out with some excellent conditions. UPDATED

27th November 2023

PlanetSKI Reports from Pitztal in the Tirol

Our editor, James Cove, is in the glacier resort in the Tirol as heavy snow falls. It’s having the best start to winter in 15-years. Suffice to say James is more than a little excited. UPDATED

21st November 2023

Ex-Royal Marine Begins Longest Solo, Unsupported Ski Crossing of Antarctica

Sam Cox’s route has never been attempted before and is over 500km further than any solo unsupported Antarctic expedition in history.

13th November 2023

Ski Club GB Releases its State of the UK Snowsports Market Survey

The survey was conducted by the Ski Club of Great Britain and sent to Ski Club members and subscribers. It was done in partnership with Snow + Rock and the Mountain Trade Network and their customer data bases.

31st October 2023

Happy Birthday Iglu Ski

The pioneering ski agent is 25-years old. All those years ago it recognised that the future of booking a ski holiday was using digital technology with real-time information to put the customer at the heart of the process. 400, 000 people have reaped the rewards.

25th October 2023

FIS Responds to POW

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation has issued a strongly worded response to Protect Our Winters after being called on to do more to protect the environment. It follows claims of excavators being used on a glacier to prepare a race course.

21st October 2023

A London Ski Show is Back

It took place at the ExCeL Centre in East London at the weekend. PlanetSKI reviews the show, plus reports on what light it sheds on the state of the UK snowsport industry & the approaching winter. UPDATED

21st October 2023

POW Launches Petition on Environmental Record of FIS

It follows images of excavators on a glacier in Zermatt preparing an area for a World Cup ski race next month. More than 27,000 people have signed it.

20th October 2023

Ten Reasons to Ski in Austria This Winter

Well-groomed ski pistes, state-of-the-art lifts, as well as a modern infrastructure await. We asked the Austrian National Tourist Office to give us their top reasons to visit.

16th October 2023

The Austrian Alpine Club Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Glaciers

It is calling for “the urgent and unconditional protection of the glaciers” and an end to any new developments of glacier ski areas.

9th October 2023

Mont Blanc Shrinks by More Than Two Metres in Two Years

The tallest mountain in western Europe has been measured at 4,805.59m – that’s 2.22m shorter than in 2021. NEW

3rd October 2023

Scottish Indoor Ski Slope to Close Permanently

Following a review of the economic and environmental conditions of the ski slope Braehead Leisure Partnership, the owner of XSite, has announced the permanent closure of Snow Factor. UPDATED

29th September 2023

Swiss Glaciers Loose 10% of Volume in Past Two Years

Latest figures show the alarming rate of melt in the worst two years on record.

27th September 2023

Autumn in the Alps

The seasons are changing as autumn gets underway & winter edges closer. The days are shorter, there’s been snow at altitude & the leaves are changing their colour. PlanetSKI reports from the Alps. UPDATED

19th September 2023

Inghams Ski Launch Rail Packages to 22 resorts across 4 Alpine Countries

The new routes for the 23/24 season are designed to offer a low hassle, sustainable option to the Alps. Interest in taking the train to the Alps is on the up, but it will take a huge change to see significant numbers travelling by train.

13th September 2023

Extent of Summer Glacier Melt Revealed

In 2022 Swiss glaciers recorded their worst melt rate since records began more than a 100 years ago. This summer the decline has slowed slightly, but the melt continues. The picture looks grim across the Alps and the Pyrenees.

12th September 2023

New Rail Map to Access French Ski Resorts

A new map of rail routes to ski resorts in France claims to give skiers a clearer picture of how they can travel to the mountains by train. Some already think it is far too complex.

4th September 2023

Threat to Italian Glaciers Increases

Climate change means an ‘imminent and irreversible disappearance’ of the glaciers in Italy. Two Italian glaciers remain open for summer skiing.

1st September 2023

Canadian Ski Resort Helps Those Affected by Wild Fires

They are some of the worst forest fires in recent memory. Big White in British Columbia has been offering shelter to thousands of people who have had to flee their homes. NEW

1st September 2023

Snow Falls in Australia After Some Close Early

Several smaller resorts have closed but finally some snow has been falling. It’s been a generally poor winter in Australia, but an excellent one in New Zealand. And as for South America… Wow! UPDATED

1st September 2023

Body of British Climber Missing for 52 Years Identified

His remains were found in Saas-Fee in Switzerland a year ago. It is the latest in a series of discoveries in the Alps as glaciers retreat. NEW

31st August 2023

New Eurostar Ski Route to French Alps

Eurostar has announced a new ski service from London to the Alps via Lille. UK tour operator, Inghams Ski, is among those selling the product with a ski holiday included. It has met with mixed reaction. UPDATED

28th August 2023

Huge Rockslide in French Alps

700 cubic meters of rocks came crashing down in the Mauriene Valley narrowing missing vehicles on a road below. It was caught on camera.

27th August 2023

More August Snow Falls in the Alps

Heavy snow has been falling at some ski areas in the Alps. It follows summer heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures. Cooler weather is now here as Autumn approaches. UPDATED

23rd August 2023

Melting Austrian Glacier Reveals Body of Missing Skier

It is the latest finding as the alpine glaciers retreat at an alarming rate as climate change impacts.

23rd August 2023

Another Major Heatwave Hits the Alps

Temperatures have risen sharply with the freezing level now at a record-breaking 5,298m. It is having a devastating impact on the glaciers with fears of rockfalls. UPDATED

20th August 2023

Canada Wildfires Impact Ski Areas

400 wildfires are raging in the province of British Columbia, home to many of the main ski areas. Neighbouring Alberta is also affected by fires and drifting smoke. UPDATED

14th August 2023

Melting Glacier Above Zermatt Reveals Body of Another Missing Person

The person has been identified as a 63-year old Italian ski tourer who went missing in March 2019. NEW

8th August 2023

Summer Snow in the Alps

Snow has fallen at altitude in the Alps giving a hint of what is to come. Check out the images of the August snowfall. UPDATED

2nd August 2023

Two Hikers in Separate Groups Die in Mt Blanc Rockfall

A Dutch and a French hiker were hit while ascending the Aiguilles du Tour on Mont Blanc. Climate change is making the mountains more unstable.

29th July 2023

More Snow Falls in New Zealand

It had been a poor ski season for snow, but now it has been falling heavily. Skiers and snowboarders are celebrating after a poor start to winter. UPDATED

29th July 2023

Melting Swiss Glacier Reveals Human Remains

It is the latest discovery as climate change leads to glaciers melting & revealing their secrets. This time it’s the discovery of German climber missing since 1986. UPDATED

23rd July 2023

European Heatwave Impacts the Alps & Pyrenees

The high temperatures are taking their toll on the glaciers with record-breaking summer temperatures in parts of the mountains. Some people are heading to the hills to keep cool. UPDATED

12th July 2023

Deadly Summer Avalanches in California

For the past 13 years the US state has seen no deadly avalanches in the summer months. So far this summer there have been two fatalities.

27th June 2023

New Zealand Resorts Re-Open as Snow Returns

Some snow has fallen and resorts are re-opening. The NZ season started well but high temperatures and rain took their toll. It’s better in Australia, with South America looking good. UPDATED

23rd June 2023

PlanetSKI Goes Summer Skiing on a Glacier + Exploring 30m Deep Inside It

We’re making a few turns on the Hintertux glacier that’s open year round if conditions allow. We’re also going 30m inside the glacier exploring its caves & tunnels. It’s all part of our summer tour in the Tirol.

19th June 2023

Swiss Voters Back Cuts to Carbon to Tackle its Melting Glaciers

Voters in Switzerland have backed a new climate bill designed to cut the use of oil and gas. It aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

17th June 2023

Huge Rock Avalanche Hits Evacuated Swiss Village

Millions of cubic metres of rock have fallen. Some boulders landed just meters from buildings in Brienz but there was no extensive damage. The threat of further falls remains with villagers still not allowed home.

15th June 2023

Mountain Summit Collapses in Austria

100,000 cubic metres of rock from the Fluchthorn mountain in the Tirol crashed down the mountain this week. Climate change seems to be to blame. NEW

15th June 2023

Swiss Set to Vote On New Climate Law

A referendum takes place this Sunday on whether to pursue zero carbon. With glaciers melting and the ski season threatened it is expected the country will go for being carbon neutral. NEW

4th June 2023

Higher Than Average Swiss Avalanche Deaths Last Winter

21 people were killed by avalanches, the seasonal average is 17. It comes despite below average snowfall in Switzerland.

31st May 2023

Avalanche Damage in Utah Canyon Revealed as Snow Melts

Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City was hit hard by Utah’s record-setting 2022-2023 winter season. It has left behind smashed trees and destroyed buildings with a changed landscape.

25th May 2023

FIS Appoints Sustainability Director

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation says that sustainability is central to the federation’s mission. The new director is Susanna Sieff. NEW

11th May 2023

Tirol in the Summer

There’s hiking, biking, climbing, cultural activities, relaxing and much more. With something for families, adrenaline junkies and everyone in between. See what’s on offer in the summer in one of PlanetSKI’s favourite winter playgrounds.

10th May 2023

Swiss Village Evacuated due to Fear of Rockfall

It is feared 2-million cubic meters of rock could hit the village of Brienz. As the Alps becomes more unstable other areas are under threat. UPDATED

29th April 2023