How to combine a winter holiday with protecting the environment? It’s easy in the Czech mountains! You can now have lots of winter fun without spoiling the countryside. We’ve got a few tips on how to be a responsible tourist, even in winter.
Responsible transport
When planning your winter holiday or even a one-day skiing trip, the first thing to think about is how to get there. After all, that plays the biggest role in sustainable travel. Rather than driving, travel to your destination by train or bus. You don't have to worry about how to get from the hotel to the slopes without a car. The most popular mountain winter resorts run regular ski buses in winter. And, if you leave the car at home, not only will you place less of a burden on the environment, your nerves will thank you, too. That’s because you won't have to worry about finding a place to park, and everyone can relax after you’re done skiing - no one has to drive, hooray!
Artificial snow and sustainability
Climate change has meant that mountain resorts have to combat the lack of snow by making an artificial substitute. Artificial snow is a hotly-discussed topic that raises questions regarding its impact on the environment. Czech ski resorts have therefore invested not only in improving visitor services, but also in efficiency and sustainability. Storage tanks that collect water from precipitation and melting snow make technical snowmaking far more effective, while smaller watercourses are protected, as water does not have to be pumped from them. And what’s more, the tanks help to retain water in the countryside, cool the surrounding area and provide useful water during droughts, which can also be used to fight fires.
At the Monínec ski resort near Prague, they’ve even built a snow storage facility, a state-of-the-art system that preserves and recycles the snow from the previous year!
Environmentally-friendly accommodation and catering
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You
can also choose your accommodation with the environment in mind. Choose hotels and guest houses that have taken measures to save water and electricity, try to follow zero-waste principles, don’t use disposable packaging and serve up meals made with seasonal and regional ingredients.If you want to bring back a nice souvenir from your winter holiday in Czechia, you’re best to go for things labelled Original Product or Regional Food. By buying regional products, you are supporting local traditions and tasting the typical local delicacies.
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Winter fun with nature in mind
When in the countryside, stick to the marked routes - not only for your own safety, but also because otherwise you could scare wildlife or destroy plants. Take all your rubbish home with you. Many mountain resorts have signed up for the We Sort Waste in the Snow project. This means you can now come across special baskets (three of them) for sorted waste, which are made of 97% recycled plastic.
