Go Green

The skiing industry is frantically, forlornly, trying to stave off the deleterious effects of climate change with a series of measures that will only exacerbate the problem in the long run. The arrival of snow cannons at virtually every major resort over the past decade is the most worrying of trends. Working through the night as the skiers' attention turns to the delights of schnapps and fondue, these spray particles of water mixed with nucleating agents into the freezing air to create a blanket of artificial snow. A lack of the real stuff has forced the industry to rely on these machines, but their environmental impact is considerable.

Skiers are accused of destroying the very wilderness they love. We asked two experts for their views on the sport's impact, and got two very different responses. (See also the review of Hickman's "Final Call" on this blog.)By Leo Hickman GUARDIAN UK September 28 2008