Recent rains and fresh snow may be piquing the interest of snow sport-loving Angelenos.   While going down the mountain may feel like you’re connecting with nature, the reality is that the ski/snowboard industry is not very sustainable (coal powered lifts, snow machines, heavy equipment, transportation, etc).

While most won’t give up the hobby (I certainly won’t) there are may ways you can lessen your impact and decrease your “snowprint.”  Here is an updated list of some of my favorite tips for greening your time on the slopes.

Buy Used: In Los Angeles there are tons of Play it Again Sports that sell quality used equipment. In 2002 I purchased a Burton board from them that was circa 1997; it still rides amazingly well (*note I only ride about once or twice a year). Tons of other used resources for used snow goods include Craigslist, Freecycle and Evogear.

Buy Green (if you have to buy new): Major lines like Burton are launching their own eco-boards made from sustainable materials. The Burton Eco Nico Board is made from a mix of recycled and new (but less toxic) materials. I really like independently owned Venture Snowboards that not only builds sustainable boards, but also operates its company on wind power.  Also visit this NY Times article about the overall greening of the snowboard industry here.

Wax the Natural Way:  Just like surf wax, most commercial snowboard wax is made from synthetic materials (aka petroleum).  Opt for one that will naturally biodegrade over time like those from Enviro Mountain Sports.

Find Sustainable Ways to Get There: If you’re heading up to the snow, carpool with your friends (I’m carpooling with four people this weekend.) If you’re flying to your destination, rather than purchase offsets, why not donate to an organization doing good work for the industry?

The Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition, a non-profit organization based out of Washington State and California, rates ski resorts that are Impacting Roadless Areas, logging Old Growth Forests, purchasing clean, renewable wind energy, using cleaner burning, biodegradable biodiesel, performing energy efficiency upgrades and more.

They also have a list of the ten best and the ten worst resorts in the U.S. Fortunately no California resort made it on to the ten worst list, and two of make the ten best cut. You can see the complete list here and view their grading criteria here.

Dress the Part: One of the innovators of green business is also the leader in eco-friendly clothes perfect to don in the drift. Patagonia has gear for men and women made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and that insulates just as well as conventional materials. Ladies should check out Rosa Snow’s line of eco-friendly and slightly girly snow clothes too.

Got some of your own tips for being green when you’re in the snow?  Share em with us in the comment section below..

Tags: Bamboo Snow Boards, Eco Friendly Snow Boards, Eco Friendly Snow Resorts, Environmental Action for Skiers, Environmental Action for Snowboarders, Green Living, Organic Cotton, Patagonia