There is a lot of great things about modern skiing, from the enormous size of resorts to the fast chairlifts and the comfortable gear. But there’s also a lot wrong with modern skiing. Most obviously, it’s remarkably expensive, making it difficult to participate as a newcomer or long term fan of the sport. Ski resorts are getting more and more crowded, resort identities are fading, and the environmental impact isn’t unseen. SRG Skiing broke down what they consider the 4 major paradoxes of the North American skiing scene.
They begin the video by pointing out how difficult it is to come to a conclusion with these questions. It doesn’t point fingers at the resorts, rather it sympathizes with the difficult decisions they’re often forced to make. The 4 paradoxes are as follows:
Accessibility vs. Crowding
The mega-passes like the Epic and Ikon passes both make skiing feel more affordable and accessible, bringing in vacation skiers, locals, and complete newbies. But there are many resorts that simply can’t expand fast enough. Limiting access would reduce the crowding, but it undermines inclusivity.
Growth vs. Identity
Expansion through lifts, trails, and infrastructure often help to relieve congestion, but it can also damage the character of a ski resort. Should a resort sacrifice identity for growth, or accept continuously worsening crowds?
Profit vs. Affordability
To survive, a ski resort must remain profitable, and running a ski resort is expensive. Snowmaking, infrastructure, and labor are all expensive, and their costs are only rising. Corporate profit is certainly an issue on its own, but the video argues that the economics are more complex than one might think.
Climate Adaptation vs. Environmental Impact
In order to function with a long enough season to profit, many ski resorts are relying on snowmaking, but the energy use and carbon footprint required for snowmaking can contribute to the problem itself. There are partial solutions, like snow-preservation blankets, but these don’t work everywhere.
