That perfect powder shot for the feed? Let’s talk about what’s really behind your winter wonderland. ❄️
It takes 200,000 gallons of water to create one acre of artificial snow - enough to supply 2,000 households for a day, diverting water and energy away from local communities.
The impact reaches far beyond the slopes:
• Indigenous communities face water access challenges
• Local residents experience rising utility costs
• Mountain workers commute from hours away
• Agricultural communities navigate water scarcity
⚠️ And yet there’s more to consider.
Artificial snow contains super absorbent polymers (SAPs) - the same synthetic materials used in disposable diapers.
These chemicals remain in our mountain ecosystems for 100+ years.
Understanding the environmental impact:
- Takes centuries to decompose
- Breaks down into microplastics
- Disrupts natural water flow
- Changes soil chemistry
- Affects local wildlife
- The real cost of manufacturing winter extends beyond operations and infrastructure.
💦 Water Impact
It takes 200,000 gallons of water to create one acre of artificial snow - enough to supply 2,000 households for a day, diverting water and energy away from local communities.
- Big Bear: 100+ million gallons = 1,000 households yearly
- Mammoth: 150+ million gallons = 1,500 households yearly
- Tahoe: 250+ million gallons = 2,500 households yearly
But the real cost goes deeper than numbers...
🐻 Wildlife Impact
One of the main materials used to make fake snow is a chemical called sodium polyacrylate, a plastic-like substance that is able to store more water, leading to more snow production. And though it’s non-toxic for humans the material is non-biodegradable, lasting for hundreds of years impacting wildlife and their habitat.
The alternative is man-made snow that consists of all water, cooled down, and dispersed through the use of snow cannons. However, man-made snow is equally if not more resource intensive. The water and energy consumption along with required land usage for infrastructure also impacts local communities.
👩🏻🤝👩🏾 Community Impact
Many indigenous communities are facing threats to their traditional lands and ways of life due to increased cost of living, changing ecosystems, and resource extraction.
Economic barriers like rising lift ticket and rental gear costs make the sport exclusive to wealthy and a predominantly white demographic. Reduced outreach programs for underserved communities due to DEI cutbacks further increase disparities.
💥 Together We Can...
- Mandate a transition to 100% renewable energy for snowmaking and operations.
- Take action, get involved in your local communities:
- Phase out harmful chemical additives in artificial snow production.
- Require environmental impact assessments that specifically consider effects on local communities and watersheds.
- Implement wildlife crossings and restore natural habitat areas that have been impacted.
- Develop subsidies to improve equitable access.
👩🏻💻 Sources
https://www.acs.org/
https://sentientmedia.org
https://skicalifornia.org
https://www.nsaa.org
