Responsible Skiing is about engaging with the mountain destination, enjoying a range of winter activities in beautiful surroundings, and having a fun and memorable stay, but not at the cost of the environment or the local population.  

Yellowstone in California – of course traditionally a warm weather destination – is realising it has a compelling mix of activities to make for a great winter holiday.

There are now “Yellowstone in Winter” programmes on offer with activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, dog sledding and ranger talks.

“Devoid of crowds, winter in Yellowstone is an amazing time,” said Dan Austin, founding director of the programme.  “The cold temps make even more dramatic the thermal activity (geysers, bubbling mud pots, hot spring pools and steam vents).   The wildlife is concentrated in the warmer, snow-free geyser basins for easier viewing.  Whilst snowshoeing in the Upper Geyser Basin Trail guests will experience the largest concentration and nearly one-quarter of all the geysers in the world.”

There is no downhill skiing on offer in Yellowstone – but this development shows how destinations can rethink all the assets they have and create a whole new tourism season.    Maybe you know a place that is stunning in winter – but inexplicably chooses not to promote itself because it doesn’t have km of piste?

The most sustainable resorts reduce the seasonality of their offering to give rise to other benefits including longer term employment and more viable livelihoods and increased economic benefits to the destination.  

Demand for these other low impact activities continues to rise – does your destination have a range of activities to offer?   Remember – a range of activities helps keep your guests happy if the weather or snow lets you down!