Bears hibernate. Birds migrate. When it comes to winter, humans, unfortunately, head for the mountains and winter vacation resorts so they can ski (tumble) down the slopes and skate (slip) on a frozen lake, build an abonimation of a (abominable) snowman and tee off on the verdant greens of high altitude golf courses.

Naturally, this is in no way sustainable, and has led to a steady degradation of the environment at these winter destinations. So here’s some eco-friendly winter destinations and resorts which, at the very least, try to ensure that they’re doing as little harm as possible to the surroundings.

The Four Seasons Whistler - One of North America’s premier year round mountain resorts, the Four Seasons Whistler is offering (H/T to Greg Coates, The Star, CA) to transport golfers to the top of Mt. Currie by helicopter and smash biodegradable golf balls off the glacier’s peak.

You also get to ski down the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Info: 4591 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada V0N 1B4; Tel: 1 (604) 935-3400; www.fourseasons.com/whistler/; Photo copyrights - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. 

The Resort at Squaw Creek - Magnificent resort in California’s Olympic Valley (Lake Tahoe), which has an extensive list of green practices and eco-friendly facilities. You can read about their committment to sustainable tourism here.

Their 18-hole golf course is listed on the Audubon International list of Cooperative Sanctuaries. Also offers access to the slopes on Squaw Valley. Info: 400 Squaw Creek Road Olympic Valley, CA 96146; Tel: (530) 583-6300; www.squawcreek.com/; Photo credit - The Resort at Squaw Creek.

Another option close by is the Old Greenwood Resort in Truckee CA, home of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf which offers vacation homes in 600 acres of pristine environment for skiing, golfing, swimming, biking, hiking, fishing and lakeside dining. Also certified by Audubon International.

No one says you can’t enjoy your wealth and good fortune, and you’re not being asked to make a choice between luxury and the environment. The least you can do is select one of these resorts where you get both luxury and a guilt free winter vacation.

Posted on September 21st, 2008 by PLing
Filed under: Sustainable Travel