ski for nature and supporting kamchatka conservation through ecotourism development

GEC 07 Oslo | Tobias Luthe

Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 in Oslo: Innovative Approaches to Ecotourism and Conservation

„Ski for Nature“ in Kamchatka

Developing sustainable winter tourism in Kamchatka’s Nature Parks

Tobias Luthe


Ski for Nature - Partners

A joint project in sustainable snow sports development:

Kamchatka Ecotourism Society (KES)TelemarkzoneGerman Ski Federation, Department of Sustainable Snow Sports DevelopmentWWF Germany UNDP-GEF


The Telemarkzone Network

International network of Telemark skiers, mountain guides and photographers, researchers and professionals snow sports and sustainability.applied projects to:- promote skiing and mountain riding with fairness to the environment- develop ways for local sustainable development of snow sports in mountain

regions [zones] - communicate effects of skiing and snow sports on the environment- raise awareness for environmental problems in mountain ranges- use emotions and experiences of snow sports and nature as a medium to

communicate sustainable development- networking peoplemore info: www.telemarkzone.com


Department of sustainable snow sports development of the German Ski Federation

Winter tourism and sustainabilitySkiers travel worldwide, especially in the face of climate change 1985: 1st federation to discuss environmental impacts of snow sports6 Million skiers and boarders in Germany/1 Million members appliedresearch in many fields: e.g. skiing and wildlife, skiing and plants, technical snowmaking, climate change, socio-economic questions, concepts for world venues (e.g. olympic winter games)ski areas of the future in the context of climate changewww.save-snow.com >> sustainability benchmarking for snow sportsand winter tourism, indicators for sust. skiingcommunication and outreach, films, books, youth camps etc.more info: www.ski-online.de/umwelt

http://www.save-snow.com/


The “Ski for Nature” project

Winter tourism – multiple facets:alpine skiing/snowboard in ski areasnordic/crosscountry skiingtelemarkski touring/mountaineeringsnow shoeingheli skiingsnow cat skiing

skidooingwinter hiking/nordic winter walkingdog sleddinghorse ridingigloo/ice hotel tubing/sledging/…


„Sustainable“ winter tourism

Problems with winter tourism in especial:- mobility and individual access to remote regions- access of pristine mountain wilderness- volume of skiers comparably low - wildlife disturbances very high- skiing and vegetation- ski resorts – advantages and disadvantages- „negative“ trends – heli/snowcat skiing, skidooing- „positive“ trends: snowshoeing, skitouring, increasing environmental demand- foreign package: no local involvement- …

Approach:- earn your turn- snowshoe/skitouring- guiding/maps/signs (“Skibergsteigen umweltfreundlich”)- local guides- emissions of travel – e.g. light bulbs exchange- more information and communication- …


Expected standards of „the“ far travelling ski tourist interested in „sustainable“ skiing

How to describe the needs of „Homo Skitouriensis“?- downhill oriented – mind and gear- alpine terrain needed – „freeride“- but willing to work for the descent (mountain experience)- only short distances in the flats- well experienced, highly skilled- technical – yes- likes exotic places (volcanoes, high elevations, remote places, sea)- costs – not the first objective- service – high standard of guiding- some comfort in terms of accommodation expected (alpine hut system)


The market in Europe and in North America

How big is the market? What are main players? What are standards?50 Million ski visits (SV) per year in the Alpsabout 20 Million skiers/boarders in Europe1 Million ski mountaineers, number is growing rapidlyabout 70 Million SV in North America’s ski resorts per yearski and travel internationally: The DAV Summit Club as the biggest provider world wide offers mountain trips to 57 countries (2007)…causing a lot of environmental problems, but also economic incomegrowing demand for benchmarking tools on sustainability of winter tourism


Why „Ski for Nature“?

How to preserve wilderness in Kamchatka? Eco winter tourism?Research and demonstrate opportunities to establish eco ski tourism in Kamchatkagenerate income for the Nature Parks, e.g. NalychevoWhat makes this place special for skiers: - snow depth- cultural contrasts (former Sowjet system)- scenery- hot springs- volcanoes- wildlife- the Bering sea- far far away…


What we did

Planning process to define “hot spots” for ski touringlocal expert consultationstwo different trips to explore “hot spots”filming, photographing, interviewingwork shops and consultations with local stakeholders CO2 and exchanging light bulbs – raising local awarenessequipment, sponsors, exchange networking


Challenges faced

lack of infrastructure (huts, base camps)missing guides with international certificationlanguage barrierdifferent understanding of “ski touring”vast distances to approach the steepsdifficult to get into “hot spots”uncontrolled skidoo trafficheli skiing, …


Recommendations

Major companies in Germany interested in serving Kamchatka!What needs to be developed:- improving infrastructure: starting with one hut in European standard (“eco

lodge”)- alternative: heated tent camp- close “hot spots” for skidoos and helicopters- access with dog sleds or heli/skidoo/snow cat – but no through traffic- local guides needed with international certification and understanding of

customers’ needs (also part of costs) > kite skiing?- advertisement in source markets (Telemarkzone movie coming up!)- address issue of traveling (CO2,…)

networks & partnershipsFinances/funding?


Thanks for your interest

www.telemarkzone.com

ski for nature and supporting kamchatka conservation through ecotourism development

Documents

sustainable skiing

professionals snow sports

experiences of snow

snow sportsand winter

skiing communication

oslo tobias luthethe

high skiing

effects of skiing