Ryan Regez on more sustainability in snow sports: “Better calendar planning can make a big difference”

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“My biggest motivation is that I always want to be the best,” says Ryan Regez. The ski crosser succeeded very well in the 2021/22 season: In addition to the overall World Cup victory, the 30-year-old from Wengen also achieved the Olympic victory in Beijing. Last year, a torn ACL slowed him down early in the season.

Ryan Regez not only gives full throttle to his sport, which for him means “energy, adrenaline, but also a lot of fun”: he is also involved as an ambassador for the Snowstainability association. “Sustainable snow sports are important to me, so that future generations can also experience winter sports,” Regez explains this decision.

Snowstainability was launched by Swiss-Ski and BKW, the sustainability partner of the Swiss Ski Association. “One of our big goals is to support projects that financially and knowledgeably advance sustainable snow sports,” said Marlen Marconi, president of Snowstainability. Destinations, railway operators or regional ski associations that have a good idea can submit projects. The necessary information can be found at snowstainability.ch.

Promote renewable energy

Slalom specialist Daniel Yule (30) also supports the club as an ambassador. “A major challenge for snow sports in the future will be access to snow for a large number of people,” he says. “The loss of stations in low and mid-mountain areas would greatly reduce the popularity of snow sports.” According to him, the most can be achieved by traveling less and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

Skicrosser Ryan Regez would also like it if there were minimal and no long trips between races. He is convinced: “Better agenda planning can make a big difference.”

Regez and Yule also pay attention to sustainability in their private lives. “I eat plant-based because healthy food and sustainability are important to me,” says Ryan Regez. He also drives an electric car on the road – just like Daniel Yule. The latter also tries to live more environmentally consciously by eating seasonally and eating less meat. “And by traveling less,” says Yule. “On the sporting side, as an athlete I try to use my platform to make people aware of climate change.”

When asked what snow resistance means to him, Yule says: “A good future for snow sports.” Regez means: “Face the facts and do something for our world.”

More stars are participating

There are also cracks in the Scandinavian disciplines committed to more sustainable snow sports and the Snowstainability association. For example, the biathlete Lea Meier. «For me, snow sustainability means a future in snow sports. And a future for snow sports,” says the 22-year-old from Graubünden. Winter sports are very important to her and the people around her, and she wants to be able to slide on the snow in the future. “It’s not just about the athletes, but about all snow sports enthusiasts in our society,” she emphasizes.

When asked about her personal contribution to more sustainability in snow sports, she says: “Among other things, I moved my place of residence to the training facility. This means that I now live and train in Lantsch/Lenz GR. This means I can make my daily life more economical as I no longer have to travel long distances from home to train.”

Ski jumper Killian Peier also gets to work, also while traveling. “I always try to travel as a team and with as few vehicles as possible, and I also like to use my electric car,” he says. In this way, the energy consumption of the entire team can be reduced.

When asked why he is involved with Snowstainability as an ambassador, the 28-year-old from Vaud says: “I want to show that sport and sustainability can easily be combined with a little will.” His goal is to encourage people. “And to show them that if we take better care of our environment, we can still do snow sports in the future.”

We all have something to contribute

On the road to greater sustainability, every effort counts. And each of us can contribute – even when it comes to snow sports. We can have the most impact if we travel by train if possible and plan longer stays. So it is better to book a skiing holiday for a week in a row than to go skiing for two or three days throughout the season.

Anyone who only uses official slopes, cross-country ski trails and hiking trails also contributes to the protection of wildlife. If you disturb them in their shelters, they will flee and burn calories in the deep snow, which they cannot regain due to the lack of food in winter. This could cost her her life. When choosing a hotel, it is also worth paying attention to whether it uses renewable energy and is otherwise resource efficient.

It is also sustainable to use snow sports equipment for several years instead of just one season. If you want to buy new skis or skates, you can pass the old ones on to friends or family – or take them to the Brockenhaus. Chances are you’ll find a winter hat, gloves or poles there if you need something similar.

By joining forces, we can ensure that the Alpine habitats remain livable for us all – and that future generations can still enjoy snow sports.

Source : Blick