Not only that the manufacture of artificial snow is costly and uses large amounts of water, but sometimes the creation of artificial lakes is necessary for the snowmaking process. In order to obtain good quality snow, dust or bacteria is mixed with the water in the process of snowmaking to form better snowflakes. In recent years, the use of snow cannons has increased due to the fall in the volume of snow. Primary (direct) impact of resort development Amenities and infrastructure such as concrete buildings, ski-lifts, gondolas, access roads, parking lots, and railways have contributed to the urbanization of mountainous zones. As the economic role of the skiing industry grew, the environmental impact of resort development has also caused environmental burdens on the natural ecosystem including mountain water levels of lakes, streams, and wildlife. The process of resort development has progressed since the birth of the skiing industry. See also: Environmental impact of tourism and Vegetation and slope stability Though the word ‘ski’ is a derivation of the Old Norse ‘ skíð’ via Norwegian, the choice of French is likely attributed to the early popularity of such activities in the French Alps, with which it was then linked.

The culture originated in the Alps, where it is most popular and where skiers often stop at bars on their last run of the day while still wearing all their ski gear. These add to the enjoyment of resort-goers and provide something to do besides skiing and snowboarding. Après-ski (French for after skiing) is a term for entertainment, nightlife or social events that occur specifically at ski resorts. Ski resorts often have other activities, such as snowmobiling, sledding, horse-drawn sleds, dog-sledding, ice skating, indoor or outdoor swimming and hot tubbing, game rooms, and local forms of entertainment, such as clubs, cinema, theaters and cabarets. Some ski resorts offer lodging options on the slopes themselves, with ski-in and ski-out access allowing guests to ski right up to the door.

The typical ski area base includes a ticket office, ski lodge, ski school, equipment rental/repair shop, restaurant/bar, shopping, shuttle bus stop and parking. The ski patrol is usually responsible for rule enforcement, marking hazards, closing individual runs or areas as conditions require, and removing (dismissing) dangerous participants from the area. Ski areas usually have at least a basic first aid facility, and some kind of ski patrol service to ensure that injured skiers are rescued. Resorts post their trail map illustrating the location of lifts, trails, services and the ski area boundary, and during the ski season issue a daily snow conditions report listing open trails, operating lifts and weather status. Larger ski areas may use gondola lifts or aerial tramways for transportation across longer distances within the ski area. Rope tows can also be used on short slopes (usually beginner hills or bunny slopes). Ski areas typically have one or more chairlifts for moving skiers rapidly to the top of hills, and to interconnect the various trails. Ski areas have marked paths for skiing known as runs, trails or pistes. Gambarie, a ski resort above the Strait of Messina The term ski station is also used, particularly in Europe, for a skiing facility which is not located in or near a town or village.Ī ski resort which is also open for summer activities is often referred to as a mountain resort. Valmeinier, Valmorel code: fra promoted to code: fr, Shahdag Mountain Resort). Fourth generation or village resorts Created from virgin territory or around an existing village, but more concerned with traditional uses (e.g.

Sestriere, Flaine, La Plagne, Isola 2000). Third generation or integrated Designed from scratch on virgin territory to be a purpose-built ski resort, all the amenities and services nearby (e.g. St Anton, Lech, Courchevel code: fra promoted to code: fr, L'Alpe d'Huez code: fra promoted to code: fr, Aspen, Breckenridge). Second generation Created from a non-tourist village or pasture (e.g. Moritz, Kitzbühel, Chamonix, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Megève, Val Gardena code: ita promoted to code: it ). The ski industry has identified advancing generations of ski resorts: First generation Developed around a well-established summer resort or village (e.g.