And, of course, there’s the fact of us opting for this kind of ski trip versus the typical carbon-heavy ski vacation. A day of heli-skiing for a single person is slightly less than the carbon footprint of an economy seat on a flight from New York to Los Angeles; and the armies of snowcat machines used to groom ski resorts go through five gallons of diesel per hour – each. Given that over the remaining days on this trip, Hill would transport skiers to other local mountains in the Bolt for full days of human-powered guided touring in the deep powder that the Revelstoke region is known for, as well as facilitate local food components for breakfast, bagged lunches, apres and dinner, there was no question we were lowering our carbon footprints in choosing this kind of ski adventure.
As we topped out in a powdery glade and began stripping climbing skins from skis in preparation for the descent, I asked Hill whether he thinks these sustainable adventures he’s offering will catch on to become more of a trend.
“You know that cartoon, of the two kids sitting on their grandfather’s knee and asking him what he did in the war against climate change?” he said by way of reply. “I want to be able to say to my grandkids what I did. And I hope others think that, too, because we need you in this.”
As we skied through the forest, the cold smoke of powder marking our passage, it was easy to appreciate that slowing down and localising the way we travel might help to protect this deep heart of winter.
If nothing else, it’s a conscious start.
Slowcomotion is a BBC Travel series that celebrates slow, self-propelled travel and invites readers to get outside and reconnect with the world in a safe and sustainable way.
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