NATURE-FRIENDLY SKI TOURING
KNOWLEDGE PROTECTS
It’s high season for us ski tourers, but the animals are in hibernation. By now we probably all know what effects our sport can have on nature, particularly in the winter. We often don’t appreciate how much we disturb the animal kingdom, how much energy loss we cause and what life-threatening consequences that can have. Check out the video with nature protection ranger Andreas Köpferl and our slider below to find out which animals can be found where, why it’s so important not to disturb them, and how we can protect them through considerate behavior.
In their “Naturally on Tour” campaign, the German Alpine Club (DAV) lists ten rules that we must always observe during a ski tour:
Respect nature reserves and sanctuaries for plants and animals, avoid making noise.
Avoid wildlife wherever possible, only observe from a distance, avoid feeding grounds, put dogs on a leash.
In midwinter, avoid peaks and ridges from 10am to 4pm.
Stay on conventional ski routes, forest paths and hiking trails in forest areas and on the edge of the forest, keep your distance from groups of trees and shrubs.
Preserve reforestation areas and young forests.
Use environmentally-friendly transportation: use public transport or carpool; use designated parking lots, do not block access roads.
Plan multi-day trips rather than lots of day trips, eat locally.
Plan tours using guidebooks and maps that carry the DAV “Naturally on Tour” seal of approval.
Observe the rules for ski tours and pistes.
WHO LEAVES WHAT
PRINTS?
Click on one of the free spaces on the image to select an icon.
WHO LEAVES WHAT
PRINTS?
Here you will see different prints in the snow. Try to connect the tracks to the correct animal.
WHO LEAVES WHAT
PRINTS?
Here you will see different prints in the snow. Try to connect the tracks to the correct animal.
