Green code for off-piste sports
The Swiss Alpine Club has launched a new set of guidelines on environmental protection for off-piste skiers, snowboarders and hikers. The move is aimed at pre-empting possible bans on off-piste activities by the authorities.
The Swiss Alpine Club has launched a new set of guidelines on environmental protection for off-piste skiers, snowboarders and hikers. The move is aimed at pre-empting possible bans on off-piste activities by the authorities.
Around 30 companies working closely with nature protection groups and tourism organisations launched the new code of conduct, following fears that unregulated off-piste activities could have a detrimental effect on the environment.
The new guidelines mean that tour companies are duty-bound to make sure customers respect nature and steer clear of protected areas. The Alpine Club is distributing brochures to inform members of the new code.
The voluntary agreement on a code conduct between tour companies is unique in the field of outdoor sport. The parties involved say they hope it will lead the way for other commercial enterprises involved in outdoor sports to follow suit.
From staff and wire reports
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.