Snow of Tomorrow | Mountain Sports is Motorsport?!

In view of the impending climate crisis, the question arises as to whether "mountain sports are motor sports" still applies today. Or would it be better to ask: when was the parking lot at the valley station or the starting point of the tour not overcrowded? Let's go in search of the answers and the right solutions together...

The matter of the ecological footprint and the personal CO₂ balance is actually quite simple: all activities require the use of energy, which in turn is linked to the emission of CO₂ and its equivalents. In other words - if it lies, it picks, and if it weighs, it has!

This is no different when it comes to mobility and transportation. Both represent a change of location: if you want to be mobile, you have to choose between existing means of transportation and attractive transport routes. How this decision turns out depends on many - mostly subjective - attitudes and is difficult to generalize per se. Needs that cannot be satisfied locally create a desire for a change of location and lead to a demand for mobility.

The following example is certainly familiar to everyone: If you're hungry, you go grocery shopping or call the pizza delivery service. If the supermarket on the corner is attractive and open, I go shopping there. If the pizza service is better and cheaper, I choose it. Whether goods (the pizza) or people (me) are transported becomes unimportant: both types of transportation satisfy needs directly or indirectly. The final decision is initially based on one's own needs, but depends on what is available.

If mobility expresses the need to change location, transport is the instrument that makes it possible. In terms of sporting needs, this means that a toboggan run within walking distance or within easy reach of public transport satisfies the need for sport and exercise with little traffic. Conversely, the touring week in Norway meets the need for sport just as well, but with far more traffic - 1:0 for the local toboggan run.

There is much to be said for simply leaving the car at home. — There are many reasons to simply leave the car behind.

Alex Schober

We KNOW that it is ecologically, socially and economically unacceptable to set off into the mountains alone in a car. Nevertheless, we often ACT contrary to our knowledge and use the car for routes or errands that could actually be done without it. Using public transport or active mobility, i.e. walking or cycling, would reduce the volume of traffic, increase road safety, reduce harmful emissions, bring about a financial and political strengthening of public transport and enable livable regions without the negative impact of tourism-induced traffic.

These many logical reasons are usually dismissed with these three common counterarguments:

too long;
too expensive;
too inconvenient.

Let's take a closer look at these arguments.

On the time factor: it is true that the journey by public transport takes longer, but are the few minutes to half an hour really important? Are we putting our leisure activities under such time pressure?

As far as the costs are concerned, it's clear that buying individual tickets takes the fun out of it because you have to spend money right from the start, whereas the car can apparently be started without any initial outlay. That's true, if it weren't for the regular visits to the gas station, the annual insurance deductions and recurring visits to garages. Not forgetting the parking fees that have to be paid. On the other hand, network cards (e.g. the Tirol Card, Salzburg Card...) usually enable social, ecological and economical transportation from A to B and meet the target criteria of sustainability. Long-distance buses and trains are ideal for distant destinations; booked early, these connections are also affordable.

As regards the accusation of inconvenience: of course, a lot of work still needs to be done to establish a framework for seamless and easy use of public transport. But to be honest, every journey, no matter how small, is an adventure - and don't we all want to experience stories that are worth telling?

It's better to travel inconveniently and meet new people and have good conversations, or simply catch up on some sleep, than to be stuck in a traffic jam in a metal box! It's actually more inconvenient to have to return to the parked car than to make the promising crossing into the adjacent valley...!

In short: there is no magic formula for solving the mobility and traffic problem. Politically elected decision-makers must create the framework conditions for a turnaround. However, more than many would like to admit, it is in society's hands to rethink and ideally change cherished habits of everyday life in general and our mobility needs in particular - not in theory, but with concrete actions: From getting to your favorite tour by public transport to consuming climate-friendly and fairly produced outdoor clothing to stopping off at a local inn after a successful tour!

Unfortunately, many tour areas and places of longing are not right on your doorstep and you have to cover the corresponding distances. It is up to each and every individual to decide on a sustainable and future-proof form of mobility. Long distances can be covered by train. To cover the last mile on site, there is the local public transport network and micro-public transport services (e.g. shared cabs ...). If transporting your own equipment is too much of a hassle, there's bound to be a nice local rental store with the latest models just waiting to be taken out. Be gentle, it is a rental!

Contemplation at the bus stop

Lea Hartl

The Alpine Club with its local sections and local groups is the first port of call when it comes to getting information on tours that can be easily reached by public transport. In addition to the tour options, the Alpine Club maps also show bus and train stops. There are also numerous entries on alpenvereinaktiv.com - the tour planning portal of the Alpine clubs - which can be easily reached by bus and train. Mobility centers can be used to find suitable connections and book tickets directly.

My personal conclusion

The fool who does foolish things! As Großstadtgeflüster aptly put it: "It's a fact that when things are going well, it's always everyone else. If it doesn't work, it's always everyone else." Blaming others doesn't really help the matter. We all have the opportunity to make the "right", i.e. sustainable, decisions regarding our activities and consumption. This is not about banning all cars from cities or giving up travel. But many things are possible with sharing models, cargo bikes or simply walking and using public transport! And long-distance travel can also be made more environmentally sustainable with the right planning and the right ingredients: Take the train, the bus or your own feet to get around, add a pinch of serenity and a thirst for adventure, let these ingredients work their magic and enjoy the sugar-sweet freedom you've gained with a touch of #ichrettediewelt!

About the author:

Josef Pichler works for the Alpine Association in the Spatial Planning and Nature Conservation department and yes, he owns a car. However, he prefers to use it as a "guest room" when visitors arrive and the apartment becomes too small.

Collection of links for further reading: