Editing Ski resort

{{Short description|Resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports}}
{{Redirect|Ski station|the railway station at Ski in Norway|Ski Station}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=June 2014}}
[[File:Ski resorts in the world.png|thumb|380x380px|Ski resorts in the world by country]]
A '''ski resort''' is a [[resort]] developed for [[skiing]], [[snowboarding]], and other [[winter sports]]. In Europe, most ski resorts are towns or villages in or adjacent to a [[ski area]]–a mountainous area with [[piste]]s (ski trails) and a [[ski lift]] system. In [[North America]], it is more common for ski areas to exist well away from towns, so ski resorts usually are [[destination resort]]s, often purpose-built and self-contained, where skiing is the main activity.

==Ski resort==
[[File:World ski resorts.png|thumb|400px|{{center|Map of world ski resorts}}]] 
Ski resorts are located in both hemispheres, on all continents except [[Antarctica]]. They typically are located on [[mountain]]s, as they require a large slope. They also need to receive sufficient [[snow]] (at least in combination with artificial [[snowmaking]], unless the resort uses [[dry ski slope]]s).

High concentrations of ski resorts are located in the [[Alps]], [[Scandinavian Peninsula|Scandinavia]], western and eastern [[List of ski areas and resorts in North America|North America]], and [[List of ski areas and resorts in Japan|Japan]]. There are also ski resorts in the [[List of ski areas and resorts in South America|Andes]], scattered across central [[List of ski areas and resorts in Asia|Asia]], and in [[Skiing in Australia|Australia]] and [[Skiing in New Zealand|New Zealand]].

Extreme locations of non-indoor (at least one ski lift outside) ski resorts include:
* The most northern ski resort near [[Tromsø]], [[Norway]]
* The most southern ski resort near [[Ushuaia]], [[Argentina]]
* The ski resort closest to the equator from the north, near [[Lijiang]], [[China]].
* The ski resort closest to the equator from the south, near [[Mahlasela Pass|Mahlasela]], [[Lesotho]].
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==Types==
[[File:Mzaar Ski Resort1.jpg|thumb| [[Mzaar Kfardebian]] Ski Resort in [[Lebanon]]]]
The ski industry has identified advancing generations of ski resorts:<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Heller |editor-first=Mark F. |year=1979 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PlAGCkA8_ZIC |title=The Skier's Encyclopedia |publisher=Paddington Press |isbn=9780448224282 |pages=15–18, 140–145, 157–159}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=R. |last=Knaffou |year=1978 |title=Les Stations intégrées de sports d'hiver dans les Alpes françaises |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=Masson |isbn=9782225494123}}</ref>

;First generation: Developed around a well-established summer resort or village (e.g. [[Davos]], [[St. Moritz]], [[Kitzbühel]], [[Chamonix]], [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]], [[Megève]], {{lang|it|[[Val Gardena]]|italic=no}}).
;Second generation: Created from a non-tourist village or pasture (e.g. [[St Anton am Arlberg]], [[Lech (Vorarlberg)|Lech]], {{Lang|fr|[[Courchevel]]|italic=no}}, {{Lang|fr|[[L'Alpe d'Huez]]|italic=no}}, [[Aspen/Snowmass]], [[Breckenridge Ski Resort]]).
;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. [[Sestriere]], [[Flaine]], [[La Plagne]], [[Isola 2000]]).
;Fourth generation or village resorts: Created from a virgin territory or around an existing village, but more concerned with traditional uses (e.g. [[Valmeinier]], {{Lang|fr|[[Valmorel]]|italic=no}}, [[Shahdag Mountain Resort]]).

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. A ski resort which is also open for summer activities is often referred to as a [[mountain resort]].

==Facilities and amenities==
[[File:2017-18 Skigebiet Zauchensee (41).jpg|thumb|This image of [[Zauchensee]], Austria, shows the pistes, served by a gondola lift, detachable chairlift and a funicular. There is a snow fence to prevent snowdrift; and avalanche towers and avalanche barriers to mitigate the risk of avalanches]]
[[File:Jasna-koliesko.jpg|thumb| [[Jasná]] ski resort in [[Slovakia]]]]
[[File:Bariloche_-Argentina-.jpeg|thumb|[[Cerro Catedral]] Ski Resort, [[Argentina]]]]
[[File:Etna nord skiresort.JPG|thumb|Ski resorts can also be situated on a [[volcano]] like this one on [[Mount Etna|Etna]] in [[Sicily]]]]
[[File:Pista Azzurra Gambarie.jpg|thumb|[[Gambarie]], a ski resort above the [[Strait of Messina]]]]
Ski areas have marked paths for skiing known as runs, trails or [[piste]]s. Ski areas typically have one or more [[chairlift]]s for moving skiers rapidly to the top of hills, and to interconnect the various trails. [[Rope tow]]s can also be used on short slopes (usually beginner hills or bunny slopes). Larger ski areas may use [[gondola lift]]s or [[aerial tramway]]s for transportation across longer distances within the ski area. 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.

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.  The ski patrol is usually responsible for rule enforcement, marking [[hazard]]s, closing individual runs or areas as conditions require, and removing (dismissing) dangerous participants from the area.

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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Berry |first=I. William |year=1984 |title=The Great North American Ski Book |publisher=Scribners |isbn=0-684-18207-6 |pages=72–73}}</ref>
 
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.  Ski resorts often have other activities, such as [[Snowmobile|snowmobiling]], [[sledding]], [[Sled|horse-drawn sleds]], [[Dog sled|dog-sledding]], [[ice skating]], indoor or outdoor [[Swimming pool|swimming]] and [[hot tub]]bing, game rooms, and local forms of entertainment, such as clubs, cinema, theaters and [[cabarets]]. 

'''Après-ski''' (French for ''after skiing'') is a term for entertainment, [[nightlife]] or social events that occur specifically at ski resorts.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|entry=après-ski|entry-url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apr%C3%A8s-ski|dictionary=Merriam-Webster|access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Flower |first=Raymond |year=1976 |title=The History of Skiing and Other Winter Sports |publisher=Methuen |isbn=0-458-92780-5 |pages=132–141}}</ref> These add to the enjoyment of resort-goers and provide something to do besides [[skiing]] and [[snowboarding]]. 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.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lund|first=Morton|title=Tea Dance To Disco: Après-Ski Through the Ages|journal=Skiing Heritage Journal|date=March 2007|volume=19|issue=1|pages=6–12|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P1gEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6|access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref> Though the word "ski" is a derivation of the [[Old Norse]] {{Lang|non|skíð}} via [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]], the choice of [[French language|French]] is likely attributed to the early popularity of such activities in the [[French Alps]], with which it was then linked.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harper|first1=Douglas|title=ski (n.)|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=ski|website=Etymology Online|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>

== Environmental effects ==
{{See also|Environmental impact of tourism|Vegetation and slope stability}}
As rising temperatures, receding glaciers and declining snowfall affect the environment, resort development and operations also have an [[environmental impact]] on land, lakes, streams, and wildlife.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report |last=Chivers |first=John |orig-year=1994 |date=December 2010 |title=Effects of the Skiing Industry on the Environment |url=http://www.laviniaes.com/files/8013/5980/3263/EffectsOfTheSkiingIndustryOnTheEnvironment.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822105954/http://www.laviniaes.com/files/8013/5980/3263/EffectsOfTheSkiingIndustryOnTheEnvironment.pdf |archive-date=22 Aug 2016}}</ref> Amenities and infrastructure such as concrete buildings, ski lifts, access roads, parking lots, and [[railways]] have contributed to the [[urbanization]] of mountainous zones.

=== Primary (direct) impact of resort development ===
In recent years, the use of [[snow cannons]] by many ski resorts has increased to compensate for reduced levels of snowfall.<ref>Gerretsen, Isabelle (2023)  [https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230124-how-climate-change-threatens-to-close-ski-resorts How climate change threatens to close ski resorts] BBC</ref> In order to sustain good quality snow coverage, snowmaking requires large amounts of water and sometimes the creation of [[artificial lake]]s. Snow cannons also introduce a noise element.

=== Secondary (indirect) impact of resort development ===
The required infrastructure can affect [[erosion]] through the increased area of [[impervious surface]]s, redirecting the flow of [[Surface runoff|water runoff]].

=== Mitigation efforts ===
Many resorts are taking steps to reduce their energy and water consumption and waste production, increase recycling, and restore habitats. Initiatives aimed at addressing environmental concerns include:
*[[Alpine Convention]]
*Snowsports Industries America (SIA) ClimateUnited
*NSAA Sustainable Slopes Initiative
*[[National Forest Foundation]] Ski Conservation Fund
*[[Ceres (organization)|Ceres]] [[Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy]] (BICEP) Network
*FESI Winter Sports Sustainability Network (WSN)
*[[Protect Our Winters]] (POW)

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" heights="180">
File:Pista nera.jpg|[[Roccaraso]], [[Italy]]
File:Levi gondoli.png|[[Levi, Finland|Levi]], [[Finland]]
File:Vista de Valle Nevado.jpg|{{Lang|es|[[Valle Nevado]]|italic=no}}, [[Chile]]
File:Male Ciche.jpg|[[Małe Ciche]], [[Poland]]
File:Furano ski.jpg|[[Furano Ski Resort]], Japan
File:Hermonsite1.jpg|[[Mount Hermon ski resort|Mount Hermon Ski Resort]], [[Israel]]
File:Rusutsu WestMt(200703).jpg|[[Rusutsu Resort]], [[Japan]]
File:Mount Blue Cow July 2011.jpg|[[Perisher Ski Resort]], [[Australia]]
File:Sierra Nevada Borreguiles 6.jpg|[[Sierra Nevada Ski Station]], [[Spain]]
File:Shahdag01.jpg|[[Shahdag Mountain Resort]], [[Azerbaijan]]
File:Telluride Ski Resort, Col. (8645173834).jpg|[[Telluride Ski Resort]], [[United States]]
File:Corbet's Couloir jackson hole.jpg|[[Jackson Hole Mountain Resort]], United States
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of ski areas and resorts]]
*[[Private ski area (North America)]]

== References ==
{{Commons|Ski resorts}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Skiing}}
{{Tourism}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ski Resort}}
[[Category:Ski areas and resorts| ]]
[[Category:Resorts by type]]