There is little doubt now that climate change is a reality, and no doubt whatever that skiing is dependent on the climate for its future.

As a result, the Ski Club of Great Britain has developed an exciting Environmental Policy that is just the start of the 'Going Green' process.

Seven steps to preserve the mountains

1. Be aware of your environmental impact as skiers and boarders.
Educate yourself about your environmental impact on the mountains, and what you can do to minimise it.

2. Do not leave litter on the slopes.
When the snow melts, the litter will still be there. Bin it or take it home. Orange peel takes up to two years to break down, and cigarette ends up to five years. If you find litter on the slopes, do the right thing - pick it up.

3. Respect the natural habitat of mountain animals and plants.
If you ski through trees, you can damage them by knocking off branches and killing young shoots under the snow. Take care. Many areas are out of bounds to protect the natural habitat of animals and plants - not just for safety reasons.

4. Choose a resort which uses environmentally friendly practices.
Many resorts now use bio-diesel fuel in piste-bashers, solar panels for heating, hydro-electricity/wind energy for power and a host of other initiatives. Some resorts use the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 14001 as a mark of their environmental credentials.

5. Encourage your tour operator to adopt Green policies.
Find out if your tour operator offers train travel as an alternative to flying, if they use paper from sustainable forests for their brochures, if they use, for example, low-wattage light bulbs in their chalets and bio-degradable detergents.

6. Do your bit to reduce global warming on holiday and at home.
Re-use your towels each day, re-cycle household waste and switch off electrical appliances when not in use.

7. Reduce CO2 emissions.
By flying fewer miles, or switching from air to rail, you can help reduce the volume of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. When possible, use your bike instead of your car.