Crystal Ski Holidays Partners with Protect Our Winters UK

4th February 2024

Last modified on February 6th, 2024

The collaboration has education at the heart and hopes to engage and inform Crystal Ski Holidays’ colleagues and customers about the environmental and sustainability issues that the ski industry faces.

It also aims to create meaningful and progressive advocacy to help encourage climate action.

The journey to net zero is complex and while many people want to act, they often don’t know where to begin.

This is why Protect Our Winters UK encourages progress over perfection, and education is the place to start in order to create change.

The response to POW UK’s education programme to date has been successful and currently the organisation requires more resource to meet demand.

The joint venture will see Crystal Ski Holidays fund a new Programme Co-ordinator role for its education programme, enabling its expansion so that more of the mountain sports community can learn about climate change and instil meaningful change.

The partnership, which has been initially established over a three-year term will include ‘Carbon Literacy Training’ (CLT) for Crystal Ski Holidays staff, which will be delivered over an 18-month period.

CLT equips the mountain sports community with knowledge of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and how emissions can be reduced, on an individual, community, and organisational basis.

The eight-hour accredited course includes interactive discussions and outlines what is required to reach net zero.

Perhaps the most visible impact of climate change on the mountains is the melting of the glaciers.

Mont Fort glacier, Verbier. Image © PlanetSKI

Seasonal Crystal staff will also be invited to attend ‘Introduction to Climate Action’ webinars, which are designed specifically for those working within the outdoor industry, such as resort teams.

The objective of all the training is to ensure that colleagues are confident and knowledgeable when talking about climate change, while also normalising climate conversations and increasing engagement in climate action.

In addition, the partnership will offer subsidised Carbon Literacy Training to Crystal Ski Holiday customers to help raise awareness of POW UK’s climate change effort.

“It can be difficult for people to understand and articulate the science behind the climate crisis and why climate action is so vital,” said POW’s Head of Programmes, Dominic Winter.

“Even those who feel inspired to act are often unsure how to be effective.

“Education is, therefore, a hugely effective way to empower change.

“We’re proud to be working with Crystal Ski Holidays, and we’re confident that the expansion and delivery of our education programme will help both staff and the wider community take action.”

Crystal Ski at the National Snow Show. Image © PlanetSKI

“We’re excited to be taking positive steps forward by working with Protect Our Winters UK,” said the  Head of Marketing at Crystal Ski Holidays, Ellie Eyles.

“We recognise that as the leading ski operator, we have a responsibility to inform and inspire our colleagues and customers, as well as encourage a progressive step-change for them and the wider industry.

“We hope this partnership and the training we are providing our teams, demonstrates our commitment to positive social and environmental change to help shape a more sustainable future for ski and outdoor sports.”

Crystal Ski Holidays is part of the TUI Group which has committed to science-based targets.

The company’s 2030 science-based targets for airline, cruises and hotels achieved validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in January 2023 and confirmed they are in line with the latest climate science.

Detailed emission reduction roadmaps have been developed with an external partner which includes key levers to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

More information can be found here: https://www.tuigroup.com/en-en/responsibility/sustainability/planet/emission-reduction-roadmaps

ABOUT CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS   

Part of the TUI Group, Crystal Ski Holidays is the UK’s leading ski package holiday provider taking customers to more than 120 resorts in 14 countries across Europe, North America and Japan flying from over 18 UK airports. 

All packages include flights, transfers and accommodation, and are covered by ABTA and ATOL protection.    

ABOUT PROTECT OUR WINTERS UK

Protect Our Winters UK exists to turn passionate mountain sports enthusiasts into effective climate advocates to affect systemic policy change that will protect the world today and for future generations. 

POW UK delivers education and engagement programmes, organisational climate action support, and campaign for systemic policy solutions. https://protectourwinters.uk/