Geo-ecological impacts of ski piste construction in the Swiss Alps

authored by

Thomas Mosimann

Abstract

This paper reviews results from field surveys of over 200 sites on ski segments in the central Swiss Alps. Terrain modification during piste construction is shown to encourage soil erosion, especially in long, concave, linear hollows, on high-angle slopes, shallow or poorly drained soils and on long pistes. Erosion inhibits regeneration of the vegetation, especially above 2200 m a.m.s.l.; below 1600 m a.m.s.l. natural and/or artificial revegetation is generally more successful. On the basis of these observations, recommendations are presented for the siting and design of ski pistes.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group

Type

Article

Journal

Applied geography

Volume

5

Pages

29-37

No. of pages

9

ISSN

0143-6228

Publication date

01.1985

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Forestry, Geography, Planning and Development, General Environmental Science, Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/0143-6228(85)90004-9 (Access: Unknown)