Dani Hochmuth about POW Austria

The first snow had already fallen. Until the foehn swept it off the mountain peaks. The white base was wiped out, forcing the ski resorts and us to postpone the start of the season or help it along with artificial snow. Sometimes it works, but not always. Is anthropogenic climate change the reason for this?

Climate change or dry spells?

Not always. Variability also plays a role. Very simple fluctuations in the climate: sometimes there is more snow in the northern Alps, sometimes in the southern Alps. Sometimes in Europe, sometimes in North America. It has always been like this and will remain so. However, it is impossible to say exactly how climate change will affect winters. We already know that the glaciers are losing mass and the winter seems to be getting shorter. In a way, this will change our sport. The white ribbons of artificial snow that currently characterize the Alps confirm exactly that. So is our beloved powder under threat? The powder that flies around our noses and lets us glide softly - as if on clouds - over the slopes?

Awareness-raising first and foremost

Snowboard pro Jeremy Jones wants to prevent this at all costs. That's why he founded the Protect our Winters (POW) initiative in 2007. He set himself the goal of mobilizing the winter sports community so that every winter sports enthusiast would stand up for winter and its associated passions without further endangering the climate. POW stands for an alliance of professional riders who work together to protect the climate. Supporters include riders such as Pep Fujas, Nicolas Müller, Caroline Gleich, Angel Collinson and Danny Davis. They focus on educational work and regional projects to reach people directly on the ground and raise awareness of climate change.

Lisa: Why POW in particular? What is special about it for you?

Dani: The special thing about POW for me is that we deal with big issues such as transportation, nutrition or consumption as well as regional projects on the ground. We are not an organization to be afraid of. We don't pillory people if, in our eyes, they don't act in a climate-friendly way. Instead, we want to point out solutions and be a communication tool. The athletes themselves stand up for their sport. I also think it's very special that we are a large, international alliance, but that we can plan country-specific campaigns in a very targeted way thanks to the offshoots in the individual countries. For example, things like drawing attention to the presidential election or talking to Austrian ski resorts. That is rather difficult as an international organization.

Lisa: What are your next activities?

Dani: We have recently been supported by the Alp-Con-Cinema-Tour. We were there for a few screenings. We want to intensify the partnership even further next year. We're really looking forward to that. We will also have a stand at the Air & Style in Innsbruck for the first time this season. I'm not allowed to say exactly what we're planning there yet, but just this much: it's going to be pretty big! Otherwise, we will continue to focus on mobilizing the winter sports community through appearances at events and information evenings, raising awareness of climate change and highlighting solutions through dialogue.

Lisa: And what are your long-term goals?