In early February, the new Outdoor Business Climate Partnership faced its first test, and its response made some people cranky. The president of the International Ski Federation had made remarks to a Swiss newspaper that seemed dismissive of the threat of climate change. “To everyone who approached me shivering, I said ‘Welcome to global warming!’” said Gian-Franco Kasper, the head of the FIS since 1998, referring to the cold at the PyeongChang Olympics last year. “There are always some winters that are cold and others warm.” Kasper was showered with denunciations, but the trio of industry heavyweights who the previous week had announced their partnership to seek climate change solutions remained publicly mum. “We didn’t feel that we needed to come out and have a social media attack on him,” says Chris Steinkamp, who represents the Park City-based Snowsports Industries America, or SIA. “That’s not our role.” Instead, says Steinkamp, his organization, SIA, had “high-level discussions” with the appropriate people in what he calls a “more thoughtful and measured approach.” “We are not just attracted by shiny objects,” says Geraldine Link, director of public policy for the National Ski Areas Association. “The foundation for our partnership is working with respect when we’re trying to affect climate change, and some of the messaging we saw—using profanities and calling the leader of the FIS a dinosaur and a denier, calling people names and using labels—that’s not what we’re all about.” To view the full article visit Mountain Town News.
