Skier and Snowboarder Motivations and Knowledge Related to Voluntary Environmental Programs at an Alpine Ski Area |
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Authors: | Christopher M Little Mark D Needham |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA;(2) Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Richardson Hall 204, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; |
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Abstract: | Many alpine ski areas have recently adopted voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) such as using recycling, renewable energy,
and biofuels to help reduce their environmental impacts. Studies have addressed the performance of these VEPs in mitigating
environmental impacts of this industry, but little is known about visitor awareness and perceptions of these programs. This
article addresses this knowledge gap by exploring skier and snowboarder knowledge of VEPs at a ski area and the influence
of these programs on their motivations to visit this area currently and behavioral intentions to visit again in the future.
Data were obtained from an onsite survey at the Mt. Bachelor ski area in Oregon, USA (n = 429, 89.7% response rate). Few skiers and snowboarders were knowledgeable of VEPs at this area and fewer than 20% were
motivated to visit on their current trip because of these programs. Other attributes such as scenery, snow conditions, and
access were more important for influencing visitation. Up to 38% of skiers and snowboarders, however, intend to visit this
ski area more often if it adopts and promotes more VEPs. Managers can use these results to inform communication and marketing
of their environmental programs and performance to visitors. Additional implications for management and future research are
discussed. |
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Keywords: | |
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