Eco-friendly ski gear
Ski gear can be affordable and eco-friendly—here's the proof
When it comes to kit, second-hand skiwear is not only more eco-friendly but often better value for money than what’s on shop shelves. New gear is expensive, and while pre-loved boots and jackets might not have that fresh-from-the-factory smell, they can be just as pristine and durable.
You can find some brilliant buys on online marketplaces like eBay and Vinted. However, both sites have obvious limits. Neither is designed specifically for skiers, meaning their search filters are vaguer and relevant listings are more sporadic and seller-dependent. Amidst over a billion items for sale, their UI makes it harder to find your ideal purchase.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled three brilliant online retailers for second-hand kit, each of which has unique advantages and disadvantages.
WhoSki.com
Who.skiPhoto: Photographer
WhoSki.com should be a go-to for every cost-conscious skier and snowboarder in the UK. You can find fantastic deals on second-hand gear and wear for every age, at no cost to quality. For fashion lovers, we noticed some real vintage fits too—designs you won’t find in today’s Intersport.
They’ve recently expanded their marketplace to include the wider outdoors market, meaning if you’re a canoer, horse rider, paddleboarder, or hiker, you can find kit suited to your needs.
On top of its utility, co-founders Nicola and Sally created WhoSki.com with an ethical vision. 10% of their commission for every sale goes to UK mental health charity stem4. The site aims towards a circular economy in skiing, trying to minimise the UK’s massive wastage in clothing and textiles. For buyers, Nicola and Sally have also compiled a “Green Directory”: a list of clothing brands, travel operators, and resorts leading the way in their environmental standards.
If you’re looking to clear out your old ski locker, you can join and list free of charge. We’d recommend checking out the site’s user guide before you do.
EcoSki.co.uk
Chemmy Alcott for EcoSki
Where WhoSki hosts a peer-to-peer marketplace (like eBay), EcoSki is a curated online shop for pre-owned skiwear. From jackets to sunglasses, ski bags, helmets, avalanche kit, and boots, EcoSki provides bargain buys for every taste and need.
While their stock is much smaller than WhoSki, it comes with a professional guarantee and an exceptional reputation. Their online shop has strict criteria for what they take and sell, aiming to be a fully ethical endeavour. You won’t find any clothing manufactured through child labour or unsafe working practices, exploitative supply chains, or polluting chemicals on their front page, so your conscience can rest at ease.
A second key service you’ll find on ecoski.co.uk is their rental shop. If you’re an infrequent visitor to the Alps, renting gear is both a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option, ensuring maximum use of the item at the minimum price for yourself. Barring skis and snowboards, they rent everything you’ll need to survive in the snow: socks, leggings, jackets, goggles, helmets etc., all for extended periods.
While EcoSki encourages everyone to donate their old gear, they’ll only take skiwear in excellent condition, so contact them before sending anything in. For ski pants that have seen one too many après-skis, the company is partnered with outdoor experts Lancashire Sports Repairs. For some much-needed TLC, you can contact them here.
As stated on EcoSki’s website, it’s much better for the environment (and your cherished memories) to repair than replace.
One Tree At A Time
Unlike the above sites, One Tree At A Time is more than a marketplace for second-hand ski gear. Worried about the impact of climate change, the organisation began as an Alps-based group of mountain-lovers wanting to improve environmental practices in the ski industry.
For a small fee, they provide training for businesses and individuals on practical ways to reduce their carbon footprint through one-off workshops, courses and consultations, and a monthly newsletter.
Perhaps most useful for skiers, however, is One Tree At A Time’s Community Hub and ski shop in Bozel, near Courchevel. The organisation believes it to be the world’s first circular ski shop, with every item for sale pre-owned and expertly upcycled. Their hardworking team of clerks and seamstresses have saved over 3,400 items of ski gear from landfill, to be sold in-store. So, if you think your jacket or thermals have too many nicks to fetch a decent price, you can donate it to One Tree At A Time for repair.
For buyers, it’s not just a pre-used kit: One Tree At A Time is now partnered with premium ski brands UNTRAKT, Planks, and Isobaa to sell their excess stock and warranty items. For the same gear, you’ll find significant discounts compared to mainstream retailers in Savoy.