If you’re a passionate skier or snowboarder it’s likely that you are in the know when it comes to sustainable outdoor brands. Names such as Patagonia, Picture, Planks, Protest and icebreaker have become synonymous with planet-positive, high performance, high style outdoor gear. These impressive brands drive the latest in snow fashion, whilst keeping us warm, dry and protected on the slopes thanks to their impressive technical capabilities. It’s no wonder that when it comes to sustainable kit, we immediately think of these brands.

Yet, whilst these companies are driving essential change in the areas of sustainable materials, production and fairer supply chains, eco-conscious skiers should think twice before reaching for their wallets to purchase winter kit from the latest new season lines. According to Gavin Fernie-Jones, we do not need the latest expensive snow jacket to go skiing, and should instead be looking at more sustainable ways to replenish (and sort out) our wardrobes.

Through Re-action Collective, Gavin dedicates his time to connecting and amplifying the work of pioneers within the outdoor sports sector which are committed to circular models to reduce waste and carbon emissions and save resources. But habit changing can be tough, and circular practices can feel out of reach in our busy lives. We picked Gavin’s brains to find out about the sustainable options available to us when it comes to getting kitted out for the mountain.

1) Avoid buying new

Even the greenest garments require resources for production, transport and retail. When your ski gear gets old and worn, avoid buying new items by choosing the path of repair, rent or second-hand purchasing.

2) Repair it

Gavin says “I love a patch. To me they are a symbol of protest and freedom.”

But it’s understandable people tend to overlook this option, it takes time and skill to repair clothing, and as we’ve grown accustomed to simply replacing items with new ones, we don’t always know where to take items to get them repaired. The good news is as consumers become more aware of the negative impact of the fashion and textile industry on the environment, we are seeing a rise in communities, businesses and professionals who repair items in an effort to keep them in use for longer. This means, without too much effort, you should be able to find a way to get your mountain gear repaired – and, don’t forget, that once you have found your route to repair you will be able to repair more or your items in the future. Try these repair options:

Local tailors

Think locally to find a tailor or local business to repair your items. This is not only practical and saves postage fees, but supports the circular system of keeping money within your community. You can try posting on local Facebook groups to locate a tailor in your area.

Send away repair services

Most repair workshops accept items through the post. Outdoor gear repair specialist Lauren from Iron Keld explains how this process works: ‘Every repair is different, so I ask customers to provide a description of the problem and send some photos. I then provide repair options (e.g. type of zip, colours of fabric etc.) and a quote. Return postage is £5 for Royal Mail tracked 48 service (small parcel) and I always confirm when I’ve received the item.’

Community hubs and social enterprises

Keep an eye out for community led projects that repair clothing and other items in your area. Sheffield based Reyt Repair is a volunteer powered repair station, which also accepts items via post. Volunteers are trained in sewing and other repair skills, so your items are in good hands.

3) Rent it

Renting ski gear is becoming more popular for environmental and economical reasons. It’s a great option if you have a growing family, are trying your first ski holiday or visit the mountains once or twice a year. Thanks to companies like EcoSki  and Crevasse Clothing you can rent high quality mountain clothing, that not only does its job keeping you warm and dry on the piste, but looks good too.

Through EcoSki you can also rent goggles, helmets and avalanche equipment. In terms of costs, a week’s rental on an adult ski jacket can cost anything from £25 to £90, and you can choose and reserve your items online.

You can also get great savings at Crevasse Clothing and on your ski holiday as an AliKats customer. Our partnership with Crevasse means customers can get discounts with both brands: AliKats guests receive 10% off ski clothing rental with Crevasse, plus a further 25% of the total bill of their holiday as a discount off their ski pass. So if you spend €100 on clothing rental, we will give you €25 off your ski pass (just forward your Crevasse receipt to qualify).

4) Buy it second-hand

Peer-to-peer marketplace websites are on the rise, from e-bay and Facebook to industry specific platforms, such as the outdoor kit marketplace WhoSki. This is a great place to find good quality second-hand ski and snowboard gear, as well as camping, sailing, horse riding and all means of outdoor kit. You can afford to update your wardrobe without the guilt of contributing to the fast fashion crisis, plus 10% of commission on every sale is donated to the teenage mental health charity stem4.

5) Keep it in circulation

If you have kit in your wardrobe that you no longer wear or need, the worst thing you can do is leave it there. Get it back into use before it becomes outdated by giving it away or selling it. There are a few ways to keep mountain gear in circulation:

Re-sell it

Get your items up for sale on Facebook marketplace, e-bay, WhoSki or similar. Specific groups on Facebook like Outdoor Gear Exchange can help you reach the right audience.

Donate it

Donate your item to a non-profit with the means to get the item back in the hands of a suitable recipient. If you are in the UK, check out these options:

Kitsquad takes outdoor kit and donates it to low income families to help make the outdoors accessible to all.

Ellis Brigham’s ‘2nd Life’ initiative gets second-hand kit to homeless people across the UK. Outdoor jackets, trousers, fleeces, base layers, gloves, hats and sleeping bags can be dropped off at one of 6 Ellis Brigham stores.

Gift your gear is an initiative by Rowan outdoor and travel clothing company, which distributes used kit to a variety of community groups, charities, schools, and outdoor organisations. These beneficiaries use the donated kit to facilitate outdoor adventures, educational programmes, and skill- building activities within their communities.

AlpKit takes donations of outdoor clothing via their stores or post, and ensures they end up in the hands of those that need it through their foundation and charitable partners.

Montagne Verte is a non-profit association funded by the Morzine and wider Chablais community with a mission to develop sustainable solutions for our resorts and villages. If you’re staying with AliKats for a ski holiday you can leave your unwanted snow gear in your chalet at the end of your holiday to be cleaned and dropped off at Montgane Verte’s second-hand shop on Rue du Bourg (or why not pop in to drop off and have a rummage!). As well as selling second hand clothes and sports gear, the shop is a hub for repair workshops, sewing and helping to keep things in use for longer.

Read more about how Gavin and Re-action Collective members are making the outdoors more accessible through circular models of repair, re-purpose, rental and reuse here.

If you are looking for a more sustainable chalet holiday, check out our portfolio of luxury chalets in Morzine. Our climate action plan, permaculture practices and our zero-waste philosophy are all covered here.

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Main image and 3rd image from Crevasse Clothing’s Look Book.