Professional skiers and snowboarders spend their days travelling around the world, entering competitions and finding the most wildest and remote places to ski and ride.

Jumping out of helicopters and riding snow-cats through the backcountry to catch those awe-inspiring runs is not good for the environment, but then they're the ones that will notice the effects the most.

So we at the Good Ski Guide have been contacting skiers and riders from around the world to find out what they think about global warming.

Sverre Liliequist

Sport: Freeskiing

Country: Sweden

In general, my season is so much shorter now - it used to be full winter in November back in Scandinavia and skiable until midsummer up north. Now it’s hard to find good snow in May, anywhere.

Also the glacier skiing in the fall down in the Alps is way worse since the last 10 years.

I think the outdoor sport industry in general is pretty aware, I mean if the industry can make people want to spend time in the mountains, to get them out of their cars and to enjoy a perfect day outside, everyone will start thinking what we will be missing if it gets worse.

Skiers can try to consume garments/gear with nice "history" - in its materials, production, transports etc. We can buy more high-quality pieces that last for years, instead of buying cheap and throw-away products.

I have my own brand Kask, and we are now doing some products in eco-cotton for an example, and are looking into finding other materials, such as hemp and bamboo as well."

Jules Reymond

Sport: Snowboarding

Country: France

"In my Home Resort of Les Crosets (Les Portes du Soleil, Switzerland), snow didn’t fall in a regular way the last few years. One can observe large quantities of snowfall in a short time period and then nothing for weeks.

The direct consequences for me are that I almost can’t shoot anymore over there and need to chase the snow around the world, travelling around.

The question is, how does my travel effect the whole system, does that make it any worse?

Brands are starting to pay attention to this problem and some have eco-friendly products. Perhaps there is the whole system to reconsider? I mean, is it enough to manufacture such products, without paying as much as attention to material supply, shipping, advertisement, and all the other steps before selling it to the consumer?

In my point of view, we need to rethink the whole system into the way of sustainable development.

It’s our role and duty to spread the word, use our exposure to increase public awareness to this issue and hopefully, on the long whole, change mentalities."

Gavin Mackay

Sport: Freeskiing

Country: Scotland, UK

The main difference I’ve noticed in the last few years is the wide range in temperatures. I don’t think its snowing any more or any less, but there are huge fluctuations in temperature between weather systems, which means that the snow rarely stays good for any long periods anymore.

It used to be quite normal to be able to hike for powder a week after the last snow fall. Now you’re almost guaranteed that the snow that fell will have warmed up, cooled down and there won’t be anything you recognise as powder after a week.

It seems to be the same all over the northern hemisphere. I haven’t skied in the south but my brother, who’s been based in NZ for the last couple of years, says it is the same down there.

Resorts with terrain over 3,000m seem to fair a little better, but still suffer similar effects.

I think the snowsports industry is doing a lot to help. Buildings in the mountains tend to be made using sustainable techniques and have high insular qualities than previously.

There are resorts in Scotland that are investigating how they can utilise energy from renewable energy sources to offset their fuel bills and carbon footprint.

But we live in a bit of a throw away culture and I think there’s a lot to be said for building quality and longevity into products so that they last longer and we waste less.

We’re pretty lucky to live at a point in time where air travel is accessible and affordable, and helicopter access is within the realms of possibility for a lot of us. I think global events such as acceptance of climate change, the credit crunch, people facing fuel poverty and budget airlines going bust because of high oil prices, is going to force everybody to think about how we can act more responsibly, and enjoy the mountains sustainably.

Ed Waite

Sport: Freeskiing

Country: England, UK 

There has definitely been a noticeable change in the mountains due to the effects of global warming, particularly in the last 5 years.

The temperature is nowhere near as constant as it used to be and last season we saw January temperatures in my home resort of Verbier similar to a warm day in May!

Many of my favourite freeriding spots are in small, unknown areas which are at a lower altitude, so struggle to keep the snow on them. When I listen to local guys, who started skiing these places 20 to 30 years ago, they say how the weather now ruins these places very quickly.

But snow levels are not the only problem – in certain parts of Europe the landscape is being affected too and there are more dead brown trees nowadays – an obvious sign of global warming.

The snowsports industry is huge and can play a vital part in keeping our mountains as clean as possible. Many resorts already do big end-of-season clear-ups after the snow melts and all the rubbish is left, and many companies are starting to realise that being as carbon friendly as possible is not only good for the environment but good for business, as punters are becoming more aware of what is happening to the environment and are looking to do their bit by choosing companies with a better record.

At the end of the day if people don't clean up and help keep the mountains as clean as possible there wont be any skiing or any business!

If it is your passion to ski or ride then you can really make a difference and it is you who influences the big companies to change, to help keep the mountains there for the next generation of riders. We can all vote with our feet and choose to use companies who do take the time to help the environment, and in turn force other companies and businesses to follow.

I personally try and use companies which try and help keep the mountains clean and who do their little bit to help the environment, which is why I ride for Storm Skis, whose ethos is to keep the environment at the forefront of its designs and materials used in construction. I also ride for Faiise clothing who, similarly to Storm, use the best materials and methods of construction available to do their bit in the fight against global warming.

However I'm not saying I'm perfect – I still don't turn down that helicopter ride to go and shred mountains which would be unreachable otherwise – but we can all do a little bit here and there, which in the bigger picture will make a big difference.