Ski Wax Alert!!!

[Curly]

It has recently come to my attention the absolute environmental disaster that is "Ski Wax". I have to say in absolute honesty and distress at how alarmed I am at this most recent display of environmental blindness.

With the most recent push for trail closures and continued, expanded and or restructured winter monitoring, I find it almost incomprehensible that such an out cry has been missed by such efficient, truthful and upstanding agencies such as CBD, PEER and our very own USFS.

Just a few minutes into my research on this man made, avoidable disaster we find statements such as:

"Apparently, a lot of high-performance ski and board waxes contain high amounts of perfluorochemicals (PFCs). These are the same chemicals used in certain kinds of non-stick cookware, and have been linked to a number of possible health issues, including cancer (PFOA is considered a carcinogen). The cheaper waxes tend to contain slightly less PFCs, but it is still a concern."

And this travesty:
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, PFCs have also been found in the blood of fish, bald eagles and mink. This is largely because PFCs don't break down easily in soil, sediment or groundwater. Once it enters the environment, it sticks around for quite a while. This means that PFC deposited into snow via ski wax will likely wind up in soil and water sources come springtime.

This heinous activity may very well be happening in our own backyard, The Rubicon trail. I find it ironic and a complete outcry that certain groups and individuals who are pushing so hard for winter closure for reasons of environmental safety, may very well in fact be causing inconceivable and yet un measured harm to wildlife and water quality. I would suggest that this out cry needs to be investigated to the fullest and I for one will be sending a letter to my local PEER representative. I will also be contacting the Nordic Ski Patrol to ask for full disclosure on their "ski wax" policies.

Links:
http://www.treehugger.com/culture/yo...-wildlife.html
http://hub.sierratradingpost.com/ski...-wildlife-137/
http://www.purlwax.com/home-page/wax...onmental-news/
http://www.enn.com/press_releases/1345

There are so many more examples of links such as these but I just can't bring myself to read any more of this hideous, environmental disaster. Something must be done.

Tim.

[rockthedog]

like i needed one more thing to keep me up at night

[bagman]

:d

[Curly]

Oh but wait there's more:

Most standard waxes are made from petroleum or paraffin, byproducts of crude oil. Some incorporate other “slip agents” besides PFCs, such as graphite, molybdenum and silicone. On every run down the slopes, bits of wax flake off skis and snowboards, building up in the snowpack, eventually working their way into runoff when snow melts.

“A lot of people say, well, it’s just a little bit, it’s not that much, but over the years it can build up,” says Greg Barker, CEO of Nevada-based Enviro Mountain Sports, which makes natural waxes.

The U.S. ski industry recorded close to 60 million visits over the 2009-2010 season. Barker estimates that each skier or boarder deposits about three-quarters of an ounce of wax during a typical visit. That amounts to potentially 2.8 million pounds of wax entering mountain snow across the country each year, using these figures.

Taken from this recent link:
http://www.newwest.net/snow_blog/art..._tag/C458/L41/

[mannysouza]

The more hobbies they attack, the more people we will get on our side. That would be millions in skiers, then boating hobbyist will be attacked, dog owners will be attacked,hunters, ect... All of these people will be pissed off like us offroaders.

I say let them go after other Hobbyist.

It will blow up in their face

[BEAR]

Wow, who would have thought!!

[lttlbddy]

Originally Posted by Curly

“A lot of people say, well, it’s just a little bit, it’s not that much, but over the years it can build up,” says Greg Barker, CEO of Nevada-based Enviro Mountain Sports, which makes natural waxes.

The U.S. ski industry recorded close to 60 million visits over the 2009-2010 season. Barker estimates that each skier or boarder deposits about three-quarters of an ounce of wax during a typical visit.

3/4 of an ounce per visit? When I skied, I wouldn't use 3/4 of an ounce in a season, let alone per visit.

Another example of "good" science.

[rach]

Mandatory carrying of ski wax spill kits should be enforced immediately to ensure the safety of all wildlife. I heard the deer are already so stressed out now from attempting to navigate the darkness of the newly-constructed wildlife tunnel, causing cases of sudden heart failure in the species throughout the forest. And now this toxic travesty? I am appalled and hope to see immediate, effective efforts to stop this destructive madness.

[Disco]

We should start a new group, I'm thinking W.A.S.W., Wheelers Against Ski Wax. This has been flying under the radar for too long and it needs to be stopped! We'll start working in the Ski Wax spill kits ASAP!!

[BEAR]

Better yet, we should sue the forest service for allowing this environmental DISASTER to occur!!
That ski wax gets into our waterways!
We also need to force them to perform a designated ski route map and have all other ski routes closed immediately.

How dare they allow these reckless skiers to destroy our pristine public land!!

It must be stopped!

[tallgaier]

So what are we saying here, I have to quit waxing my boggers?

[Kurtuleas]

We need to ban the cross country skiers that use the Rubicon during the winter months!

[Bebe]

Originally Posted by Kurtuleas

We need to ban the cross country skiers that use the Rubicon during the winter months!

I think you ought to do one of your AWESOME Power Points

[fermentor]

Originally Posted by Kurtuleas

We need to ban the cross country skiers that use the Rubicon during the winter months!

SEASONAL CLOSURE - let them ski after the melt!

OMG, just had a thought. I bet "K" uses at least 3/4 ounce of bikini wax per visit. Think she disposes of that hazmat properly, or is it leaching in some landfill?

[Bebe]

Originally Posted by fermentor

SEASONAL CLOSURE - let them ski after the melt!

OMG, just had a thought. I bet "K" uses at least 3/4 ounce of bikini wax per visit. Think she disposes of that hazmat properly, or is it leaching in some landfill?

That's baaaaaad....

[LibertySand]

Originally Posted by BEAR

Better yet, we should sue the forest service for allowing this environmental DISASTER to occur!!
That ski wax gets into our waterways!
We also need to force them to perform a designated ski route map and have all other ski routes closed immediately.

How dare they allow these reckless skiers to destroy our pristine public land!!

It must be stopped!

[Kurtuleas]

I will just put this link right here:

http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/database/CalE...aint/index.cfm

[Bebe]

Originally Posted by Kurtuleas

I will just put this link right here:

http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/database/CalE...aint/index.cfm

[MikeMc]

So the dude that owns the natural ski wax company says his competitors wax is bad? He couldn't possibly be biased.

[Kurtuleas]

I think we need to urge the water quality control board to issue a cease and desist order immediately for all cross country skiing on the Rubicon trail until further studies can be done.

I am taking my boys up for the Cantina this year, and i am really worried about their health. I can't believe I let them swim in spider last year with all these toxic substances dumped in the area by skiers.

[BEAR]

Ya know, I don't have anything against skiers, I think everyone should have a place to enjoy America but due to the newly found health risks of SKI WAX, they should only be allowed on private property with proper watershed protection, strict management and strict law enforcement.

Not to mention, x-country skiers really DESTROY the serrenity of enjoying the forest during winter months, nothing but tracks EVERYWHERE!
Even worse .....these hideous creatures......STAB THE GROUND with sharp pointy objects!!! What animals!

What if a manbearpig were to fall into one of thier tracks and not be able to get out They are endangered ya know

[BEAR]

Originally Posted by Kurtuleas

I think we need to urge the water quality control board to issue a cease and desist order immediately for all cross country skiing on the Rubicon trail until further studies can be done.

I'm sorry but "urging" will do nothing, we need to immediately do a press release and threaten to SUE the water board, they cannot afford a lawsuit so they will comply with our demands without any scientific studies or proof of facts.

[Brewster2]

Originally Posted by Kurtuleas

I am taking my boys up for the Cantina this year, and i am really worried about their health. I can't believe I let them swim in spider last year with all these toxic substances dumped in the area by skiers.

You should also be concerned about the boys slipping on one of the wax residue covered rocks.

Ride on
Brewster

[Curly]

Originally Posted by BEAR

I'm sorry but "urging" will do nothing, we need to immediately do a press release and threaten to SUE the water board, they cannot afford a lawsuit so they will comply with our demands without any scientific studies or proof of facts.

Bingo Ryan! All joking aside this is the point that I was trying to make with my sarcastic, tongue in cheek thread. This whole thing started with a camp fire joke about snow skiers causing environmental damage with ski wax. Low and behold we come home and a friend does a little digging on the internet and sure as all get out, ski wax is harmful As someone stated above, this may or may not be truth and probably comes more from marketing than science but that is ultimately the point. We live in a world and society were anything and anyone can be twisted to ones advantage, given the right amount of money and the correct connections. To hell with solid science and facts, that no longer matters.

Sad truth,
Tim.

[1966Scout800]

Damn, I've been waxing my frame rails for years...