Nicola, Author at WhoSki.com

Ski wear from the Alps – with ZERO carbon footprint

Ski resort workers wear technical, branded ski clothing through the season – but what happens to it when the snow melts? This year, some of those ski clothes have been repaired, refreshed, refurbished and will be back in active usage – thanks to a zero carbon footprint collaboration between WhoSki.com and our Alpine eco-partner One Tree at a Time.

All logos have been obscured or removed, with the ski jackets, fleeces and tops – all little-used and good as new – washed and refurbished before making their way back to the UK from the Alps this summer with ZERO carbon footprint.

One Tree jackets. Eco ski wear from the Alps

One Tree ski jacket. Ski wear from the Alps - with zero carbon footprint

Aren’t they gorgeous? Bright, stylish, rescued and repaired. And now on sale at WhoSki.com.

a secondhand success story

A secondhand success story. But just a few months ago, they were end of season cast-offs from seasonal ski resort workers in the Alps.

You’ve probably never thought about what happens to the branded ski clothing used by saisonnaire staff when the snow melts. Barely used but no longer required, most corporate ski jackets, fleeces and mid-layers are probably headed for landfill or incineration.

It’s a story that our eco-partner One Tree at a Time is working tirelessly to re-tell. One Tree is a grassroots organisation based in the hamlet of Bozel in the French Alps, nestled between Courchevel and La Plagne. With their help, we are extending the life of these valuable textiles by enabling re-sale of their pre-loved and 100%-perfect ski clothing via our UK marketplace.

Like WhoSki.com, One Tree at a Time is among the sustainable outdoor activity organisations which belong to the Re-Action Collective, an international group of second handers, renters, repairers and individuals sharing ideas and resources to support and promote the messages of re-sale, re-purpose and re-use.

Here’s the story of how our range of One Tree at a Time refurbished eco ski wear made its way from the Alps to the WhoSki.com marketplace, where you can buy it now…

January 2023
In the Alps, One Tree starts sharing photos of the ex-ski company wear that is being donated for re-use. Good as new or unused items like ski jackets, fleeces, salopettes and woolly hats that are surplus to requirements and will never be used again.

February 2023
WhoSki.com co-founder Sally starts to wonder whether there is a sustainable way to extend the market for One Tree’s pre-loved and refurbished ski wear range to the UK. Selling it on via the WhoSki.com marketplace would help promote the re-use message, highlight the issue of winter sports sustainability and make top-quality ski clothing more affordable and accessible to a wider audience in the UK.

March 2023
Workers at One Tree are busy repairing and refreshing ski wear ready for re-sale. This entails removing all branding and logos, replacing travel company slogans with flashes of reclaimed fabric, making sure zips are in working order and that all items end up good as new.

One Tree workers repair and refresh the ski clothing — Image: Gwilym Thomas

One Tree seamstress in the Alps brings ski clothing back to life — Image: Gwilym Thomas

Manon, Justine and the rest of the talented One Tree at a Time repair team work at their sewing machines from home. A cottage industry of passionate, creative people working to provide circularity solutions. Their motivation? To keep textiles in active usage as long as possible.

The results are stunning: high quality, good as new ski and winter wear ready for re-use.

April 2023
Sally calls Gavin: “Any chance we can bring some of your ski gear to the UK? But we need to do it in as low-carbon a way as possible.” WhoSki.com and One Tree start working out how to transport the clothing back to the UK without generating emissions.

June 2023
Bingo! One of Gavin’s repairers will be driving back to the UK next month and has space in her car to bring over a batch of refurbished ski wear. It’s a journey that she will be taking anyway, so zero carbon footprint for our clothes.

July 2023
Justine arrives in Warrington with a couple of boxes of One Tree ski clothing. WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola’s sister lives nearby and is visiting the area anyway so agrees to collect the boxes and stash them at her home. So far: no extra miles.

Boxes of ski wear from the Alps - brought to the UK with zero carbon footprint — Boxes en route

August 2023
Arrival day! Nicola’s sister travels south for a family occasion, bringing with her the two boxes brimming with One Tree’s brightly coloured, expertly refurbished ski wear. It’s fabulous: unique, sustainable, perfect.
Next step: upload the pre-loved clothing – base layer fleeces, mid-layer puffers and ski jackets – to WhoSki.com ready for re-sale.

Unboxing ski wear from the Alps - brought to the UK with zero carbon footprint

September 2023
Sustainable One Tree at a Time refurbished ski wear goes on sale at WhoSki.com. By buying one of these unique items of clothing, you are keeping an unrecyclable item in active usage, out of landfill and reducing its and your own carbon footprint. Ski wear from the Alps to the UK with zero carbon footprint: a circular economy success story.

If you live anywhere near SW London, visit the WhoSki.com stall in Wimbledon on Saturday September 16. We have a presence at the open-air Love Wimbledon Sustainable Market outside the Odeon in central SW19 – so you can get hands on with the refurbished clothing we are selling through our collaboration with One Tree. Please pop by for a chat and to find out more.

Are you a travel or sports business that would like to see end of season branded items refurbished and put to good use? Get in touch – we would love to help you normalise re-use for discarded winter sports wear. It’s good for sustainability and the environment, good for consumers, good for the industry and great for your corporate profile.

Check out the One T ree items for sale at WhoSki.com here.

“I spent £1k on kit – most will never get used”

How much does it cost to kit your kids out for an expedition? And what if that kit never gets used?

The 2023 World Scout Jamboree – oh dear! We feel so sorry for those Scouts who had worked so hard for so long to get to South Korea, only for a series of organisational and climactic mishaps to make it a trip to remember for all the wrong reasons.

Costly kit lists

Here at WhoSki.com we were also struck by the words of one parent, who told The Times, “You get a big kit list… I spent about £1,000 in Decathlon. Most of it will never get used.”

If you’ve ever signed up a child for a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, an adventure trip or a Scout or Guide camp, you’ll sympathise.

Kitting out your kids with the necessary equipment for every eventuality – rain, wind, heat, insects, snow – is essential. The official kit list is lengthy. The cost is high.

But much of that expedition gear, which ranges from waterproof jackets to mosquito nets, Camelbak hydration carriers to gaiters, walking trousers to rucksack liners, barely gets used. Let’s face it, some of it never comes out of the bag.

Unused kit: perfect for re-sale

A lot of equipment is used only briefly because your teenage kids grow out of it before their next adventure. Which makes it perfect for secondhand re-sale. And WhoSki.com is the perfect place to sell it on.

We have expanded our categories beyond ski to include a wider range of pre-loved outdoor clothing and kit.

So rather than stuffing that outdoor gear in the loft, why not sell it on via our secondhand marketplace? It’s your chance to recoup some of your initial outlay and help make someone else’s DofE expedition a bit more affordable and sustainable.

Image by Freepik

What happens to old wellies?

I’ve lost count of the number of welly boots my family has churned through over the years. Which set me wondering: what happens to old wellies once you don’t want or need them any more?

We’ve all owned a pair of wellies. My current Hunter wellies have been going strong for about 15 years – and my daughter has inherited their predecessors.

Meanwhile, a cheapo Decathlon pair are doing sterling service as my rowing wellies, and shorty Joules wellies keep my feet dry while gardening.

Wellies are hard to recycle

Even when your wellies are made from certified eco-sourced rubber, mixing rubber with other materials during manufacture unfortunately makes them difficult to recycle when discarded.

It’s even worse for old wellies made from materials like PVC. Recycling of synthetics is still in its early days; they take hundreds of years to decompose in landfill and emit toxins when incinerated.

So choose carefully when you buy. Purchase pre-loved if you can, and never put old wellies in the bin: waste dumps are among the worst places they can end up. If there’s any life in them – no leaks, intact tread – try selling them via WhoSki.com or donate to a worthy cause.

Are your old wellies fit for re-sale?

If you are selling on or donating your unwanted old wellies, check that they are in good condition without cracks or damage that might leak. Make sure the soles are still in good shape, with tread robust enough to prevent slipping in mud or on wet surfaces.

When taking pics of your wellies for listing on WhoSki.com, photograph these details. If they are patterned, make sure the image is clear with no background clutter, to help bring your listing to life.

Eco-rubber boots

Remember: rubber comes from plants. Choosing wellies with FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) means you can be certain the rubber comes from a sustainable source.

Wellington boot manufacturers which use FSC-certified natural rubber include Hunter Boots (which, sadly, went into administration earlier this year) and Lakeland.

Welly recycling options

If your wellies are too clapped-out to sell on, then check out local recycling point options. Try the recycle now site.

The French brand Aigle is a spendy option – warning, expensive! – but their boots are among the most sustainable you can buy and are guaranteed to last. Find out more.

Buy well to avoid welly waste

Keeping old wellies in active usage as long as they are fit for purpose is always the ‘greenest’ option. Recycling takes energy, and incineration produces toxic pollutants.

To reduce your environmental impact, consider investing in high-quality wellies that are made from sustainable materials and designed to last for many years. For kids, make sure their wellies are kept in active usage for as long as possible before they need to be thrown away. Sell them on via WhoSki.com or swap with friends and family to avoid buying new where possible.

Get creative with your old wellies

Once your wellies are really no longer wearable, perhaps you could repurpose them? Cut them down to use as shortie wellies, or transform them into planters.

Some schools and community groups use old wellies to plant up herbs and flowers, creating a fun and colourful display. It’s a good way for the kids to learn a bit about gardening as well as the impact of their wellies on the environment.

Got wellies you want to sell on? Visit the footwear section of the WhoSki.com marketplace to list your old wellies. Remember, we donate to charity on every sale.

Green up your watersports habit

Outdoors, on the water, in the fresh air – we love marine activities. Simple steps will help you keep on the right side of the environment, to green up your watersports habit this summer.

CHOOSE BIO-FRIENDLY SUN SCREEN

It was established in the early 2000s that the chemicals in some sun screens are harmful to coral reefs. Further research indicates that protective sun creams can also damage other marine organisms including wildlife.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate are among the culprits, and sunscreen containing these chemicals is banned in certain sensitive marine environments and resorts. Check the ingredients in your sun cream: choose marine-friendly and biodegradable formulations.

Fresh water in lakes and rivers also suffer pollution by sunscreen, scientists now believe. Harmful side effects include the water surface ‘sun cream slick’ that can prevent aquatic insects from laying eggs, thus depriving other river and lake dwellers of food supply.

Chemicals in sunscreen can harm fish, mussels and algae too. Research continues, but in the meantime, opt for eco sun protection when you swim, surf, paddleboard – whatever your watersports habit.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Most of us are aware of the need to leave only footprints – but how about going one better, and heading home from the beach / riverbank / lakeside with MORE than you brought by doing a quick litter pick every trip?

Take a 10-minute walk up and down the waterside between paddleboard outings and gather whatever bits of rubbish or general manmade debris you find. Stick them in a bag and put them in the bin / recycling when you get home.

Look out for local clean-up initiatives while you are water-side and do your bit. Plastic Free North Devon, for example, runs a series of green action days to deal with the rubbish that is clogging our shores.

Surfers Against Sewage provides advice on organising a beach clean as well as listings for local beach clean up activities.

PASS IT ON

Look for secondhand watersports equipment before you buy new – and sell on any pre-loved outdoor activity items you no longer need.

For example, watersports kit like boogie or body boards, essentially a sheet of polystyrene wrapped in a thin layer of nylon decorated with a cartoon character or similar, are cheap to buy but an eco nightmare. Surfer Today calls them ‘a silent environmental disaster’.

Rather than buying a cheap single use board, bucket or spade for the kids that won’t even last the weekend, invest in quality equipment that you can use repeatedly, then pass it on to another family member or sell on via WhoSki.com.

Reducing consumption is key to reducing your carbon footprint, reducing air miles and preserving valuable resources.

RENT BEFORE YOU BUY

Not sure whether paddleboarding is really for you? Think you’ll only go surfing once a year? Maybe you don’t need to clutter up your shed / loft / garage with a large piece of watersports or outdoor activity equipment you’ll barely use.

However cheap it is to buy, it is much less costly to the environment to hire or rent your watersports gear where possible. Stuff like wetsuits, kayaks and canoes requires a lot in the way of (often unrecyclable) raw materials to create, and most are used very little.

Green up your watersports habit. Try hiring on the spot from local providers and check their eco credentials. Or take a look at our circular economy friends KitUp who are building a UK-wide network of outdoors equipment owners willing to rent out their equipment on demand.

Why new neoprene is a no-no: what happens to our unwanted wetsuits

3 ways to beat the weeds

A weed is of course just a plant in the wrong place. And when that ‘wrong place’ is stinging your legs while you’re on the trails, weeds are a pest. So how to stop the stings and beat the weeds next time you’re out biking, hiking or walking?

Our three tips on ways to beat the weeds:

1 LEGS UP!

Ouch! Cyclists, mountain bikers and trail bike commuters know. When weeds are right on your leg and ankle level, brambles and stinging nettles can be mighty uncomfortable. The solution? Sit down – legs up: freewheel through the worst and hope for the best.

2 ZIP-OFF TROUSERS

Convertible zip-off trousers may just be the spring hiker’s best friend. Legs on while you are thigh deep in skin-irritating weeds and nettles, then zip them off for comfort once you’re clear of the undergrowth.

Zip-offs have numerous benefits, and are perfect for DofE expeditions as they are so versatile.

Visit the WhoSki.com shop to buy and sell secondhand walking trousers in all styles.

3 LONG SOCKS

Warm enough to wear shorts at last? Walkers know, this wet spring has been boom-time for weeds with cow parsley growing higher than your head and super-strong nettles just waiting to do their worst. How can you beat the weeds when you’re staying cool in cut-offs?

Cover up is your best option. If you can’t face long trousers as above, opt for long socks and roll them down when you’re out of the weeds and into the meadows.

Long socks will also help prevent ticks jumping aboard if you’re in an area when infestations have been reported, or livestock have been grazing.

PS Don’t get us wrong: we LOVE weeds at WhoSki.com. In fact, we would say they probably aren’t weeds at all. Wild flowers and plants are essential for the bugs and birds that make the great outdoors even greater.

We are just not such a fan when weeds are causing us aggro on the trails (says WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola, who slipped on a muddy hike recently and landed in a patch of super-strong stinging nettles. Skin was still a-tingle THREE DAYS later. Ouch.)

What happens to unwanted wetsuits?

An estimated 8,380 tonnes of neoprene, much from unwanted wetsuits, ends up in landfill globally every year. Wetsuits and other neoprene products have traditionally been impossible to recycle.

The only option has been to dump or shred them. The best way to prevent this eco disaster? Keep your unwanted water sports wetsuits in use as long as possible.

Selling on any wetsuit that is in good condition is the least polluting option, especially children’s wetsuits as they are generally little used and perfect for re-sale. As with other outdoor clothing, re-sale keeps no longer needed wetsuits out of landfill and in active usage. However cheaply you can get hold of a new wetsuit, for paddleboarding, surfing, a water sports course or whatever, buying one secondhand is the more eco option.

Wetsuits are exceedingly slow to deteriorate, depending on how they are stored and looked after. They do not break down in landfill.

Care about the environment? Keep your old wetsuits in active usage: sell them on.

Re-use and extending the usage of your wetsuits and other outdoor clothing and equipment beats recycling every time. Why? Because re-use saves the energy required to re-manufacture it into another product, reducing wastage and pollution at the same time.

Can you recycle neoprene?

Alternative plant-based materials are being developed, but right now pretty much all wetsuits are made from neoprene, a non-biodegradable synthetic rubber derived from petroleum or limestone: both non-renewable resources.

Until recently, there was no way to recycle neoprene.

Instead, the neoprene was shredded or simply re-purposed into other items such as laptop bags or mouse mats. The reason neoprene is used for wetsuits is because it is temperature resistant. It is also chemically inert, with a low oxidation rate and high sun and ozone resistance. Hence neoprene wetsuits are tough. They degrade very slowly and make a perfect secondhand purchase.

Be confident: that wetsuit you bought for your child when they were aged eight will most likely still be perfectly wearable at least a decade later. I am still using the wetsuit I bought for dinghy sailing back in the 1990s: 30 years on and it is still as good as new. Luckily, it still fits. If it didn’t, I would be passing it on to a younger family member or selling it on WhoSki.com.

What to do with your secondhand wetsuit?

Selling on a good condition, unwanted wetsuit is obviously the most environmentally friendly way to keep it in active usage and minimise its carbon footprint.

If you are looking for a wetsuit, think pre-loved before you buy new. Check out the outdoor clothing section of WhoSki.com to buy or sell secondhand wetsuits.

However, if you are looking for alternative ways to dispose of an unwanted wetsuit, the good news is that sustainable technologies are evolving.
A company called Circular Flow is working on a process to effectively and sustainably recycle neoprene for re-use.

The amount of neoprene it can cope with is limited, but some retailers have already partnered with Circular Flow to ensure their returned wetsuits are recycled using their proprietary technique.

Alpkit, Finisterre and Boardshop are among UK outdoor shops that will pass on unwanted neoprene wetsuits for recycling.

As with all outdoor wear, maximising its usage is the most eco way to ensure it causes least damage to the environment.

Think WhoSki.com next time you are having an outdoor clothing clear-out, and when you are stocking up for your next adventure.

Image by pressfoto on Freepik

Hey AI, what’s my walking style?

Here’s what we learned about walking styles when we asked the AI chatbot ChatGPT to explain the difference between walking, hiking, rambling, trekking and forest bathing…

Walking: a low-intensity activity

ChatGPT says: Walking is generally considered to be a low-intensity form of exercise or activity that involves moving at a leisurely pace on flat or even ground. Walking can be done almost anywhere and at any time, and it can be a great way to get some fresh air, clear your mind, or simply get from point A to point B.

We say: get yourself a decent pair of socks, however short your walk. Your feet will thank you for it whether in wellies, trainers or walking boots.

Hiking: a more strenuous activity

ChatGPT says: Hiking is a more strenuous and challenging activity that involves walking on uneven terrain, often through wilderness areas or natural settings. Hiking can involve climbing steep hills, navigating rocky trails, crossing streams or rivers, and even scrambling over boulders. Hiking can be a great way to explore the outdoors, challenge yourself physically, and enjoy beautiful scenery.

We say: every hiker needs a robust pair of hiking boots, waterproof for winter and breathable for summer.

Rambling: longer distance walking

ChatGPT says: Rambling is a more leisurely form of walking that is done for the purpose of exploring the outdoors and enjoying nature. It often involves hiking on trails or through countryside areas, and it may require more specialized equipment such as hiking boots and maps. Rambling can also involve more challenging terrain and longer distances than regular walking.

We say: invest in a comfortable backpack and tuck a thermal flask into a handy pocket, for a refreshing cuppa while you are out rambling.

Trekking: a multi-day hike

ChatGPT says: Trekking is a form of outdoor recreation that involves walking or hiking for an extended period of time, usually on trails or paths in natural environments such as mountains, forests, or wilderness areas. It often involves multi-day trips, with hikers carrying backpacks and camping gear to stay overnight in remote locations.

Trekking is typically more challenging than a simple day hike, and may involve steep inclines, rugged terrain, and exposure to the elements. It requires physical endurance, good planning, and adequate equipment to ensure safety and comfort during the trip.

We say: sounds like a DofE expedition? Buy and sell the kit your kids need via WhoSki.com.

Forest bathing: a mindful wander

ChatGPT says: Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a practice that originated in Japan and involves spending time in a forest or other natural environment to improve one’s health and wellbeing.

During forest bathing, individuals typically take a slow, leisurely walk in a forest or other natural setting, focusing on their senses and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the environment. This can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and boost the immune system.

Forest bathing is not a strenuous activity and does not involve hiking or exercise. Instead, it is a form of mindfulness meditation that encourages people to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect with nature. Many people find that forest bathing helps them feel more relaxed and centred, and can be a useful tool for managing stress and improving mental and physical health.

We say: leave the electronics at home and breathe in that sweet forest air. Gorgeous!

Go properly equipped

Whatever your walking style, equipping yourself with the right kit, whether it’s a waterproof jacket, hiking boots, Nordic walking poles or a thermal tea flask, will help keep you safe and comfortable on the trails.

Boost your sustainability credentials by thinking secondhand before you buy new outdoor kit for your next trip. WhoSki.com: the secondhand marketplace for all kinds of outdoor clothing and equipment.

Images by Freepix

Buy and sell ALL your outdoor kit at WhoSki.com

NEW: Our marketplace just got bigger. You can now buy and sell all your secondhand outdoor kit at WhoSki.com.

From wetsuits to walking boots, kagoules to camping equipment. Buying and selling secondhand clothes and outdoor kit at WhoSki.com means you are helping keep even more durables in active usage within the circular economy.

As regular WhoSkiers already know, re-sale and re-use beats recycling every time, being less costly in terms of energy and materials than buying new or throwing away items you no longer use.

Keeping kit in active usage

Many thanks to all who have bought and sold ski kit via the WhoSki.com marketplace this season. Your actions have helped keep heaps of ski and snowboard clothes in active usage, reduced their carbon footprint and earned you useful spending money from no-longer-needed clothes and equipment.

We hope you will be inspired to do similar with our expanded marketplace, buying and selling the outdoor clothes and equipment you use for the other activities you enjoy all year round.

It is simple: same platform, same name, same log-ins and now with more departments. The only real difference? A summer-ised WhoSki.com logo: spot the sunshine. Plus more categories for you to list your outdoor clothing and equipment.

list your outdoor kit now

Perhaps your kids have a backpack or sleeping mat left over from a Duke of Edinburgh or Scout group expedition? Maybe there’s a pile of unwanted wetsuits in your loft, used just once during that trip to Cornwall or the Scillies? Has a child out-grown their walking boots?

Buy and sell ALL your outdoor kit and clothing at WhoSki.com.

Outdoor clothes and equipment that is still in good condition but of no further use to you could be exactly what another WhoSkier is looking for. List it now, boost your eco credentials, earn a bit of money on unwanted items and help make someone else’s outdoor activity trip a bit more affordable and accessible.

Questions and comments? Please drop us an email or get in touch via social media. We always love to hear from you.

End of season ski kit storage tips

Ski lifts are closing across Europe as ski season ends, and it’s time to pack away the ski kit in storage for another year.

Most of us are saying au revoir to our ski jackets and salopettes, and packing them away for the summer. Smart skiers take time to put their ski kit into storage properly for an efficient return to the slopes next season.

Follow these end of season ski kit storage tips to make life simple when you’re preparing for your next ski trip.

SKI BOOTS:

Make sure ski boots and liners are thoroughly dry before putting them into storage at the end of the ski season. Damp liners will start to whiff and deteriorate over time. Remove liners and allow them to dry thoroughly for at least 48 hours before replacing them inside your ski boots for long-term storage.

Check ski boot casing for damage – any cracks or issues will need attention. Lightly fasten buckles to maintain shape of the plastic outer boot. Fold straps carefully so kinks don’t set in, then place ski boots safely in their storage bag.

Make sure you keep your ski boot bag in a mouse- and squirrel-free area, ideally in a location that does not suffer huge temperature fluctuations.

SKIS:

Check for damage before storing away for next season. Scratches and chips on the base may need filling, while damages and dents on the edges may require repairs.

Getting them fixed now by a specialist means they will be ready for an early start next ski season.

Ask your technician to apply a coat of storage wax too to protect base and edges. This will feed your skis while they are in storage and prevent them from drying out. Don’t forget: storage wax will need to be replaced with a performance wax before using your skis again. Loosen ski bindings completely to help them stay in best condition while out of use.

Store your skis somewhere cool, dry and ventilated that does not experience big changes in temperature as this can stress your skis as they expand and contract.

SKI CLOTHES:

Top tip: take the time to put away your specialist ski clothing clean and tidy now, and you will save yourself so much aggro when you need it again next season.

Wash ski jackets, salopettes and ski pants using specialist waterproofing detergents as necessary and – preferably – eco-friendly products. Air or line dry where possible – tumble drying not only consumes planet-killing amounts of energy, it is also a leading source of microplastic pollution.

Make sure you follow full washing instructions as per the detergent brand you choose. Grangers is a Peak District-based company that offers a wide range of eco-friendly, tried and tested detergent options perfect for outdoor wear.

Now is also the time to sort out any repairs required for your ski clothes.
Small holes are easily fixed either DIY or by a local repair specialist. The better you care for your ski clothes, the longer they will last – the easier they will be to sell secondhand at WhoSki.com – and the smaller their (and your) carbon footprint.

Once your ski kit is thoroughly dry, close all zips and fastenings. Store ski clothes in labelled, sealed bags somewhere dark and dry, and remember to add moth deterrent if you want to avoid annoying holes in your merino base layers.

Clearly lABEL your ski kit

My biggest ski kit storage tip is to pack away outfits for each member of your family in separate bags/boxes. Label them clearly. This saves so much time when you are getting ready for your next trip. It also makes it simple to grab the relevant kit if any family member is going on a ski trip without the rest of you.

Got clothes or equipment that will no longer fit next year? Pack them away separately (labelled, obviously) so you can easily remember what to sell on via WhoSki.com in the autumn.

If your clothing is multi-purpose – such as base layers, fleeces – list it on WhoSki.com under our outdoor clothing category so it can find a purchaser who needs it for year-round activities such as walking, hiking, expeditions or camping trips.

If you have multi-purpose clothing such as baselayers or mid-layers, already listed at WhoSki.com you might also like to re-categorise it as outdoor clothing for an out of season sale.

Image by Freepik

Celebrating our first full ski season

As the ski lifts close at the end of Europe’s winter sports season, at WhoSki.com we are celebrating our first full ski season of trading, with your help.

Helping stem the textiles glut and cutting the cost of skiing with our simple, safe, online marketplace for secondhand ski and snowboard clothing: what a year it has been!

Season highlights include:

A customer database that keeps on growing: thanks to all who have registered and continue to do so. It’s the best way to be among the first to know when new items go on sale. Register quickly and simply here.
A Best Bu siness award for innovation (and a runners-up gong for sustainability).
Building partnerships with a network of businesses operating in the winter sports sector including Huski, Halsbury Ski, Club Europe, the Ski Club of GB and more.
Working alongside local, national and international players to promote circularity and the #SkiGreen message, like Sustainable Merton, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, SATI and Re-Action.
With your help, we have kept heaps of snow wear, from ski jackets to goggles, IN active usage and OUT of landfill.
We have enabled numerous WhoSki.com members to monetize their wardrobe while reducing their carbon footprint via the circular economy.
A stand at the NEC National Snow Show where we enjoyed meeting (and feeding – homemade biscuits, anyone?) so many potential customers. We look forward to seeing you at the next one.
Feedback from our many satisfied, supportive WhoSki.com users

It really feels like a distant memory since the evening Nicola suggested we set up the UK’s eBay just for ski clothes – now live and trading as WhoSki.com.

Pre-loved fashion then was a niche interest. The only way to reliably get your hands on a pair of affordable salopettes was via a friend or neighbour. And when your children grew out of their snowboots there was no real way to ensure they were passed on sustainably outside your immediate circle.

making sustainability simple

As one happy WhoSki.com customer puts it: “A very easy process to kit my children out to replace the items they had grown out of. Will certainly be using the site again.”

So, happy full first year to us – and watch out for exciting developments at the WhoSki.com marketplace during the year ahead.

Image by ArtPhoto_studio on Freepik

Mark Earth Day with year-round behaviour change

We agree with organisers, that bold action and everyday behaviour change are key to improving sustainability this Earth Day. Buying and selling secondhand are among the ways we can all make a difference year-round.

Global revenues for transactions in the circular economy sector – secondhand, rental and repaired goods – are predicted to more than double over the four-year period to 2026.

Great news, you might think: finally the message is getting through, that re-use beats recycle, and that pre-loved is the new “new”.

Sadly, it’s not that simple. While the UK plays a key role in trading secondhand and used goods worldwide, much of that trade is in the export of our unwanted apparel to the Global South and elsewhere. In 2018, the UK ranked as the world’s second biggest exporter of used clothing, with exports valued at approximately US$541.41 million.

Making waves in the outdoor sector

WhoSki.com, with our peer-to-peer marketplace for secondhand ski and snowboard clothing, is a minnow in the tide of textile waste flowing out of Europe. However, as the current European ski season draws to close, now is the perfect time to take stock of how our little marketplace is starting to make waves.

In our first full season, the WhoSki.com customer base has grown by a whopping 1,270%, we’ve won a Best Business award for innovation (and a runners-up gong for sustainability), we’ve built partnerships with a network of businesses operating in the winter sports sector, worked alongside local, national and international players to promote circularity, kept heaps of secondhand ski wear, from ski jackets to goggles, IN active usage and OUT of landfill and we have enabled numerous WhoSki.com members to monetize their wardrobe while reducing their carbon footprint via the circular economy.

Since its launch in 1972, Earth Day has sought to activate people to be more engaged and informed about protecting our planetary ecosystem. Awareness has grown and in latter years the deployment of solutions has undoubtedly accelerated.

Raising awareness

Our experience has been similar. A handful of years ago, awareness of climate change was minimal among consumers. Personal experience of unreliable weather conditions in European ski resorts in recent years has brought the reality of climate change to the front door of our chalets.

Enabling skiers to buy secondhand ski clothing and equipment where possible and pass on their unwanted textiles sustainably via the WhoSki.com marketplace is part of the behaviour change that can help convert consumers to embrace the circular economy across multiple sectors.

Investment in behaviour change is among the simple, sustainable steps we can and must take to support Planet Earth.

5 ways to stay safe on the slopes

High profile cases serve to put the risk of ski accidents front of mind, so what can you do to stay safe on the slopes for your next ski trip?

Firstly, think positive. The statistics show that your chances of hurting yourself while skiing are low. French injury rates stand at just over two injuries per 1,000 skier days: a tiny risk.

But there’s still a lot you can do to help keep yourself safe on the slopes.

Piste studies show that ski accidents are more common on days when temperatures are mild, snow consistency is less predictable and the slopes are busier. Take particular caution on relatively gentle blue pistes where you’re most likely to encounter skiers of mixed ability.

In addition to ‘be wary on the blue’, watch your speed, and always look up the slope before you set off, these 5 ways will help you avoid injury on your next ski trip:

1 Wear a helmet

Head injuries represent less than 4% of piste injuries, and wearing a helmet reduces your chance of head injury by 35%.

2 Get in shape before you go

The organisation Mėdecins de Montagne warns that the highest chance of injury comes on day 2 of your ski trip, the infamous “Second Day Syndrome”, with people who are unfit at highest risk.

Shape up before you go and stretch every day while you’re in the mountains, using video ski fit videos from our fitness partner My Life Tonic, at 50% discount using the code WHOSKI50.

3 Stick to the piste

The number of fatal accidents on marked slopes has declined in recent years. However, off-piste deaths have risen due to increased numbers of free-ride skiers combined with more unpredictable snow caused by greater variability in temperatures and conditions in mountain areas.

If off-piste or back-country skiing is your thing, the Swiss Centre for Accident Prevention advises you to take avalanche training, go out equipped with safety gear and – ideally – only head off-piste in the company of an expert local guide.

4 Swap downhill for cross country

XC skiing injuries represent just 1% of winter sports injuries and no, cross country skiing is not just for the oldies. GB Snowsport cross country athletes are enjoying unprecedented success, with Andrew Musgrave scoring a Top 10 World Cup performance in Lahti this month against an army of Norwegians.

Another advantage: cross country is cheaper than downhill skiing because you don’t need to buy a lift pass.

5 Leave sledging to the kids

‘Fun’ fact: more than two thirds of sledging injuries are suffered by adults. Stay sensible and step away from the sledge. Especially after you’ve spent an evening in Dick’s Tea Bar.

Most importantly, every piste user should know and follow the FIS Rules of Conduct, the ‘Highway Code’ of the slopes. Read them on the Ski Club of GB website here.