Skiers leave tons of trash in Lapland, Levi steps up surveillance

Levi wants to keep the fell clean. The picture is from mid-March. Picture: Eeva Valtokari

Levin the ski resort is stepping up its monitoring of littering.

The ski center announced on Monday on his Instagram account that they collect more than a thousand kilos of garbage from their slopes every year when the snow melts.

“Littering is not just an untidy activity – it can cause tangible damage. A drink can under the slope machine can break into sharp chips that damage the soles of skis, tear clothes and in the summer can also be a danger to animals, hikers and cyclists,” the ski center says.

Business Director of Levi Ski Resort Marko Mustonen emphasizes the central tasks of the ski center, which is to take care of the slope environment.

“It is a matter of honor for us that the fell is clean. It is our duty and desire to keep the places clean, and we want to send a message to all those who come to Levi that it is good to remember these things,” he says.

Mustonen explains that the accumulation of garbage is due to the large number of visitors.

“In Levi, a good 600,000 days on the slopes are spent on the slopes during the year. The wider Levi area is visited by an even larger number of people.”

Although the control of littering is now intensified, according to Mustonen, the change to the previous one is not dramatic. He says that the center constantly takes care of the cleanliness of nature.

“Waste sorting points can be found at the bottom and top stations of the lifts, where you can put the trash in the trash. Now the slope patrol and our staff are monitoring more efficiently that the fell remains clean. It’s not about that big of a deal.”

“The starting point is to keep the fell areas clean. That’s the number one thing. We have great nature and wonderful settings, so let’s stick to them.”

The most common garbage found in the fells is related to people’s snacks.

“You can find the most beverage cans and other beverage packaging. Of course, other snack waste is also common,” says Mustonen.

Mustonen is not aware of any cases where debris found on the slope has caused injuries or material damage. However, he admits that such situations are possible.

“Of course, if it falls into a metal can, it might damage the skis.”