From Heatwaves to Ski Slopes: Why Sun Cream Could Be Your Most Important Piece of Ski Gear

While Britain wilts under yet another summer heatwave, it’s hard to imagine that in just a few months many of us will be swapping flip-flops for ski boots.

Snow-covered Alpine peaks may seem a world away from sunburn and soaring temperatures, but there’s one important connection between the two – sunscreen.

Most people associate ski holidays with wrapping up against the cold, but ski instructors and guides will all tell you the same thing: one of the easiest ways to ruin your holiday is by underestimating the mountain sun.

Tricky conditions

Is climate change making the sun more dangerous high up in the Alps? Not exactly. The sun isn’t getting stronger, but climate change is making the conditions in which we enjoy the mountains a little trickier.

For starters, many skiers and snowboarders are heading for higher resorts where snow could be more reliable. However, the higher you go, the stronger the ultraviolet (UV) rays become. Scientists estimate UV levels increase by around 10 to 12 per cent for every 1,000 metres of altitude.

Goggle tan

Then there’s the snow itself. Fresh snow acts like nature’s mirror, reflecting up to 80 per cent of UV radiation straight back towards your face. It’s why skiers often end the day sporting the classic ‘goggle tan’, even when temperatures stay well below freezing.

Dermatologists recommend that you treat a ski holiday much like a beach holiday. High-factor sunscreen, SPF lip balm and good-quality UV-protective goggles and glasses are every bit as important as your helmet and gloves. It’s easy to forget when you are feeling the cold that UV radiation doesn’t care what the thermometer says.

Some Alpine communities are beginning to recognise another challenge – helping visitors protect themselves from the increasingly intense sunshine.

Free sunscreen

One of the most interesting ideas comes from Austria’s Tyrol region. This summer, free sunscreen dispensers have been installed at popular outdoor locations around Innsbruck and other public spaces. The dispensers also display the day’s UV Index and temperature, giving people a gentle reminder before they stay in the sun.

They’re not on ski lifts just yet, but it’s exactly the sort of initiative many skiers and snowboarders would welcome in mountain resorts to remind them to apply sunscreen.

Elsewhere in Europe, free sun cream hasn’t yet become a regular feature of ski holidays. Most resorts still rely on advice boards, mountain safety campaigns and weather reports to remind skiers and snowboarders about UV exposure. But don’t be surprised if sunscreen stations become as familiar as piste maps in years to come.

It might seem odd to be talking about skiing while Britain is reaching for fans and ice creams, but perhaps that’s the point. Climate change isn’t just about hotter summers, it’s changing how we experience winter too.

The next time you’re packing for a winter trip to the mountains, make room for a bottle of SPF 50. It could be one of the most important and hardest-working pieces of equipment you take.

After all, the only thing that should be glowing at the end of a great day on the slopes is your smile—not your nose.

For more info on the Austrian Tyrol, other resorts, plus the range of accommodation available through Ski Line speak directly to the experts using the contact details, or online chat facility. You will find these contact details on the Ski Line website.