From our “what a surprise” files, comes word from BBC that the increasing popularity of winter sports is placing an ever increasing strain on fragile mountain ecosystems.

Only 150 years ago, these high altitude areas were considered too dangerous to live in. Now they have established a firm place in the regional and local economy. Winter ski tourism, in particular, has enjoyed an avalanche-like success, practically having been unheard of in many mountain valleys 50 years ago…In the hunt for recreation or renewable resources, human pressure will increase on higher and more fragile zones that are ultimately limited by their natural topography. In many cases, this upper limit has already been reached.

Read on here.