SIS is specifically committed to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The clear goal: to empower people to act responsibly and to help shape the future of winter sports in a way that is sustainable from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. ESD is understood not merely as a theoretical concept, but as a practical learning process that is brought to life through active experience.
Through various projects, the foundation promotes sustainable thinking and action in winter sports in a practical, target-group-specific, and future-oriented manner. The focus is on training professionals, providing exciting nature experiences for children and youth, and ensuring the inclusive design of winter sports.
Projects: Education
Description
In July 2025, the Allgäu CleanUP Days took place around the Oberstdorf National Training Center, organized by PATRON e.V. Our Nordic combined teams also supported the project: Together with the SC Oberstdorf youth team, four World Cup athletes (Vinzenz Geiger, David Mach, Wendelin Thannheimer, and Julian Schmid) also took part in the cleanup effort. The event was complemented by a workshop offering plenty of information on waste recycling.
Project Partners
Patron e.V.
- Time period
- 2021–2025
- Project Sponsor
- DSV, SIS
- Focus
- Transfer, Sustainability
- Area of Action
- Mountains & Nature
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
Description
The ZERO project consists of a consortium of partners from the fields of snowboarding, research, advocacy, and youth education. It investigates how to increase young people’s participation in snowboarding activities while reducing transportation costs—all in a sustainable manner.
Among other things, the following have been developed and published:
- A report on the impacts of snowboarding on climate change and the environment
- Awareness-raising workshops on climate change and its effects on snowboarding
- A card game
- An e-learning module
Project Partners
Kooperationspartnerschaft zwischen 11 Organisationen
- Time period
- 2021–2025
- Project Sponsor
- SNBGER
- Focus
- Future & Environment, Sustainability, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Mountains & Nature, Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
Description
The Fascination of Snowboarding: Snowboard Germany aims to make snowboarding accessible to as many people as possible—and, through its “HKS Para Snowboard Camp,” is committed to ensuring that this is also possible for people with physical disabilities. Participants with no prior experience are introduced to para-snowboarding by experienced coaches and professional para-athletes. There is also an opportunity to discuss individual solutions and options with experienced orthopedic specialists and to test out equipment.
- Time period
- 2021–2025
- Project Sponsor
- SNBGER
- Focus
- Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
Description
To reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on the club’s next trip, choosing a winter sports destination responsibly should be an integral part of the planning phase. This checklist serves as a guide and outlines criteria related to transportation, lodging, and the ski resort.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- DSV, SIS, SNBGER
- Focus
- Sustainability, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education, Knowledge
Description
The DSV is mindful of its social responsibility. That is why we also support general energy-saving measures. We are implementing measures within our sphere of responsibility that allow us to reduce energy and resource consumption as much as possible and use them efficiently. The recommendations for winter sports events and the operation of training and competition facilities provide guidance to DSV sports facilities, associations, and World Cup venues.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- DSV, SIS
- Focus
- Transfer, Sustainability
- Area of Action
- Resources & Infrastructure
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski, Training Facilities / Federal Training Centers
- Topic
- Sports and Urban Development, Knowledge, Education
Description
Climate change and the energy crisis are real. What can we do to minimize our energy consumption and carbon footprint while ensuring a sustainable future for winter sports? We all need to change our behaviors without worrying that our winter sports will lose their appeal and excitement. The recommendations for winter sports activities provide you with tips and information for a sustainable winter sports experience.
Project Partners
Deutscher Skilehrerverband; Dein Winter. Dein Sport.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- DSV, SIS, SNBGER
- Focus
- Sustainability, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Destinations
- Topic
- Education, Knowledge
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
SIS provides schools, clubs, Nordic centers, and other interested parties with posters, postcards, and flyers free of charge. Posters and postcards featuring the DSV Ski School, WintersportSCHULE, and Nordic centers are available for order. You can choose from 17 different poster designs in DIN A1 format and 6 different postcard designs in DIN A6 format. In addition, the FIS Code of Conduct can be ordered as posters (3 copies, DIN A3) and as flyers (40 copies) for schools or clubs.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Transfer
- Topic
- Education
Description
The expert training courses for specialty sports retailers provide in-depth knowledge about skis, boots, and bindings, with a focus on standard-compliant installation, adjustment, and sales consultation. Participation in these training sessions is designed to enable professionals to provide expert advice to their customers and enhance safety in winter sports through professional service.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- DSV Active, SIS
- Focus
- Security, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Safety & Health
- Topic
- Safety Precautions, Education
Description
Twice a season, the foundation invites children and teenagers with intellectual or physical disabilities to a winter sports trip. In addition to cross-country skiing, the program offers recreational activities whose main goal is to foster a sense of normalcy and belonging and to help participants build social connections. The children receive individualized care and are provided with sports and winter gear.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- SIS, DSV Active
- Focus
- Security, Transfer, Sustainability
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education, DSV Ski Patrol
Description
Skitty World Nordic is a program designed specifically for children that offers a playful introduction to cross-country skiing. On a cross-country ski course featuring jumps, bumps, obstacles, and changes in direction, children practice the movements of gliding, running, and jumping. This promotes motor skills and fosters a love of winter sports in children. The concept includes versions for both on-snow and off-snow use.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- SIS, DSV
- Focus
- Future & Environment, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Topic
- Sports and Urban Development, Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
Downhill skiing, ski touring, and snowshoeing take place in the higher elevations of Germany’s low mountain ranges and in the Alps, which also serve as habitats for numerous disturbance-sensitive animal species such as capercaillies, black grouse, and hoofed game. The brochure “Wildlife & Outdoor Activities in the Forest” provides an overview of the impact of selected outdoor sports on wildlife, as well as tips on how to enjoy the outdoors in a way that allows for harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.
Project Partners
Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt, Wildtierinstitut, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Future & Environment, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Mountains & Nature
- Topic
- Mountain Nature, Education
- SDG
- SDG 15 Life on Land
Description
The “Sustainability & Environment” e-learning module is designed for full-time and volunteer coaches and instructors and covers topics related to sustainability, the environment, and infrastructure. This makes it easy for state ski associations to incorporate these topics into their basic and instructor-level training programs. At the DSV level, the module is integrated into the central theory course for Trainer-A in recreational sports. The focus is on teaching the basics, raising awareness, and providing concrete approaches for participants to take action in their own course and club settings.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- DSV, SIS
- Focus
- Future & Environment, Sustainability, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Mountains & Nature, Climate & Energy, Resources & Infrastructure
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
The ticket2nature project offers extracurricular learning environments for children and teenagers and teaches aspects of education for sustainable development in a playful way. In specially designed summer and winter camps lasting several days, school classes can engage in sports, nature, and group activities and explore in depth how their actions impact their environment.
Project Partners
Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Institut für Outdoor, Sport und Umweltforschung
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Transfer, Sustainability
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski, Winter Sports Destinations
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
The "WintersportSCHULE" online platform helps schools and teachers plan and organize school ski trips and integrate winter sports into the curriculum in a sustainable way. It provides practical guidance, teaching materials, and content for promoting physical activity year-round. Through training programs, teachers, educational professionals, and instructors learn how to implement winter sports activities safely and effectively.
Project Partners
Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln; Deutscher Skilehrerverband; Dein Winter. Dein Sport
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- SIS, DSV, SNBGER
- Focus
- Transfer, Sustainability
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues, Safety & Health
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski, Winter Sports Destinations
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Description
"DSV Mental Stark!" uses playful strategies to teach children and teenagers the importance of mental strength in sports, school, and life. Coaches are made aware of the importance of this topic. The program offers training sessions and exercises for on-snow or fitness training that promote social, emotional, and self-management skills. The training provides opportunities to build mental strength.
- Time period
- ongoing
- Project Sponsor
- DSV
- Focus
- Sustainability, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues, Safety & Health
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
During the project period, multi-day educational programs in natural settings were designed for winter and summer stays and carried out in a camp format with school classes and club groups. Through these immersive experiences in nature and reflective consideration of the sports activities carried out there, the participants gained a deeper understanding of the natural environment itself and how it interacts with those engaging in sports.
Project Partners
Naturpark Südschwarzwald; Landesforstverwaltung und Kultusministerium Baden-Württemberg
- Time period
- 2001–2010
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
The French organization Mountain Riders is driving the development of eco-friendly ski tourism in France. Communication and information are central to its work. As one of many initiatives, it developed a series of short films in a comic-style format covering the following topics: energy, travel and mobility, water, waste, winter sports, and responsible behavior. The film series was translated into German and adapted—with figures and content—to reflect the context of German-speaking Alpine culture.
Project Partners
Mountain Riders Foundation
- Time period
- 2001–2010
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
Draft of an educational trail for visitor information; implementation planned; objective: to provide information about the Alpine habitat, skiing, the national park, and environmentally responsible behavior in both summer and winter.
- Time period
- Before 2000
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Destinations
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education
Description
In collaboration with environmental educators, DSV instructors, and coaches, a comprehensive concept was developed for integrating environmental education into ski training: Development of the methodological and didactic foundations and framework conditions for environmental education within the DSV, and the creation of environmental education modules for initial and continuing education courses.
- Time period
- Before 2000
- Project Sponsor
- SIS
- Focus
- Sustainability, Transfer
- Area of Action
- Society & Social Issues
- Area of Responsibility
- Winter Sports Associations | House of Ski
- Topic
- Education
- SDG
- SDG 4: Quality Education