The European study 'Effects of ski piste preparation on alpine vegetation' found that 'enlargement of ski pistes, machine-grading of ski piste areas and increasing use of artificial snow' degraded the alpine ecosystem.

One would think, that the same holds true for the Australian Alps

"Snow compaction and the removal of boulders and vegetation cover, the development of noisy ski fields, villages, car parks and roads have altered, reduced and broken up (the) Pygmy-possum habitat."