• Pedestrianising resort centres
  Promoting car-sharing and public transport
  Encouraging responsible snowmaking (using snowmakers in a "responsible" way)
  Increasing awareness among holidaymakers

Towards car-free resorts

Some resorts have been using underground or nearby car parks for years: Avoriaz, Flaine, Les Karellis, La Tania, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Valmorel, Le Corbier and the centres of Montchavin-Les Coches and La Norma.

Others such as Tignes have re-invented themselves in recent years to "get rid" of cars, imposing restricted parking resort-wide and building new car parks, with the main objective being gradually to pedestrianise resort centres completely (as in resorts like Megève, Samoëns and Les Gets).

More public transport is being provided every year

Service frequencies are increasing, route networks are growing and some resorts are even offering completely free services. Buses are also becoming increasing clean, using particle filters as in Chamonix or using electric buses as in Morzine.

Other initiatives are also being introduced to reduce car use. For example, in Val Cenis, the "Allo P'tit Bus" scheme allows for buses of different sizes to be used to avoid them running empty.

A few examples of green driving schemes

Les Gets

Opération 3+1 = 3.
This scheme is aimed at skiers who travel to the resort by car. When there are 4 people in a car, the 4th passenger is entitled to a 25% reduction on the lift pass price.
Offer applies on Wednesdays and Sundays.
[+] more info (in French only)

Balad'Aulps bus
For the last few seasons, a daily transport service has been operated in the Vallée d'Aulps, serving the main tourist centres. For €1 per journey, visitors can get around without a car.
[+] more info (in French only)

Valmeinier

Spare seat in your vehicle? Drivers can put an ad on the resort website to find passengers and qualify for special deals.
[+] more info (in French only)

Environmentally friendly ski areas and resorts

Reducing the number of lift towers:

Each time a ski lift is built or replaced, the number of towers is reduced to the minimum to protect the environment.

Reforestation of ski areas:

In La Plagne for example, the ski lifts are designed to accommodate the growing Swiss stone pine forests which are unique in Europe. For example, the snowpark has been moved so that it does not encroach upon the forest. Elsewhere, trees are planted each time a new lift is installed. Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise has now completed its planting programme, which has provided an additional 3,800 softwood and hardwood trees. A similar scheme has been running in Les Menuires and Val Thorens, where 200,000 trees have been planted in recent years.

Adapting equipment

Various initiatives are being introduced: biodegradable oils, engines complying with the European standards for piste-grooming machines, the development of LPG and the use of new clean energy sources for lighting and accommodation (geothermal energy, solar panels, wood-fired heating, etc.).

Creation of a Carbon Plan

The objective is to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions discharged into the environment. This scheme allows for the implementation of initiatives designed to reduce the resort's ecological impact on the environment. Carbon Plans are in operation in Le Corbier, Courchevel and Val Thorens for example.

Thought given to architecture and blending buildings into the landscape:

Courchevel is harmonising its village buildings and Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise and La Tania require wood, "lauze" roofing tiles and stone to be used for all buildings. The buildings in Avoriaz, Les Karellis and Méribel have been clad with timber since the beginning. In Flaine, as early as the 1960s, all the public utility networks were laid underground. In Les Carroz, the new 500-space car park that has been built at the foot of the pistes follows the shape of the terrain. Châtel promotes the use of traditional materials and skills. In La Clusaz, the new bottom station of the Etale "télémix" lift has been buried so that it blends in better with its surroundings.

Other collective and individual initiatives are being introduced: selective waste sorting, optimised waste management, provision of pocket ashtrays, etc.

Snow cover in resorts

For years now, ski areas have been making use of technology to preserve and protect the snow, their natural treasure.

To guarantee maximum snow cover, the initial work begins outside the winter season with work on the pistes: shaping, reforestation and reseeding. Work often on a vast scale but essential nonetheless.

When it comes to managing snowmaking systems (artificial snow production), the technology has now been perfected and is completely environmentally friendly.
Find out more about artificial snow (in French only)

The final touch, provided by the piste grooming work, spreads, shapes and prepares a surface for snowsports that is better tailored to the snow cover and weather conditions.

Environmental awareness initiatives

For several seasons, resorts have been informing children and adults about looking after the environment.

Other organisations are also becoming involved in this approach. One such organisation is Mountain Riders, which is currently working on an environmental charter for ski resorts.

With a growing number of resorts and villages signing up, Mountain Riders organises meetings on different themes, festivals and exhibitions, and is increasing awareness among the public on the pistes through associations like Kultur Montagne in Châtel for example. All year round, resorts are becoming involved in educational programmes.

[+] more info

Examples of awareness campaigns

Avoriaz
Messages are printed on the reverse of the hands-free ski passes and Avoriaz TV broadcasts awareness advertisements about managing resources (water and electricity) in every apartment.
[+] more info about Avoriaz

Chamonix

A prize draw is held at every welcome drink to reward visitors who have travelled by train.
[+] more info about Chamonix

Les Gets
Advertising banners and boards on lift towers to raise awareness about pollution caused by cigarette butts.

[+] more info about Les Gets

Les Menuires
Creation of an environmental mascot with the publication of leaflets reminding people about green habits they should adopt during their holiday in the mountains.

[+] more info about Les Menuires

Updated in October 2009