During the winter, ski resorts attract thousands of visitors for winter sports. These holidays often have a significant environmental impact, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Some ski resorts are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Le Petit Montagnard has selected five with a low environmental impact.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
The Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley, which has been awarded the Flocon Vert label for its ecological approach, launched its first territorial climate-energy plan in 2012.
Situated mainly at altitudes of over 2,000 metres, the region has no need for snow cannons, and a glacial water reserve means there's no need to draw on groundwater.
Public transport, such as buses and trains, is free, with electric shuttles in the city centre and hybrid buses, reducing NOx emissions by almost 96% per kilometre.
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Chamonix is constantly developing environmental initiatives to minimise pollution in its resort and ski area.
Les Arcs (Savoie)
Les Arcs, the first resort in Savoie to be awarded the Green Snowflake label, stands out for its pedestrian access to 100%.
The resort is committed to ecological initiatives such as the use of groomers running on vegetable oil and awareness campaigns on water and waste. A strong commitment lies in the decision not to build any new facilities to increase the number of tourist beds.
Les Arcs has always adopted an eco-responsible approach, with construction designed to preserve the natural environment. The buildings are built into the slope to blend into the landscape once they are covered in snow.
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The resort is also car-free, with easy access on foot and a single access point to the station via an electric funicular. A golf course has been laid out to preserve an undevelopable area and create a green space for the resort.
Avoriaz (Haute-Savoie)
Avoriaz is a fully pedestrianised ski resort, with new buildings that comply with high environmental quality standards.
It has set up a selective sorting system right down to the slopes and recycles horse excrement as fertiliser. This resort offers a responsible, car-free holiday to minimise pollution.
Avoriaz is constantly innovating on the environmental front, favouring sustainable construction and labelling an entire district Clef Verte, the first international label for environmentally-friendly accommodation.
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It offers two eco-responsible snowparks in the middle of the forest, Stash and Lil'stash.
Les Orres (Hautes-Alpes)
Since its conception, Les Orres has been designed as a car-free resort. Since 2018, it has been the pilot resort for the "Smart Altitude" programme, disseminating best practice in energy management.
Sensors monitor energy consumption in real time, resulting in a reduction of at least 7% in GHG emissions.
Since 2018, the Pic Vert chairlift has been fitted with photovoltaic panels, enabling it to consume its own energy and recover heat from the engine to heat adjacent buildings.
Intra-station car parks and shuttles are available, as well as a hybrid bus that considerably reduces CO2 emissions. Since 2009, the resort has applied the "zero phyto" principle to its slopes and green spaces, banning the use of pesticides.
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The Town Hall has also signed up to a "Target Zero Plastic Waste" charter, with initiatives such as the introduction of new litter bins, pocket ashtrays and reusable eco-cups.
Serre-Chevalier (Hautes-Alpes)
This winter, the largest resort in the Southern Alps achieved its target of 30% of self-generated electricity thanks to its hydroelectric power stations, photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
A reduction of 80% in greenhouse gas emissions was achieved by optimising the grooming plan and using vegetable oil-based fuel (HVO).
This resort has signed up to Green Globe, the world's first certification scheme dedicated to the sustainable development of tourism.
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The Serre Chevalier Briançon ski area is the first in the Southern Alps to be certified by Green Globe, making a commitment to sustainable development for all its activities and services, including lifts, slopes, grooming and snow production.