One thing's for sure: skiing is a polluting and environmentally unfriendly activity. Infrastructures and land artificialisation in ski resorts, holiday-related travel and mass tourism are, among other things, responsible for mountain degradation and global warming. The Green Snowflake label is awarded by the Mountain Riders association to resorts that meet specific criteria designed to reduce their environmental impact. While not all initiatives have had a significant impact, and many challenges remain, the Green Snowflake is nevertheless a necessary step towards more environmentally-friendly tourism.
Ski resorts with the 2 Flocons verts label
Today, 11 certified resorts have been awarded 2 Green Flakes for their commitment to a sustainable development policy that also takes into account the social and cultural aspects of the region. Here are just a few of them:
1- Saint-Gervais, a Green Flake ski resort
Located in Haute-Savoie, the commune of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains is both a ski resort and a spa. To preserve its territory, the resort has installed four hydroelectric plants to generate electricity, as well as a photovoltaic plant and solar panels to power its pools. It has also set up a network of free electrically-powered shuttles as part of an "Air Protection Plan". Combined with its train line, the resort hopes to reduce the number of cars used to get to and within the village.
Read the article 1- Saint-Gervais is also one of the best ski resorts accessible by train.
2- Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley
In the midst of exceptional scenery and dominated by Mont Blanc, the Chamonix resort has adopted a climate plan focusing on transport, waste management, the organization of tourism activities and ecological housing. It has also developed a nature awareness program for schools. On the energy front, the resort is implementing measures to identify and reduce energy consumption by sector of activity within the resort.
3- Les Arcs in the Paradiski area
At the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the resort of Les Arcs was awarded the 2020 label. After completing its carbon footprint, the resort decided to equip its teams with electric vehicles. They have also built a pilot high-energy performance chalet, reducing the resort's energy consumption by half compared with a conventional chalet. The project is due to be rolled out across the entire resort.
Read the article the carbon footprint of tourism in France.
4- Green Flake ski resorts: Méribel
At the heart of the 3 Valleys, the resort of Méribel has committed itself to a 2038 strategy aimed at promoting and perpetuating its local know-how while controlling its energy management. Most of the budget for this action plan will be used to renovate the town's buildings, in particular the Olympic Park. Méribel's heritage is also being promoted as part of the resort's tourism offering, as with the renovation of the village's Presbytery.
5- Les Rousses resort in the Jura region
A pioneer in its field, the resort of Les Rousses in the Jura region was awarded a label in 2013. For its Plan Climat Air Énergie Territorial, the resort has carried out a number of measures and drawn up a carbon balance sheet to act on the best levers. In particular, it has focused on waste management, as well as the introduction of public transport to the slopes to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
6- Châtel
In the Portes du Soleil ski area, the resort of Châtel has been committed to more sustainable tourism since 2015. Among the actions undertaken is a reduction in the environmental impact of its ski lifts, which are now ISO 14 0001 certified. This certification aims to measure the impact of activity on water, air, soil and natural resources. The resort is also committed to soft mobility, reducing car traffic in the commune as much as possible.
7- Green Flake ski resorts: Valberg
In the Alpes-Maritimes, Valberg is located at the gateway to the Mercantour National Park. A favorite for observing starry skies, the resort has focused on the fight against light pollution. To this end, 41% of lights around the resort are turned off between midnight and 6am. Public lighting has been automated, and lighting points have been replaced by LED candelabras that focus light towards the ground.
8- Lans en Vercors
Located in theIsère department, the small mid-mountain resort of Lans-en-Vercors has joined the Flocon vert initiative in collaboration with its residents. This village, located 30 minutes from Grenoble, has set up a number of participatory projects to combine the preservation of biodiversity with citizen involvement. The idea is above all to improve the local quality of life, centered on a rich and protected biodiversity.
Ski resorts awarded the 1 Flocon vert label
The Green Snowflake label ranges from one to three snowflakes, depending on the measures taken by each resort. While no resort has yet been awarded the three-flake label, 21 have earned their first.
9- Morzine-Avoriaz in the Alps
In Morzine-Avoriaz, walking is king. Since its creation in 1966, the resort has been entirely pedestrianized. Today, this aspect offers visitors a genuine soft mobility service . Electric charging stations have also been installed to encourage tourists to use electric cars. The resort also boasts an excellent sunshine record. It is therefore in the process of developing an urban strategy that takes advantage of this exposure to make significant energy savings.
10- Les Saisies
To adapt to the vagaries of the climate, the resort of Les Saisies has chosen to diversify its tourism offering. Activities that can be enjoyed in both summer and winter have been introduced, creating an alternative to the infrastructure-intensive skiing . It also encourages citizen initiatives, enabling villages to become dynamic year-round places where local residents can live and work.
Read the article what to do in Les Saisies The 13 best activities to try
11- La Plagne
As one of France's top ski areas, La Plagne has built a resort-wide CSR strategy. In addition to its environmental actions, La Plagne has integrated into its projects the notion of user comfort for all its visitors. It is gradually adapting its infrastructures for people with reduced mobility. It also aims to set an example in terms of human resources, notably by taking action on gender equality, the well-being of seasonal workers and disabilities in the workplace.
12- Chamrousse, a Flocon vert ski resort
To earn its Flocon vert label, Chamrousse has been taking action for several years. Among its flagship measures, the Chamrousse Propre campaign focuses on raising awareness among visitors and shopkeepers of the need to collect and sort waste "without moralizing". It has also set up a used ski collection scheme to recycle used skis. As for energy, the resort has equipped the 300m² roof of its management offices with photovoltaic panels to generate solar power.
13- The resort of Tignes in Savoie
Located in Savoie, the resort of Tignes has embarked on a strategy to diversify its activities in order to mitigate the consequences of climate change. A new wastewater treatment plant has been installed. The aim is to better manage wastewater, treat water and minimize losses. The aim of the plant is to sustain the area's activities over time and across all four seasons.
14- Le Grand Bornand in Haute-Savoie
One of the most beautiful villages in the Alps, Le Grand Bornand was awarded its first Green Snowflake in 2021. Elected officials, local residents and technical leaders came together to build the village's sustainable strategy. To adapt to the climate, the resort has implemented a 4-season policy by diversifying its activities. The idea is to attract a greater number of off-ski customers, so as to be less dependent on this sport, which has a heavy environmental impact.
15- Combloux, a Flocon vert ski resort
Facing Mont Blanc, the village of Combloux enjoys a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. To limit its impact on this beautiful environment, the village adapts to the climate by developing 4-season activities. It also supports local initiatives and promotes ecogestures, soft mobility, building renovation and energy savings.
Read the article combloux: one of the best resorts for people with reduced mobility.
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