As the effects of climate change continue to make their presence felt, awareness of the need to set mountain resorts on a decarbonisation pathway has surged in recent years. In 2020, DSF (national trade association for France’s ski areas) actioned an ambitious environmental roadmap featuring 16 environmental commitments. One of the key objectives is to achieve net zero by 2037. Four years later, how are mountain resort communities faring in their attempts to rein in the carbon emissions from their tourism activities and especially the carbon footprint from skiing? Overall, results have been positive. Read on for the low-down on some of the tangible actions that have been put into practice.

Mountain resort communities step up to the plate

France’s environment & energy management agency (ADEME) is supporting mountain resort communities in their efforts, especially those in the Alps, through its programme for engaging local communities with the environmental transition and also its certification scheme. In February 2022, ADEME calculated the carbon footprint of a day’s skiing, which highlighted the high level of emissions caused by transport (52%), followed by the infrastructures, equipment and services associated with tourism activities (17%), and finally skiers’ equipment (16%).

By embracing an environmental transition model that champions sustainable tourism, mountain resorts are looking to slash their energy use throughout the ski season. So how can they power their ski lifts and snowmaking equipment, heat their buildings and run their different transport services? While the vast majority of this energy is still generated from fossil fuels, which are responsible for releasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, switching over to renewable alternatives requires major investments in innovative technologies that will ultimately prove their value as the years go by.

> Ski resorts roll out their eco-friendly snow groomers

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In recent years, the use of a synthetic biofuel known as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), which is made from used cooking oils, has widely gained traction across the country’s mountain resorts. HVO now powers a large number of snow groomers in France, which play a vital role in improving safety on the ski pistes. According to ski resort operator Compagnie des Alpes, running 130 HVO-powered snow groomers can save 9,900 tons of CO2 equivalent every year, representing 72% of the direct carbon emissions from mountain activities (not including electricity).

While Alpe d’Huez is trialling hydrogen-powered snow groomers, the Val Cenis ski area in the Savoie department has gone one step further by becoming the first ski resort in France to use a series-produced all-electric snow groomer. This vehicle is instrumental in eliminating 19,780 kg of CO2 emissions every season, compared to a conventional petrol-driven snow groomer. Several ski areas have also introduced smart snow groomers with embedded GPS systems to measure the snow depth and only produce the necessary quantity. As a prime example, the Les Sybelles ski resort in Savoie Mont Blanc has shaved up to 20% off its snow production levels and up to 21% off the use of its grooming equipment.

> Produce green energy and scale down the use of fossil fuels

Serre Chevalier has clearly confirmed its status as a trailblazer in France by becoming the only ski area in the world to attain energy independence by producing its own electricity. This popular ski resort in the Hautes-Alpes department has implemented three types of renewable energy, including hydroelectric power, solar power and a small wind turbine, which enable the ski area to already generate enough power to cover 34% of its electricity needs.

Valmorel is another example, where the heat from its ski lifts is harnessed to heat its buildings during the winter. This strategy has proven to be a major energy-saver for this ski resort, which can be found nestling in a sprawling area of Savoie’s Tarentaise Valley.

Check out the other innovations

Pioneering new mobility solutions to reduce transport’s impact in the mountains is another major pathway for tackling the challenge of achieving net zero. Decarbonizing any tourist area requires significant financial and organisational efforts. It also heralds a unique opportunity for the mountain tourism sector to embrace a new model that promotes sustainability and environmental protection.

*Sources: DSF (October & November 2024)