Most Sustainable Ski Resorts in Switzerland
When it comes to sustainability, ski resorts don’t always do well. That’s starting to change, though. The resorts in Switzerland and worldwide are trying to go green to keep things white. so here you can read about the most sustainable Ski Resorts in Switzerland
Getting to your destination is just as important – if not more critical – than where you go on a sustainable ski trip. To reach one of the slopes, consider taking the train rather than driving. It is also becoming more viable to drive an electric vehicle thanks to the expansion of the electric car infrastructure.
The following are some of Switzerland’s top sustainable ski resorts for your next winter sports adventure. So if you are done with this season, keep them in mind for the next one.
Mürren
Modern alpine skiing started in Mürren. With its car-free village status, Mürren is accessible by cable car and train, whizzing along a pine forest and taking in the stunning mountain views on the other side. There are only a handful of electric vehicles to service the village. Some mountain trails are also available in the winter and a lot more in the summer.
A free and pure mountain water source and 70% clean and renewable energy make Mürren a desirable place to visit.
As an incentive for farmers to continue practising sustainable management, the Cultural Landscape Award presents each year. Consequently, it helps to preserve its landscape’s ecology and aesthetics.
Laax
Laax founded the Greenstyle Foundation to become the first self-sufficient ski resort. Their progress has been astounding. Photovoltaics and pellet heating systems provide all the energy here. In addition, waste heat from the ski lifts is used for heating during the ski season.
Here, recycling is also a big part of life. Reusable bottles and coffee cups are wide spread, with water refill stations everywhere. Numerous restaurants also serve local produce – some exclusively.
Zermatt
The ski resort of Zermatt is one of the best known in Switzerland. Nevertheless, there are plenty of sustainable practices even here, where so many guests surely put a strain on the resources. For example, solar panels have been installed here by Zermatt Bergbahnen AG since the turn of the millennium.
Their first installation was at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise restaurant, later at the Matterhorn Express Station. The 3S Valley Station followed suit in 2018, 3S Mountain Station followed.
Other vehicles, such as snow groomers, are powered by ‘Eco speed’ diesel engines. You can get around the village by electric bus, taxi, or horse-drawn sleigh, but it’s car-free. Ten wildlife sanctuaries exist to protect local species around the resort. In addition, six forest areas in protect. .
Anzère
With only 50km of pistes, this tiny village cannot hope to compete with its large neighbours – Zermatt and Verbier. It does, however, take pride in being environmentally friendly. The most extensive eco-friendly heating system in Europe helps keep the Alpine air clean.
In addition to saving 1.5 million litres of oil a year, the Centrale wood-pellet burner powers 600 apartments, two hotels and a new outdoor pool and spa. Families and eco-conscious travellers are becoming more attracted to the resort due to recent eco projects and upgrades in its lifts and amenities.
St Moritz
This Swiss resort is making significant strides in sustainability in St Moritz. As a result, solar panels are increasingly common in this part of the world, where there are 300 days of sunshine per year.
St Moritz area is one of the country’s hubs for hydropower. Around 20% of the country’s hydropower comes from this area. Snowcats run on diesel-electric. But groomers are powered by biofuel, and snowmaking machines operate on organic compressor oil.
Arosa
Due to its efforts to provide sustainable tourism, Asosa is known as Alpine Pearl. To reduce your carbon footprint, you can reach this resort by train or by electric vehicle – there are many charging stations here.
Free bus service is also available in the area and horse-drawn sleighs. The ski lifts have eco-friendly features. Their speed is adjusting according to demand to save energy and waste heat channelling into buildings. Several chairs at the resort are solar-powered, and the resort plans to run exclusively on renewable energy soon.
Davos
There is no doubt that Davos is famous as the host of the World Economic Forum. This city is a Swiss Energy City and leads by example in sustainability. The resort takes several steps to create energy self-sufficiency, from using renewable energy to increasing building energy efficiency. In addition, Davos is the first ski resort in Switzerland to recycle cigarette waste – a problem associated with ski resorts for decades.
Villars
Climate change poses a threat to Villars because it is a low altitude resort. As a result, this resort may face uncertainty. However, despite its continued operation, Villars is working hard to clean up its act with various eco-friendly and sustainable projects. For example, solar panels exist on public buildings; public buses are hybrid, snowmaking machines utilize low energy, etc.
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