Saas Fee, Switzerland
The ‘Pearl of the Alps’ is often regarded as one of the greenest resorts in the world as it is famous for being car-free. They are committed to being sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. Saas Fee has been awarded ‘Energy Town’ with its leading example of how collective efforts of the community can both improve the quality of life and help protect the climate. With considerable investments in sustainability, the town aims to play a pioneering role in ecological alpine tourism and in the long term hopes to attain carbon neutrality. With a large-scale installation of particle filters in wood burning heating systems, the town is preventing the battle with soot particles and is well on the way to become the first fine dust-free community in the European Alps. The resort has introduced electric buses with zero-emissions and renewable energy to get skiers to the slopes. In Saas-Fee, all electricity – including that used for railways and lifts – is obtained from 100% renewable.
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Avoriaz, France
Avoriaz won the Environmental Award for Ecological Developments at the 2012 World Snow Awards in London. Energy saving methods, monitoring of fuel consumption, electric snowmobiles, new buildings have to comply with high environmental quality and energy efficient lighting being installed. The entire ski area is equipped with recycling bins to reduce waste at the source. It is also the first ski resort in France to design with features such as insulation, balconies with thermal break and roofs built to hold snow for further insulation. Since 2011, construction of a dual-energy central heating plant. Plus, snow production is sourced from the natural environment and the production is optimised to use as little water as possible.
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Chamonix, France
Mont Blanc, Europe’s tallest peak has made Chamonix a skiing icon. The altitude of the mountain and the glaciers around Chamonix have a cooling effect that preserves the snow, assuring it some of the best and longest lasting snow conditions in the Alps. Chamonix launched its own pioneering climate and energy action plan, with an intention of cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2020. Energy saving projects will include better public transportation. To recognise the work, Chamonix has been awarded the – the green snowflake to trying to raise awareness for a more sustainable winter sports industry.
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Kaprun, Austria
Kaprun has led the way by becoming the first in Austria to be ISO-certified and receives 5-star ratings across the board when it comes to green valuations. The lifts uses renewable energy to operate all systems, including solar power. There is a comprehensive free bus network that operates across the resort and to Zell am See to reduce use of cars across the region. Additional, trees are planted using eco-friendly techniques and there is a 11km sewage pipe system in place to prevent pollution on the mountain and glacier.
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If you want more information about sustainable winter destinations, here is the source of the blog:www.igluski.com