The Good Guide to Ski Season
Hitting the slopes this winter? Will it be Courchevel or Au Charmant Petit Lac?
Ski in style this season with GN(L) 's essential tips for the slopes.
Discover our favourite environmentally-friendly skiing destinations, luxe eco hotels and what to pack for a snowy stopover.
Destinations
Saas Fee, Switzerland
Since 1951 and rapidly approaching carbon-free status, ‘Energy Town' Saas Fee has been entirely powered by renewable hydroelectric energy – village, ski lifts and all. The resort's transportation is handled by electric buses and taxis, though much of it is walkable. In an effort to make this the first ‘dust-free' community in the Alps, 250 wood-fired furnaces here have been fitted with particle filters.
Serre Chevalier Briancon, France
Serre Chev's goal was to run completely on renewable energy by 2021. They achieved this goal by installing solar panels powered by the brilliant valley sunlight, wind turbines powered by the brisk mountain passes, and hydropower from the water used in snowmaking. There are also plans to dematerialize ski passes, which would save a significant amount of plastic.
Aspen, USA
In 1997, before most resorts even knew what a carbon footprint was, all-rounder Aspen set out on a mission to eliminate emissions. In 2015, it became the third city in the United States to be entirely powered by renewable energy. The mountaintop Sundeck Restaurant was one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings in the world, and the Clubhouse at Snowmass Club and Sams Smokehouse now have the same certification. There's also the fact that the resort received the Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence.
Accommodation
Valsana Hotel Arosa, Switzerland
The Valsana is an ideal place to stay when skiing on the Swiss slopes. The Valsana is built to the highest environmental and energy standards, with beautiful architecture in wood and stone that blends the property's contemporary nature with its Alpine surroundings. The structure of the hotel was built with sustainable materials sourced locally in Switzerland. Eco policies are implemented on a daily basis throughout the hotel, with the most notable example being the innovative ice battery, which captures and reuses waste from other appliances and connects it to the heat pump circuitry.
Priced from: £1900 pp 7 nights. Valsana.ch
Hotel Au Charmant Petit Lac, Italy
This hotel combines luxury and sustainability by running entirely on renewable energy and being constructed entirely of recycled wood and glass. The hotel's exterior is designed to blend in with the natural environment around it, with the goal of operating in harmony with it. While the interior boasts large windows and balconies in the hotel rooms with breathtaking views of the mountains. It's only 300m from the Crest gondola, so it’s easy to reach the adventure on the slopes!
Priced from : £1750 pp 7 nights. Hotel Au Charmant Petit Lac.
Hotel Terra, USA
The Hotel Terra is a modern boutique-style hotel with excellent facilities, a distinct atmosphere, and a green twist. The hotel is conveniently located near the base of the Gondola and the new Tram in Teton Village, making it ideal for skiers. Hotel Terra is dedicated to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, from the use of recycled steel to fluorescent lightbulbs that use 75% less energy. The roof is even made entirely of recycled Eco Shake shingles made of reinforced vinyl and other recycled materials. At the Hotel Terra, you can enjoy upscale amenities and dazzling mountain scenery where indoor sophistication meets outdoor adventure.
Guide price: £1999 pp 7 nights. Hotel Terra
Ski Attire
Open Wear
Open Wear is a Swiss outerwear brand that focuses on integrating high performance with ethical manufacturing, sustainable materials and transparency.
Their mission is to preserve our mountains and ensure that the way we ride now will allow us to ride in great conditions for years to come. They even have a small selection of refurbished men's ski wear. Their ski gear will keep you warm in any weather and sleek on the slopes.
Mons Royale
The New Zealand based brand Mons Royale is ideal for wearing under ski gear, as a base layer to provide much-needed insulation.
We like Mons Royale's combination of sustainability, functionality, and style. Their clothing is made from wool that has been ethically sourced; is mulesing-free, natural, biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Lead photo: Hotel Courchevel