Innsbruck, Austria — In response to climate change’s continued effect on our planet, some of the largest ski resort companies are teaming up to combat it.
Earlier this month, various ski resort companies announced that they have created a new environmental alliance. The new group was announced at Interalpin, a ski industry conference, on May 7th. The Global Sustainability Ski Alliance will aim to reduce its collective CO2 emissions and promote more sustainable methods of ski tourism.
“We are proud to have taken the initiative to establish the Global Sustainability Ski Alliance, bringing together some of the world’s leading ski resorts to collectively drive progress towards a more sustainable industry,” said Stefan Sjöstrand, the CEO of SkiStar. “By sharing insights, data and innovations, we can accelerate the actions needed to address the climate challenges facing ski tourism today.”
With these companies already implementing sustainability tactics before this announcement, the members will share successful approaches with each other, which aim to reduce their emissions. These companies recognize that they will need to commit to decarbonization to reduce their impacts on the environment.
“As an industry that is genuinely involved in maintaining stable winter
conditions, it is our responsibility to help shape change and play a pioneering role,” said Dominique Thillaud, CEO of Compagnie des Alpes. “We are focusing our efforts on the necessary emission reductions to comply with the Paris Agreement in our own operations, and we now need to collectively cooperate to increasingly involve our supply chains.”
The new group consists of the following ski industry giants: SkiStar (which operates various major ski resorts in Scandinavia), Compagnie des Alpes (operator of 10 ski resorts in France), KitzSki (the ski areas of Kitzbühel, Kirchberg, Jochberg, and Pass Thurn in Austria), Kronplatz (part of Dolomiti Superski in Italy), LAAX (Switzerland), Levi Ski Resort (Finland), NZSki (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt. Hutt in New Zealand), and Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal Bergbahnen (a ski resort that features 130 kilometers of trails and 48 lifts in Austria and Germany). Collectively, these ski resort companies amount to more than 800 lifts and 25 million skier days per season.
“By standardizing environmental data and developing performance indicators, the environmental impact of the alliance and its supply chains will be continuously monitored,” said Andreas Dorfmann, who’s the CEO of Kronplatz. “We are advancing electrification, maximizing energy efficiency, and relying entirely on renewable energy – all with respect to nature.”
Noticeably absent from the announcement were the North American ski resort conglomerates. However, they have their own environmental commitments. Vail Resorts has the Commitment to Zero, with the goal to create a zero net operating footprint by 2030. It’s on track for that ambitious goal and is already using 100% renewable energy. The Alterra Mountain Company also has big sustainability goals. Alterrra is aiming to use 100% renewable energy and reduce its carbon emissions by more than 50% by 2030.
Image Credits: Kitzbühel, JProducer
