In a world that is changing rapidly and in which climate change is also leaving its mark on the Alps, ski resorts are facing major sustainability challenges. This is why many of them began investing in environmentally friendly infrastructure, renewable energy sources and nature conservation measures decades ago. But what do these efforts actually look like? Today, SnowTrex takes a look at Val Cenis in the French Alps.
“Flocon Vert” award for sustainability
The Val Cenis ski resort with its 125 kilometres of pistes is located in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,200 to 2,800 metres between the Vanoise National Park and the border with Italy. The municipality lives from its traditions and centuries-old cultural heritage and consists of five villages: Bramans, Sollières-Sardières, Termignon, Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard. Together, the villages committed themselves to sustainability and environmental protection years ago. Val Cenis was awarded the “Flocon Vert” (Green Snowflake) environmental label in November 2021. According to the jury, one of the reasons for the award was the progressive water management in the ski resort, the centrepiece of which is a constructed wetland that went into operation in 2014 and enables natural wastewater treatment using high mountain plants.
In addition to environmental protection and nature conservation, the Flocon Vert label also recognises other sustainability initiatives in Val Cenis. For example, those responsible here attach particular importance to the social development of young people. This is why the municipality and a local ski school support a children’s centre where children aged 3 months to 12 years are looked after. Waste is also actively avoided in the village by replacing disposable bottles with drinking bottles and using reusable glass containers. Since 2020, there has also been an elected youth council that initiates and implements projects for young people, including waste separation and the collection of light bulbs and batteries.
Val Cenis focusses on agriculture and discounted ski passes
The Val Cenis ski resort also acts financially in the spirit of sustainability. For example, the local economy is promoted and financially supported, especially the farmers, who are strengthened by the diversification of agriculture. For example, new technical systems help with the irrigation of fields and farmland. The farmers themselves have also founded an association to produce local fodder and optimise its production. A cooperative and the Société d’intérêt collectif agricole (non-profit organisation for agriculture) also help the farmers to promote the sale of local products. In addition, a more inclusive pricing policy has also been introduced, which enables more favourable prices for ski passes purchased early and thus also appeals to skiers with a limited budget.
Lifts and snow groomers save energy in the Val Cenis ski area
In addition to the municipality, the Val Cenis ski resort is also committed to sustainable development, environmental protection and, ultimately, ecological ski tourism. This includes extensive energy savings, species protection and the use of 100 per cent electric snow groomers. One measure to reduce energy requirements in winter operations is that the power consumption of the lifts in Val Cenis is continuously adapted to the number of visitors with the help of sensors. This means that the lifts run more slowly at times of low capacity utilisation, which reduces energy consumption. In addition, the Vieux Moulin gondola was equipped with an innovative heat recovery system.
As a pioneer in France, Val Cenis also tested low-emission fuel for its more environmentally friendly snow groomers before the 2020s and has been using an all-electric snow groomer since the 2022/23 winter season:
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Species conservation in France’s oldest national park
france’s first national park, the Parc National de la Vanoise, was founded in 1963. And Val Cenis lies right in the centre of this 200,000-hectare area. For the resort itself, its location in this unique high mountain world also means a responsibility to preserve the rich biodiversity and to offer environmentally friendly skiing as well as other outdoor activities close to nature such as hiking and mountaineering. The ski resort works closely with the administration of the Vanoise National Park to preserve the local flora and protect the Alpine fauna. For example, the partnership focuses on protecting the black grouse, which is native to the Alps. To this end, rest areas have been set up for the animals and visual warning signs have been attached to the cable car cables to prevent bird strikes.
100 per cent hydropower drives Val Cenis
Hydropower plays a central role in the energy supply of the Haute Maurienne region and therefore also for nature conservation in and around the Val Cenis ski resort. As a result, 100 per cent renewable energy is now also used here for winter sports, with zero greenhouse gas emissions. The key to this is the huge Mont Cenis reservoir, which winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy a fantastic view of from the ski resort at an altitude of 2,800 metres and whose water is used to generate electricity at the Villarodin hydroelectric power station, just 20 km away as the crow flies. With a volume of 320 million cubic metres, the reservoir is still the largest rockfill dam in France. It was built between 1962 and 1969 and is located on the border with Italy. For this reason, the dam is still maintained by a French and an Italian technician working in pairs.
In addition to the Mont-Cenis reservoir, there are other lakes in the region that feed the hydroelectric power stations at Aussois, Avrieux, Villarodin and Bissorte. These power stations produce twice as much electricity as the entire department of Savoie every year. All of the power plants are connected to each other via a pressurised pipeline network, which enables flexible water and energy distribution. The reservoir on the other side of the Val Cenis ski area is also part of a landscape improvement programme that serves, among other things, to rewet mountain pastures. And that’s not all, as the water from the region will ultimately also be used to make snow on the pistes in the local ski areas, which in turn will increase the energy efficiency of winter sports in Val Cenis.
FAQ on sustainability in winter sports in Val Cenis
What does the “Flocon Vert” eco-label mean for the Val Cenis ski area?
Since the beginning of the 2020s, Val Cenis has been committed to the “Flocon Vert” environmental label, which stands for sustainable development and environmental protection. This label was awarded to the resort in order to recognise the efforts for sustainability and environmental protection in Val Cenis itself and in the ski area.
How does Val Cenis contribute to environmental protection?
Among other things, Val Cenis relies on advanced water management with a constructed wetland, which has enabled natural wastewater treatment since 2014. The ski resort is also committed to protecting the local flora and fauna in partnership with the Vanoise National Park.
What energy-saving measures are being implemented in Val Cenis?
In Val Cenis, the energy consumption of the ski lifts is optimised based on the current number of guests. This means that the lifts run more slowly at times of low capacity utilisation in order to save energy. Furthermore, the ski resort has been using a 100 per cent electric snow groomer for several years in order to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
How does Val Cenis use hydropower to supply energy?
Val Cenis relies 100 per cent on renewable energy that causes no greenhouse gas emissions. The key to this is the Mont Cenis reservoir, whose water is used to generate electricity at the Villarodin hydropower plant. The dam is a central element for energy production in the entire region and supplies the ski lifts and snowmaking facilities in Val Cenis with renewable energy.
