The greener way to ski in Méribel
Ecotourism is becoming an important consideration for those travelling to the Alps on ski holidays in France.
With a quarter of the resort’s valleys either falling within the Vanoise National Park or registered as a dedicated natural reservation, Méribel has been working towards an environmental ISO certification making huge efforts to become a greener skiing destination for its visitors.
Find out what eco-savvy tactics Méribel employs and how it can make your next alpine adventure the greenest yet!
Developments
The resort was established on eco-friendly foundations, whether intentionally or not. The much-loved picturesque catered ski chalets in Méribel aren’t only helping to attract visitors over the winter season, but are designed and built with the environment in mind.
Following a strict building code, the resort uses locally resourced stone, wood and slate in its architecture – the result being a cosy rustic look that’s also kind to nature. In recent years, regulations have also extended to include mandatory roof and wall insulation as energy saving strategies.
The Three Valleys works hard to preserve the resident wildlife and agricultural heritage. In Méribel a re-seeding policy sees the resort planted with grasses favoured by local livestock, who act as a kind of natural lawn mower. Shorter grass by the start of the winter season has resulted in safer skiing conditions on the slopes.
Energy
Resorts in the Three Valleys power all their lifts and snow cannons using renewable sources. Hydro-electric dams throughout the area deliver energy to Méribel’s ski lifts and this water is also used to create additive-free powder used in the cannons when snow fall is low. The Three Valleys also uses solar energy to power its radio communications, helping to keep holidaymakers safe when skiing.
For its efforts to produce energy more sustainably, Méribel has been noted as a top resort for ecological territorial energy by Mountain Riders, the organisation responsible for awarding ski resorts and businesses with the Flocon Vert or ‘Green Snowflake’ certificate.
Transport
While it’s not possible to remove traffic completely, Méribel encourages visitors not to use their vehicle while on holiday in the resort. Instead, it has built a network of well-maintained footpaths to help people get around the resort and nearby mountains safely. The resort also offers free parking outdoors and underground parking for a small fee.
Since the 1992 Winter Olympic Games, Méribel has offered a free shuttle bus service open to everyone for two months during the busiest season in the winter. This system costs over a million euros to finance but is considered a worthwhile investment because it has reduced traffic significantly in the resort.
Community
Méribel’s local business owners are also doing their bit to help holidaymakers be the greenest they can be, providing recyclable shopping bags at the local supermarkets and taking a proactive approach to discouraging skiers from littering. An organised mountain clean at the end of the busy season encourages people to help clear any litter and support the resort’s environmental goals.
Image Credit: Ruth Hartnup (flickr.com)