Industry News
Ski trips have not traditionally been seen as a green vacation. While they certainly have an important environmental role to play, this coming season will see travelers being able to minimise the impact of their adventures on the slopes in ways that have not been possible in recent years.
Eurostar has just launched a new ski train route for the 2023/24 season, making it the first Eurostar-operated ski service in three years. Travelers can now catch a train from London St Pancras, UK, to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (with one change in Lille) to reach the slopes of Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs in France. With this new rail route, it is now easier to take sustainable ski trips than it has been in years. Interest in sustainable luxury travel options is nothing new, with reports showing that 74% of travelers are willing to spend more to travel sustainably.
Lizzy Nelson, Ski Consultant, at Nelson Travel, says: “As Eurostar carves a new path for eco-conscious skiers and boarders, it becomes easier than it has been in years to lower the carbon footprint of your escapades down the slopes. With the new rail route opening at a time when interest in sustainable travel is so high, I believe we are at a turning point in how skiers and snowboarders approach trips. It’s not just about reaching the peaks anymore; it’s about traversing them in a way that is mindful of the delicate ecosystems that make them so spectacular.”
Recognising the importance of eco-conscious ski trips, luxury travel company, Nelson Travel, has shared the most sustainable ski accommodations to book for the 2023/24 season. Nelson Travel crafts unforgettable bespoke ski vacations for clients and is passionate about maintaining its dedication to responsible and conscious travel, working with sustainable and ethical operators all over the world.
1.Eco Lodge, Chamonix, France
The Eco Lodge in the idyllic French hamlet of Les Nants is a chic 5-bedroom chalet overlooking the Chamonix Valley. The property is completely self-sufficient and able to power itself, having been built with green technology and using renewable energy systems. It is situated 1 km (0.6 miles) from Chamonix center and a stone’s throw away from many of the best ski areas in the area. Brévent, Flégère, Argentière Grands Montets and Les Houches all lie under a 15-minute drive away.
Sleek and spacious, inside the property, you’ll find high vaulted ceilings, light wooden interiors, chic modern furnishings and expansive windows providing an abundance of natural light. The open-plan design allows one space to float seamlessly into the next, while the balcony and terrace space never leave you feeling too far from the Alpine paradise beyond its doors. Outside, you will find a wealth of wellness facilities including a barrel sauna and a large outdoor hot tub, both of which boast incredible views over the surrounding snow-blanketed forest.
During your stay, the chalet staff will cater to your every need. The team are always on hand to share daily information on the ski terrain, current snow attractions and local recommendations, while the chefs provide gourmet dishes and 5* restaurant service. You will also have an in-resort driver service, childcare and ski lessons provided. Prices start from $182 per person per night at full capacity in the Winter, and $62 per person per night at full capacity over the summer.
2. The Capra, Saas-Fee, Switzerland
The Capra is a chic five-star lodge located in Saas-Fee, a car-free hamlet in the Swiss Alps. It features sleek, wooden chalet decor and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views over the Alpine landscape outside its doors. The accommodation’s award-winning restaurant, Brasserie 1809, serves up exquisite farm-to-table cuisine with an emphasis on sustainability. It sources ingredients from local farmers within a 150 km (94 miles) radius, crafts menus based on the seasonality of local produce, composts food waste, reduces food waste and sells or donates surplus food. Dishes include the likes of turnip carpaccio with pine nuts, apricots and Sbrinz AOP, and arancini with aïoli made with wild garlic, greens and tomatoes.
Other sustainability measures in place at The Capra include energy-efficient heating and cooling, no single-use plastic toiletries, energy conservation when rooms are empty, energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly shampoo and soap. In addition, the accommodation purchases from locally-owned businesses, hires locally with fair wages, trains staff in sustainability practices and has measures in place to reduce water waste and carbon emissions.
Those staying at The Capra will be able to enjoy their downtime from the slopes in the Peak Health Spa where the focus is on holistic wellness and regeneration, sampling exquisite dishes in Brasserie 1809 or sitting down to a 5-course meal in The Wine Cellar served with an optional selection of Swiss wine pairings. Prices start from $385.
3.Rocksresort, Laax, Switzerland
Nelson Travel can also organise stays at Rocksresort in Laax, Switzerland, which is once again being considered for the World’s Best Ski Hotel award. The accommodation practises conscious use of resources and the environment to keep it as eco-friendly as possible. Rocksresort has measures in place to help become CO2 neutral by 2030, with an energy supply that is entirely renewable and regionally sourced. The accommodation saves water by treating wastewater before circulating it back into nature, using environmentally salt and de-icing agents to secure slippery areas.
In addition, Rocksresort minimizes waste by implementing a standardized waste disposal system, minimizing one-way washing dishware and hosting an annual Clean Up Day on the mountain. It also uses local produce and ingredients from the on-site herb garden for the dishes served in the restaurant. When it comes to the accommodation itself, the double rooms in the design hotel have a chic, contemporary design with crisp-white sheets paired with the understated tones of concrete floors, limestone walls and oak cupboards.
Guests also have the option of modern apartment suites located in newly renovated chalets. Those staying here are treated to a personal chalet manager and spa treatments. The stylish furnishings are made using natural materials, with bedrooms lined with untreated solid oak wood and walls and floors in the living area made of lime marsh and concrete. Prices start from $118 per night.
For more information on these amazing properties or to book a trip, visit Nelson Travel’s ski vacation website.
