Access to Les Arcs: special equipment required
Access to Les Arcs: special equipment required
Book your stay
Sunday 05 January updated on 01-05-2025 at 8:06
Sunday 05 January updated on 01-05-2025 at 8:06
Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss anything in les Arcs !
Looking to take your ecological commitment to the next level in 2025? How about rethinking your holiday habits to complement the eco-friendly gestures you already practice daily!
A tasty swap here, a purchase avoided there... Because the hardest part is often knowing where to start, we’ve selected 9 ideas for “green resolutions” (ranging from beginner to expert level) to help lower the carbon footprint of your ski holiday—whether it’s just a little, a lot, or wholeheartedly!
So, which resolution(s) will you try to stick to this year? Let’s meet on December 31st to reflect (calmly, reminiscing about each moment).
Start by making some tasty swaps! A little less meat, a little more vegetables, and locally sourced products: that’s all it takes to reduce the CO2 emissions from your diet during your vacation (on average: 8% of the total carbon footprint of a ski day, making it the 3rd largest source of emissions after transportation and equipment).
1. Easy level: Toast with local drinks
Save your curiosity for Belgian beers for your next trip to Brussels! During your holiday at Les Arcs, opt for a local beer during après-ski: try the “Retour d’est” IPA from the microbrewery Les Névés, or the “Free Rider” session pilsner from the Brasserie du Petit Saint Bernard (to name just two—remember, excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous for your health; always drink responsibly!).
2. Intermediate level: Skip the camembert on the cheese platter
We know it’s tough, especially if you’re from Normandy. Stay strong! You’ll be able to indulge in your guilty pleasure again in a few days when you’re back home. In the meantime, treat your refined palate to some local specialties: a nutty Beaufort AOP cheese made in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, for example, or a goat cheese tommette straight from the Rullier farm.
3. Expert level: Choose a porcini mushroom fondue instead of raclette
We KNOW that a big part of your ski vacation is the mountain of cheese you plan to enjoy throughout the week. But instead of eating raclette after raclette, try a porcini mushroom fondue (without extra charcuterie) every now and then. A deliciously painless effort, we promise!
Rethink how you equip yourself for the slopes. Where and how are your skis made? Your boots? Your GoreTex jacket? Your socks? By choosing more sustainable products, you could significantly reduce the CO2 emissions caused by your equipment (on average: 16% of the total carbon footprint of a ski day, the 2nd largest source of emissions after transportation and before food).
1. Easy level: Buy new, but prioritize eco-responsible brands
In some cases, buying new is a good idea—for example, if you take care of your belongings and know how to make them last, or if you use your gear very frequently (cheaper to buy than to rent). Choose eco-responsible brands committed to developing durable products (like Picture, for example).
2. Intermediate level: Buy second-hand gear
Skis, snowboards, jackets, pants, technical underwear—you can find everything in the second-hand market! Prioritize products in good or excellent condition, ideally from eco-friendly brands, and you’ll be able to use them for years to come. Perfect if you ski once or twice a year or want to invest in quality gear without the cost of buying new.
3. Expert level: Rent your ski equipment (skis, clothes...)
Here, you tackle the root of the problem: a product that isn’t bought doesn’t need to be manufactured! By renting your skis, snowboard, or even your ski outfit, you contribute to preserving the resources needed for their creation. Ideal if you ski once or twice a year (the planet and your wallet will thank you).
Unsure whether to rent or buy your ski outfit? We’ll help you choose the best solution for your needs.
Green the kilometers that separate you from your vacation spot. Because the "champion" of carbon emissions, across all categories, is obviously transportation: it alone accounts for 52% of the carbon footprint of a ski day! To lower your carbon footprint “madly,” you’ll need to tackle what happens well before putting on your skis (and long after returning them to the rental shop).
1. Easy level: Travel less often, but stay longer
Are you used to vacationing for 20 days a year? Fight your wanderlust: instead of booking five short trips of four days each (and spending half the time on the road, let’s be honest), settle in for two 10-day trips or even one 20-day trip at the same destination. Take your time, explore, relax, try activities, and indulge yourself in every sense of the word. Plus, you’ll save money along the way (fuel and tolls are expensive).
2. Intermediate level: Set geographical limits for your trips
We trust you to set the rules of the game: never travel more than 1000 km from home? Travel less than 100 km at least every other trip? Only visit destinations accessible by train, regardless of distance? The choice is yours!
3. Expert level: Choose the transport method with the best practicality/environmental responsibility ratio
Depending on where you live and who you’re traveling with, this could be: the train (and other public transportation options like buses, coaches...), a car (fully loaded with your group or carpoolers), or even a bike (why not?). Feel free to use the Go Les Arcs platform to compare your options (carbon footprint, cost, travel time, connections, services, etc.).
Think skiing vacations by train are complicated? We’ll help you get on track!
Yes, indeed: tourist accommodation is responsible for 4% of the carbon footprint of a ski day (the 4th largest source of carbon emissions on average, after transportation, equipment, and food).
This is why it’s important to choosemodern or renovated, well-insulated accommodation. Keep the temperature around 19°C during your stay (no sauna effect or cryotherapy: avoid overusing the heating and make sure to close the windows after airing out). Of course, turn off the lights before heading out to ski (this isn’t Versailles!), sort your waste, and avoid taking excessively long showers. In short: act just like you would at home. Easy!
Calculate your carbon footprint (and compare your result to the average carbon footprint of a ski day). So, are you doing better or worse?
