Clear mountain air, impressive panoramas, winter sports with passion - winter and skiing holidays in Austria's Alps are legendary. To keep it that way, a lot is changing right now to make winter holidays more sustainable.
If you want to experience nature up close, there is a lot you can do to contribute towards sustainability and climate protection. Here are some tips:
Sustainable winter holidays are possible through the commitment of each individual guest, as well as extensive changes and developments in entire regions. The following four winter sports resorts have taken on a pioneering role in showcasing how we can ski in harmony with nature.
Climate protection concerns us all! This is why many measurements are taken in Austria right now to make our lifestyle more sustainable - for both hosts and guests. Numerous Alpine regions are - in various ways - committed to equally respecting humans, wildlife and nature - for our benefit, as well as for the generations to come.
More than 120 climate and energy model regions are in the process of rapidly developing towards a green future by creating awareness and actively jumping into action. Numerous measures for nature conservation, climate neutrality and sustainability have already been implemented:
Mountain panorama from above. The cable cars are the convenient ticket to Austria's mountain world. This is true for hikers in summer and for ski fans in winter. Only few people know, however, that mountain railways are also among the most energy-efficient transport systems!
For years, Austria has been working on optimising their energy consumption: Most mountain railways now run on electricity almost exclusively from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic, wind turbines and hydropower. Sustainabilty projects are being implemented on an ongoing basis, including snowmaking systems that double as hydroelectric power plants or pumped storage power plants.
Source: wko.at
Mountain railways:
A responsible way of life (especially) continues during winter holidays. If you want to make sure your hotel or guest house uses environmentally friendly energy sources and organic food, operates culturally and socially responsibly, and meets other sustainability criteria, we recommend looking out for the following four certifications:
Starting your winter holiday in a climate-friendly way also means travelling by train, which comes with many advantages: It helps to avoid congestion on the highways and in the ski resorts, as well as reduce harmful emissions. What's more, it's comfortable and safe.
Many Austrian ski resorts and winter regions in the Alps are very well-connected by train from London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam via Eurostar as well as Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB. Passengers are also allowed to bring their ski equipment on the train. To go the "last mile" (transport from the train station to your hotel) you can often use shuttle buses, hotel cabs or public transport.
Taking the train is always more sustainable than travelling by car - and also often cheaper. The Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB offer a range of discounts with the Vorteilscard. For longer journeys, you can take the ÖBB Nightjet. Or how about stress-free rail connections from ÖBB to the car-free Alpine Pearls?
Deutsche Bahn DB also has special offers for train journeys from Germany to Tirol. And trains operated by the Swiss Federal Railways ( SBB ) take winter holidaymakers directly to Innsbruck or Salzburg.
When travelling to your ski destination by train, the following questions will naturally pop up:
The Austrian answer is by shuttle bus, hotel-run transfers, local public transport, and electric car.
Many larger ski resorts aim to reduce individual transport by offering an extensive public transport network. In most cases, free use of ski buses is included in the ski pass.
Your hosts will happily inform you about all the option to move around within the ski resort with minimum carbon footprint.
You chose the sustainable ski resort, booked the climate-neutral hotel and your train tickets for the journey? If you plan your winter holiday with a sustainable mindset, be as consistent when it comes to ski equipment and ask yourself:
1. Do I really need new equipment? Sustainability means to use the existing stuff until it loses function or is no longer safe.
2. What is there to consider when buying new? Buy from manufacturers with high eco-standards: climate-friendly, recyclable materials, cooperation with environmental organisations, transparency and fair conditions in the manufacturing process.
3 What are the advantages of renting? Renting ski equipment saves production resources, guarantees the most modern, best-maintained seasonal models and makes your luggage lighter.
While some enjoy skiing with passion and the occasional thrill, others hibernate or seek retreat (think native flora and wildlife). As an environmentally conscious winter sports enthusiast, be considerate when moving into the habitat of deer, foxes and snow hares.
Sustainable winter holidays mean ...
Climate change is also happening in the Alpine regions. Therefore, snow-making systems have been much discussed as a sensitive topic in recent years, and justifiably, some questions have been raised in connection with sustainable winter holidays. There is good news: Austria's ski regions have invested a lot of pioneering work, technology and know-how in sustainable snow-making processes - and have achieved satisfying results. In regards to climate protection, snow-making can be successful, when it is done efficiently and resource-friendly, when it is based on modern standards, and of course, when it leaves well-prepared pistes.
Around 90% of the energy used for snow-making in Austria comes from renewable energy sources such as bioelectricity, photovoltaics, heat recovery or other modern developments. And: Snow-making does not compete with the demand for drinking water. Strict guidelines ensure high quality standards, and that water withdrawal is regulated. In Austria, the use of additives in the water is prohibited. The water is returned to nature through melting snow and evaporation. This means the water is not consumed, but reused.
Austria's Alpine cuisine is known for its refined as being sown-to-earth, with traditional and modern influences. For many chefs, using regional and seasonal products goes hand in hand with top-notch quality. The culinary world combines all the important factors of sustainability: Climate protection, environmental awareness and the well-being of wildlife - everyone benefits from organic farming. If you would like to pay attention to your personal CO₂ footprint during your winter holiday, we suggest to opt for restaurants, hotels and mountain huts who value the regional, seasonal and organic approach.
If you've always associated winter holidays in Austria with skiing or snowboarding, you will be amazed at how much fun it can be to simply unstrap your skis and boards: There are many ways to enjoy beautiful mountains and winter landscapes in a more gentle, off-piste way.
A snowshoe hike, for example, is peaceful and quiet, when all you can hear is the crunching of your footsteps and the rhythm of your breathing. And your heart (and body) will warm when ice skating on a natural lake, with just mountains, forests and meadows all around you.
When cross-country skiing, speed can be just as much fun as tranquil gliding. It gets quieter during a torchlit hike on a starry night, where you can feel the connection with nature very intensely in the darkness. Or enjoy a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride through winter-wonderland, wrapped in thick blankets, watching the landscape passing by.
Mindfulness winter activities will make you happy - and nature as well.
Can skiing and sustainability go hand in hand? Chemmy Alcott went to Austria to check out initiatives aiming to make winter holidays more eco-friendly.
Social interaction for an inclusive society in the holiday destination Austria: Guests, hosts and locals alike, all of them take equal responsibility.
