Sustainable development and the ski area
As part of its drive to reduce energy consumption and conserve resources, Val Cenis constantly adapts the power consumption of its lifts (control rooms, electric motors) according to the presence and number of guests on the lifts.
Limited traffic = limited speed = limited consumption
The Val Cenis Le Haut gondola lift and the Arcelle and La Ramasse chairlifts are equipped with devices that detect whether or not the lifts are heavily used. In off-peak periods (January or lunchtime in March, for example), the lifts automatically run more slowly, thus consuming less energy. On the other hand, when there are a lot of skiers, the devices speed up the flow to avoid long waiting times for skiers.
Heat recovery
The non-sac room at the top of the Vieux Moulin gondola is also heated thanks to the recovery of heat produced by the lift. This optimization was made possible by work carried out in 2020 on the latest-generation 10-seater gondola, which also consumes less energy than older lifts.
As part of a partnership between the Val Cenis ski area and the Vanoise National Park, Val Cenis is committed to the management and protection of flora and fauna in Haute Maurienne Vanoise.
Val Cenis is, for example, one of the 3 pilot areas for the European POIA Birdski project, which aims to monitor the black grouse, an emblematic bird of the Alps, in :
- Creating quiet areas for black grouse.
- Fitted to certain ski lift cables to prevent bird strike.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of these actions in protecting the environment.
At the end of the 3-year project, all ski areas in the French Alps will benefit from the feedback from the actions carried out with the Val Cenis ski area.
The black grouse, a beautiful bird whose male displays red wattles and a lyre-shaped tail, is a vulnerable species. Present in the Vanoise region, and in the heart of the Val Cenis ski area, its numbers are generally declining. Listed in the European Birds Directive, the black grouse is the focus of particular attention.
Protect the black grouse: respect the quiet zones
The ski area's lift crews, in conjunction with the Vanoise National Park, have therefore created quiet zones for black grouse. Even if you're attracted by the powdery fields, it's important to preserve these small areas where the grouse spend their winters. If disturbed by skiers or snowshoers, the grouse will fly away. Is that normal for a bird? Yes, but in winter, with the cold and limited resources, they need to stay on the ground, hidden in the snow, to conserve their energy. The quiet zones are perfectly indicated, so respect them and enjoy the rest of the resort!
Val Cenis is the first French resort to equip itself with an electric snow groomer. A long-awaited milestone for all lift companies, to reduce the use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions and fine particles in the mountains.
In 2019, Val Cenis was already the first resort in France to test HVO for its groomers, a fuel with very low emissions. As of winter 2022-2023, the Val Cenis resort has gone one step further with a new 100% electric groomer.
The ski area teams operate the new "Husky E-motion" from Prinoth, a groomer designed to prepare cross-country ski and toboggan runs, play areas, footpaths and the foot of pistes. All in silence! Ideal for use on the snow front, close to tourist residences.
Val Cenis and the ski area is working with other mountain stakeholders to prepare the future of ski resorts in France.
Bilan carbone Domaines Skiables de France: development of an energy consumption measurement tool to implement new tools to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ski resorts.
European Smart Altitude project: an approach to help ski resort operators and policy-makers plan, optimize and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Sustainable Tourism Chair at Savoie Mont Blanc University: collectively creating new sustainable business models to meet the challenges of mountain tourism. This high-impact approach makes it possible to imagine a paradigm shift, provide an in-depth diagnosis, identify the contributions of stakeholders and involve them in the process.
États Généraux de la Transition du Tourisme en Montagne: bringing together all players in the mountain ecosystem to discuss the challenges of tourism transition and work together to build future solutions for mountain regions.
