Green French
Green Snow Holidays - From Bbc Green
Here’s our essential guide to skiing and snowboarding the green way
Skiing and snowboarding are not the obvious choice for an eco-friendly traveller. After all, air flights, luxury spas and hacking your way through the pristine snow are a far cry from a tree-planting camp in Devon.
But it doesn’t have to be like that - winter sport is about enjoying the great outdoors, so we’ve looked at some of the best ways to respect it too. Here’s our advice on how to get there, where to stay and what kit you should bring with you.
Take the snow train
If you’re looking for a greener way to the slopes than flying and are tired of the inconvenience of flight delays, then travelling by train could be for you. Thousands of skiers and boarders choose to make their journey to the heart of the slopes this way every season.
Rail Europe's Snow Trainis an overnight sleeper service from London St Pancras and Ebbsfleet International, Kent, to a number of skiing destinations in the French Alps. There is a specially designated sound-proofed disco carriage, so you can party all night, or if you’d rather save your energy for the slopes, there is comfortable, flat-bed sleeping accommodation.
In many cases, ski train journeys are similar in length to flying. Remember, by train there's no two-hour check-in time, fewer delays and (on most trains) no long transfers to your resort.
Plus, most independent research says that travelling to the slopes by train produces a relatively small carbon footprint compared to flying or going by car.
It’s worth remembering though that you need to change platforms at Paris before travelling onto the stations at Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime la Plagne, Landry and Bourg St Maurice.
The Snow Train can also be more convenient if you’re taking your own gear, as there is no charge for carrying your skis or boards in their ski locker. You arrive early Saturday morning and depart last thing the following Saturday, so you get maximum time on the slopes.
Eco-friendly coach travel
Coach travel to the Alps is a long-haul option but it is also great value. National Express’s Eurolines service runs from London Victoria to nine resorts in both France and Switzerland, and there is no charge for skis and snowboards.
The journey takes approximately 18 hours and most coaches leave in the afternoon and arrive early next morning. Reclining seats means you should get a decent night’s sleep and there’s usually a film to watch in the evening.
Greener accommodation
Finding a good value eco-friendly hotel or chalet can feel like an uphill struggle, as they are few and far between. But if you look hard, you can find wood fires, solar panels, and composting heaps among the hot-tubs, spas and gyms.
If it’s composting toilets you’re after you may well be out of luck, but lots of companies are increasingly looking out to protect the environment that their holidaymakers enjoy. Here are some of our favourites...
Whitepod
This unique Swiss eco-camp located above Les Cerniers, a small village at the foot of Dents du Midi, features five wood-fire heated domes around a 19th-century chalet. The igloo-shaped pods are each made from weatherproofed cotton stretched over a storm-proof steel frame, which should keep you snug and warm.
Inside, the pods are lit by petrol lamps and are furnished with recycled or sustainably made furniture. You can only get there on skis or snowshoes and your luggage is delivered via snowmobile, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.
If you don’t want to ski or snowboard you can always go snowshoeing, dog-sledding, relax in the hot tub or try the star-gazing platform with telescope. If you have children, the site also offers an Eco Kids Camp from July to August, which includes wildlife observation, local farm visits, organic picnics and evening games.Winner of the Responsible Tourism Awards 2005 for innovation.
From 325 euros per night including coffee and afternoon tea.
For more information:Whitepod
Whitepod is renovating the camp to cut its footprint and ensure that the level of service remains high. As a result, it will not be open for this coming winter 08/09. However, their mountain refuge, which sleeps up to 60 guests, is open from 1 December 2008.
Green Rides - Challet Montperron
This luxurious 18th century eco-chalet is based just outside Bourg St Maurice. With five large double bedrooms, it includes all the usual chalet amenities such as wi-fi and cable as well an open log fire, spa area and a wood pellet-fired hot tub.
The electricity is sourced from wind and solar farms in northern France. All food waste is composted, the rubbish is recycled and energy efficient light bulbs are used throughout the property. The owners are also planning to install a solar panelled roof and offer a discount to customers who take the Snow Train.A week typically cost from £385 per person.
Green Rides
Karibuni - Lodge Aravis
This 100 year old catered chalet is set in the Aravis Mountains near La Clusaz and sleeps 35 people. It has a gym, sauna and massage room as well as a children’s area and an onsite ski hire shop.France can be hard for veggies but Lodge Aravis has been accredited by the Vegetarian Society, soust ask for their vegetarian menu. All waste is either composted or recycled and they aim to source as much fair trade, local, and free range produce as possible. The chalet also offsets its carbon emissions through Climate Care.
The people behind Lodge Aravis also run a number of other smaller chalets, including Chalet Aravis which can sleep up to 11 people and uses solar panels to heat all of its water.
From £580pp a week (including a lift pass for seven days of skiing).
Location: Aravis Mountain, French Alps. For more information: Karibuni
Green shopping for snow gear
When it comes to being green on the slopes, skis, snowboards and winter gear can pose a problem. Nearly all of them are made of a combination of wood, fibreglass, foam, plastic and steel, which are stuck together by epoxy resin, and are nearly impossible to recycle.
However, many manufacturers are taking green steps, from carbon offsetting to using sustainable materials, such as bamboo, and even solar-powered factories.
New Zealand company Kingswood Skis won a product sustainability award for their bamboo-core carbon neutral skis. They are also looking into a flax alternative to fibreglass which is used in almost every ski and board made today. And they provide a clear breakdown of all the materials used in their products on their website.
Arbor makes its snowboard’s cores from renewable, fast-growing bamboo, which has come from sustainably managed forests and the bases are made with leftover poly-ethylene. They have pledged to donate a portion of all their revenue to organisations involved in protecting the environment. Also, its factory’s machines are wind-powered.
Don’t forget the eco-benefits of buying secondhand gear or renting ski or snow equipment. Freecycle and Ebay are just a couple of online places you could try.
Take a look at our shop now for the best eco friendly shopping.
About the Author
Green Rewards is a loyalty programme offering members the opportunity to redeem points earned in areas of everyday life into ecologically considered products, services and experiences that will not compromise the environment.
Green Day - Basket Case (Live on French TV 1995)
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