Environment and CSR

My mountain: I love it, I preserve it

What concrete measures have been taken to limit the impact of winter sports on the environment?

In October 2020, Domaines Skiables de France adopted 16 national eco-commitments to preserve the mountains.

It goes without saying that we are part of this proactive approach. Aware that the mountains on which our ski lifts are located are our greatest asset, we have been working for several years to minimise our environmental footprint and preserve the mountains.

Are you concerned about the environment and want to respect it as much as possible for future generations? Find out more about our actions in the Oz-Vaujany sector.

Responsable damage

Gas-To-Liquids utilisation

As far as grooming is concerned, we are the first ski area to have introduced the widespread use of GTL (Gas-To-Liquids) for its snow groomers. This innovative fuel, produced from gas, contains no impurities. It offers a much cleaner alternative to conventional diesel. What's more, it's odourless and rapidly biodegradable. The additional cost of using this fuel represents a significant budget for the company, but we see it as a priority investment.

Eco-driving

Our snow groomer drivers are all trained in eco-driving, which enables them to optimise the performance of their machines and therefore control fuel consumption. A GPS system installed on the snow groomers records snow depth in real time. This fine-tuned management of the snowpack enables us to increase the length of time the slopes are open and to produce just the right amount of snow.

Optimising the snow gun fleet

We are optimising our fleet of snow guns by gradually replacing the old ones with the latest generation. This means that air consumption, and therefore energy consumption, can be cut by more than a factor of 10. They also produce better quality snow, which means fewer hours of grooming and much greater skiing pleasure!

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Locals and proximity

For our work and the maintenance of our equipment, we choose as far as possible to use sub-contractors and suppliers as close as possible to Oz and Vaujany in order to encourage local employment and reduce transport-related emissions.

We are gradually replacing our old lighting with low-energy LED bulbs. Our operating buildings are gradually being renovated and insulated.

Renewal of ski lifts

Adapting the speed of ski lifts

We adapt the speed of the lifts according to the number of skiers in order to control our energy consumption. Our facilities are powered by electricity from nearby hydroelectric dams. The Grand’Maison hydro-electric complex, located in the communes of Oz, Vaujany and Allemond, is the most powerful in Europe.

In December 2020, we commissioned the Eau d’Olle Express. This cable car links Allemond directly to Oz-en-Oisans in 8 minutes, reducing road traffic. For your information, based on the 150,000 people transported by this lift, the Eau d’Olle Express saves 240 tonnes of CO² emissions per year.

Preserved flora and fauna

Before carrying out any work on the estate, we identify the environmental issues at stake, particularly with regard to fauna, flora and wetlands. Once we have completed the work on the slopes, we replace the topsoil that has been stockpiled and sow the areas with endemic seeds.

To protect the birds, we use visual aids to warn them of dangerous cables. Can you find them in the ski area? (The devices look like the image on your left)