Sustainability at the Silvretta Montafon
Silvretta Montafon has taken up the challenge of meeting the modern needs of winter sports enthusiasts while at the same time protecting the environment. At a time when the debate about climate change and the impact of tourism on nature is getting louder and louder, the ski resort has embarked on a path towards sustainability with the Green Mountains Initiative. But what exactly does this commitment look like and what is Silvretta Montafon actually doing to become more sustainable? This blog post provides a brief overview of the measures of the Green Mountains Initiative.
1. zero-emission energy supply
A central concern of Silvretta Montafon is to organise its energy supply as environmentally friendly as possible. We therefore obtain 100% of our electricity from renewable sources. We are also utilising more and more sealed areas to produce our own electricity. One example of this is the use of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the mountain stations and restaurants, which not only secure the energy supply on site, but also help to reduce CO₂ emissions. In addition, the infrastructure for snow production is constantly being modernised in order to reduce the use of resources and increase efficiency. Optimising snow production is an important aspect of this in order to guarantee optimum snow enjoyment in the future without wasting resources unnecessarily. Since 2019, Silvretta Montafon has already reduced its CO2 emissions by 20%.
2. environmentally friendly mobility in the ski area
Another major topic in Silvretta Montafon is the promotion of sustainable mobility. Visitors to the ski area can rely on a well-developed infrastructure that makes it possible to travel by public transport. Silvretta Montafon is increasingly focussing on fossil-free means of transport in the valley, such as electric cars, e-bikes and car-sharing models. The largest e-charging garage in Vorarlberg and a total of 67 charging stations throughout the ski area support environmentally friendly travel by e-car. The Green Tickets including travel by bus & train promote a clean journey without the use of fossil fuels. In order to reduce individual journeys by private car, we have developed close partnerships with coach companies over many years.
3. promotion of regionality and sustainability in the catering industry
The catering and shops in Silvretta Montafon also focus on sustainability. Regional products are preferred in order to promote short supply chains and minimise CO₂ emissions caused by long transport routes. Fresh, local specialities from the region are not only a culinary enrichment for guests, but also contribute to maintaining the local economy. Last year, for example, 65 cattle, calves, cows and sheep were sourced from local farms. The farms also minimise the use of plastic as much as possible.
4. nature conservation and landscape management
Protecting the alpine landscape is a high priority in Silvretta Montafon. The region works together with nature conservation organisations to preserve the fragile flora and fauna. For example, when purchasing a day ticket, every ski guest can make a CO2 contribution of €1 to support a Montafon forest conservation project. In both summer and winter, measures are taken to protect the landscape and preserve the natural habitat of the animals. In addition, care is taken to ensure that infrastructure development is as environmentally friendly as possible in order to preserve the scenic beauty of the area. One of the most important aspects of nature conservation is visitor management. As an important member of the ‘Nature-friendly mountain sports’ working group, we actively implement measures for separate corridors for mountain sports enthusiasts, animals and plants. Targeted visitor management allows protected natural areas to develop free from tourist use.
5. education and awareness-raising
A central component of Silvretta Montafon's commitment to sustainability is educating guests. The ski resort relies on information campaigns that sensitise visitors to the importance of sustainability and environmental protection. For example, information material is displayed at various stations to draw attention to the different initiatives.
Conclusion: A step in the right direction
With the Green Mountains Initiative, Silvretta Montafon shows that a sustainable concept and the promotion of environmental awareness are also possible in a popular tourist region. Through the use of renewable energies, the promotion of sustainable mobility and the consistent protection of nature, the ski resort is making a valuable contribution to climate protection. It is clear that acting sustainably is not only an obligation towards the environment, but also an ever-growing need of guests seeking relaxation in unspoilt nature. Silvretta Montafon has shown that skiing and sustainability can go hand in hand - and this is a trend that we can only expect to see more of in the future.
