6 sustainable ski-in, ski-out hotels in Europe
Skis on, out of the hotel and onto the slopes – a ski-in, ski-out hotel lets you start your day’s skiing right outside the hotel door, saving you the daily shuttle ride. But that’s not all that makes your ski vacation sustainable. We’ll show you what else to look for and introduce you to six sustainable accommodations right on the slopes.
5 ways to make your ski vacation more sustainable
Skiing vacations have been criticized from a sustainability perspective due to the extensive infrastructure required. That’s why we’d like to start by briefly summarizing how you can minimize your carbon footprint on a ski vacation:
- Sustainable arrival: Avoid flying and choose a resort that you can reach by train. This article provides information on how to get to each hotel, chalet or vacation home.
- Sustainable accommodation: Just like the Green PearlsⓇ ski hotels and vacation homes we present in this article 🙂
- Sustainable ski resort: Important considerations here are: no new deforestation; lifts powered by green electricity; no artificial snowmaking with snow cannons, or at least a sustainable concept for how specifically dammed water (so no water is taken from nature for it) and snow cannons are powered by green electricity.
- Avoid waste and plastic: Both in your accommodation and during your skiing day.
- Rent or buy used equipment instead of new.
Ski-in, ski-out hotels with guaranteed snow
In the face of climate change, we recommend preparing to compromise and having a “Plan B” in case there is no snow during your booked trip, such as winter hiking or a cultural program.
Alternatively, consider staying at ski hotels located in “snow-sure” areas, typically in the Alpine region above 1,200 meters.
Is artificial snow an environmental issue?
According to Statista, about 90 percent of all ski slopes in Italy have snowmaking systems. In Austria the figure is 70%, in Switzerland 53% and in Germany only 25%. Attitudes toward artificial snow vary widely across the Alpine region.
Ski resorts that use artificial snow, such as Dolomiti Superski, argue that artificial snow is “just water”. When forced out of a small hole under high pressure, the cold turns it into snow. This process does not involve any chemicals. Water typically comes from specially constructed reservoirs and returns to the ground as the snow melts.
So there are no problems? According to the WWF, there are. Artificial snow requires millions of gallons of water, energy and noise. The absence of trees on the slopes and the compacted ground from grading prevent the snow from being absorbed quickly when it melts, increasing the risk of landslides.
The WWF ultimately demands a halt to the development of new ski resorts. It also criticizes hotel complexes as “real energy eaters”. This makes choosing a sustainable ski hotel all the more important.
Sustainable ski-in, ski-out hotels in South Tyrol, Tyrol and Switzerland
Here are five ski hotels that are right on the slopes and committed to sustainability. As an added bonus, there’s also a vacation home in Tyrol that’s not right on the slopes – but the ski bus stops right outside.
#1 Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel | South Tyrol | Italy
The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is located at an altitude of 2,020 meters on the Seiser Alm in the Dolomites. Due to its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel feels a special commitment to nature. It is unique in the region in its commitment to the vegan lifestyle. Food and beverages are 100 percent vegan, and as much as possible is organic and locally sourced. For example, you will find many creations with organic South Tyrolean apples, but also vegan pizza for lunch, vegan brownies in the afternoon, dumplings, pasta, herbs and vegetables – a fantastically creative and climate-friendly plant-based cuisine that you should try, even if you are not vegan!
In addition to its magnificent location on two ski slopes, the hotel offers a spa area with several saunas and an outdoor saltwater hot tub. The hotel also promotes contemporary art with rotating exhibitions. Furthermore, it uses green electricity from Alperia, which is 90 percent hydroelectric.
Ski Resort: The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is located in the Seiser Alm ski resort with 32 ski runs. However, the Seiser Alm is only one of twelve interconnected ski resorts, all of which are part of the Dolomiti Superski area. This means that with one ski pass you have 1,200 kilometers of slopes at your disposal! (For comparison, 200 kilometers or more of slopes is what you call a “big ski area”). Fortunately, Dolomiti Superski is also committed to sustainability, as detailed here on their website. However, the resort does use artificial snow. According to them, natural snow would not last the entire season, so they have to use artificial one.
Sustainable travel: You can reach the Seiser Alm by train. From there the hotel will pick you up with a snow shuttle at a meeting point.
#2 Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt | Switzerland
Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt is a small, family-run hotel with only 21 rooms. The hotel has a view of the Matterhorn and is located above the center of Zermatt on 1620m. The Anthamatten family has managed the establishment for three generations. Hostess Fabienne Anthamatten is dedicated to zero-waste practices and has a keen interest in old wood and glacier melt. Her husband, Simon, is a mountain guide and helicopter pilot. Fabienne’s sister, Stefanie, a trained yoga teacher, also welcomes guests at the reception. Meanwhile, “Mama” Bernadette delights visitors with her homemade soups and jams.
The Swiss hotel is not only family friendly, but also very cozy – with a stone pine parlor and fireplace in the lobby, as well as a small spa area with saunas.
Ski area: The hotel is located below the Sunnegga – Rothorn valley station – so the valley run takes you directly to your hotel. Here you are connected to the Rothorn, Gornergrat Glacier and the Matterhorn Paradise ski area, which also includes Zermatt. Matterhorn Paradise is the highest ski area in the Alps (almost 4,000 meters in some places) and the largest summer ski area in Europe. It is open year round as many of the slopes are on glaciers. There are 360 km of slopes and you can even ski to Italy.
Zermatt’s cable cars have been investing in sustainability for several years and are TourCert certified. Despite its glacier location, the slopes are regularly covered with artificial snow.
Sustainable travel: Zermatt is car-free and accessible by train – as an added bonus, the hotel will even upgrade you to 1st class on the Visp-Zermatt route (for stays of 3 nights or more). Your luggage can be transported separately. A complimentary Hotel Bella Vista shuttle will pick you up at the train station.
#3 CERVO Mountain Resort Zermatt | Switzerland
The CERVO Mountain Resort, also located in the Swiss ski resort of Zermatt on the Matterhorn, is an exceptional ski-in, ski-out hotel. The sustainable resort consists of several buildings, restaurants and a spa area, and CERVO’s terraces are a popular spot for après-ski.
The program includes numerous social events with live music, a group moonlight ski decent, movie night with fondue, etc. So this is the perfect place for you if you want to meet new people and enjoy some entertainment during your ski vacation.
Ski area: The resort in Zermatt is also part of the aforementioned Matterhorn Paradise.
Sustainable travel: You can also reach CERVO Mountain Resort by train via Zermatt station. Your ski pass can be ordered prior to your arrival and picked up at the reception desk.
#4 Biohotel Grafenast | Tirol | Österreich
If you are looking for a ski-in-ski-out hotel for a family ski vacation, we recommend the Biohotel Grafenast in Tyrol. The hotel is run by the Unterlechner family. Grandfather “Rodel-Toni” built a toboggan hut on the Pillberg in 1907, which still exists today. Situated at an altitude of 1,330 meters, you have a wonderful view of the valley. With only 23 rooms (some of which are family rooms with separate children’s rooms), the atmosphere is intimate. Organic food, environmental protection and nature are very important to the Unterlechners, which is why they cook only with organic products.
Ski area: Biohotel Grafenast is located just 150 meters from the Kellerjoch ski area. The base station of the Kellerjochbahn, which takes you up to 1,890 meters, is just a few steps away. The small ski area has 20 km of slopes and 7 downhill runs, making it perfect for a (first) ski vacation with children. According to Snowtrex, about 30 percent of the slopes are covered with artificial snow. By the way, Café Rodel-Toni is located right next to the children’s ski school. Here parents can take a break while the kids learn to ski or play in the Kinderland.
Sustainable travel: The closest train stations are Jenbach and Schwaz. For stays of three nights or more, half the taxi fare to the Biohotel will be reimbursed.
#5 My Arbor | Südtirol | Italien
If you are traveling without children and prefer the tranquility of an adults-only hotel, My Arbor may be just what you are looking for. Located near Brixen, it is an architectural highlight built on stilts in the middle of a spruce forest. The wellness hotel is located directly on the Plose Mountain.
„After breakfast, I go to the ski room, put on my ski boots, grab my skis, and head straight from My Arbor to the Plose base station.“ – Alexandra Huber, My Arbor
Ski area: The Plose ski area is particularly sunny and with 7 lifts and about 40 km of slopes ranging in altitude from 1,067 to 2,446 meters, quite modest. Its highlight is South Tyrol’s longest downhill run: 9 km.
Sustainable travel: Brixen train station has direct connections from many major cities in Italy, Germany and Austria. Guests staying at My Arbor for 7 nights or more are picked up at the station free of charge. Otherwise, a taxi will cost approximately 30 euros for a 15-minute ride.
#6 Summit Lodges Pfunds | Tyrol | Austria
Finally, we would like to introduce you to two vacation homes that are not ski-in-ski-out, but have a ski bus stop right outside the door. The Summit Lodges Pfunds are American log cabin-style vacation homes that sleep up to six people and have their own sauna and wood-burning fireplace. With their own kitchens, you will be able to cook for yourself and plan your winter vacation at your own pace.
Ski area: There are six ski resorts in the area and the ski bus stops just steps away from the apartments. A 20 minute drive will take you to the Tyrolean ski resort Nauders, which has 75 kilometers of slopes between 1,400 and 2,750 meters. The resort is snow sure, but artificial snow is still in use. If you take the ski bus a little further, you can also reach the Italian region of South Tyrol in about 35 minutes. Here at the Reschen Pass, there are 65 kilometers of slopes and 15 ski lifts around the Reschen Lake. Due to the altitude of 1,500 to 2,400 meters, it is considered snow-sure as well, but snow machines are still employed.
Artificial snowmaking will continue to spread
As you can see, even resorts that advertise sustainability cannot avoid the use of artificial snow. Particularly alarming is the fact that in the United States, slopes are already snowed with the addition of bacteria, a practice banned in Germany and Austria. The bacteria ensure that snow is produced even at low temperatures. Environmentalists fear that this could have unprecedented effects on the environment. But with global warming, it could be an attractive option for more ski resorts.
In the future, a ski-in, ski-out vacation will only be possible through sustainability
Skiing is far less sustainable than more gentle winter sports such as snowshoeing. All the more reason to consider some sustainability issues when going on a ski vacation. Ski-in-ski-out hotels are located in the heart of the resort, so you can experience nature – and its preparation – firsthand. As wonderful as this is, it should also be possible for future generations.
