12th January 2024 | Tim Clark, Verbier, Switzerland.
Verbier claims to be striving to tackle the sustainability problem at its root, both via small businesses within the commune itself, and efforts by the town’s larger operators. NEW
PlanetSKI travelled to Verbier by train to see what the resort is doing to try to mitigate some of the worst impacts of climate change.
And see what small things people can do to perhaps make a difference.
It is undeniable that the Alps are changing.
Studies have found that areas of the mountain range have warmed by up to 2 degrees centigrade over the course of the 20th century.
That’s double the recorded rate for the northern hemisphere as a whole.
Some climate models suggest that a 4 degree rise is on the cards.
These temperature rises are already having an effect.
The snow level is rising up the mountains, the permafrost is melting, and seasons are becoming volatile in terms of snowfall.
The refurbished Hotel de Verbier has incorporated a series of environmentally-friendly measures:
Triple glazingSolar panels on the roofRe-use of materials within its build
On a town-wide level Verbier has pushed to improve its sustainability credentials by incorporating a community district heating network, and reducing car use with the expansive bus shuttle service.
The ski lift operator Televerbier is also taking measures.
Currently 90% of power for the lift system is supplied by hydro-electric power.
A further 6% from renewables such as wind and solar, the remainder is fossil fuel such as diesel.
Those stats aren’t bad, but the operator wants to reduce the amount of energy it uses no matter the source.
The lift systems are being upgraded, not only are diesel generators on most lifts now held in reserve in case the electric fails, the older, more inefficient electric motors are also being phased out to reduce energy consumption.
Televerbier is also working with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) to upgrade the operators heavy equipment.
“We receive some money,” said the general manager of Televerbier, Laurent Vaucher.
“And we have to follow a programme to reduce our energy consumption.”
Vaucher says that the main issue the company is grappling with is de-carbonising its fleet of piste bashers.
They currently run on diesel.
It had been hoped that electric versions could replace them, however mountain work is tough on the machines, and electrification
“The problem we found was that the weight of the machine was twice as heavy when you added on the battery,” said Vaucher.
“We found out that we could run a machine for four hours, then they needed an hour and a half to recharge, that’s not possible for us as we cannot lose an hour and a half of service a night.”
Another option is hydrogen, but that also comes at a cost.
A litre of diesel costs CHF 1.5 (£1.38) however one kilo of hydrogen costs CHF 10.28 (£9.46),
Piste bashers are hydrogen-based and need to consume 10kg an hour – which is expensive.
The hope is that the cost of hydrogen comes down, or that battery technology improves – but the technology and economics don’t quite work – at least yet.
Something will need to be done however as the world de-carbonises, the price of diesel and petrol are expected to rise.
“A solution will come from the truck companies,” Voucher says, rather hopefully.
Can the individual skier reduce their own impact?
In a way.
Based out of Verbier and co-founded by Per Berthels and Anna Smoothy, the Cirkel Supply Co was launched in late 2022 and allows people to rent ski apparel for a holiday.
They claim it helps the environment.
Many people already rent their snowboards or skis and thus removing the bulky clothing is a logical next step.
“Climate change is very real in the mountains, and by serving more people with less clothing we were able to reduce the impact of outdoor sports,” said Smoothy.
I picked out my kit online the previous week to travelling to Verbier and it was waiting when I arrived at the Hotel de Verbier.
The kit included a Patagonia M’s Powder Bowl Jacket (RRP £320), and a mid-layer underneath which was also a Patagonia hybrid jacket (RRP £164).
For salopettes I chose Ortovox’s deel shell (RRP £425) and to round it off, some Hestra powder gauntlet gloves (RRP £81.95).
The complete rental order was CHF 198.50 (£182).
This may sound like a lot but a large hold bag (23kg) on Easyjet costs almost £90 return.
Having to pack only a lightweight bag was also a pleasure compared to the usual ordeal.
Sports eyewear manufacturer Sungod, that is based in Verbier, has also taken steps to improve its environmental credentials.
The company has become a certified B Corporation – which is a company that adheres to high standards of social, environmental and governance within its operations.
SunGod is also a certified Carbon Neutral company and is working to reduce both direct and indirect carbon emissions.
PlanetSKI has recently been product testing:
Verbier is heading in the right direction – and the sustainability-linked entrepreneurs coming to market hint at a sea change in attitudes.
As with the entire Alpine industry however, there is still a mountain to climb.