Sustainable Winter Holidays in Austria's Ski Resorts

Sustainable winter holidays are possible! Over 120 climate and energy model regions are moving towards a greener future, with a focus on conservation, climate neutrality, and sustainability.

How sustainable are ski resorts with snowmaking systems?

Snowmaking is often a sensitive topic, but Austria's ski regions have invested heavily in pioneering, sustainable snowmaking technologies.

Around 90% of the energy used for artificial snow in Austria comes from renewable sources like green electricity and solar power. Importantly, snowmaking doesn’t compete with drinking water needs. Strict guidelines ensure controlled water use, with no additives allowed. Meltwater is returned to nature, so water is used, not consumed.

A responsible way of life (especially) continues during winter holidays. If you want to make sure your hotel or guest house uses environmentally friendly energy sources and organic food, operates culturally and socially responsibly, and meets other sustainability criteria, we recommend looking out for the following four certifications:

• Hotels with the Austrian Ecolabel take measures to protect the climate and contribute to safeguarding our livelihoods. High quality and environmental friendliness are key criteria to receive this certificate.

• Bio-Hotels are committed to ongoing ecological development. They regularly undergo independent organic inspections.

• Green Key is an eco-certificate for hotels, among others, and is based on strict criteria regarding sustainability management and sustainability training for staff and suppliers.

• The EU Ecolabel is the EU environmental label recognised in all member states of the European Union and awarded to all kinds of products and services.

• Farm holidays is a prime example of sustainable travel to support ecology, regionality and socio-cultural aspects

Starting your winter holiday in a climate-friendly way also means travelling by train. Many Austrian ski resorts and winter regions in the Alps are very well-connected by train from London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam via Eurostar and Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB. To go the "last mile" (transport from the train station to your hotel), you can often use shuttle buses, hotel cabs or public transport.

When travelling to your ski destination by train, the following questions will naturally pop up:

• How do I get to the hotel from the train station?

• How do I get around the ski resort without my own car?

The Austrian answer is by shuttle bus, hotel-run transfers, local public transport, and electric car. Many larger ski resorts aim to reduce individual transport by offering an extensive public transport network. In most cases, free use of ski buses is included in the ski pass. Your hosts will happily inform you about all the option to move around within the ski resort with minimum carbon footprint.

You chose the sustainable ski resort, booked the climate-neutral hotel and your train tickets for the journey? If you plan your winter holiday with a sustainable mindset, be as consistent when it comes to ski equipment and ask yourself:

1. Do I really need new equipment? Sustainability means to use the existing stuff until it loses function or is no longer safe.

2. What is there to consider when buying new? Buy from manufacturers with high eco-standards: climate-friendly, recyclable materials, cooperation with environmental organisations, transparency and fair conditions in the manufacturing process.

3 What are the advantages of renting? Renting ski equipment saves production resources, guarantees the most modern, best-maintained seasonal models and makes your luggage lighter.

If you've always associated winter holidays in Austria with skiing or snowboarding, you will be amazed at how much fun it can be to simply unstrap your skis and boards: There are many ways to enjoy beautiful mountains and winter landscapes in a more gentle, off-piste way.