Eco ski hotels

Besides having a fantastic location right at the foot of the Triffolet home run, Le Sam proudly brandishes La Clef Verte label for its excellent environmental friendliness. Geothermal energy heats the spa here as well as part of the building, which utilises natural materials, eco-cleaning products and low energy lightbulbs.

New eco measures seem to be put in place every time we return to the Fairmont Chateau. Favourites include the fact that discarded soap and bottled products are recycled or donated to food banks. And the Rooftop bee hives, which provide bees to pollinate the local area in the summer (and produce cracking honey). There’s also in-room recycling, LED lighting and water-saving showerheads. Food and drink-wise, it’s all regional, organic, sustainable and Fairtrade whenever possible. 90% of organic waste gets diverted from landfill and kitchen grease is recycled. Straws are only provided on request - and even then, they’re completely compostable.

Sunstar gallantly offset all CO2 emissions to make staying in Arosa’s Alpine Hotel carbon neutral. Charging is available for Teslas, or if you’re travelling by another method you can request that they calculate the carbon emissions of your journey and add the offset cost to your bill, for a totally carbon-free trip. The hotel uses renewable energy sources, energy saving lights and water saving showers. Food and wine served is local, sustainable and d-e-licious.

Not to boast, but this is Slovenia’s first Green Globe certified hotel and the most energy efficient hotel in the area – so it deserves to scream ECO in its name. A water well next to the hotel works with a heat pump to warm the hotel and water wastage is kept to a wonderful minimum. Why stop with a water well? There’s also an energy station which cogenerates electric energy and heat, providing all energy needed for the hotel - and its spectacular aquapark. Floor heating, LED lights, insulated walls and roofing are also used.

Not only is your stay here gloriously CO2-neutral, the hotel actually has a positive CO2 footprint and it’s all thanks to the property’s very own hydropower station. True troopers when it comes to minimising waste production and water pollution, the owners recycle as much as possible, have installed refillable soap dispensers and use environmentally friendly cleaning products. You’ll also find electric vehicle charging points for guests. Food wise, as much as possible is sourced locally and from the hotel grounds. No wonder this place holds the Austrian and European Ecolabels.

If you choose this hotel in car-free Wengen, your stay’s totally carbon neutral thanks to the Sunstar group who offset all emissions. The Sunstar Alpine makes a huge effort to keep energy and water consumption to a minimum, with features such as energy saving lighting and economy spray shower heads. Sustainable food and wine is served in the restaurant – from the local area where possible to make sure food miles stay minimal.

Leading the way in green hospitality, this LEED certified ECO hotel is earth friendly from the inside, out. You’ll find everything from fluorescent lighting to organic mattresses and reusable aluminium bottles to slash plastic usage. Water saving systems have been put in place and all power is offset by wind, solar and hydro power. The structure of the hotel is 80% recycled and the roof is made from Eco-Shake shingles. Half of the waste produced in the building process was reused or recycled.

Hotel Belvedere uses hydroelectric power for energy and Grindelwald’s wood-fired heating plant for heat. Any waste heat is then used to warm the indoor swimming pool. Other litter is separated for recycling with any organic waste being sent to a biogas plant. Energy saving lamps and biodegradable cleaning products are also used.

This hotel has Canada’s 5 Green Key Eco Rating and has nobly practiced ‘No Net Negative Environmental Impact’ strategies for over a decade. 50% of the energy comes from wood biomass power and total energy use is on the decrease. 80% of lighting is energy efficient and water saving fixtures are fitted throughout. Meals are made from local, sustainable and fairly traded ingredients when possible. There’s an extensive recycling program and leftover toiletries are donated to the Clean the World Foundation to be distributed to those in need.

Perks of being part of the Sunstar group include the fact that this hotel completely offsets all its CO2 emissions to give guests a carbon neutral holiday. The hotel is connected to Grindelwald’s wood-fired district heating system and takes energy-minimising measures like installing long-life light bulbs. Charging is available for electric vehicles in case you’re considering car hire or driving to Grindelwald.