La Tania

La Tania: green factor

• Introduction to green factor assessments
• Environmental overview of resorts
• Environmental initiatives

Major Initiatives

Since the conception of La Tania, all the ecological and environmental aspects have been integrated into the urban planning of the resort. With only 4000 beds the resort has endeavoured to keep a “humane dimension.”

Green Design
The chalets, of a traditional style, are integrated into the local architecture of the Savoyard villages and all the buildings are wood covered, a material which contributes to the integration of the resort in the countryside.

Traffic Reduction
The resort is entirely pedestrianised and the car parks are all situated on the peripheries.

The public transport service between the different resorts of the Courchevel area enables a reduction in both the use of private transport and emissions contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Recycling
The policy of refuse collection of the Commune and the “SIVOM de Bozel” is to recycle the maximum possible waste material.

The waste water network from Tania is completely linked up to the water treatment works of “Le Bois”.

Renewable Power User
The local Commune of La Perrière is supplied by electric energy produced by local hydro electrical power. What’s more, La Tania was one of the first French resorts to offer a green energy 100% guaranteed as from renewable sources. And to further limit the energy consumed, the buildings are all fitted with very effective insulation.

Woodland Setting
The domain of La Tania is the most wooded area of the 3 Vallées. The western section of the forest of La Tania is classed as a Natural Zone of Ecological, Animal and Floristic Interest.

Development of tourist activity has been completed in such a way that it conforms to the exigencies of protecting the natural setting, that is to say, outside the zones which have a fragile ecological balance and the areas protected for the fauna and flora.

The commune is also going to develop a footpath on its own forestry land in order to make people (especially children) sensitive and respectful to the environment.

The commune follows a policy of sustainable development of the forest. It is involved in the Pan European Forest Certification (PEFC). Governed by the French National Office of forests, the exploitation of the communal forest is part of a perennial plan whose objective is to avoid it ageing and to maintain the diversity of the tree population.

Because the mountains are a grandiose natural area, but also fragile, La Tania is actively involved in its preservation. The resort is directly associated with the activities of the “foundation Mountain Riders”.

Three Valleys Go Green
In the continuing trend to identify and quantify the efforts mde by ski resorts to minimise their environmental impact, Courchevel in France has detailed what the Three Valleys, the world’s largest ski area, is doing in this regard.

The Three Valleys, which operates 1,920 snow cannons, 183 ski lifts and 67 trail groomers uses entirely hydro-electric power for its electricity requirements. This full enewable energy is provided by the Gaz Electruicite Company of Grenoble using power generated by small hydro-power centres in the French Alps. The area also uses biodegradable diesel in all its company vehicles.

For snowmaking the Three Valleys chose the Ariondaz Dam – a hilltop location that had minimal impact on the existing topography and is located in an area where no protected species live. The lake has a capacity of 123000 square metres of which about a quarter is available year round if ever required for fire fighting purposes.

The installation of the new Chapalets Chair is another example of good environmental practice. The lift pylons were anchored directly on to existing rocks to avoid the need for creating new concrete tower bases. The cables are marked to warn birds that might fly in to them. The company is also creating new meadow pasture to help preserve the endangered indigenous black grouse species.

Other initiatives in the area include the collection of rubbish from the pistes organised by the Anne Cattelin Association – an ex freeerider from Courchevel. Organic toilets have also been intalled at the base of the ski lifts. All old lift installations are dismantled and recycled once their working life is complete. A three fold waste processing and recycling stystem has also been introduced and skiers and boarders visiting the three valleys are encouraged to participate in maximising this scheme.

Since resorts are continuously increasing and improving their environmental practices, we update the Green Resort Guide throughout the year. If you have any information about new resort environmental policies/practices or anything that you think we may have missed, please email greenresortguide@skiclub.co.uk.

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• Historic Snow