Lake Louise

Lake Louise: green factor

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

Major Initiatives

Eco Friendly Lodge

Environmental concerns were paramount in the construction of the Lodge of the Ten Peaks, located as it is in the heart of Banff National Park. The lodge recycles water from the kitchens through the toilets to reduce sewage output by two million gallons per year. Recycled tyres are also used for non-slip floors throughout the building. The lodge is built with logs from local tree thinning work and from trees which fell in a wind storm.

Eco Friendly Snowmaking

A recent upgrade to the snowmaking system included installations of more efficient motors, air compressors, and variable frequency drives have reduced energy consumption per unit of snow produced. A major undertaking was the installation of buried electrical lines to allow the use of electrically driven fan guns while reducing the need for diesel generated power.

Staff Training

Lake Louise Mountain Resort has incorporated environmental stewardship messaging and procedures into staff training manuals and seminars. Seasonal and on-going environmental training is provided for all staff. Any staff that operate company vehicles on the leasehold are required to attend a “Fuel Storage and Handling” training seminar. Established travel guidelines for vehicle use on the access roads outline protocols for driving in wet conditions, and areas with traditionally high wildlife activity. Staff is trained in procedures to minimize fuel spills as well as procedures for full site clean up and reclamation should a spill occur. An ‘Environmental News Bulletin’ in conjunction with various ‘Enviro Boards’ are posted in staff areas to inform the staff of current environmental concerns and issues.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Low flow (6 litre) and ultra low flow (3 litre) toilets has been installed as well as a comprehensive waste management program designed to minimize the amount of waste sent to the landfill. Reuse and recycling of a wide variety of waste products has helped to limit waste generation at the resort.

Leaving the Grizzlys In Peace

Exceptional environmentally progressive construction techniques were employed during the construction of the Grizzly Express Gondola at Lake Louise in 2004. Initiatives included hand removal of sods, full-time wildlife monitoring, rare plant protection initiatives, and total land reclamation to help disturbed areas return to pre-construction condition. Additionally, the resort took steps to return to natural vegetation an equal amount of land used for the Grizzly Express route. Ongoing construction was planned around typical grizzly bear movement in the area. There was no work performed below mid-station until August 1st, when grizzly bears typically move away from the lower elevations on the front side. Conversely, the resort tries to avoid work on the backside after July 31st of each year.


Green Hotel

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was awarded the 5 Green Key award by the Canadian Hotels Association for its commitment to the environmental practices. It was the first Canadian hotel to hold this impressive designation.

A 5-Green Key ECOmmodation is awarded annually by the national association to a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations.

“The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise employs cutting edge technologies, policies and programs which set the international standard for sustainable hotel operations,” reported auditors.
The audit awarded The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise an overall score of 81 per cent after assessing 137 wide-ranging questions. The award summary highlighted the hotel’s good communication of environmental initiatives and practices for staff, suppliers and guests; staff training in environmental matters and the establishment of a multi-departmental Environmental Committee with responsibility for directing and coordinating environmental initiatives within the hotel.

To further reduce its Carbon Footprint 50% of the hotel’s electrical consumption is provided by green power generation.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has also employed a full time Environmental Systems Manager to coordinate the environmental programs implemented at the hotel.

Brush Cutting

Brush-cutting practices are required for skier safety in various areas. These practices are timed to avoid ground nesting birds, as well as ensuring that most plants have flowered and gone to seed.

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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