Hotel Bella Vista Zermat Archive - GREEN TRAVEL BLOG https://green-travel-blog.com/de/tag/hotel-bella-vista-zermat-2/ GREEN PEARLS® – curated for sustainable impact Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:46:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://green-travel-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cropped-logo-perle-green-pearls.png Hotel Bella Vista Zermat Archive - GREEN TRAVEL BLOG https://green-travel-blog.com/de/tag/hotel-bella-vista-zermat-2/ 32 32 Active vacations with integrity: Experience nature, travel more mindfully https://green-travel-blog.com/active-vacations-with-integrity-experience-nature-travel-more-mindfully/ https://green-travel-blog.com/active-vacations-with-integrity-experience-nature-travel-more-mindfully/#respond Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:06:37 +0000 https://green-travel-blog.com/?p=74932 Spending the whole day lounging in a deck chair? Eating too much and not exercising enough? If so, by the end of your vacation, you’ll have plenty of photos on your phone, but you won’t have truly experienced the places in them. An active vacation…

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Spending the whole day lounging in a deck chair? Eating too much and not exercising enough? If so, by the end of your vacation, you’ll have plenty of photos on your phone, but you won’t have truly experienced the places in them. An active vacation is the exact opposite. Here, it’s not “me in front of a mountain,” but “me and the mountain.”

 

Which type of active vacation is right for you?

Would you rather be by the water or in the woods? There are currently six popular types of active vacations, and one of them is sure to appeal to you.

Here’s an overview of them—including recommended regions and unique accommodations. Some hotels provide equipment, tour recommendations, guides, and practical logistics to help you with your outdoor adventures.

 

#1 Hiking & Trekking: Taking it slow

Hiking in the Hohe Tauern National Park
Hiking in Hohe Tauern National Park ©Martin Lugger für Nationalpark Hohe Tauern

 

Hiking is one of the most popular types of active vacations. And it’s easy to see why: often, all you need is a good pair of shoes, some time, and a bit of motivation. While a solid level of basic fitness is helpful, you’ll find a trail in most regions that suits your ability level. Hiking offers something often lost in everyday life: peace, focus, and a deep connection with the landscape.

For your hiking vacation, we recommend regions that not only offer classic, scenic trails, but also actively develop nature-friendly concepts.

The team at SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb raves about the “Albtal Abenteuer Track,” which begins right near the hotel. The route takes you off the beaten path through the northern Black Forest. Fallen branches, muddy sections, and steeper stretches (with rope assistance) are all part of the experience. Rather than perfectly groomed trails, the focus is on providing a genuine trekking experience with a wilderness vibe. At the same time, the route was designed to take protected areas and sensitive habitats into account. This means that although it feels like you’re hiking off the beaten path, you’re not.

 

Hiking with Guides and Rangers in the Hohe Tauern National Park

East Tyrol is another great place to enjoy active vacations and nature experiences. The Naturhotel Outside in Matrei is located in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, between the Großglockner and the Großvenediger. This hiking hotel helps you plan and carry out your hiking vacation all year round, offering guided tours and equipment rentals. As hiking concierge Karin Steiner explains in an interview, the focus is on consciously experiencing the mountain world.

Read her hiking tips for the Hohe Tauern here.

 

Llama Trekking

A girl is leading a llama on a hike through the woods
Llama Trekking in the Forest ©Bobby | Stock.Adobe.com

 

The APIPURA hotel rinner in Ritten, South Tyrol, is a particularly leisurely option. Through a nearby provider, you can go hiking with llamas and alpacas. The animals are led by hand and set their own pace. A variety of tours are available, ranging from relaxed family outings to longer hikes toward the Dolomites or the Three Peaks.

 

Quick Sustainability Check: Hiking

Hiking is generally considered an eco-friendly travel activity. However, how you behave while you’re there matters most.

Our tips:

  • Stay on the marked trails.
  • Don’t leave any trash behind.
  • Respect wildlife and quiet zones.
  • Use public transportation or shuttle services to reach your starting point.
  • Support local guides and small businesses.

 

#2 Cycling & E-Bike Tours: Explore the regions in depth

Man on an e-bike in the Dolomites
Explore the Dolomites by e-bike from your hotel. ©Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel

Hardly any other form of travel is booming as much as cycling and e-bike vacations right now. Regions like South Tyrol are particularly benefiting from this trend: well-maintained trails, mountain panoramas, alpine pastures, and valleys make the region ideal for tours suited to a wide range of fitness levels.

E-bikes make it possible to easily cover longer distances or climb higher elevations. At the same time, they provide a more leisurely travel experience than driving.

 

Alpine hotels with e-bike rentals

The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel sits at an elevation of 2,000 meters in the heart of the Seiser Alm mountain range in the Dolomites. In the summer, numerous mountain and e-bike trails begin right outside, offering panoramic views of the UNESCO-protected natural surroundings. Guests can rent e-bikes at the hotel and explore the region without a car. Since the hotel is located in a protected nature reserve, traffic is regulated anyway. To minimize the impact on the sensitive mountain landscape, for instance, you can only drive your car to the hotel on your arrival and departure days with a permit.

The adults-only, vegan hotel LA VIMEA is located in Naturns, near Merano—a region known for its extensive network of bike trails. Here, a Mediterranean climate, orchards, and alpine mountain landscapes converge. You can rent e-bikes at the hotel and use them to explore leisurely valley routes or more challenging mountain tours.

Bicycles can also be easily rented by guests at My Arbor near Brixen. The hotel partners with Sportservice Erwin Sticker, a local provider, for this service. The desired equipment is delivered directly to the hotel. If you bring your own bike, you can safely store (and charge) it in the large bike room. Mountain bikers can choose from downhill trails across the Plose or long routes into the Dolomites.

We recommend the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in the Berchtesgadener Land region as the fourth hotel with its own e-bike rental service. The hotel is the departure point for numerous tours through the German Alps.

 

Guided bike tours & local activities

A Cycling Vacation in the Black Forest
© SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

 

The Ritten region of South Tyrol is another diverse biking destination in the Alps. Here, the ADLER Lodge RITTEN not only offers free e-bike rentals, but also organizes guided e-bike tours several times a week (free of charge). Popular tours include those to the Earth Pyramids..

The APIPURA hotel rinner is a partner of the Ritten Tourist Association. They also offer weekly e-bike tours led by local guides. As a guest of the hotel, you will receive the RittenCard free of charge. It covers bike rentals and tours.

 

Quick sustainability check: E-Bikes & Bicycles

Cycling trips can help reduce car travel in the local area—especially in regions with good infrastructure. Nevertheless:

  • Do not ride off-road
  • Respect delicate alpine and forest trails
  • Proper battery maintenance
  • Use local rental shops

You can also find more inspiration here:

 

#3 Experience the water: Rafting, SUP & coastal adventures

Water and vacations are a great combination, especially in the summer. However, lakes, coastlines, and rivers are sensitive ecosystems, so you should exercise extra caution when participating in water sports.

Therefore, the Hotel Korinjak on the Croatian island of Iz focuses on peaceful water activities, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Many guests either bring their own equipment or rent it from small, local providers. This allows visitors to fully experience the coastline free of motorboats and extensive infrastructure.

The Lifestylehotel SANDnature in Timmendorfer Strand is an ideal place to start your windsurfing, SUP, or kayaking adventure on the Baltic Sea. In partnership with local surf schools (e.g., Surfschule Timmendorfer Strand), the hotel offers lesson booking and equipment rentals. With its shallow entry points, the Baltic Sea is considered a great spot for beginners.

 

Whitewater Rafting in the Alps

Sustainable Water Sports in South Tyrol
Rafting on wild rivers ©EKH-Pictures | Stock.Adobe.com

 

Are you looking for some action? Rafting might be just the thing for you! Two accommodations in Tyrol have shared their rafting tips with us:

The Stanglwirt organic and wellness resort recommends whitewater rafting tours on the Tiroler Ache. They partner with Mountain-High, a provider offering a wide range of options, from family-friendly rubber dinghy trips to more athletic tours. Ramona from Stanglwirt emphasizes the importance of partnering with regional providers and notes that the guided tours combine nature experiences with safety.

The Summit Lodges in Pfunds and Schloss Lerchenhof in Carinthia also offer rafting adventures with professional local guides.

The Summit Lodges are vacation homes that can accommodate up to six people. They are located close to the famous Imster Schlucht rafting route. You can find more information about the tours (for pros or families) at Lemmingtours.

The Hotel Schloss Lerchenhof is a great fit if you enjoy slow food, farm-fresh produce, and a family-friendly atmosphere. You can find information about rafting on the Gail River on the linked page.

Sustainability check: water sports

Not all water sports are environmentally friendly. It is particularly important to consider:

  • Travel by non-motorized means whenever possible
  • Keep your distance from nesting areas and reed beds
  • Do not chase animals
  • Do not bring sunscreen containing harmful ingredients into the water
  • Only use designated areas
  • Follow local rules

Learn more:

 

#4 Winter active holidays

Young woman skiing in the Dolomites
Skiing in the Dolomites | ©Annika Vossen for Paradiso Pure.Living

 

These days, a winter vacation doesn’t have to mean just skiing. Due to a lack of snow in many places, many regions are expanding their offerings to include quiet, nature-based activities, such as winter hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

At the same time, some ski resorts are trying to be more environmentally conscious. For example, they are developing artificial snow systems that use water specifically dammed for this purpose or switching their gondola operations to green energy.

Several Green PearlsⓇ hotels are located right on the slopes. The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is in the Dolomiti Superski area. The Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, on the other hand, offers access to the renowned Matterhorn Ski Paradise in the Zermatt ski area.

 

Winter activities without skiing

If you’d like to stay active without skis, the Hygna Chalets in the Tyrolean Alpbachtal offer a beautiful setting for winter hikes or snowshoe tours. The chalets provide a peaceful retreat featuring a sauna, an infinity pool, and, in some cases, a private hot tub. The hot tub is filled and heated at the touch of a button and, thanks to modern technology, operates as energy-efficiently as possible using green electricity.

My Arbor on the Plose offers guided winter hikes, and the Plosebob is an excellent place to explore.

 

Sustainability check: winter sports

Winter vacations are complicated. Snowmaking systems and lift infrastructure are often criticized, and climate change poses challenges to traditional winter sports.

Traveling more sustainably in the winter can mean:

  • Choose ski resorts with guaranteed snow; though they still use artificial snow, at least it’s supplemental, not the sole source
  • Rent winter gear (skis, snowshoes, etc.) instead of buying it
  • Stay longer instead of taking weekend trips.
  • Take the train instead of driving
  • Try activities that don’t require extensive infrastructure (e.g., cross-country skiing instead of downhill skiing)
  • Choose accommodations that clearly communicate their energy and mobility policies.

 

 

Canyoning at the waterfall
When you go canyoning here, you use a rope to descend into the gorge BILD: Pixabay

#5 Mountaineering & Canyoning

Are you looking for a challenge on your active vacation? Not to break any records, but rather to build mental strength, improve focus, and connect with nature.

Mountaineering has been an integral part of Zermatt’s identity for decades. The Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt is an ideal base for alpine mountaineering tours—from guided Breithorn ascents for beginners to the renowned Matterhorn climb for seasoned mountaineers.

Canyoning offers a unique adventure experience. It involves navigating gorges, waterways, and natural rock formations. The Italian hotel Relais del Maro recommends tours with “Movimento & Natura” in Liguria. The routes begin just 20 minutes from the hotel and wind through clear mountain streams and narrow gorges. Professional guides accompany participants on these tours, which are tailored to different skill levels.

 

Mountain sports sustainability check

This is especially true in sensitive mountainous regions:

  • Only go on challenging hikes with experienced guides
  • Do your research beforehand (weather, conditions, difficulty level) and assess your own abilities honestly
  • Respect weather conditions
  • Do not use drones in protected areas
  • Do not take shortcuts across the terrain
  • Opt for small group sizes

 

#6 Adventure & Multi-Sport

Active vacations aren’t just about traditional sports. Multisport activities, outdoor challenges, and nature workshops are also growing in popularity.

 

Paragliding as an alternative to skydiving

Paragliding is an exciting trend. Unlike skydiving, paragliding does not require a plane to launch the pilot. Flights typically begin from a mountaintop. Consequently, paragliding produces significantly fewer emissions.

The regions around Plose, Wilder Kaiser, and Berchtesgaden have many tandem flight providers, such as My Arbor (Tandem-Fly), Stanglwirt Organic and Wellness Resort (several providers are listed on the Wilder Kaiser region’s website), OLM Nature Escape (12 kilometers away in Ahornach), and Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa (where you can find several providers at the Bad Reichenhall tourist information office).

 

Active games, workshops, and outdoor adventure parks

Fishing, chopping wood, and other activities for men's active vacations in Tyrol
Mens Craft Days ©Hotel Klosterbräu

 

Those who prefer to stay on the ground won’t be disappointed, either.

For instance, the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld offers the “Men Craft Days” program. In the winter, guests can enjoy activities like snowshoeing, ice bathing, biathlon shooting, and igloo building. In the summer, guests head out into nature together to enjoy activities like fishing and chopping wood.

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA recommends the “Black Forest Games.” These team challenges include archery, horseshoe throwing, and laser biathlon.

At Schloss Lerchenhof, visitors can enjoy a rock labyrinth surrounded by nature, complete with a zip line, high-ropes courses, and a forest adventure trail. The Immenstaad Adventure Park on Lake Constance, located near the Naturresort Gerbehof, offers a similar experience.

 

Sustainability check: Adventure holidays

Taking action doesn’t have to be bad for the environment. The key factors are:

  • local providers
  • small groups
  • safety standards
  • respectful treatment of landscapes and nature
  • as little additional infrastructure as possible

 

Conclusion: Active vacations work best when you respect nature

An active vacation, whether it involves hiking, biking, water sports, or adventure travel, is a wonderful opportunity to experience your destination more deeply, gain new experiences, and reconnect with nature. At the same time, you’re improving your health and relaxing your mind in a way that’s completely different from lounging on a beach chair. During a challenging trek, for example, you must focus on each step, leaving no time to think about anything else.

However, for the sake of the environment, it’s important to choose and plan activities thoughtfully, considering the impact on animals, plants, and local communities. Professional guides can help you safely and respectfully experience regions, especially sensitive natural areas or more demanding sports.

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Small Hotels with Heart: Personally run accommodations that feel like home https://green-travel-blog.com/small-hotels-with-heart-personally-run-accommodations-that-feel-like-home/ https://green-travel-blog.com/small-hotels-with-heart-personally-run-accommodations-that-feel-like-home/#respond Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:00:42 +0000 https://green-travel-blog.com/?p=70717 If you travel often, then you are familiar with the pleasant luxury of large, professionally run hotels—spacious lobbies, room service, and efficient anonymity. Do you sometimes long for a place where people greet you by name? A place where the same friendly host family welcomes…

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If you travel often, then you are familiar with the pleasant luxury of large, professionally run hotels—spacious lobbies, room service, and efficient anonymity. Do you sometimes long for a place where people greet you by name? A place where the same friendly host family welcomes you every morning, where a waiting dog runs up to you, and where you feel at home right away? Here you will find small hotels and family-run accommodations that feel like a second home.

 

What does it mean to “feel at home” while traveling?

Liebevoll gedeckter Frühstückstisch im Biohotel
©Gunter Strandl for Naturresort Gerbehof

 

It means staying in small hotels where the staff recognizes you and gets to know you by the end of your vacation! The number of rooms is often a good indicator of this. In our article on unique boutique hotels, you’ll find ten wonderful hotels with just 11 to 38 rooms. However, size alone doesn’t make a hotel feel like home.

 

Indicators of hotels with a family atmosphere include:

  • Personal flair instead of anonymous service
  • Hosts who are approachable and authentic. In most cases, the hosts are a family who are fully committed to their profession, and you will meet them every time you visit.
  • Rooms were designed with attention to detail, not from a catalog. They reflect the hosts’ philosophy and personal taste.
  • Few rooms
  • Cozy atmosphere
  • Regional cuisine is served, and your personal preferences are taken into account when it comes to meals.

 

 

Why are more and more travelers looking for exactly that?

In a world that constantly demands something from us—one that is digital, fast-paced, and geared toward efficiency and mass production—many people are developing a growing desire for authenticity. Rather than staying at faceless hotel chains, more and more travelers are seeking places where they feel truly welcome and can have meaningful encounters with people, cultures, and places.

Family-run hotels offer exactly that: personal interactions with the owners, insider tips on places to visit off the beaten path, and an atmosphere that feels more like visiting friends than staying in a hotel.

 

Slow Travel and the Counter-Movement to Mass Tourism

The concept of slow travel also plays a role, meaning traveling more consciously and at a slower pace. Stay longer, take in more, and immerse yourself more deeply. Last but not least, many choose these accommodations because they are often sustainably oriented. Rooted in the region, owner-operated, and committed to environmental awareness and social responsibility.

 

Four examples of familiar hotels with heart and that personal touch

 

#1 Relais del Maro, Liguria — Feel at home in the heart of a village

Relais del Maro, eco hotel, Green Pearls® partner
©Relais del Maro

 

The Relais del Maro is actually the reason we came up with the idea for this article. When you arrive, you immediately sense that this place has soul. Elena Scalambrin founded and built the Albergo Diffuso in Borgomaro with her parents—not just as a place to stay, but as a project to revitalize their hometown.

The Albergo Diffuso concept places 14 lovingly restored rooms and suites across three historic family-owned buildings that once served as residences and commercial spaces. Skilled artisans furnished each room individually, using traditional techniques and paying great attention to detail. Here, you can live among the villagers.

You can go to the main house for meals and to use the pool. This place used to be a butcher’s shop. Elena is often available to assist you, and you will grow fond of the entire village community, including the mini market, the bakery, the hairdresser, and the small church with its dedicated pastor.

 

#2 Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt — Family-friendly, panoramic views, and comfort

Aussicht Ruheraum Matterhorn
©Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt

 

Nestled above the car-free village of Zermatt, the Hotel Bella Vista boasts direct views of the Matterhorn and offers a harmonious blend of nature, warmth, and sustainability. This small, 21-room hotel is incredibly cozy! It is built entirely of wood and features hand-crafted furniture, an open fire in the lobby, and a Swiss stone pine room in the wellness area.

The Anthamatten family runs the hotel and will make you feel right at home. Fabienne Anthamatten, for example, can give you hiking and skiing tips. She knows secret routes where you won’t encounter anyone for hours. She can also explain how you can ski all the way to Italy, starting right outside the hotel—including tips for lunch stops along the way!.

Stefanie, her sister, will often greet you at the front desk, and when she’s not there, she’s probably leading a yoga retreat. As a trained yoga teacher, she brings an extra sense of calm and mindfulness to the hotel. Mother Anthamatten also has a significant influence on the hotel, particularly through her traditional recipes that the kitchen team adopted. (Tip: Be sure to try her Zermatter hay soup!) The family also has a real mountain guide and mountain rescuer in Simon Anthamatten. He is very active in the region and organizes the “Ultraks” trail running event, among other things.

  • Tip: We recommend the newly renovated “Sky Lounge” rooms located in the attic, where you can see the mountain peaks from your bed through a skylight.

 

#3 Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony – Arrive, take a breather, and wish you could stay forever

Maren and Kristin Okelmann at the reception of their sustainable family hotel
Sisters Maren and Kristin are there for you at the hotel. © Isabell Seidel

 

The charming Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s in the small Lower Saxony village of Warpe is now run by the fourth generation of the Okelmann family. Sisters Kristin and Maren manage the hotel today with great dedication and a clear commitment to nature. Maren is a trained yoga teacher and singing bowl therapist who oversees the retreats and yoga classes offered there. Kristin, on the other hand, loves good food, a topic covered in our article on northern German cuisine.

Father Helmut is enthusiastic about the project, too. As a passionate cyclist, he enjoys offering personalized tour recommendations and has published his own routes on Komoot for guests.

With only sixteen individually designed rooms, Okelmann’s is a boutique hotel in the truest sense — manageable, personal, and intimate. Highlights include the small sauna in a converted shepherd’s wagon, the wooden whirlpool, and the delicious homemade cakes at Café Heimatliebe. Incidentally, the cake display doesn’t always feature what’s on the menu. Mama Okelmann likes to get creative, so new, unplanned creations often make their way into the café..

 

#4 Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol — a family hotel with lake access and a passion for books

sustainable travel on the ritten in the family run hotel Weihrerhof
The Pichler host family at the lake jetty. @Hotel Weihrerhof

 

On the shores of Lake Wolfsgruben on the Ritten plateau in South Tyrol lies the Weihrerhof, a place that exudes tranquility and is steeped in history. Run by the Pichler family, the Weihrerhof has only 23 rooms and offers opportunities for personal encounters and genuine relaxation in nature.

In 1967, Friedl and Zilli Pichler fulfilled their dream of owning a guesthouse with eleven rooms and a breakfast island built by Friedl himself in the lake. Today, Klaus Pichler and his family are the second generation to run the guesthouse, doing so with great dedication. Reading is one of the family’s favorite pastimes. You will find a bestseller library here that is open to guests. Manuela Pichler will be delighted if you browse through it and ask her for advice on your holiday reading. Or, you can go straight for a “blind date with a book.” The family has even published their own children’s book with stories about the lake. Fittingly, the style here is very cozy, with lots of wood, natural decorations, and lovely details.

 

#5 Naturresort Gerbehof — a lovingly run organic hotel

Ralph Wagner vom Naturresort Gerbehof
Junior manager Ralph is a master fruit grower. But he also enjoys standing behind the handcrafted counter at the hotel. ©Naturresort Gerbehof

 

You will also find a family-run hotel near the famous Lake Constance – the Naturresort Gerbehof. It is not located on the lakeshore, however, but about five kilometers away in the middle of its own organic farm. The small, 40-room hotel is run by the Wagner family. You can meet Ursula, Bruno, and their children, Priska, Christel, and Ralph, on the website. Each family member has their own area of responsibility, and they all work together to provide passionate and dedicated service.

 

A vacation that’s like staying with friends

The small Green PearlsⓇ hotels featured in this article offer the comfort of a real vacation combined with the cozy feeling of arriving at a friend’s house. They offer homemade food, genuine recommendations, and plenty of space to relax. Best of all, you won’t even have to clear the table or wash the dishes at the end of the day. Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?

 


Save this article to Pinterest for your next sustainable journey.

Collage of cozy, sustainable small hotels: A woman cooking, a joyful family in a garden, a rustic house, and a breakfast table with pastries. Warm, welcoming vibe.

A family having a picnic on a grassy area at the sustainable hotel Relais del Maro; with trees and sun loungers in the background. A child gives an adult a high five, evoking warmth and connection.

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Seven tips for sustainable skiing holidays vacation in the Alps https://green-travel-blog.com/sustainable-skiing-holiday-tips/ https://green-travel-blog.com/sustainable-skiing-holiday-tips/#comments Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:00:22 +0000 https://green-travel-blog.com/?p=56297 Glittering snow, the sight of snow-capped mountains, and the anticipation of the next run… Do these images come to mind when you think of a winter vacation? Then you feel the same way we do. But that means you probably also face the same challenge…

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Glittering snow, the sight of snow-capped mountains, and the anticipation of the next run… Do these images come to mind when you think of a winter vacation? Then you feel the same way we do. But that means you probably also face the same challenge we do: Can you enjoy a ski vacation with a clear conscience in the face of the climate and energy crisis? And what do sustainable skiing holidays even look like?

 

Winter Tourism and its Environmental Impact

Every year, millions of winter sports enthusiasts travel to ski resorts around the world. In Europe, the Alps are the destination of choice. Of course, the same is true for hikers and bikers in spring, summer, and fall. However, skiing in particular is not without environmental consequences. At peak times, such as New Year’s Eve and the winter holidays, too many people descend on the valleys, the preparation of the slopes has a massive impact on the natural ecosystem, and off-piste skiing and night skiing disturb wildlife. Then there are the effects of man-made climate change. Warmer winters with less snow are causing problems, especially for low-lying resorts.

 

Hubertus Mountain Refugio, sustainable ski vacation
Natural Winter Landscape in the Allgäu | ©HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio

 

Artificial Snow for Profit

Snow cannons are often used to maintain the economic viability of ski resorts that depend on winter tourism. However, they have a serious impact on the environment. For one, they require a lot of water to produce artificial snow (which is often lacking in the surrounding natural environment): more than 4,700,000 liters per hectare can easily accumulate in a single season. In addition, artificial snow systems consume a lot of energy – the equivalent of 130,000 four-person households per year. On top of that, artificial snow has a different chemical composition than natural snow. It is less permeable to air, more compact, and less thermally insulating, which puts a strain on the soil and vegetation. The additional meltwater in spring is another problem.

 

Sustainability and Skiing: Can they go Hand in Hand?

After our brief summary, which really only shows a tiny part of the environmental impact of ski tourism, you may be wondering if a ski vacation can be sustainable at all. The short answer is no. You (we!) cannot have a fully sustainable ski vacation. Or any kind of travel for that matter.

But what we can do is minimize the negative impacts and increase the positive ones. Because not everything about ski tourism is bad. Many regions are dependent on (ski) tourism. And even though most tourist regions in the Alps and in the mountains, in general, are trying harder to make the other seasons attractive for vacationers, winter tourism remains an important pillar on which livelihoods are built.

We will now show you what eco-conscious skiing could look like, what you need to consider when planning and preparing your vacation, and which Green Pearls® partners offer the right accommodations.

 

Sustainable Skiing Vacation in South Tyrol
Sustainable Skiing Vacation in South Tyrol | ©Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel

 

7 Tips for a More Sustainable Ski Vacation

1. Avoid mass tourism and travel during low season.

If you are not tied to school vacations, you can book your ski vacation off-season. Not only will you save a few dollars, but you will not be sharing the snowy mountains with as many people as you would during peak season. That’s not only better for your nerves, it’s also better for the environment. When many people crowd into (remote) resorts, it puts a lot of pressure on those areas. This is known as “overtourism“, which has particularly serious consequences for the fragile ecosystems of the Alps.

 

2. Make your journey eco-friendly.

Getting to your winter vacation is easy by train. Many Green Pearls® partners have good public transport connections. If you’re driving, for example, because you don’t want to lug your equipment through the train, choose ski resorts that are close to you or as close as possible. For instance, Balderschwang in the Allgäu is among the most snow-sure regions in Germany, with up to twelve meters of snow per season.

 

3. Buy and maintain your ski equipment sustainably.

You can and should consider sustainability when purchasing your equipment. If you only ski once a season or are not sure if you want to continue the hobby, simply rent the equipment locally. Or, if you prefer, at a sporting goods store near where you live. If you want to own your own equipment, check out the ski sales in your area. They usually take place in late fall and you can buy well-maintained, often one-season equipment for a fraction of the original price. If you ski a lot and want to buy new equipment, choose sustainable companies. Examples include Atomic, Vaude, and Stöckli. If you then have your skis and board waxed with environmentally friendly, petroleum-free wax, you can make another small contribution to protecting the environment.

Skiing Equipment in the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt
Ski Room | ©Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt

 

4. Local transportation

Once you arrive at your resort, you can usually just leave your car for the rest of your stay. Many resorts have ski buses that leave your accommodation and take you to the valley stations of the resorts. Or perhaps the first slopes and trails start right outside the hotel, as is the case at the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel on the Seiser Alm, the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in Balderschwang in the Allgäu region, or at the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s best to check the local and logistical conditions in advance.

 

5. Protect plants and animals

For some skiers, there is nothing more exciting than skiing on fresh snow. But it is not great for nature. To avoid endangering wildlife and protect plants, it is important to stay on groomed slopes, trails, and paths. In the long run, all winter sports enthusiasts will benefit more if these marked boundaries are respected. This also applies to hiking and other activities in the mountains. Winter or summer.

 

6. Book a sustainable accommodation

If you want to be sure that your accommodation is doing all it can to make your vacation as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible, then book with one of our Green Pearls® partners. They do their best every day to conserve resources, strengthen the region, and keep their environmental footprint as small as possible. This way you can enjoy your winter vacation without a guilty conscience. In addition to the hotels mentioned above, we highly recommend The Peak in Sölden and Summit Lodges Pfunds in the Tyrolean Oberland. At both, you can take off your slippers, put on your ski boots, and hit the slopes.

The Peak, Sölden, Sustainable skiing holiday tips
Winter Wonderland in Austria | ©The Peak Sölden

7. Choose sustainable ski destinations

When choosing a ski resort, try to find one that uses little or no artificial snow. The use of renewable energy and monitoring visitor numbers to prevent overcrowding on the mountain are also part of a sustainable resort. In South Tyrol, for example, almost all resorts have invested in renewable energy generation from the sun and water to power the facilities. Ski trails are designed to minimize the impact on nature, and free ski buses connect towns and resorts.

The climate-friendly resort of Carezza has even pledged to become carbon neutral by 2025. It already has intelligent control of its snow cannons, and the water it uses to make artificial snow comes from its own reservoirs, not the environment. If you are unsure about how the resort of your choice is addressing these issues, you can always check in advance with the local tourist office or lift operators.

In the Alps, for example, 19 destinations have joined forces under the banner of “Alpine Pearls” to promote environmentally friendly tourism.  The destinations under the umbrella of this association focus on soft mobility in their diverse mobility offers. As a guest, you can travel through the region in an environmentally friendly way thanks to innovative and climate-friendly travel offers. The avoidance of artificially groomed slopes, the use of renewable energies, and the monitoring of visitor numbers in the mountains are further important and conscious measures taken by Alpine Pearls towards sustainable ski tourism.

 

Vegan ski vacations in the Dolomites South Tyrol
Sustainable Ski Vacation | ©Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel

 

A more Sustainable Ski Vacation? It can be done!

Even if we can never have a 100% sustainable ski vacation, we hope these tips have shown you that we can at least travel more sustainably. And it doesn’t take much effort, does it?

As a winter sports enthusiast, how do you sustainably practice your beloved snow hobby? Do you take responsibility for the climate and our planet? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

 


Save your favorite pin for your next winter vacation planning.

Collage of winter scenes: hiker in snowy village, wooden chalet under bright sun, skier smiling with gear, and two people skiing. Text promotes eco-friendly winter travel.

Three skiers smiling in a gondola, wearing helmets and goggles. Snowy mountains in the background. Text overlay: "Sustainable Ski Vacation." Bright and cheerful.

 

Der Beitrag Seven tips for sustainable skiing holidays vacation in the Alps erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

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