Environment & Resources

We love spending time and the open space in our wonderful mountain world. For this we need a healthy ecosystem. Because it is nature for all of us, we are committed to careful and environmentally compatible use. We work consistently to improve our ecological footprint on an ongoing basis.

Due to its high altitude, the conditions for snowmaking at the Pitztal Glacier differ significantly from those in many lower-lying ski areas. Machine-made snow is used selectively, depending on temperature, humidity, natural snow cover and operational requirements.

At the Pitztal Glacier, snow depots are created and covered with special protective sheets during the summer months. This preserves part of the existing snow for the preparation of the following winter season. It reduces the amount of additional machine-made snow required and supports an early start to the season, subject to snow and weather conditions.

The ground-mounted photovoltaic system installed at an altitude of around 2,840 metres in 2015 generates the equivalent of the electricity required for summer operations. In autumn and winter, it covers around one-third of our electricity requirements. A further power-generation project in the Gletscherexpress tunnel is currently undergoing the approval process.

Careful piste grooming is essential both for an enjoyable skiing experience and for the safety of our guests. Our snow groomers are currently powered predominantly by diesel. We continually monitor and assess technological developments and alternative fuels that could help us further reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the future.

A sustainable construction method of high aesthetic quality is our clear aspiration. We understand this to mean the conscious handling and use of available resources, minimisation of energy consumption and a lower use of space.

The daily travel for our employees and guests to our skiing and hiking areas has a significant impact on our carbon footprint. We are therefore constantly working to reduce it. We have taken an important step by increasing the frequency of public transport. But that is not all. Furthermore, we are constantly monitoring and evaluating the use of renewable or CO2-neutral fuel as well as the gradual conversion of our company transport to e-mobility.

We fulfil our waste disposal according to strict standards. This is not only our claim, but also the legal situation in Austria is very strict. However, our goal must be to reduce waste as much as possible and to use materials that can be recycled. There are many small steps that we take, such as the use of reusable cups in our bar – the Weitblick Lounge, straws made of paper, bamboo instead of plastic dishes at events. All in all, many small steps contribute significantly to conscious waste management.