Les Arcs Puts In New Energy-Saving Measures For Winter 2022/23

Against the backdrop of the energy crisis, Les Arcs has again stepped up to implement more positive changes in their eco-responsible approach and stay at the forefront of sustainability for a ski resort.

Les Arcs, who already has its Flocon Vert* and is working towards becoming B-Corp certified**, has announced several measures to try and reduce its energy consumption for winter 2022/23. This is on top of the continued work as part of their overall sustainability strategy which they have been working on for several years already 

For this winter, Les Arcs will aim to reduce its electricity consumption by 10% without impacting the quality of holidaymaker’s stays. This includes ‘eco-driving’ the ski lifts, reducing the electrical consumption of the Catex avalanche control and optimising artificial snow production to bring energy use down by 1.5%.

Les Arcs-Peisey Vallandry ski area actions:

• Ski lifts (6.5% reduction in energy consumption)
• ‘Eco-driving’ of ski lifts – setting speeds to ensure they are run as economically as possible
• Ensuring temperature regulation in the ski lift buildings
• Renovation of the ski lift buildings to improve their insulation
• Piste grooming (2% reduction in energy consumption)
• Reducing the electrical consumption of the Catex avalanche control system
• Reducing the electrical consumption of the night skiing lighting
• Optimising the artificial snow production. Bringing the energy consumption down by 1.5%
• Service buildings and chalets (1.5% reduction in energy consumption)
• 1°C reduction in heating in all buildings
• Optimisation of the lighting of buildings, screens and signs

Les Arcs-Bourg Saint Maurice actions: 

• Public lights and lighting of historic buildings will be turned off at 11pm each evening
• Heating will be turned down to 19°c in buildings and 20°c in administrative office
• The large swimming pool in Bourg Saint Maurice will be turned down by 1°
• A subsidy is offered for the thermal insulation of buildings (voted in September 2022)
• Raising public awareness about how to reduce your own energy consumption
• Les Arcs have in recent years been working towards a more resilient and responsible way of operating, committing to an eco-responsible approach, and consuming less. Their strategy includes:

Cap Energie project

In 2014, the Cap Energie project, a major operation to reduce the energy consumption of 18 public buildings (insulation work, management of consumption, renewal of boilers, etc.) has enabled a 36% reduction in consumption in 2021 and a saving of €252,000. A saving of 6,380,690 kWh between 2016 and 2020, i.e. the annual production of 50,000 m2 of photovoltaic panels.

Transport

• Les Arcs-Bourg Saint Maurice is the only mountain destination in France which has of direct access by train to the slopes. With its international TGV station in Bourg Saint Maurice and a funicular which connects, since 1989, the station to high-altitude sites in 7 minutes, it keeps the promise of a low-carbon access from London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lyon or Marseilles.
• es Arcs also offers, since last winter, the return funicular journey to all those presenting their train ticket.
• Public transport in the valley is made easier thanks to La Ronde, created in 2017, a free urban bus.
• The municipality has set up a subsidy for individuals who want to buy a bike to get around (up to €600) since September 2021
• In 2022, the resort’s fleet of vehicles have been reduced by 10% and 15% of the light vehicle fleet are now clean vehicles (electric and ethanol)
• This year, a free GoWiz carpooling platform was launched

Heating & lighting methods

• Arc 1600 apartments, since 2018, have collective heating and domestic hot water for residences. This project has reduced CO2 emissions by 1,800 tonnes of CO2 equivalent/year.
• Starting in 2019, the chalets on the slopes are starting to be renovated to achieve a High Energy Performance (HQE). These constructions, models in terms of permeability and insulation, reduce energy consumption by half compared to the old chalets on the slopes.
• The municipality of Bourg Saint Maurice – Les Arcs initiated, in 2018, an extensive lighting optimisation plan (switch to LED lighting for the entire fleet, advanced remote management system, etc.) which saved 1,177,010 kWh between 2018 and 2020.

Energy production

• Photovoltaic solar panels at five schools and several municipal buildings were installed in 2019.
• The mountain area of Les Arcs has the ambitious objective of producing 25% of its electricity consumption by 2030. 120 photovoltaic panels are already deployed on the lifts mechanics of Varet, Aiguille Rouge and Vallandry and the technical offices.
• The project to switch the Transarc gondola for a more efficient lift, planned for next winter, will also be equipped with solar panels.
• The first hydroelectricity production site using power from the artificial snow network will start this year. It could generate 1,600 MWh, i.e. 12% of the mountain area’s annual consumption