St. Moritz – Oberengadiner Bergbahnen: First Swiss Ski Destination With Climate-Neutral Diesel And Heating Oil Replacement

Upper Engadine mountain railways make it possible to ski and at the same time meet the demands of nature – starting in the coming winter season, St. Moritz will be the first Swiss ski destination to offer CO2-neutral snow sports. This is ensured by the new CO2-neutral diesel and heating oil substitute GTL Fuel.

The mountains are already powdered white and at the end of November the ski areas of Corviglia and Corvatsch start the winter season – you can ski on the Diavolezza from the end of October. This year's start of the season is a special highlight for the Corviglia and Corvatsch ski areas.

The Oberengadiner Bergbahnen are the first Swiss mountain railways to offer CO2-neutral snow sports in the ski destination of St. Moritz. From the 2022/2023 winter season, all diesel vehicles, all construction machinery, the 36 snow groomers and the 65 service vehicles in the ski areas will be powered by CO2-neutral diesel, the GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) Fuel Alpine. All office buildings, businesses and restaurants are also heated with CO2-neutral heating oil, GTL Fuel Heating.

As clear as water

The diesel and heating oil substitute is a synthetic fuel and is based on natural gas. The clear liquid is biodegradable, non-toxic, and as clean as it looks, it burns clean. This reduces soot, fine dust particles and nitrogen oxides, resulting in cleaner air and fewer emissions.

In addition, the CO2 compensation is already included with the GTL Fuel. The GTL Fuel Alpine is specially designed for cold temperatures, has a constant flow rate all year round and does not have to be exchanged for winter fuel when temperatures drop.

Upper Engadine mountain railways: pioneers of sustainability

The introduction of the GTL Fuel is not the first measure taken by the Oberengadiner Bergbahnen in the area of ​​sustainability. Meeting the demands of nature and constantly introducing new measures is their top priority.

In 2010, Engadin St. Moritz Mountains AG opened the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl, the first energy-plus hotel in the Alps, and since 2015 there has been a natural reservoir in St. Moritz, the Lej Alv. This natural reservoir, located at around 2,500 meters above sea level, brought Engadin St. Moritz Mountains AG a 16 percent reduction in total electricity consumption in one fell swoop.

With the annual snow farming and the support of the MortAlive project by glaciologist Felix Keller, Corvatsch AG is strongly committed to the preservation of the glaciers. "Right now it is essential that we find sustainable alternative solutions in the field of energy," says Adrian Jordan, head of snow sports and mountain experiences at Engadin St. Moritz Mountains AG. Markus Moser, Managing Director of Corvatsch AG and Diavolezza Lagalb AG, agrees: “I am very pleased that we, as Oberengadiner Bergbahnen, are taking another step in the right direction with the GTL Fuel and are the first to be able to offer CO2-neutral skiing ».

No technical conversions are necessary to switch from diesel and heating oil to GTL fuel. The tanks on the mountain have already been filled. Before skiing starts on November 26, 2022 on Corviglia and Corvatsch, all snow groomers will soon be refueled with the GTL Fuel Alpine.

Afterwards, the guests can make exhilarating tracks in the snow without leaving a footprint.