Carbon Footprint of a Day of Skiing in La Rosière
To combat climate change at the company level, the essential starting point is to measure its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The carbon footprint of a day of skiing
The impact of our practices and the carbon footprint generated by a day of skiing were the subject of a study, the results of which are shown in the infographic opposite.
"The study highlights the significant impact of transportation on the carbon footprint of mountain vacations (52% of GHG emissions), followed by local government infrastructure (17%) and ski-related facilities (16%)."
According to this study, operating a ski resort accounts for 3% of the greenhouse gas emissions from a ski trip.
Infographic created by Utopies/ADEME based on data from three tourist destinations—La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, and Tignes—for a day of skiing. Sector Guide for Sports, Mountains, and Tourism, February 2022.
And what about La Rosière?
Scope:
To calculate the carbon footprint of a day of skiing in La Rosière, greenhouse gas emissions are categorized into three areas, known as "scopes" :
SCOPE 1 = direct emissions
In our case, this will include fuel for the snow groomers, heating for the facilities, and so on.SCOPE 2 = indirect emissions related to energy
In our case, this will be the electricity used to operate the ski lifts or produce artificial snow.SCOPE 3 = other indirect emissions
In our case, this will include purchases of goods and services, as well as customer-related emissions such as transportation to the ski resort, etc.
Analysis of CO2 Emissions in La Rosière:
SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2: Direct Emissions and Energy
Taking into account:
Direct emissions related to the operations of the ski area (SCOPE 1), energy consumption required to operate the resort (SCOPE 2),
Each day of skiing in La Rosière generates an average of 1.7 kg of CO2 per skier(1), which is equivalent to about 8 km traveled in a gasoline-powered car.
(1) Calculation based on internal data from the La Rosière Ski Area (e.g., meter readings) using the simplified method provided by Domaines Skiables de France (DSF) and covering the fiscal year from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, based on 575,043 skier days during the winter season.
SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2 + SCOPE 3 (EXCLUDING SKIERS' TRANSPORTATION)
When all GHG emissions from the three SCOPES are taken into account—excluding the transportation of skiers to the resort—the results are as follows:
Each day of skiing generates 4.03 kg of CO2 per skier(2), which is equivalent to 18.5 km traveled in a gasoline-powered car.
(2) Data from the study conducted by DAMOE at the request of the SOFIVAL Group and the La Rosière Ski Area (April 2024). Calculation covering the fiscal year from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, based on 575,043 skier days during the winter.
SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2 + SCOPE 3 (INCLUDING SKIERS' TRANSPORTATION)
When emissions from transporting skiers to La Rosière are taken into account, the total is higher:
Each day of skiing generates 28.65 kg of CO2 per skier(3), considering the operation of the La Rosière Ski Area across all three scopes. This figure illustrates the significant impact of travel on the total carbon footprint of skiing activities, highlighting the importance of more sustainable transportation solutions to reduce these emissions.
(3) Estimate of the origin of the La Rosière Ski Area’s clientele based on the results of an EFICEO satisfaction survey (3,599 respondents). Calculation performed by DAMOE at the request of the SOFIVAL Group and the La Rosière Ski Area (April 2024), covering the fiscal year from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, based on 575,043 skier days during the winter season.
Our initiative to reduce these transportation-related emissions:
Since the winter of 2020–2021, the La Rosière Ski Area has been encouraging visitors to choose train travel by offering them a 15% credit toward their next purchase of ski passes. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote more sustainable and responsible tourism.
Currently, it is impossible to calculate the carbon footprint overall a day of skiing in La Rosière, because the data needed to estimate the GHG emissions associated with ski equipment, at lodging, at diet and to the infrastructure are not yet available.
Key Takeaways
The The concept of SCOPE is essential to understand and compare the carbon footprint of a day of skiing. In fact, it is easy to underestimate one’s GHG emissions if not all SCOPE categories are fully taken into account. But it’s also essential for realizing that the La Rosière Ski Area alone cannot make a significant contribution to reducing the GHG emissions calculated above.
In fact, beyond the direct emissions associated with its operations, the La Rosière Ski Area must take action on its entire value chain both upstream and downstream, with its suppliers and visitors.
This involves implementing an appropriate procurement and construction policy, engaging its suppliers, but also—and above all—given that visitor transportation is the main source of GHG emissions—the decarbonizing visitor transportation.
