Ski Company Goes Green To Combat Global Warming.
by: janesmithston
Total views: 72
Word Count: 464
Thousands of skiers will soon be dusting down
their salopettes and
dashing off in search of the biggest snowfall.
And doubtless the impact of our carbon footprint will be about as far
down the list of holiday musts as a turkey sandwich after Christmas.
But last year, a slow snowfall hit the headlines and holidaymakers
panicked about the smattering of flakes melting almost as soon as they
landed.
Family-run online skiing company Chalet1802, based at the foot of
Mount Blanc in the French Alps, is one of the first independent firms
to go carbon negative and give skiers an environmentally-friendly
choice when booking their ski trip.
Chalet1802 owner, Matthew Dale said: "Last year was a bit of a shock
with the warmest winter in 50 years in France. It was mild and the
snow didn't settle, so a lot of the early skiing season in the Alps
was patchy. We decided to go carbon negative to help preserve the ski
resort."
Partners, Matthew and Charlotte Richardson, both 27, moved to Chamonix
from Devon four years ago. They set-up the company using Matthew's
parents chalet in nearby Les Houches as a starting point for the
fledgling business.
After months of construction the couple have built up a successful
skiing company with luxury holidays appealing to foodies and serious
skiers. And they insist luxury does not have to come with a hefty
environmental price tag.
They collect fire wood from their own land, on the slopes of the
famous Kandahar piste - home to the World Cup downhill slalom - and
they have installed double-glazing, efficient wood burners, new
boilers, dual flow toilets, energy efficient light bulbs and purchase
all their electricity from carbon free sources.
The Farmhouse chalet is decked out in re-claimed oak and thick
insulation traps the heat in. The paperless company also recycles
chalet waste including around 2, 000 bottles a year and staff are
trained in environmental practices - a window left open overnight in
winter wastes enough energy to drive a car 35 miles.
Charlotte said: "We are not trying to dictate to guests but we feel
it's important to give them the choice without increasing the price of
their <a href="http://www.chalet1802.co.uk">ski
holidays</a>. If they
book with us they can more than off-set their carbon footprint and we
absorb the extra costs. Of course we still have a sauna and a hot tub
- people want luxury but not at the expense of the environment, so we
looked at ways of lessening the impact of someone flying over here for
a holiday."
The company have also linked up with charity Climate Care, which
tackles climate change by making carbon dioxide reductions on behalf
of individuals and companies.
About the Author
Laura lives and works in <a
href="http://chalet1802.co.uk/chamonix/">Chamonix</a> in the
French
alps as a freelance journalist.
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