CSR Info

With the aim of preserving the species on the station, we are carrying out a number of actions. From protecting pastures to creating greenhouses, the aim is to promote biodiversity.

There are currently over 265 protected species in Les Deux Alpes.

Some of these are protected in order to prevent them from disappearing. Find out more here:

• Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

• Common garlic (Allium scorodoprasum)

• Alpine columbine (Aquilegia alpina)

• Androsace du Dauphiné (Androsace delphinensis)

• Androsace helvétique (Androsace helvetica)

• Woolly mugwort (Artemisia eriantha)

• Yellow sparrow (Emberiza citrinella)

• Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

• Red-billed Crake (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

• Peregrine falcon (Dracocephalum ruschiana)

• Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

• Yellow jay (Gagea lutea)

• Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

• House martin (Delichon urbicum)

• Schreibers' miniopter (Miniopterus schreibersii)

• Rock Monticole (Monticola saxatilis)

• Verderola (Acrocephalus palustris)

• Snowy willow (Potentilla nivea)

• Yellow willow (Salix glaucosericea)

• Helvetic willow (Salix helvetica)

• Swertie perenne (Swertia perennis)

• Alder tarin (Carduelis spinus)

• Tetra Lyre

• Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)

• Wasteland valerian (Valeriana saliunca)

• Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)

Les 2 Alpes favours hoeing, brushing, weeding, sweeping and insect control. As for our 50-year-old forests, we work with the Office National des Forêts (ONF) and the Restauration des Terrains de Montagne (RTM).

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Grazing is an agricultural practice that is essential for ecological continuity. Around 2,000 sheep and 280 cattle are scattered around the estate in summer, supervised by two shepherds. These pastoral areas are protected to avoid disturbance from tourism. They are highlighted on the resort and safeguarded by the Association Foncière Pastorale Autorisée (AFPA).

Wetlands and sensitive areas play an essential ecological role in the mountains. That's why Les Deux Alpes is committed to preserving them through their classification and the APPB regulations.

These areas act as "buffers". In this way, they retain the water that infiltrates the soil and limit droughts. In this way, water tables are supplied with water, enabling them to be stored while regulating any flooding that may occur. Biodiversity develops all around these zones, which are protected by prefectoral decrees instituting a series of strict measures.

We therefore take care to :

• Do not build any trails or paths around these areas.

• Do not alter the water regime.

• Do not organize sporting or cultural events.

• Do not use fire.

• Tourists must not camp in the area.

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Sensitive areas (ZNIEFF) are classified according to their size, extent, species and ecological potential. In Les Deux Alpes there are:

• 6 type I zones:

  • Flora: Androsace Helvetica, Gentiana OrbicularisCampanula Cenisia.

  • Fauna: lizards, hares, butterflies, bats.

• 2 “Massif de l'Oisans” type II zones:

  • Flora: including Aconite and Androsaces, Ancolie des Alpes, Sabot de Vénus, Dracocéphale d'Autriche.

  • Fauna: Hare, Snow Vole, Chamois, Alpine Ibex, 210 bird species, viviparous lizard.

Development work is accompanied by maintenance processes that help to conserve the natural heritage. Several techniques are applied depending on the work.

When we carry out development work on tracks or paths, a landscape and environmental impact study is always carried out. Building zones are also defined to avoid impacting on ecological corridors. Once the work has begun, a number of measures are adopted:

• Mowing and planting of trees and flowers.

• Reinforcement of embankments and crushing of stones.

• Maintenance of paths and traffic lanes.

• Systematic re-seeding and re-vegetation after the works, i.e. 800 kg of seeds adapted to our environment thanks to IRSTEA and 25 tonnes of compost used.

• Protection of fauna, in particular the red frog.

• Marking of power lines and cables.

• Appropriate equipment (lawn tractor, compost spreader, groomers, etc.).

• Biodegradable and labelled equipment.

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At the end of each season, volunteers come to the estate equipped with gloves and bags to collect all the waste that has accumulated. In total, around 35m3 of rubbish is collected! This operation is called "rubbish collection day" and anyone can take part!

Our landscape integration policy is based on 2 fundamental points, to ensure that our buildings blend into the landscape.

INSTALLATION OF SKI LIFTS AND BUILDINGS

When we build new ski lift stations and/or buildings, such as the chalets for the ski patrols and first aiders, we give preference to natural materials (wood, locally-coloured stone, lauze-coloured paint). The chalets are therefore in typical mountain style, and the new ski lifts and carpets blend in with the snow front and respect their environment. What's more, the power lines are buried and after each job, we re-vegetate and restore the ski area. Just like the heart of the resort, we take care to harmonise our buildings and facilities in a way that takes account of the fauna and flora without damaging them. That's why impact studies are carried out before any work is done to limit damage.

DISMANTLING PYLONS AND CABLES AND OPTIMISING LIFT CAPACITY

Since SATA Group took over Les 2 Alpes in 2020, 112 pylons have been dismantled and 30 km of cable removed. With the arrival of the new Jandri in December 2024, 7 pylons will replace the current 17.

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We have also replaced the outdated ski lifts with a single, more efficient and modern wide-body lift. Visit

Recycling is one of the resort's priorities, so as not to damage the natural mountain environment. We recycle several components of the selective sorting system.

• Packaging and paper.

• Glass.

• Organic waste.

• Non-hazardous waste.

• Hazardous waste (oil, used brakes, soiled rags, batteries, aerosol cans, treated wood, paint cans, etc.).

Where is it disposed of?

• Selective waste bins throughout the resort.

• The waste collection centre for special and biodegradable waste.

• Composters to reduce organic waste. The compost is then used as a natural fertiliser for gardening. This saves on fertiliser, soil and water, as well as reducing the number of trips to the waste collection centre.

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The PENELOPE workshop collects and sorts the objects brought in, then sells them to give them a second life. We are also keen to raise awareness among staff, tourists and residents. That's why we provide training and disseminate messages.

Limiting polluting transport is one of the resort's priorities. To achieve this, we have set up a system of alternative solutions (shuttles, buses, ski lifts, awareness-raising, etc.).

• Vehicles: to encourage group travel. Our fleet of vehicles is regularly maintained, changed and serviced.

• Eco-driving training: offered to all employees using snow groomers and motorised vehicles, this helps to reduce our carbon footprint. Similarly, a master plan has been drawn up to optimise the circulation of grooming equipment. We have also invested in quieter, less polluting snowmobiles.

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The commune provides free electric shuttles to get around the heart of the resort. To get to the valley, there are bus routes to Grenoble to reduce traffic. The Venosc cable car also offers a practical solution for customers and employees of Les 2 Alpes who want to access the resort from the valley, helping to reduce the number of vehicles on the road leading to Les 2 Alpes. For electric cars, the municipality has installed charging points.

This pollution is harmful to humans and animals, and can have a serious impact on their way of life. That's why we've opted for grooming that respects the snow front and for new, less polluting technologies.

AN EFFECTIVE GROOMING PLAN

A number of measures have been taken to respect the quiet zones close to residential areas:

• Driving times for snow groomers.

• Snow gun operating times.

• Noise measurements at certain workstations and for high-altitude snow-making plants.

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We've also been thinking about new, more modern, high-performance equipment:

• Quiet, low-pollution snowmobiles.

• Study on the adoption of hydrogen-powered snow groomers.

• Research into hybrid and electric vehicles.

• Installation of quieter ski lifts.

• Installation of lift stations further away from residents.

To reduce our energy consumption, we need to know the impact of our carbon balance. This is why two studies have been carried out.

THE 2007 CARBON BALANCE

This study was carried out by the ANMSM (National Association of Mayors of Mountain Resorts) and the consultancy Saunier et Associés. Several activities were taken into account, including tertiary and agricultural activities, the residential sector, the transport of goods, waste, the manufacture of materials and fixed assets. The study revealed that travel and tertiary activities are the most polluting activities. Faced with these weaknesses, the resort decided to implement an energy transition policy. In 2007, the entire resort produced a total of 76,400 tonnes of CO2.

THE CARBON BALANCE FOR THE 2021/2022 SEASON

The carbon assessment carried out by SATA Group showed that the majority of CO2 emissions are linked to fossil fuels (77.83%) and CNG (76.54%). On the other hand, non-fossil fuels emit 22.17% of CO2. In total, the company produces around 2,300 tonnes of CO2.

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In view of these results, the station is continuing to invest in renewable energies in order to reduce its energy consumption.

Reducing our energy consumption is a priority. That's why we're concentrating our efforts on fuel consumption.

FUEL CONSUMPTION IN THE SKI AREA

Fuel is one of the main sources of pollution in the ski area. We therefore use various procedures to reduce fuel consumption:

• Our equipment: all the ski area's snow groomers now run on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). The aim of this investment is to reduce the CO² emissions generated by the snow groomers by 93%.

• Damage: During the 2023/2024 winter season, 5 hydrogen-powered snow groomers will be tested at Les 2 Alpes. If the results are successful, all groomers at SATA Group's three sites will be upgraded to run on this clean energy.

• Responsible driving tools: to ensure quality grooming that respects the environment, eco-driving training is in place. Our snow groomers are also equipped with a Snowsat system, a touch-sensitive GPS that can provide essential information on snow, slopes, hazards, buildings, etc. Thanks to this tool, we can optimise grooming times and trajectories and reduce the environmental impact by limiting snow production. In this way, the risk of damaging the ground and fuel consumption is reduced. Our groomers are also equipped with biodegradable oils in case of leaks on the slopes.

• Monitoring consumption: we pay close attention to fuel consumption per user and per vehicle. This monitoring has resulted in an average reduction of 4% per year for vehicles, and 20% for snowcats and snowmobiles.

THE SKI AREA'S ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION

What does it involve?

• Measures to monitor the electricity consumption of ski lifts and snowmaking facilities (reduction of 4 to 5% per year).

• Implementation of preventive measures and awareness-raising for staff.

• Lighting detectors.

• Energy audits and application of recommendations.

• Study of a metering system for the oldest ski lifts.

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SATA Group is the first ski area operator to work with EDF on energy management. Thanks to this partnership, we have achieved a reduction of around 15% in overall annual consumption.

The myth that artificial snow is produced using chemicals is OVER! In fact, snow is produced using only air, water and electricity. We have a 195,000m3 hillside reserve and water reservoirs so we don't have to use water from torrents and lakes.

According to a study by the CNRS and Météo France, snowmaking is essential to ensure that the ski area is covered in snow throughout the season and to keep the resort economically viable until at least 2050. However, it should be noted that SATA Group continues to invest in more modern, high-performance technologies and also uses other, more natural methods, such as smoothing the slopes and installing snow barriers for natural snow cover.

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Our water reservoirs are maintained and monitored by indicators and samples taken throughout the year. They are filled in autumn so as not to impact on local consumption. The water used for snow production is then returned to its natural environment.

• Quality: ISO - 9001 certified since 2015

• Safety: 45001 in progress

• Mountain Riders Association.

• Association Vacances propres.

• Association Citron Vert.

• France Nature Environnement (FNE).

• National Association of Mayors of Mountain Resorts

• Alliance in the Alps.

• Communauté de communes de l'Oisans (CCO).

• Office National des Forêts (ONF).

• Mountain land restoration (RTM).

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

• Program for the Endorsement of the Forest (PEFC).

• Imprim'vert.

• Ecolabel.

• Parc National des Ecrins - member and signatory of the charter.