The S.A.T.A (ski lift company) which runs the lifts and maintains the pistes at Alpe d’Huez has earned three separate levels of certification for its service management.

The company is now certified in terms of quality (ISO 9001), as well as in environmental management (ISO 14001) and security (OHSAS 18001).

“This triple certification will enable a fully integrated management system to better satisfy its clientele whilst continually bringing about improvements. It will also reinforce and up-date safety/security for clientele and personnel and recognize sources of pollution with the aim of effectively dealing with it.” said a resort spokesperson.

Alpe d’Huez is now planning a complete review of its operations to highlight issues in different projects. Different types of works are taken into consideration in order to forecast security measures and environmental issues. For example waste treatment must be managed, in particular for chemical products, so procedures need to be set up to deal with any potential pollution issues (engine failure with oil leaks, chemical products).

Impact studies concerning each potential new project will be done systematically for each project and there will be reductions in the number of new ski lift pylons, better integrating them in to the surrounding landscape.

Staff will be trained to have improved eco-awareness/sensitivity and grooming machine drivers will be trained to, “drive ecologically.”

The resort will also create a team made up of staff on site to deal with internal environmental matters.

The resort is also initiating a ten year plan to look at reducing its carbon footprint via a resort energy plan which is due to set its targets by august this year. Their commitments include a Programme d’Amenagement de Developpement Durable (PADD) which will include analysis of likely fuel price rises over the next 10 years and factoring in increased green energy costs and efficiency savings.

Veronica Tonge comments "Accreditation sometimes has its critics who say that it is just a set of tickboxes.   I disagree and here is a great example of a resort using the accreditation schemes to set up a number of management systems to help guide them to improve their performance year on year.   They provide a great starting point and structure to move forward with".