A new hotel built entirely of wood has opened at the Austrian resort of Leogang, part of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area which is one of the country’s largest, with 200km of runs.

The new four star Fortsthofalm is located slopeside with ski in/out access and was constructed using hundreds of tonnes of wood, all of which was sourced locally.

The hotel has been built as a passive construction, meaning it has low energy requirements and therefore contributes to the protection of the environment. It uses alternative energy sources whenever possible.

Along with the eco philosophy, the hotel  has also got an interesting architectural design and will highlight the arts, with a different visiting artist’s work on display each year, plus good cuisine in its restaurant and offers a well-being in the spa to create what the hotel describes as, “a harmonious whole.”

Veronica Tonge explains “This is a great example of a hotel integrating all the principles of Responsible Skiing and sustainable hotel development and, importantly, showing that it can be a really compelling and quality experience.   It is giving the business competitive advantage whilst reducing environmental impacts and running costs.  Showcasing local artists’ work really integrates the hotel with the local community and creates a distinctive alpine experience."
 
 
Fifty bags of rubbish and many strange forms of waste were removed from Mayrhofen’s ski slopes through an Envirotrek Sports Event organized by the Dutch-based non-profit group Respect the Mountains last week. Sixty participants from six different European countries worked tirelessly despite the rainfall showing their dedication to the cause.

One participant commented, “This event is a great way to get involved and teach my children about the importance of nature, and in what ways to enjoy it. We've had a great day.”

 This grassroots initiative offers the public an opportunity to make a difference in the mountain areas they visit with the clean up in the morning, then in the afternoon participants enjoy some mountain sport including rock climbing, rafting or mountain biking.

This was the second of three events to take place this summer under the Envirotrek Series banner. The next will take place in Samoens, France on 13th of August. Many tonnes of rubbish have been removed as a result of this Envirotrek initiative.

Veronica Tonge comments “Once again, this is a great success for cleaning up our mountains, and a great reminder to everyone just how much litter is created in a winter season.  It’s so simple to “pack it in, pack it out” and take your litter home or dispose of it carefully.   We need all resorts to constantly remind their skiers to be tidy and help them dispose of their litter easily and all resorts should organise such a clean up at the end of the season.”
 
 
Austria’s twinned ski resorts of Zell am See and Kaprun are highlighting their ongoing efforts to do more to minimise the environmental impact of their successful tourism industry.

The 'Electro Drive' traffic concept of Zell am See-Kaprun means that guests and locals alike can already recharge their electro vehicles at public service stations. Now the twin towns are planning to offer emission-free transportion hire to guests such as electro bicycles, scooters, and Segways for rent.  The resorts also promote car free days.

The Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG lift company has made environmental protection a priority for a number of years now, especially the sensitive ecosystem of the glacier on Kitzsteinhorn.  The company was the first lift operator in Austria to fulfil the high environmental standards of the international ISO 14001 environmental management certification.

Down in the resort many other businesses have already been awarded the Austrian ecologo for their commitment to the environment. The 'Amiamo Familotel', 'Romantikhotel' and 'Pension Hubertus' have all been so recognised for acting in an ecosensitive way and at the same time meet highest standards when it comes to service and quality.

The hotels reduce waste, save water and energy and thus are able to minimize environmental harm, while at the same time they pamper their guests with local and organically farmed food. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management has awarded these three enterprises its ecoseal and the 'Pension Hubertus' has also received the EU ecolabel.
 
 
The SkiWelt region in Austria - which includes the resorts of Soll, Westendorf and Kitzbuhel - has just opened the first solar powered drag lift - appropriately named the Sonnenlift. The solar panels have been fitted to the south-facing side of the new valley station.  The Sonnenlift can be 100% operated by the power of the sun through the solar panels and even when the weather is bad, the facility will have stored enough energy to be operated exclusively by solar power.

A small step in the right direction – but with great symbolic effect. “With our photovoltaic system we will be generating some 12,000 kilowatt hours per year – during the winter the lift needs some 9,000 kWh – so, with this solar energy, we are even producing a small surplus which we will feed into the power grid,” explains Rudi Köck, in charge of the installation at the Brixen im Thale Bergbahnen. “Of course it is only a minor part of the consumption of a large lift or indeed of a whole ski area, but our solution points a possible way forward for other ski areas too,” says the lift manager regarding the fine example set by the investment.