Ski LiftsLifts are the other essential in a ski resort to transport skiers up the mountain for downhill skiing and snowboarding. They are frequently also used in summer for walkers and cyclists or as attractions in themselves for the views. They make the mountains accessible to all.
There are several types of lift; cable cars, gondolas, chair lifts, drag lifts and trains / funiculars. Each has its own suitability in certain situations depending on altitude, geology and purpose. Technologies have improved enormously since the early days; from slow, noisy and dirty lifts, fuelled by diesel, to being quick, quiet and run on electricity. They are major capital investments for a ski resort funded from the sales of lift passes. Resorts recently have been investing heavily in new lifts to increase capacities, for example replacing two slow two man chairlifts with one six man high speed chairlift. However they are controversial... |  What do you think? Contribute to our discussion forum
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The case against...They use lots of energy
They are noisy and disturb the peace They are an eyesore all year round They require buildings up the mountain as well as at the base The construction process is invasive in itself and leaves its own scars from the access roads created to get machinery up Trees are often cut down to make way for them | The case for...They are essential for downhill skiing and snowboarding for the mass market and thus the economic viability of villages reliant on skiing
They are used by locals as well as visitors all year round They allow access and enjoyment of the mountains for other sports in both winter and summer including walking and cross country skiing They make the mountains accessible for all They provide income to mountain farmers where they pass over their pasture land. They can reduce traffic congestion by bringing people up to the mountains from lower down in the valley |
The way forward...
So what is the way forward? The fact remains that many lifts have existed for decades and they are essential for villages economically reliant on downhill skiing. Increasingly, it is the way that many resorts are seeking to increase their skiable area – through links to other nearby ski areas, leading to gains for both villages. Additionally, it should be remembered that lifts are major capital investments and generally last 20 years – so not something that can be changed quickly.
However, there are a number of steps that can be taken to mitigate the negative impacts.
Operations
1. All lift operations should be ISO14001 certified, which will improve overall efficiency.
2. All lifts should be run off renewable energy.
3. Heat generated from the lift machinery and workings should be recouped to heat the lift station.
4. Lifts should be adapted to have a slow / shut off mode when few people are on the piste.
5. Resorts should consider whether all lifts need to be open in low season if there are duplicate ways to reach the same ski areas.
Lift Installation
1. All new lifts should undergo a full environmental impact analysis to assess the future impact on drainage, erosion, run-off, flora and fauna, habitat loss or gain, wildlife corridors etc.
2. New ski lifts routes should be selected that require the least alteration to the land.
3. Lifts should be selected that have the least visual impact; such as detachable chairs, detachable gondolas where the chairs / gondolas are housed inside when not in use.
4. Where there is a choice of lift, the one with the most energy efficiency and lowest noise level should be selected.
5. Lift buildings should be low line, with levels below ground where possible for the machinery or housing – if machinery is below ground it reduces noise volumes.
6. Lift buildings should be built to blend in with the local architecture and using local materials where possible.
7. Any landscaping or reseeding should be done with a seed mix that exactly replicates the existing biodiversity and which should therefore be created uniquely in each resort.
8. Tree cutting should be at a minimum and replaced with new planting elsewhere.
9. Any access roads should be returned to their natural state afterwards, utilising the soil push method if possible where the ‘turf’ is lifted and then replaced after the works are complete.
10. Any old lifts should be removed completed and the land restored to its natural state.
However, there are a number of steps that can be taken to mitigate the negative impacts.
Operations
1. All lift operations should be ISO14001 certified, which will improve overall efficiency.
2. All lifts should be run off renewable energy.
3. Heat generated from the lift machinery and workings should be recouped to heat the lift station.
4. Lifts should be adapted to have a slow / shut off mode when few people are on the piste.
5. Resorts should consider whether all lifts need to be open in low season if there are duplicate ways to reach the same ski areas.
Lift Installation
1. All new lifts should undergo a full environmental impact analysis to assess the future impact on drainage, erosion, run-off, flora and fauna, habitat loss or gain, wildlife corridors etc.
2. New ski lifts routes should be selected that require the least alteration to the land.
3. Lifts should be selected that have the least visual impact; such as detachable chairs, detachable gondolas where the chairs / gondolas are housed inside when not in use.
4. Where there is a choice of lift, the one with the most energy efficiency and lowest noise level should be selected.
5. Lift buildings should be low line, with levels below ground where possible for the machinery or housing – if machinery is below ground it reduces noise volumes.
6. Lift buildings should be built to blend in with the local architecture and using local materials where possible.
7. Any landscaping or reseeding should be done with a seed mix that exactly replicates the existing biodiversity and which should therefore be created uniquely in each resort.
8. Tree cutting should be at a minimum and replaced with new planting elsewhere.
9. Any access roads should be returned to their natural state afterwards, utilising the soil push method if possible where the ‘turf’ is lifted and then replaced after the works are complete.
10. Any old lifts should be removed completed and the land restored to its natural state.
Resorts need to address all of the above points in order to contribute to Responsible Skiing
