Transferring to the resortOnce in the country, there are now many more options available to skiers to reach their resort than in the past. Previously when most people went on a package, everyone simply got on the coach provided by the tour operator to reach their accommodation. Nowadays, the advent of low cost airlines has meant that more people are putting together their own trips and are more confident about driving and like the convenience of making their own way. Tour operators, though, are also responding to some of the criticisms of the past. Formerly - coaches often visited several resorts and accommodations making for much longer and tiresome transfers. This is far less the case now and they are also offering minibus transfers or make other suggestions to customers such as using the train.
Below each of the options available is explained with the impacts and benefits highlighted. Resorts and tour operators can make a big difference in assisting customers have a more enjoyable journey and reducing the impact and emissions of their visitors. |  What do you think about travel? Contribute to our discussion forum
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By Hire Car
Making one's own way by car can be convenient time wise, however, there are always concerns about road conditions and it can be stressful in difficult weather. Car hire companies can be notoriously vague about whether the cars automatically have snow tyres or chains or whether you need to pre-order them or, alternatively, they charge an extortionate amount to order when you arrive.
Ski resorts often suffer from congestion and pollution due to the number of people who drive to them at peak weekend times and holiday periods - driving oneself contributes to this and one may suffer slower journeys because of it. Also, it is unlikely that the car will be used around the resort, thus it is an expensive method for simply two journeys and every car that goes to a resort needs to be parked somewhere. Resorts should not have to give up valuable land for car parks when there are other means to get there.
Finally, the CO2 emissions are significant. For example, one persion driving the 100 mile journey from Geneva to Verbier would result in CO2 emissions of 20.5kg for a small car and 41.2kg for a large car whereas a coach transfer would be just 4.08kg.
By Taxi
Pre-ordering a taxi is a convenient transfer method and expensive, but takes away many of the disadvantages of self drive including parking and dealing with unfamiliar road conditions oneself. Additionally, it does contribute to the local economy. However, the CO2 emissions remain the same as for self drive and resulting contribution to congestion and pollution is therefore the same.
By Minibus
Clubbing together with friends or utilising a minibus transfer service offered by the tour operator or an independent company is a better solution. It still retains the same convenience factor but allows an experienced driver to take the strain, reduces congestion and negates the need for cars to be parked up for the week. However, for independent travellers it can often be difficult to learn about minibus transfers from either the resort website or the airport website. It is important that this information is easy to find, to lessen the need for people to take the simpler option of car hire. The CO2 emissions per person are reduced since the vehicle emissions are divided amongst a greater number of people.
By Coach
All tour operators offer coach transfers and they are an efficient (and cheap) means of transferring to the resort. They are usually included in the package price and are naturally timed to coincide with the flights and will, of course, wait if the flight is delayed. The CO2 emissions of a 100 mile coach journey are 4.8kg per person versus a large car (containing 2 people) of 20.7kg per person – so a significant reduction in an individual's carbon footprint.
There are independent companies and even resorts themselves who offer scheduled coach transfer services. For example, Lech in Austria provides its own regular transfer service from Zurich airport. These offer a great alternative for the independent traveller putting together their own trip – however, once again, information about services can be difficult to find from resort websites or airport or airline websites. There is an excellent scheduled coach service from Geneva airport to the resorts of the Portes du Soleil in France – but only recently has this information been added to the resort website. Aside from the convenience and lower emissions – coaches allow the passenger a more relaxing journey with the opportunity to enjoy the views.
By Train
If the international part of the journey is by train then perhaps only a short final transfer is required or none at all in the case of those resorts where the station is right in the resort. However – even for those people arriving by plane – a train transfer is often convenient, reasonable and with very low CO2 emissions. For example, a transfer from Berne to Grindelwald by car is 50 miles and the CO2 emissions are 10.4kg per person in a large car (containing 2 people). By train it is 4.6kg per person and the train delivers you into the centre of the resort.
Timewise, it is often assumed trains are much slower, however, returning to the Geneva to Verbier example mentioned above – the train takes around 2hr 20 versus a 2hr drive time (plus extra to collect the car) and the difference in emissions is great – and you get to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Geneva in a relaxing way. Once again, both tour operators and resorts can assist in providing detailed information on accessing resorts by train from local airports. Resorts can incentivise and facilitate pickups from the local train station – providing free final transfer to the hotel would be an option such as currently offered in resorts like Zermatt.
Making one's own way by car can be convenient time wise, however, there are always concerns about road conditions and it can be stressful in difficult weather. Car hire companies can be notoriously vague about whether the cars automatically have snow tyres or chains or whether you need to pre-order them or, alternatively, they charge an extortionate amount to order when you arrive.
Ski resorts often suffer from congestion and pollution due to the number of people who drive to them at peak weekend times and holiday periods - driving oneself contributes to this and one may suffer slower journeys because of it. Also, it is unlikely that the car will be used around the resort, thus it is an expensive method for simply two journeys and every car that goes to a resort needs to be parked somewhere. Resorts should not have to give up valuable land for car parks when there are other means to get there.
Finally, the CO2 emissions are significant. For example, one persion driving the 100 mile journey from Geneva to Verbier would result in CO2 emissions of 20.5kg for a small car and 41.2kg for a large car whereas a coach transfer would be just 4.08kg.
By Taxi
Pre-ordering a taxi is a convenient transfer method and expensive, but takes away many of the disadvantages of self drive including parking and dealing with unfamiliar road conditions oneself. Additionally, it does contribute to the local economy. However, the CO2 emissions remain the same as for self drive and resulting contribution to congestion and pollution is therefore the same.
By Minibus
Clubbing together with friends or utilising a minibus transfer service offered by the tour operator or an independent company is a better solution. It still retains the same convenience factor but allows an experienced driver to take the strain, reduces congestion and negates the need for cars to be parked up for the week. However, for independent travellers it can often be difficult to learn about minibus transfers from either the resort website or the airport website. It is important that this information is easy to find, to lessen the need for people to take the simpler option of car hire. The CO2 emissions per person are reduced since the vehicle emissions are divided amongst a greater number of people.
By Coach
All tour operators offer coach transfers and they are an efficient (and cheap) means of transferring to the resort. They are usually included in the package price and are naturally timed to coincide with the flights and will, of course, wait if the flight is delayed. The CO2 emissions of a 100 mile coach journey are 4.8kg per person versus a large car (containing 2 people) of 20.7kg per person – so a significant reduction in an individual's carbon footprint.
There are independent companies and even resorts themselves who offer scheduled coach transfer services. For example, Lech in Austria provides its own regular transfer service from Zurich airport. These offer a great alternative for the independent traveller putting together their own trip – however, once again, information about services can be difficult to find from resort websites or airport or airline websites. There is an excellent scheduled coach service from Geneva airport to the resorts of the Portes du Soleil in France – but only recently has this information been added to the resort website. Aside from the convenience and lower emissions – coaches allow the passenger a more relaxing journey with the opportunity to enjoy the views.
By Train
If the international part of the journey is by train then perhaps only a short final transfer is required or none at all in the case of those resorts where the station is right in the resort. However – even for those people arriving by plane – a train transfer is often convenient, reasonable and with very low CO2 emissions. For example, a transfer from Berne to Grindelwald by car is 50 miles and the CO2 emissions are 10.4kg per person in a large car (containing 2 people). By train it is 4.6kg per person and the train delivers you into the centre of the resort.
Timewise, it is often assumed trains are much slower, however, returning to the Geneva to Verbier example mentioned above – the train takes around 2hr 20 versus a 2hr drive time (plus extra to collect the car) and the difference in emissions is great – and you get to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Geneva in a relaxing way. Once again, both tour operators and resorts can assist in providing detailed information on accessing resorts by train from local airports. Resorts can incentivise and facilitate pickups from the local train station – providing free final transfer to the hotel would be an option such as currently offered in resorts like Zermatt.
The way forward...
1. Resorts need to detail clearly all the options for reaching the resort – featuring private companies, scheduled coach operators and trains.
2. Resorts need to consider instigating their own resort transfer service from local airports and train stations.
3. Resorts can incentivise travel by coach or train by offering free pickups from the station to the accommodation.
4. Resorts can discourage private car travel through parking charges.
5. Resorts need to ensure all accommodations provide travel information in line with the resort strategy.
6. Airports and airlines can provide information or links to transfer services to resorts in the vicinity.
7. Tour operators should continue to promote group transfers where possible but also offer train transfers as part of the package.
2. Resorts need to consider instigating their own resort transfer service from local airports and train stations.
3. Resorts can incentivise travel by coach or train by offering free pickups from the station to the accommodation.
4. Resorts can discourage private car travel through parking charges.
5. Resorts need to ensure all accommodations provide travel information in line with the resort strategy.
6. Airports and airlines can provide information or links to transfer services to resorts in the vicinity.
7. Tour operators should continue to promote group transfers where possible but also offer train transfers as part of the package.
All of these elements should be addressed in order to contribute to Responsible Skiing
