Transport and TrafficTraffic congestion and the associated pollution are real issues for many ski resorts. In North America the ski facilities are often set well away from the community and staff as well as skiers, drive to resort. Driving is also more a tendency for skiers due to the equipment required. In Europe also, the nature of resort locations sometimes means the only way to access them is via road (much less the case in Switzerland where trains prevail).
Additionally, in some resorts, the nature of a tight valley location often means that at peak times, traffic jams and parking difficulties are common. Whilst many tourists on a package arrive by a transfer coach, the rise in low cost airlines has led to an increase of people hiring a car to reach their destination and locals and those from neighbouring countries frequently drive to their nearest resort leading to serious weekend congestion. The mountain climate can add to the problem; when an inversion occurs (where the temperature in the valley is actually lower than at the top of the mountain), the air and pollution gets trapped and can be very visible and unpleasant. Good traffic management and planning is important for locals as well as visitors and can make a big difference to the quality of life for locals and quality of holiday experience for visitors. Resorts need to look at the overall road plan and whether areas can be pedestrianised or even the whole resort – as has been done successfully in Saas Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland or Avoriaz in France. There are innovative solutions out there too - Serfaus in Austria has installed an underground passenger railway, hover powered, beneath the streets and has banned cars. In many resorts it is possible to pedestrianise part of the resort and streamline traffic flows to enable a calmer and more peaceful village centre. If pedestrianisation is not possible (or in addition to), reducing the use of cars should be the next priority. Firstly, the resort should discouraging people from arriving in them for their holiday and secondly, should reduce the need for them to be used whilst in resort – and this applies to both locals and visitors. If people do arrive by car, there should be parking provided at the edge of the resort or underground to encourage visitors to leave their cars there for the duration of their holiday as has been provided for in the aforementioned resorts of Saas Fee, Zermatt and Avoriaz for example. The resort can encourage people to arrive by public transport by offering promotions. Sometimes, it is necessary to take a hire car from the station or airport as there are no direct links to the resort, alternatively it can be difficult to find information on scheduled transfer services. All resorts should ensure there is a single route to their resort and can organise and publicise shuttle buses from airports and train stations to negate the need for car transfers. A comprehensive bus network is then essential – again for local use and visitors – particularly for skiers. In Lech – a bus network covering the village and the surrounding hamlets was started and within six winter seasons 1.2million people were being carried in a winter season. The resulting decrease in congestion and pollution (and the consequent CO2 emissions) was apparent to all and greatly contributed to the quality of life. Finally, all transport in resort should, where possible, run on green energy such as the electric cars in Saas Fee. Werfenweng in Austria goes further and offers the free use of all green energy transport options in the village, including electric cars and horse drawn sleighs. Guests are looked after completely from their arrival in resort and are even provided with a free mobile phone to call for a local green taxi service if they need it. There is still debate over the use of some cleaner energies in the cold mountain temperatures for larger vehicles such as buses, however where there is the option, it should be pursued. In the United States, where workers often live away from the base lodge, car pooling should be encouraged and also the idea of organised ‘hitch points’ where individuals can pick up a lift with someone else going to the resort. Finally, resorts can provide information on resort approaches if car parks are full or capacity has been reached to prevent cars from making their way up only to have to turn around causing greater congestion. |  What do you think? Contribute to our discussion forum
For more great examples of what resorts are doing - check out the case studies
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The way forward...
Again – many of the above examples are major capital investments and require subsidy – however they should all be considered for the benefit of locals and guests alike and the overall quality of life. Some, however, can be implemented more quickly.
1. Review town plans to investigate whether traffic can be streamlined and allow for pedestrianisation of areas.
2. Provide car parking on the edge of town and/or underground parking.
3. Negate the need for car use in resort by providing a comprehensive bus network.
4. Offer free local transport around the village.
5. Ensure the bus network runs all year round and into the night so visitors and locals alike can get home safely.
6. Replace local transport will green energy options where possible.
7. Organise or ensure information is available on shuttle services from nearby airports and rail stations.
8. Clearly provide information on how to reach the resort in all methods including detailed information on rail routes.
9. Provide incentives for people to leave their cars at home.
1. Review town plans to investigate whether traffic can be streamlined and allow for pedestrianisation of areas.
2. Provide car parking on the edge of town and/or underground parking.
3. Negate the need for car use in resort by providing a comprehensive bus network.
4. Offer free local transport around the village.
5. Ensure the bus network runs all year round and into the night so visitors and locals alike can get home safely.
6. Replace local transport will green energy options where possible.
7. Organise or ensure information is available on shuttle services from nearby airports and rail stations.
8. Clearly provide information on how to reach the resort in all methods including detailed information on rail routes.
9. Provide incentives for people to leave their cars at home.
Resorts need to look to address all of the above steps in order to contribute to Responsible Skiing
