Fancy a sustainable winter vacation in 2024/25? In early December, most ski resorts in the DACH region opened their doors – or lifts. We asked our local partners when you can expect snow, where to find the nearest ski and snowshoe rental, what activities are on offer and, most importantly, whether they are taking steps to make your winter vacation environmentally friendly.
Can skiing even be sustainable?
The question of whether a ski vacation can be ecologically sustainable has often been discussed on this blog. Criticisms have been raised about deforestation, electric lifts, and the use of snow cannons. There has been progress in all three areas, as we explain in our Tips for a Sustainable Ski Holiday. On a personal level, you can help improve the carbon footprint of your winter vacation by doing the following:
- Travel without a car
- Choose a sustainable ski resort
- Choosing a sustainable accommodation
- Renting instead of buying (clothing and equipment)
Downhill alternatives
Soft winter sports, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, are considered the most environmentally friendly. They have much less impact on the environment. Winter hiking is also a great way to enjoy the snow-covered landscape without disturbing animals or nature. For more alternatives, see our blog posts sustainable alternatives to skiing and sustainable in the snow.
Sustainable Winter vacation in Switzerland
Want to go to an area with guaranteed snow, where the slopes (most likely) don’t need snow cannons? Then we can recommend Zermatt on the beautiful Matterhorn.
When does it snow in Zermatt?
The “Glacier Paradise” on the Matterhorn is one of the few year-round ski resorts in Europe. Here on the “Theodulgletscher” there is snow even in summer. But in the winter, snow is (almost) guaranteed in Zermatt as well. “We’re lucky to be at 1600 meters, so we don’t have much trouble with snow,” says the CERVO Mountain Resort. “The first snow usually falls at the end of November, but we have had snow as early as September/October.” The slopes around Zermatt open in early December.
Sustainability
Zermatt prides itself on being one of the most sustainable holiday resorts in the whole of Switzerland. The town is car-free, and many local businesses (such as Zermatt Bergbahnen AG) have won sustainability awards.
Green PearlsⓇ accommodation in Zermatt
CERVO Mountain Resort: CERVO Mountain Resort consists of several buildings, three restaurants (one of which is entirely vegan/vegetarian), and a spa area. For the hardy, the staff breaks the ice from the outdoor pool every day for an ice bath. But a hot sauna is also available for relaxing. A highlight: the ski slope ends right outside the hotel.
Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt: A crackling wood stove in the lobby, a warm pine room with water beds in the spa area, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere – this is what you will find at the Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt. If you are a skier, you can leave your skis in the ski cellar and let the ski service take care of them. They will pick up your skis in the evening and bring them back sharpened and waxed. So, on the next morning you will have “perfectly prepared skis for joyful turns,” says host Fabienne Anthamatten.
Equipment rental options
There are several rental shops in Zermatt. The closest one is a 7-minute walk from the Biohotel Bella Vista. At Azzurra Sport you can rent skis, snowboards, snowshoes, sledges and ski clothing.
Sustainable Winter Vacation in South Tyrol 2023/ 2024
South Tyrol can be considered a model region for sustainable tourism and is far ahead of other Italian holiday regions. The towns are connected by an excellent public transport network. The Dolomites are famous – an exceptionally beautiful mountain landscape that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When does it snow in South Tyrol?
“If all goes well, you can expect snow as early as the end of November,” reports Hotel My Arbor. “The Plose, our ski resort, opens on December 2nd and stays open until Easter. Other ski resorts in South Tyrol don’t open until mid-December and have their peak season in January and February. In general, South Tyrol is considered “snow sure” in winter above 400 meters. However, as you probably know, nothing is guaranteed in these times of global warming.
Sustainability
Ski resorts like Dolomiti Superski on the Seiser Alm have done a lot to become more environmentally friendly. For example, the water for the snow cannons is stored in ponds and not taken from other (natural) water sources. In addition, the artificial snow is produced without the use of chemicals, and many facilities are powered by green electricity (e.g., through South Tyrolean hydroelectric power).
Green PearlsⓇ Accommodation for your winter holiday in South Tyrol
Paradiso Pure.Living: Paradiso Pure.Living on the aforementioned Seiser Alm in the Dolomites is perfect for a winter sports vacation. The Dolomiti Superski area starts at the hotel’s doorstep and stretches 60 kilometers around the UNESCO Natural Park. The Winter Olympics will be held here in 2026. In addition, there is a snow park with 70 obstacles right next to the Green PearlsⓇ Hotel. By the way: The cuisine at Paradiso Pure.Living is completely vegan/vegetarian.
My Arbor: “Arbor” means forest, and the sustainable hotel is built right in the middle of a spruce forest. From the 34-meter-high stilts you have a fantastic view of the winter landscape up to the Dolomites. The Plose ski area offers 42 kilometers of slopes. In addition, there are large flat areas on the Plose that are ideal for winter hiking. You don’t need a car. Instead, you can take the free cable car to the winter hiking trails. My Arbor offers guided snowshoe hikes several times a week. “We hike on different routes throughout South Tyrol to offer a more varied program,” says the owner’s family.
ADLER Lodge RITTEN: If you want to spend a gentle winter vacation, come to the ADLER LODGE Ritten. “We stand for slow winter tourism”, they say. It offers a guided outdoor program with sledding, snowshoeing, and curling. For cross-country skiers, the Rittner Horn offers trails with magnificent panoramic views. You receive a free daily pass for the Rittnerhorn cableway. In the afternoon you can relax in the forest spa after your winter activities.
Rental options
At the ADLER Lodge RITTEN snowshoes and sledges are available free of charge. You can also rent winter sports equipment in Brixen (Plose) and on the Seiser Alm.
Sustainable Winter Vacation in Austria
Austria is also one of the most popular countries for a winter vacation with snow. Of all the countries bordering the Alps, Austria has the largest Alpine area. For general travel tips, check out our blog on sustainable vacations in Austria.
When will there be snow in the Austrian Alps?
Our partners in Tirol and Ost Tirol agree: you can expect snow from the end of November/beginning of December.
Sustainability
As the Hotel Klosterbräu reports, the Seefeld region is currently trying to improve its carbon footprint. To this end, eight partners from the nature park, tourism and accommodation sectors have joined forces with an expert in sustainable development. The first step is to determine the direct and indirect greenhouse gases. The next step is to reduce consumption according to a reduction plan. The Hotel Klosterbräu itself has been working for many years with the Climate Alliance and a Siemens department to reduce CO2 consumption.
Green PearlsⓇ Hotels for a winter vacation in Austria
Hotel Klosterbräu: The aforementioned Hotel Klosterbräu is located in Seefeld, a high plateau in Austria with seven ski resorts. The hotel is built on 500-year-old monastery walls and has been family-owned for 200 years.
Naturhotel Outside: The Naturhotel Outside is perfect for a gentle winter vacation. Located in the Hohe Tauern National Park, the hotel is committed to nature-oriented and environmentally friendly vacations. The Ganzer family describes winter hiking and snowshoeing on the Staller Sattel as a winter highlight. Guided snowshoe hikes (including snowshoes) are offered free of charge at the hotel.
Biohotel Grafenast: The hotel is located at an altitude of 1,330 meters and offers a magnificent view of the Tyrolean Inn Valley. The owner’s family also owns Café Rodel Toni, which is open from the end of December to the end of March. It is located right next to the Kids’ Area and is a popular place for parents to warm up with coffee and cake while the kids take their ski lessons.
Rental options
At the Naturhotel Outside you can get snowshoes for free. The Hotel Klosterbräu recommends Sport Frank, right next to the hotel. Here you can also rent ski or snow equipment online in advance.
Sustainable Winter Vacation in Germany
You can also spend a wonderful and sustainable winter vacation in Germany. There are 79 ski resorts in the Black Forest alone and 56 ski resorts in the Allgäu. They say there are more winter sports enthusiasts in Germany than there are people in Switzerland and Austria.
When will there be snow here?
It often snows in the Allgäu at the end of November or the beginning of December. However, the white splendor usually melts away before it turns white again in January. According to the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, you can expect snow in the Black Forest from the end of December.
Sustainability
The Black Forest National Park has been named a “Sustainable Destination” in 2023 by Future Tourism. In addition to the National Park region, six other regions in Baden-Württemberg received the award, including Bad Herrenalb, where our partner, the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, is located.
Last year, the Allgäu applied for the 2022/2023 national competition as a “Sustainable Tourism Destination”, but “only” achieved “advanced status” (we think such awards are worth a lot, because they show that the path has been taken in the right direction!) This was reported by the chairman of the Allgäu GmbH, Thomas Kiechle, at the “Allgäu Day” in August 2023, where it was discussed how the region – including winter sports – can become more sustainable.
Green PearlsⓇ Hotels for a white winter vacation in Germany
HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu: Balderschwang, where the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu is located, is situated on the border with Austria at an altitude of 1000 meters in the middle of the mountains. “We have two large ski schools in Balderschwang,” reports the environmentally conscious hotel. Guided snowshoe hikes are offered to hotel guests.
Hotel Das Rübezahl: The Rübezahl is a romantic hideaway in Schwangau overlooking the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Cross-country skiers can hit the trails right from the hotel and take a tour to the royal castles. Guided snowshoe hikes are available as well. The Rohrkopf Hut is also part of the Boutique Hotel. The road leading there is a sledding hill in winter. From the hotel you can ski to the Rohrkopfhütte (or further up to the Tegelberg) via the Schutzengelweg. “Our local mountain, the Tegelberg, was open for classic alpine skiing until a few years ago,” says the Thurm family. But that has changed in recent years: “The main run is now only open to ski tourers. Very environmentally friendly!
SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA: This sustainable hotel in the spa town of Bad Herrenalb has received numerous awards for its environmental initiatives. The hotel has a thermal swimming pool, and the region is popular for a gentle winter vacation with snowshoeing and winter hiking. And did you know that snowshoeing has a long tradition here?
For more action, the hotel recommends the descent of the 1,000-meter Mehliskopf. The Kaltenbronn ski area is ideal for cross-country and long-distance skiing.
Rental options
Snowshoes can be rented at the reception of the Hotel Das Rübezahl and the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu. The SCHWARZWALD PANORMAMA recommends the Adventure Word / Albtal Arena in Bad Herrenalb. For skis and sleds, the Hotel Das Rübezahl recommends “Sport Luggi” at the Tegelberg station and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA mentions “Skischule Mehliskopf”. Ski and snowboard lessons can also be booked there as well.
What will your winter vacation look like in 2024/25?
Let us know in the comments! Maybe you’ll even visit one of the regions we’ve featured? In any case, we hope we’ve given you some good tips and wish you lots of fun and snow on your winter vacation 🙂
Save this article for your sustainable winter vacation (this year or the next)
