Avoriaz is well known as being one of the original green ski resorts. It is ISO certified and claims to have been ecologically developing since before the term existed. While it’s a purpose built resort, all the buildings have been designed to blend into the cliff face on which it sits, and they have all been built to provide natural insulation from the snow and are designed to naturally preserve heat.

Avoriaz has also been used as the test resort for many environmental projects, including electric snowmobiles and a water purification system. It has also collaborated with a number of large organisations to put together reforestation campaigns which raise awareness and educate local people, as well as visitors, on how to protect the natural surroundings.

Avoriaz is also one of the first no-car resorts in France which means it misses out on the noise and air pollution of vehicles. It was one of the first resorts to sow grass into the ski runs during the summer, taking into account the fact that it was farmland before it was a ski resort. This allows the animals that graze there in the summer to be well fed, as well as providing a more stable platform for the winter snow.

Check out Avoriaz’s environmental plan here.