The mountain resort is committed to preserving its environment 

ADS has set a goal: to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions under Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030. To achieve this, the industry’s practices and operations are gradually evolving.

Snow grooming is a concrete example. Snow groomers use HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), a renewable fuel derived from the recycling of grease waste and used oil. Eco-driving, optimizing machine routes, and using onboard GPS also help limit unnecessary runs and better tailor snowmaking needs to each sector.

This effort extends beyond the activities directly managed by the resort. Visitor transportation is now the primary source of emissions associated with a day of skiing. Recognizing this challenge, ADS is working alongside local stakeholders to transform transportation and has set an ambitious goal: to have 30% of visitors arrive by train by 2030. 

In the mountains, water and energy are precious resources. Since 2019, the Water Observatory has been studying the hydrological functioning of the Arc 2000 watershed, monitoring precipitation, snowmelt and glacial melt, the role of wetlands, and soil infiltration, among other factors. This approach provides a better understanding of how these resources evolve and allows us to adapt their use to the realities of the region. 

This knowledge complements the “Juste Neige” strategy, launched in 2008, which aims to produce the necessary amount of snow in the right place and at the right time based on numerous criteria: weather conditions, visitor numbers, the time of the season, and the characteristics of each sector.

By 2030, the resort is committed to limiting artificial snow coverage to a maximum of 50% and voluntarily setting a cap of 600,000 m³ of water per year, averaged over five years. 

On the energy front, the goal is also to reduce annual electricity consumption by 10% compared to 2022 and to generate 25% of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources.

Before being our workplace, the mountains are first and foremost our home. This is a tremendous opportunity, but also a huge responsibility. This conviction guides the actions we take on the ground to limit the impact of our activities and restore natural habitats when necessary: wetland restoration, revegetation after construction, and protection of black grouse.

The path forward is clear: achieve net zero land conversion based on the principle of 1 m² impacted = 1 m² restored or returned to its natural state, and equip 100% of ski lift lines with protective devices forbirdlife by 2030 in order to reduce the risk of collisions for mountain birds. 

Preserving the mountains also means enabling everyone to better understand them. The Mountain Animal Museum, the Arollins Trail, and the Homme-Cairn Trail allow visitors to discover the fauna, flora, landscapes, and their fragility in a new light.

Our goal for 2030 is for 100% of visitors to have had at least one educational or awareness-raising experience at high altitude. A simple conviction drives this initiative: gaining a better understanding of the mountains is often the first step toward learning how to preserve them. 

The transition is also shaped by the people who keep the resort running day to day. Every year, ADS employees receive training and awareness-building on CSR issues. This takes the form, for example, of the “Rendez-vous de la Transition”—events dedicated to sharing ideas, reflecting, and raising awareness about the challenges of tomorrow.

Since October 2023, ADS has also been B Corp™ certified, becoming the first mountain resort operator in Europe to earn this certification. B Corp™ goes far beyond mere environmental commitments: it assesses the company’s overall impact, from its governance to its social practices, including its role in the local community, its environmental impact, and its relationship with customers.

Its philosophy sums up the approach well: “Not the best in the world, but better for the world.” ” More than just recognition, B Corp™ drives ADS to measure its actions, make progress, and ensure its commitments are sustainable over the long term. ADS is therefore aiming to renew its certification in 2026 by continuing to improve its practices and ensuring their adoption by its teams. 

Finally, ADS collaborates with other local stakeholders on the “Flocon Vert” initiative led by Les Arcs Bourg Saint Maurice, which recognizes the destination’s overall commitment to sustainability.

If you’d like to learn more, please see our CSR report