In the face of the major challenges of our time—climate change, pressure on resources, and the decline in biodiversity—Les Arcs is committed to evolving its model and moving toward more responsible tourism. Here are our vision, our beliefs, and the commitments that guide us.
Our guiding principles, our challenges, and our ambitions
Today, our destination and our tourism model are on the front lines of the major challenges of our time: climate change, overexploitation of resources, and the global collapse of biodiversity.
Faced with this reality, we hesitated. We could have run around in circles throwing our hands up in the air, telling ourselves that the problem was too complicated, the world too cruel—or, more insidiously, promised to decarbonize by relying heavily on offsets.
So, we rolled up our sleeves and pulled up our socks.
Our ambition: to preserve our exceptional natural environment so we can continue to offer a unique quality of life to our residents and visitors.
The path we've followed and the one we want to blaze
We began by taking stock of our destination, our best practices, and those that are less effective.
This allowed us to identify our destination’s unique strengths:
- Carbon-free transportation options that allow travelers to reach Bourg-Saint-Maurice from several major European cities;
- A mountain region and numerous partners committed to working alongside us to preserve our environment and to share the values of the mountains and our region;
- A vast and diverse region comprising one town, 39 villages, 4 high-altitude tourist sites, 180 km², and 3 mountain ranges—a region that, in and of itself, drives tourism year-round.
From this assessment, one thing is certain: we are collectively committed.
The Les Arcs community exists. It brings together business leaders, residents, and lovers of the destination. It is close-knit and joyful, sometimes boisterous and unconventional, always positive and caring. Above all, it is ready to take action and go the extra mile.
This realization has also strengthened our desire to speak out on these issues and to make Les Arcs a region determined to find solutions for building a more responsible tourism industry.
Moving forward, our guiding principle remains the same: to blaze new trails, share our experiences, draw inspiration from initiatives that work elsewhere, move forward with humility—sometimes in small steps—and continue to innovate so that we can bring as many people as possible along with us.
Our beliefs for continuing to move forward (in the right direction)
- We believe in a positive vision of environmentalism. Even though the facts and projections may sometimes seem discouraging, we choose to move forward with determination, energy, and optimism.
- We are convinced that, even as a major tourist destination, we can do better rather than simply do more. It’s up to us to show that another model is possible in the long term.
- We believe in the power of community and collaborative intelligence. Beyond grand announcements and large-scale projects, we want to foster initiatives, encourage dialogue, and build a shared culture to ensure the transition is sustainable over the long term.
- We recognize that change will take time. Our responsibility is to support and encourage residents and visitors to adapt their habits and adopt new ways of thinking. Our goal is to empower and guide rather than make people feel guilty.
The 4 Commandments for a Destination Committed to Leaving Its (Most Beautiful) Mark
1 - Better, Not More: Reducing Our Footprint on Our Playground
Doing better rather than more means, first and foremost, implementing a genuine “zero waste” policy for our resources: managing water and energy more effectively, reducing our waste, and optimizing our consumption. The Water Observatory and L’Eau des Arcs are fully aligned with this approach.
It also means preserving and enhancing our real estate assets—particularly through renovation—while caring for the natural spaces around us. We’re also taking action to protect biodiversity, with initiatives such as the restoration of wetlands and the protection of vulnerable species like the black grouse.
2 - Moving Toward Greater Sustainability (and Helping Our Visitors Do the Same)
Reducing our impact also involves how we get around. In the region, we seek to promote sustainable transportation and alternatives to private cars, through the funicular, public transit, and the expansion of cycling.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice’s rail accessibility is also a major asset. Through a partnership with OUIGO and the launch of the Travelski Night Express, several initiatives make it easier to reach Les Arcs by train and encourage lower-carbon travel.
Sustainability also extends to our buildings and the energy we consume. Energy-efficient renovations, improvements in the energy performance of accommodations, and the development of lower-carbon energy sources are among the measures we’re implementing to sustainably reduce our environmental footprint.
3 - Working Together to Go Further
We believe in the power of collective action to drive change. Residents, business owners, local teams, and visitors all have a role to play through shared projects like L’Eau des Arcs.
We also want to share our progress, our successes, and our challenges so we can move forward alongside other regions. The Flocon Vert initiative is fully aligned with this commitment to moving forward together.
4 - Making a Long-Term Commitment
Commitment also means looking beyond the coming seasons. Our ambition is to bring the region to life year-round by diversifying the activities offered in Les Arcs and Bourg-Saint-Maurice and by strengthening their synergy.
This ambition involves, in particular, the development of outdoor activities, with the goal of making Bourg-Saint-Maurice–Les Arcs a true capital of outdoor sports. Projects like HERO, which brings together numerous sports activities and experiences during the summer season, are integral to this effort.
The goal: to enhance the region’s appeal and make it not only a vacation destination but also a place where people live, work, and enjoy the mountains year-round.