Ecorider is the first ski school to get involved in developing an environmentally-friendly strategy. Based in Chamonix, the school has undertaken a carbon footprint assessment of its activity and raises awareness of its “eco” approach with clients. Seminar organisers seem to appreciate this way of working.
Stéphane Lagarde is a born “eco-warrier”. At the end of 2008, this former professional skier opened the first ski school to adopt an environmentally-friendly approach to its business, using the Mountain Riders association to undertake a carbon footprint assessment – the very first one in this type of sector. Throughout one whole winter season he recorded his movements on a daily basis in order to calculate the various levels of CO2 emissions.
The final result proved that he emitted 32 tons over a four month period, which is equal to three times the amount produced by an average person! He was surprised that emissions were so high, as he was already very conscious of the potential impact on the environment. His findings led him to search for the best way of compensating for his emissions, which he has done by participating in reforestation projects in the Peruvian Amazon.
It is this experience that his school and its ten instructors aim to share with clients and in particular with seminar organisers in the Chamonix Valley. Indeed there are increasing numbers of clients who sign up to the concept developed by Ecorider in collaboration with the Temmos-owned hotels, Le Morgane and Les Aiglons.
“We’re talking genuine “eco” stays, including ski or snowboarding lessons as well as local product and organic wine tastings,” clarifies Stéphane Lagarde. “Those companies that come to us,tend to be companies that are already aware of environmental problems. And when there’s a choice between two suppliers, they’ll go for the more eco-friendly one”. Ecorider is the only ski school of this type in the French Alps (probably the only one in Europe), finding that foreign clients seem to be more open to the environmental issues. “Foreign clients, mostly English-speaking, make up 70% of our clientele,” adds Stéphane Lagarde.
Ecorider’s range of eco-tourism packages includes a couple that are organised in partnership with the Hôtel Morgane and the Hôtel Les Aiglons. The first one offers four nights at Le Morgane, a 4* property, including breakfast, three days of skiing, a dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Bistrot, and an organic wine tasting. This package costs from 260 € per person per day. The second package is at the 3* Les Aiglons, including three nights on a half-board basis, two days of skiing or snowboarding, a tasting of organic wines and local products. Prices for this package start at 217.50 € per day per participant.
From next winter, Ecorider will also offer ski joëring in Les Houches or in Vallorcine as well as dog sledding. Worth noting is the fact that its business can easily be transferred to other resorts where the Temmos group has properties, such as Val d’Isère, Les Arcs or Les Menuires.
Ecorider, in Chamonix (Haute-Savoie)
00 33 (0)6 36 66 48 10
