Our valley, in the heart of the Alps, is a breathtaking natural setting.

Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon,

This majestic environment offers us an extraordinary natural playground.
It's up to us to protect the environment we hold so dear.

Our Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon sports ambassadors have taken to the stage to share the valley's commitment to protecting nature.

Working together to keep the mountains SimplyNature

The Territorial Climate Air Energy Plan commitment

Territorial Climate Air Energy Plans (PCAET) were created to implement economic and land-use policies at local level, in response to the global problem of global warming.
This program mobilizes and involves all local players (businesses, associations, citizens, etc.):

As part of the "Positive Energy Territory for Green Growth" (TEPCV) program, the Serre Chevalier Vallée ski area has benefited from thermal cameras made available by the PETR to analyze heat loss from its cabins, in order to reduce energy consumption and improve the efficiency of its buildings.

To find out more

Protecting clean air

Zero pollution peaks

In 2020, no ozone pollution episodes were recorded in the Serre Chevalier Briançon valley (no pollution peaks). Air quality indices in the area were good to very good 83% of the time in 2020, according to Atmosud, the approved air pollution monitoring association. The Hautes-Alpes is by far the department in the southern region with the lowest number of pollution episode days.

Generous sunshine (over 300 days of sunshine a year), practically non-existent fog, very low hygrometry, virtually no dust mites (the micro-organisms responsible for bronchial asthma), very few molds, a short pollen season and very low pollution levels have enabled Briançon to develop high-altitude climatotherapy.
Briançon joined the World Health Organization's (WHO) Healthy Cities network in May 2010, but its history with climatism goes back to the beginning of the 20th century: "climatic resort" status was obtained in 1914.

Hybrid shuttle

Since 2018, transport company Resalp's hybrid shuttle has been transporting locals and holidaymakers across the valley. The first clean public transport vehicle in the Hautes-Alpes, this bus reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fine particles by up to 65%.
In all, Resalp has 6 hybrid vehicles operating in the Serre Chevalier Briançon valley.
What's more, from September 2023 onwards, Resalp will be gradually integrating XTL (alternative biofuel) into diesel fuel. This process will significantly reduce CO2 emissions, which, according to the integration schedule, will be cut by 50% by 2029.

More eco-responsible access by train!

The valley is easily accessible by train to reduce its carbon footprint, via Briançon SNCF station (the Paris-Briançon line by night train is one of the only ones in France!) From Paris or Lyon, the TGV Paris-Milan stops at Oulx (Italy), just 30 minutes from Briançon. Shuttles are provided for each TGV to facilitate transfer to the valley!

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Electric vehicle charging stations
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Renewable energy
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The ski area's Renewable Energy Program.

Serre Chevalier Vallée is the first ski area to produce its own electricity. With a Renewable Energies program in deployment since 2018, the ski area aims to produce 50% of its electricity consumption by 2025, and reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.

This program uses three production technologies simultaneously:

  • hydroelectricity: 2 sites equipped with hydroelectric installations using the snowmaking networks as energy providers
  • photovoltaics: 653m2 of photovoltaic panels have already been installed at 12 sites. The flexible panels were designed by a local company, Sunwind Design
  • small-scale wind power: 2 horizontal-axis wind turbines are in operation

In addition, a hybrid snow groomer is part of the ski area's fleet.

Our commitment

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Le Domaine Skiable de Serre Chevalier Vallée poursuit son engagement dans les Energies Renouvelables.

Hydraulics

EDSB generates hydroelectric power from the Pont Baldy dam and the Schappe, Randon and Fontenil micro-power stations.
More about EDSB

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The wood-fired boiler house

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Committed to the energy transition, Briançon Biomasse Énergie

80% of heat is produced from a renewable, local energy source: biomass, saving 6,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

The BBE boiler plant already supplies heat to an area of 135,000m2.
Find out more

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Wood-fired boiler room Briançon
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Guided tour of Briançon's wood-fired boiler plant

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Eco-responsible leisure facilities

Organic swimming

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Baignade Bio à Serre Chevalier

Halfway between a mountain lake and a swimming pool, Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon's organic baths offer the chance to relax in totally healthy water, drawn from the water table of the Guisane river. Completely free from chemical treatment, the water is filtered by a plant garden and by pozzolan, a natural rock, in an ecological approach that respects flora and fauna.
To find out more

Briançon swimming pool and ice rink

When producing ice, the rink's compressors give off heat, which is then recycled to heat the pool water via plate heat exchangers. Thanks to this system, the pool's fuel oil consumption is reduced by around 300l/day, saving 327 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year!

Briançon multimedia library

Built in the heart of the eco-district, the building complies with the requirements of the Bâtiments Durables Méditerranéens (BDM) label at "gold" level, which minimizes the impact of materials and reduces energy consumption. In Briançon, the wood used is sourced from a local, sustainable "Bois des Alpes" certification scheme. The use of bio-sourced materials was favored.

Accommodations committed to the environment

BDM label

The new multi-disciplinary health center in La Salle les Alpes will be built using Bois des Alpes wood, and has been awarded the Bâtiments Durables Méditerranéens (Mediterranean Sustainable Building) label at gold level.

Esprit Parc national" label

The Ecrins National Park begins in the commune of Monêtier les Bains. Several of the town's accommodations have been awarded the Esprit Parc national label: Gîte Le Flourou, Gîte Le Rebanchon, Hôtel Alliey, Gîte du Fontenil, Auberge du Choucas. This label certifies that the products and services offered are part of an ecological process that preserves biodiversity and heritage. Esprit Parc national is a registered trademark owned by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), and is used in all 11 of France's national parks.
To find out more

Permaculture at the Serre Chevalier Youth Hostel

The Serre Chevalier Youth Hostel has been awarded the Clé Verte (Green Key) label, a guarantee of its commitment to a high-performance environmental approach with the aim of constantly evolving. La Clef Verte (Green Key) is the first international environmental label for tourist accommodation and catering. Composting, chickens, a vegetable garden, organic and local suppliers, sorting, DIY furniture... The Auberge's environmental actions are numerous and concrete.

This year, the Serre Chevalier Youth Hostel is embarking on a committed project: the establishment of an organic and educational garden, and plans to experiment with an agroecological approach based on permaculture. The project has two aims: to offer customers healthy, local, self-produced food by incorporating produce from its harvests into the hostel's menus, and to turn the field into an educational tool by organizing workshops and introductions to gardening, as well as more technical permaculture training courses for children, families and groups. The aim is to encourage social mixing and make the field a place for exchange, discovery and sharing ecological values.

The Graine des Montagnes association is lending its support to this project. The association defends the preservation of cultivated plant biodiversity as a whole, in order to support and contribute to guaranteeing food autonomy and sovereignty over time.

Ecogîtes

The Ecogîte label is the promise of a preserved habitat that respects the environment. Gîtes de France has created the Ecogite® label for accommodation rented to private individuals. These are accommodations designed or restored using techniques or materials recognized as having a low impact on the environment. Le Cerf Che and Gîte Le Rebanchon have been awarded this label.

Preserving Biodiversity

Jardin alpin du Lautaret

Created in 1899 on the initiative of Grenoble's Scientific University, the Alpine Garden has a triple vocation: to welcome the public, to raise awareness of plant protection and to promote research into Alpine flora. The richness of the plant collections and the rock garden layout make this high-altitude botanical garden one of the most beautiful in Europe! The "Discovery & Science" trail, inaugurated in July 2019 to mark the 120th anniversary of the Jardin du Lautaret, invites visitors to ask questions about the world around us, climate change, tourism and agriculture, and showcases the scientific work carried out on site.
Find out more

Ecrins National Park

Exceptional for its biological richness, scenic quality, cultural interest and historically preserved character, it is home to over 1,800 plant species. The richness of its fauna is due to the diversity of its ecological conditions. Because preserving biodiversity and the local economy are perfectly compatible, the Parc national des Écrins is committed to sustainable, eco-responsible tourism!
To find out more

LPO (League for the Protection of Birds)

In the Briançonnais, the LPO works to preserve natural areas, all species and their habitats. The LPO is committed to ensuring that visitors do not disturb fragile mountain species during their outings. Black grouse, passerines, mountain hares, rock ptarmigan... so many species to protect!

The Parc de la Schappe in Briançon is an LPO refuge for biodiversity: chemical-free ecological management, preservation of the tranquility of the site, implementation of conditions conducive to the settlement of wild flora and fauna... A haven of peace for biodiversity in the heart of the city, the Parc de la Schappe is home to a landscaped orchard along the pedestrian path leading to the Cité Vauban.
Find out more

Tree2Forest

Two-time Olympic snowboard cross champion and local boy Pierre Vaultier is helping to save the valley's larch trees through his Tree2Forest association, which works with schools to plant trees and raise children's awareness of environmental issues. This year's goal is to plant 2021 trees!
To find out more

Environmental observatory

An environmental observatory was set up in 2014 across the entire Serre Chevalier Vallée ski area, which has committed to planting trees on the Partias reserve (685 hectares classified as a regional nature reserve, an important refuge area for alpine biodiversity and avifauna) and in grassing. In 2019, a partnership has been set up to produce local seeds.

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Recycling and sorting

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100% recycled Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon souvenirs

For several years now, the Tourist Office has been offering its visitors souvenirs bearing the Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon stamp, using as many recycled materials as possible. This year, the approach has been taken a step further, with souvenirs made from 100% recycled advertising tarpaulins, in partnership with a local company.

When memory rhymes with the future!
This summer, the Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon Tourist Office is offering a selection of souvenirs to take a little bit of the valley home with you: the traditional caps, bags, bottles, water bottles, hats and chokers are now accompanied by kits, bags and pouches 100% recycled by the Haute-Alpes association "Et si c'était avec".
Find out more

"Retrofit of ski lifts

Serre Chevalier Vallée Domaine Skiable is gradually renewing its fleet of lifts, optimizing links between the different sectors and reducing the visual impact of the towers. The Côte Chevalier chairlift was completely renovated in 2018. On this occasion, three lifts were dismantled, and of the 39 towers removed, only 22 were re-erected. The lift is also equipped with a Direct Drive motor, which is more energy-efficient, quieter and cleaner. The energy released by this motor is then reused to heat the lift's premises. The Eychauda chairlift has also been replaced in 2019 and fitted with Direct Drive technology. The chairlift's 94 tonnes of material were reused to replace another nearby unit, the Cibouït chairlift. This retrofit has resulted in substantial savings in resources and avoids greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the reuse of existing materials.

European Week for Sustainable Development: waste collection

Every year in September, the Communauté de Communes du Grand Briançonnais organizes the European Week for Sustainable Development, with the aim of promoting sustainable development, raising awareness of the issues involved and facilitating concrete action. Initiated by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, this week aims to encourage all players - citizens, associations, local authorities, companies... - to get involved, to show and convince ourselves, through a variety of projects, that we can all play a part. Among the various actions, a day is planned alongside Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon's sports ambassadors to collect waste on the slopes.
To find out more

Briançon compost trail

Briançon offers the first compost trail in the Hautes-Alpes region: a circuit to discover the composting cycle. At 8 sites lined with educational panels, you can explore the entire chain involved in reducing waste and recycling food waste.
Find out more