Silvrettaseilbahn AG

sustainability lift operations Ischgl

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

In recent years, we have implemented several measures to reduce or minimise our CO2 emissions:

1. ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

We run all the facilities in the ski area of Ischgl using electricity, over 80 percent of which comes from renewable energy. The majority of the energy we use is produced in hydropower stations in the nearby area. (Image: Kops Reservoir, Galtür).

NEW:
As of 1.1.2021, the Silvrettaseilbahn AG will operate all cable cars and chairlifts, mountain restaurants, snow systems, etc. with 100% green electricity (no CO2 emissions) from Austria.

2. EXPANSION OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

Thanks to Silvrettaseilbahn AG solar and heat recovery facilities, we save around 80,000 litres of heating oil every year.

Ischgl Slope Food mountain restaurant and the valley station for Gampen chairlift E4 is heated via fossil-free using geothermics. 

3. DIGITAL SNOW DEPTH MEASUREMENT

All our snow groomers are equipped with GPS technology, which we use to collect accurate snow depth data. This data allows us to determine exactly where we need to place cannons to generate snow, reducing the amount of water required to be pumped as well as the number of hours the snow groomers need to be operation. All in all, we need less snow for slope preparation and avoid damage to the terrain thanks to accurate snow depth data.

4. CO-FINANCING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT (SKI BUSES)

Silvrettaseilbahn AG co-finances ski buses in Paznaun, so we are helping reducing car journeys to the cable car stations.

5. DECLINE IN REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

Did you know that since 1998, 1217 beef cattle, 436 calves and 396 lambs have been purchased from our regional farmers for a fair price and used in our restaurants?

To safeguard against any decline of produce that is difficult to market – meat for instance - a specific abattoir was built where farmers bring their meat stock. This is then purchased by Silvrettaseilbahn AG for a fair price and used in the company's own mountain restaurants, saving any long transport routes.

REFORESTATION IN THE REGION

In winter 2018 and immediately after that in the spring of 2019, storms battered the protective forests in the Austrian state-owned forestry areas within the Ischgl ski area. As part of the region's commitment to natural conservation, we are now supporting re-forestation work, and in spring 2020 planted some 10,000 young Swiss pine and larch trees (this campaign is a voluntary conservation project and is not included in the ski area's carbon footprint work).

25,000 more young Swiss pine and larches in summer 2021

In the Ischgl ski area, Silvrettaseilbahn AG and the Austrian state-owned forestry commission planted a total of 25 thousand young Swiss pine and larch trees during the summer in 2021. 

WHAT YOU MAY PERHAPS NOT KNOW...

When Silvrettaseilbahn AG was founded in 1962 the specific aim was to promote the economic development of the town of Ischgl and the valley communities in the Paznaun region, to prevent emigration and secure the financial existence of the local people. Things have changed a little bit today.

AFFORESTATION IN THE ISCHGL SKI AREA

In the last few years we have planted over 10,000 trees in the Ischgl ski area.

Scheduled for completion in December 2022, the new Silvretta Spa will largely be heated using geothermal energy. This will replace the fossil fuel sources (oil and gas) currently used to heat the existing indoor and outdoor pools.
This measure alone will enable us to reduce our CO2 emissions by an estimated 1,300 tonnes per year.

Did you know that our  town of  Ischgl spans 10,301 ha (according to Wikipedia) and of that a mere 3 % (322 ha) is used for as a skiing area?

With friendly support of:

Silvrettaseilbahn AG

Silvrettaplatz 2
6561 Ischgl
Austria
ATU Nr.: 31779705