Trees act as carbon sinks, playing an essential role in the preservation of fauna and the fight against global warming and the loss of biodiversity. In response to climate and environmental challenges, the Baqueira Beret resort is implementing a reforestation policy that marks a decisive turning point in the sustainable management of its natural resources and the protection of its forest heritage.
Planting a tree is usually a simple and effective solution. Trees provide a necessary habitat for flora and fauna and capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Xavi Ubeira, Commercial Director of the Baqueira Beret resort, tells us about this initiative.
Baqueira Beret: reforestation with a dual purpose
Mitigating the impact on the landscape
The project to build the water tank and the engine room on the hill of Baqueira Beret in 2020 has been accompanied by consideration of all the effects on the landscape and its surroundings. “We didn’t cut down any trees, but as part of the landscape impact, the Catalan Department of the Environment asked us to reforest the area to soften the visual impact of the engine room door and the embankment. So we looked at how we could do that, and we looked at everything to do with the access to the lake, the engine room and the whole main entrance, as well as the embankment around the basin. We started researching and worked with a company called Almar Consulting, based in the south, who offered to help us,” explains Xavi Ubeira.
“The action was carried out with a group of 10-15 people, on a voluntary and disinterested basis, without any profit motive. About ten people from the resort also came to participate. We brought the equipment, dug the holes and planted the trees. The trees were placed around the lake, on the embankment, at the entrance and right next to the road.
A careful, protective and regenerative approach
For this project, 450 trees were planted. “I don’t know how many will survive, we will find out over time. We hope that 80% of the trees will survive and continue to grow. It has been very valuable to find someone who really cares about the environment. We hope that in the spring these trees will start to grow, transforming an area previously devoid of black pines, the region’s endemic species, into a forest of these trees.”
Stones have been placed around the lake to facilitate access in summer. “The entrance is very flat, paved with stones, and you can even access the lake on foot. It is very well integrated, and although the shape of the lake is a bit triangular and half-round, it looks very natural. When the trees start to grow on the sides and embankments, everything will be much more integrated. I think it will be very successful and attractive.
The black pine, autochthonous tree of the Val d’Aran
The black pine is the autochthonous tree of this region, especially in the area that descends into the valley. It is the Pinus uncinata, also known as the hooked pine. This species of pine is characteristic of the Pyrenees and other mountainous regions of Europe. The black pine is distinguished by its needles, which are grouped in pairs, relatively short and rigid, and by its cones, which are curved or hooked, hence its name. These trees are adapted to the difficult conditions of the high mountains, such as poor soils, low temperatures and strong winds. They play an important ecological role in these ecosystems by stabilising the soil and providing habitat for numerous species.
“About five years ago, we also planted this type of tree in the Baqueira 1800 area. When you get to the top of the cable car, there is a carpet that leads to the cafeteria. Just in front, there is an embankment where we have planted trees to hide it a bit. These trees are also growing. We do simple plantings whenever possible, and our aim is always to make the slopes greener ,’ explains Xavi Ubeira.
A reforestation plan
The Baqueira Beret resort has a reforestation action plan as part of its new Biosphere certification, which will be awarded in October 2023. “This certificate recognises our sustainability. There are severalspecific points in this regard,’ explains Xavi Ubeira.
Obtaining the Biosphere certificate
The Biosphere Sustainable certificate is a sustainability label designed specifically for tourism companies and organisations. he certificate plays a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of practices that respect the environment and support local communities, while preserving cultural and natural resources.
It provides international recognition to companies and destinations that adopt these sustainable practices, which can be an important competitive advantage in the tourism sector.
In addition, the Biosphere certificate helps to enhance the tourism experience by promoting responsible and sustainable tourism. The certificate also helps companies demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, which is increasingly valued by consumers.
Finally, the Biosphere certificate is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a framework for sustainable practices in the tourism sector. This label is therefore an important tool to promote more responsible and sustainable tourism, aligning the interests of tourism businesses with the needs of the environment and local societies.
“Every time we work on a runway, we remove the topsoil, which we preserve. After working the runway, we replant this soil, plant it and work it. The following year, when you look at the work that has been done, everything is green, with grass that is greener than the unworked areas. That’s a lot of work. In the same way, every time we cut down a tree, we first have to get permission from the Department of the Environment of the Aran Valley. And we try to plant two to replace it. If this is not directly possible, we work with local associations to plant the trees, and we finance their planting.
Reforestation policy in Baqueira Beret: an endemic approach
In addition to reforestation, the Baqueira Beret resort works intensively on maintaining the slopes by growing local species. These are more resistant and help to maintain the snow cover in winter. “We now have a planting system that varies each year depending on the altitude, with a specific type of seed. We have a team of three people who are dedicated to reseeding all the areas until they are fully reintegrated into the environment. In addition, every year we organise clean-up operations on the mountain. During the winter, a lot of rubbish accumulates and these groups, who take care of the planting, collect the rubbish that is left on the mountain. We do a complete overhaul of the mountain, trying to clean it up.
We are thinking of adopting an approach similar to that of some American resorts, which organise an environmental day in which everyone, from all departments, as well as volunteers from the valley or elsewhere, can take part in a mountain clean-up operation. The idea is to descend from an altitude of 2,500 to 1,500 metres, each person following a path with a bag, collecting all the rubbish they find. During the winter, a lot of waste accumulates and a thorough clean-up is necessary’.
Waste management analysed from an environmental point of view
In 2023, 62% of the waste produced by the resort was recycled
After an in-depth analysis of the carbon impact of waste management and repatriation, it was found that the environmental impact was less with a helicopter round trip than with snow groomers. “We had a lot of problems with wind and bad weather, and sometimes we lost waste when we transported it with the snow groomers. Surprisingly, helicopter transport is much faster and more environmentally friendly. Although it is a bit more expensive, the environmental impact is less because the machines consume a lot of fuel. Now, with the helicopter, the only problem we can have is if we have two weeks of bad weather that prevents us from flying. If that happens for a week and the waste accumulates, we store it in specially created areas, a bit out of the way, so that we can store the waste in case the helicopter can’t fly for a week. It’s a completely different way of thinking that needs to be communicated and understood,” concludes Xavi Ubeira.
