In the heart of the French Alps, the ski resorts of the 3 Vallées, such as Courchevel and Méribel-Mottaret, attract thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every year. This vast ski area borders the Vanoise National Park, a protected natural area covering 535 km² between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys. This park, the first of its kind in France, was created in 1963 and, together with its Italian neighbour Gran Paradiso, is one of the largest preserved natural areas in Europe. It is renowned for its varied alpine landscapes, including glaciers, mountain pastures and forests, as well as for its remarkable biodiversity: ibex, chamois, black grouse, ptarmigan and golden eagles live side by side.
Behind these snowy panoramas lies a more discreet reality: that of a fragile ecosystem where wildlife and tourist infrastructures coexist. To harmonise this cohabitation, an unprecedented collaboration has been established between the Vanoise National Park and the 3 Vallées company (S3V), chaired by Pascal de Thiersant, with whom we were able to discuss the subject.
An in-depth study of alpine fauna
Six years ago, an ambitious initiative was launched to study the behaviour of emblematic species such as the black grouse, nicknamed the ‘little heather cock’, the emblematic bird of the mountains, the ptarmigan, known for its change of plumage according to the seasons, and the golden eagle, with a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres. The aim was to understand the impact of human activities on their habitat. ‘We initiated an agreement between the Vanoise Park and the operators of the ski area. The idea was to deepen our knowledge of certain species. We started with the black grouse, the ptarmigan and a little of the golden eagle. In order to collect data, birds were fitted with a GPS sensor to track their movements and activities. The aim was to understand the interactions between human activity in the ski area and the environment,‘ explains Pascal de Thiersant.
Initial observations have revealed that, despite the influx of skiers, the black grouse remains in the ski area. ‘We have discovered some interesting things, particularly in the Belleville valley. Thirty years ago, the ONF planted trees very close together in an experimental area. We have noticed that black grouse have found refuge in this place. In the morning, at 8.30 a.m., when the skiers arrive, they hide quietly, and at 5.30 p.m., when the skiers leave, they come out again.’
This adaptation highlights the resilience of these birds, but also the need to provide them with safe havens. In addition, the data collected thanks to the instrumentation of the birds has provided a better understanding of their movements and their habitat needs.
Concrete measures for the protection of biodiversity
In view of these findings, several actions have been put in place to limit the impact of skiing on wildlife. Quiet zones, off-limits to skiers, have been defined to protect sensitive areas.
To strengthen this protection, a reforestation project has been initiated to create a refuge for many species. ‘We are developing a project to plant thousands of trees to create refuges for black grouse, as well as for the surrounding fauna. This should provide them with better protection while reducing the constraints for skiers.’
Another major advance concerns collisions with ski lift cables, which are responsible for 25% of the mortality of black grouse, a significant proportion on a par with hunting. To remedy this, signalling devices called ‘Bird Marks’ have been installed on the cables. ‘These devices help the birds to spot the cables and thus reduce the mortality rate due to our installations,’ explains Pascal de Thiersant.
The human impact on the food chain
The latest research has also focused on foxes, which have been fitted with GPS tags. It was discovered that human activity in winter allows them to survive by feeding on waste from mountain restaurants and ski resorts. Foxes are natural predators of black grouse (responsible for 25% of the species’ mortality) and other species such as ptarmigan and hares. Indeed, after having survived ’artificially’ the winter season that regulated them, they fall back on the wildlife in spring to feed, especially on the young of the year, easy prey. For example, in the Méribel valley, out of 25 grouse broods spotted, 22 were decimated.
One particular case showed a fox adapting its movements according to the closure of the resorts: ‘For example, a fox that was feeding between the Méribel snow front and the mountain restaurants migrated to Val Thorens after the closure of Méribel-Mottaret on 20 April, because Val Thorens was still open until 8 May. Once Val Thorens closed, it returned to hunting in the wild.’
This phenomenon raises questions about how to reduce the impact of tourism on the local food chain. In view of these findings, Pascal de Thiersant insists on the need to think about solutions that limit foxes’ access to food waste without disrupting their natural lifestyle.
A partnership to reconcile tourism and nature
To further this research and raise awareness among tourism stakeholders, an innovative partnership has been established between the Vanoise Park and the 3 Vallées company. One employee, shared between these two organisations, is responsible for both winter activities and counting the flora and fauna to produce accurate inventories.
‘The idea is to better understand the interactions between the ski area and nature, but also to educate our employees and customers about the natural wealth that surrounds us. Ultimately, nature is our greatest asset, and we must preserve it. This initiative illustrates a growing awareness that tourism and environmental conservation can go hand in hand. In the years to come, this work could inspire other ski areas throughout the Alps and beyond, so that winter tourism goes hand in hand with respect for and conservation of the environment.
An expanding cooperation dynamic
The Vanoise National Park does not limit its efforts to this collaboration with the 3 Vallées. Other resorts, such as Val d’Isère and Val Cenis, have also signed agreements with the park to strengthen the protection of biodiversity and raise awareness among skiers.
The resort of Val Cenis, for example, organised this year the fourth edition of the ‘Nature et Ski’ event, combining skiing and nature awareness, in partnership with the Vanoise National Park.
For its part, the agreement between the Val d’Isère resort and the Vanoise National Park provides for concrete measures, such as the preservation of the black grouse in the ski area, which is a priority. Particularly vulnerable during the winter season, it will be the subject of measures aimed at reducing the disturbances caused by human activities.
At the same time, the management of sensitive areas dedicated to the nesting of the bearded vulture, a protected species and symbol of the massif, will be strengthened thanks to a concerted approach involving local stakeholders. The municipality of Val d’Isère will actively contribute to the implementation of the new management plan for the Bailletaz National Nature Reserve, in close collaboration with the park responsible for its administration. Finally, an educational and cultural component is also planned, including interventions by park officers in local schools as well as the organisation of seasonal events, in summer as well as winter, to raise awareness of environmental issues among residents and visitors.
The aim of these collaborations with the Vanoise National Park and the ski areas is to reconcile tourist activities and the preservation of alpine biodiversity, in a context where environmental awareness is growing. These initiatives could inspire other ski areas across the Alps and beyond, so that winter tourism goes hand in hand (increasingly) with respect for and preservation of the environment.
