On 9 May 2025, at the INTERALPIN trade fair in Innsbruck, eight of the world’s largest ski resort operators announced the creation of the Global Sustainability Ski Alliance (GSSA). This initiative marks the first international collaboration in the ski industry. It aims to accelerate climate action, reduce CO₂ emissions and promote sustainable innovations.
The founding members include Compagnie des Alpes (France), KitzSki (Austria), Kronplatz (Italy), LAAX (Switzerland), Levi Ski Resort (Finland), NZSki (New Zealand), Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal Bergbahnen (Germany) and SkiStar (Sweden and Norway). Together, these resorts operate more than 800 ski lifts and record around 25 million skier days per year.
Objectives and commitments of the Alliance
The Global Sustainability Ski Alliance (GSSA) positions itself as a catalyst for sustainable winter tourism in the face of the challenges of climate change. Each member has already implemented green initiatives, but this alliance allows them to pool their expertise for a more significant impact.
Dominique Thillaud, CEO of Compagnie des Alpes, emphasises: ‘As an industry directly affected by stable winter conditions, it is our responsibility to actively participate in change and play a pioneering role. We are focusing our efforts on the emissions reductions needed to meet the Paris Agreement in our own operations, and we must now work together to increasingly involve our supply chains.”
Stefan Sjöstrand, CEO of SkiStar, adds: ‘We are proud to have taken the initiative to establish the Global Sustainability Ski Alliance, bringing together some of the world’s leading ski resorts to collectively advance a more sustainable industry. By sharing information, data and innovations, we can accelerate the actions needed to address the climate challenges facing ski tourism today.’
The Global Sustainability Ski Alliance advocates for profound change
In the face of the climate emergency, the alliance recognises that the transition is not limited to reducing the ecological footprint. It requires profound changes in business processes, from infrastructure to supply chain management.
Anton Bodner and Christian Woerister, members of the KitzSki board of directors, said: ‘We are working with our suppliers to prioritise actions based on decarbonisation needs and support them in developing low-carbon innovations. International collaboration with leading partners from the ski lift and tourism industries in the areas of mobility, energy consumption, sustainability and research and development is essential for us as a company to ensure positive and successful development in the future.”
Andreas Dorfmann, CEO of Kronplatz, adds: ‘By standardising environmental data and developing performance indicators, the environmental impact of the alliance and its supply chains will be continuously monitored.’
Reto Gurtner, CEO and President of Weisse Arena Group, which operates the LAAX ski resort, adds: ‘We are advancing electrification, maximising energy efficiency and relying entirely on renewable energies, all while respecting nature.’
Global Sustainability Ski Alliance: supporting local communities
The Global Sustainability Ski Alliance (GSSA) is also committed to strengthening local communities, assuming social and regional responsibility alongside environmental protection. Tourism operators see themselves as an integral part of local communities, with a direct impact on employment, economic cycles and quality of life in the region.
Henrik Volpert, CEO of OK Bergbahnen, emphasises: ‘We want to demonstrate how sustainable tourism works in practice, in an economically viable, ecologically efficient and socially responsible way.’
Innovation and collaboration as pillars of success
The launch of the GSSA took place at the INTERALPIN 2025 trade fair in Innsbruck, a major event celebrating its 50th anniversary. The trade fair is recognised as the leading international meeting place for decision-makers in the alpine technology and ropeway industry. It showcases innovations in the fields of alpine and urban mobility, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
Mario Gerber, Provincial Councillor for Tourism and Economy, summarises INTERALPIN’s central role in regional value creation: ‘Tourism is a key economic factor in Tyrol and contributes significantly to regional value creation, employment and quality of life. The INTERALPIN trade fair supports this development by presenting innovations in the fields of alpine infrastructure, sustainable mobility and digital solutions. These strengthen Tyrol as a tourist and business destination and raise its international profile.”
The creation of the Global Sustainability Ski Alliance represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the ski industry. By joining forces, these ski resort operators are demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile economic development, environmental protection and social responsibility. This alliance could serve as a model for other tourism sectors facing similar challenges related to climate change. Paul Anderson, CEO of NZSki, concludes: ‘The real strength of our alliance lies in our shared ambition to transform the industry in a sustainable way through collective responsibility and groundbreaking innovations.’
