Tremblant is the first company in Quebec to achieve level 4 certification of the Eco-Responsible Program of the Sustainable Industries Council. Five years after joining the CID Eco-Responsible Program, Tremblant reached the highest level of certification. Controlled by Ecocert Canada, obtaining this certification rewards the fruit of continuous work which demonstrates Station Mont Tremblant’s commitment to sustainable development.
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Eco-responsibility
Sustainable development at the heart of Tremblant
Key facts since 2021:
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trees planted
2602 -
tonnes of CO2 equivalent offset
364
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More than 20 years of commitment
Tremblant has dedicated itself to sustainable development, actively taking steps to safeguard its environment.rich-text, responsive-table
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Tremblant has deployed countless green initiatives, from waste management best practices promoting recycling and composting, reducing light pollution to save energy, watering with untreated water, carpooling, zero paper best practices, using free shuttles, off-road vehicles and electric carts, introducing solar panels and e-car charging stations, protecting the mountain’s ecosystems during development and snowmaking, implementing a green hotel program as well as steering promoters towards hosting and managing eco-friendly events. rich-text, responsive-table
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction rich-text, responsive-tableCarpooling incentives
As part of the Climate Challenge Program, preferred parking spaces are now reserved for carpooling in Tremblant’s free parking lots (3 or more people per car). A total of 60 preferred parking spaces have been allocated in P1-P2-P3-P6.
Climate Challenge
Since the 2017/18 season, Tremblant is one of the new participants in the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)’s Climate Challenge. This voluntary program is dedicated to help ski areas reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). With its participation in this program along with about fiftyother ski areas across Canada and the United States, Tremblant is committed to implementing at least one GHG emissions reduction project every year.
The Climate Challenge allows the ski area to set a reduction target yearly and to see tangible progress each season to address climate change and meet its commitment.
This program has many advantages, not only for the ski area with a reduction of its energy costs, but also for visitors, for the community and for the planet. Much like Tremblant’s eco-responsible corporate certification, its participation in the Climate Challenge is a step further toward sustainable development.
Off-road electric vehicles
In 2011, the Site and Buildings Maintenance Team (ESB) acquired its first electrical vehicle. This zero noise, zero-emission vehicle that improves Tremblant’s GHG emissions record, was upgraded to a more efficient model in 2015.
With such benefits, the ESB team acquired two more of the same electric vehicles in 2016 and 2017. These three off-road vehicles are mainly used for the maintenance in the pedestrian village, for sanitary maintenance and for building maintenance.Eco-friendly golf carts
In an effort to further reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere, Le Diable golf course replaced in 2006 all its gas-powered golf carts by electric carts.Anti-idling program
As of February 2011, Tremblant has taken several initiatives under the Stop your engine program implemented by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC), in collaboration with the Association des Stations de Ski du Québec (ASSQ). This program aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by stopping needless motor idling.
What is idling?
Idling is leaving the engine of your vehicle run when the vehicle is immobilized.
Why should we turn off our engine?
Engine idling produces harmful fumes that are highly responsible for climate changes: carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen oxide (NOx). Generated by fuel combustion, these molecules are called greenhouse gas (GHG). GHG emissions contribute to global warming and can be reduced simply by turning off your engine.
How can I contribute to this program?
Very simple: turn off your engine when your vehicle is immobilized for more than three minutes. Look for the Here we turn off our engine posters in P1, P2 and VIP parking lots, at Chalet des Voyageurs, and at Guest Services.
How does Tremblant contribute to this program?
By training employees and shuttle drivers to turn off their engine when their vehicles are not in motion.Electric cars charging stations
Charging stations for electric cars are available in various parking lots around the pedestrian village. They are identified with a green icon and are reserved to electric cars only.
See the list of parking lots available
Spies in our snow groomers
Our grooming machines are equipped with a small device that is similar to a black box. This device records useful data for our managers: idling time, engine speed, braking peaks, etc. This data is intended to identify and change energy-consuming practices in order to get better fuel economy and reduce GHG.Car-free access to the casino
The Casino Express gondola, which connects the South Side to Versant Soleil, is a free electric public transporter that reduces the use of personal vehicles. When not in operation, guests can travel from site to site by boarding the free shuttle bus.Refuge du Trappeur now runs on Solar Energy
In the fall of 2019, new dry toilets were installed at the Refuge du Trappeur.We took this opportunity to install solar panels on the roof of the toilets to run the lighting and direct payment devices at the refuge without the use of a generator. During the day, batteries store energy to be able to distribute power in the evening for fondue dinners. Previously, the generator had to run all day and into the evening to meet the electricity needs for those events.The advantages of high density development
The layout of Tremblant’s south side, commonly known as the pedestrian village, is characterized by a dense central core encouraging people to move around on foot. Furthermore, most of the hotels and residential developments are equipped with ski access or are served by a network of free shuttle buses. This organization of space reduces the need to use personal vehicles on site and contributes to GHG reduction. Compared to low density projects, high density projects also reduce the rate of deforestation per residential unit.
Energy and Water Management rich-text, responsive-tableReduction of light pollution
New lighting fixtures at Versant Soleil and in the VIP parking lot contributes to keep a "darker sky"’, meaning that they direct less light toward the sky than regular fixtures. This helps the astronomical observatory at the nearby Domaine Saint-Bernard which is equipped with a 16-inch telescope that is very sensitive to light pollution.Watering plants on the South Side
Since 2009, the garden areas on the South Side are watered by untreated water pumped directly out of Lac Miroir. The flowers and the grass are watered at night or early in the morning to reduce water loss due to evaporation.
Conservation of Ecosystems rich-text, responsive-tableMountain development
To respect nesting of forest birds, Tremblant carries out its deforestation work on the mountain as much as possible from August to April. To prevent destruction of eggs or chicks still in their nest, deforestation is avoided from May to July.Erosion and mountain construction
Without well-designed protection measures, the construction of ski trails on the mountain can lead to severe erosion and water quality problems. Tremblant is proud to have, over the years, developed a construction method that limits the impacts on the environment: construction from top to bottom in a single step, stabilization team following the construction team, use of a helicopter when needed, etc.
Moreover, in 2017, Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company invested over $1 million to work on drainage systems to reduce the risk of soil erosion.
For ecosystem maintenance, we participated in a training project for creating and maintaining hiking trails which was part of a Living Lab focused on adapting to climate change. All supervisors and a large portion of the employees dedicated to mountain trail maintenance were present.Snow production and the environment
Each year Tremblant uses 1.3 million cubic metres of water to mechanically produce snow, the equivalent of 430 Olympic-size swimming pools. How do we make snow? Where does the water come from? What kind of approval is required?
How snow is made?
To begin with, it is important to understand that snow production is essentially a mechanical process requiring no chemicals. The three ingredients for snow production are cold temperatures, water and compressed air.
In general, we produce snow when the outdoor temperature is -8°C or lower. This requires two different pipes; one carries untreated water drawn from a natural source and the other carries compressed air. These pipes are connected to snow guns set along various ski trails. The compressed air propels fine water droplets in the cold air where they turn into snow.
Where are our water sources?
Our two water sources are Lac Tremblant and the Rivière du Diable. Tremblant is authorized to collect water from these two water sources.Tree and shrubs plantations
As part of the Tonga Lumina night trail project, over 650 trees have been planted to improve forest regeneration in the area. Among the species planted were white pine, yellow birch, sugar maple, white spruce and black spruce.Nature reserve of the Rivière-du-Diable
Property of Station Mont Tremblant, forest lands located on both sides of Rivière du Diable, between Le Géant and Le Diable golf courses, were officially recognized as a private nature reserve in March 2014. The nature reserve of the Rivière-du-Diable protects 74 hectares of land in perpetuity, including 3 kilometers of Rivière du Diable’s shoreline. By this gesture of voluntary conservation, Station Mont Tremblant aims to protect Rivière du Diable as well as a regional wildlife corridor used by white-tailed deers.
What is a private nature reserve?
In an effort to support landowners in their desire to protect ecosystems, species and landscapes on their properties, the Government of Québec adopted on December 18, 2002, the Natural Heritage Conservation Act. This Act allows the Minister of Sustainable Development Environment and the Fight against Climate Change to recognize the involvement of owners by giving reserve status to their properties.Golf pesticide and fertilizer monitoring
Tremblant is a member of an independent regional committee that includes the six golf courses located in Ville de Mont-Tremblant. The primary objective of this committee is environmental protection. Since 2003, unified environmental monitoring is conducted on a regular basis by an external consultant. Nearly 2000 fertilizer and pesticide analyses are performed each year in order to preserve water quality in Rivière du Diable. The results are sent to Ville de Mont-Tremblant and to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC).Response to hazardous materials spills
Over the course of the last years, Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company has deployed several hazardous material spill kits throughout the site. In 2017, all employees working with or near hazardous materials were trained to react rapidly in case of an incident. The training focused on fast response methods to ensure quick absorption of hazardous materials and minimize impact on the ecosystem to preserve our precious environment.
Raw Materials and Waste Management rich-text, responsive-tableCollection of recyclable materials
- In 2021, nearly 35% of waste management were diverted from landfills through recycling and composting.
- Between January and December 2017, the Site and Buildings Maintenance Team collected nearly 600 tons of recyclable materials at the ski area. In terms of volume, the mass corresponds to 174 containers of 40 cubic squares, enough to fill the surface of a football field 1.3-metres thick. With these efforts, 6,960 cubic yards of reusable materials were diverted from landfills.
Where does the trash go from the summit of Mont Tremblant?Composting project
The ski area started collecting organic materials in 2013. Today, all Tremblant's cafeterias, all employee break rooms, all hotels with kitchens and dining rooms, all resort restaurants and the entire residential sector have integrated the practice of composting.
Organic materials are sent to the Régie Intermunicipale des Déchets de la Rouge (RIDR) in Rivière-Rouge to be transformed into compost. In 2019, over 120 tons of organic waste were diverted from the landfill site through sorting. Plastic is no longer popular in Tremblant cafeterias where plates, bowls, utensils and straws are now made of cardboard or other compostable materials.
This will allow us to comply with the policy on residual materials management of the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC).
Green hotel program
We are proud of the sustainable development initiatives of most of our hotels:- Every room is equipped with recycling bins
- Our teams use phosphate-free and environmentally friendly cleaning products
- The unfinished toilet paper rolls are used in the employee bathrooms
- The used soaps are sent to the non-profit organization Clean the World, which recycles the soaps and delivers them around the world to people in need
- In winter, the temperature of unoccupied rooms is set to 18 °C (65 °F)
- Every gas fireplace is equipped with a timer
- All lights are switched off after each departure and when housekeeping leaves the units.
In addition, Les Suites Tremblant hotels offer a Green Program that is very simple to join. To reduce energy, water, detergent and chlorine consumption, guests are invited to reuse their towels during their stay. This initiative helps to preserve the mountain’s natural resources.Old uniforms find a second life
To extend the useful life of its uniforms and divert them from landfills, Tremblant’s Snow School has partnered with a humanitarian organization to send its old uniforms to Chile. Over the past 10 years, 3 shipments cumulating nearly 1,000 ski uniforms have been sent for a second life on the slopes.
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Local and regional development rich-text, responsive-tableDéveloppement économique Mont-Tremblant (DEM) organization
Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company actively takes part in the Mont Tremblant Economic Development organization (Développement économique Mont-Tremblant (DEM)), a non-profit organization founded in 2015 with a mandate to coordinate and manage economic development projects on the Ville de Mont Tremblant territory. Public transit is one of the projects set up by this committee.Tremblant Resort Association (TRA) Board of Directors
Tremblant Resort Association is a non-profit organization founded in June 1993 by the Quebec National Assembly. It has over 2400 members, including Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company, and provides guests with a memorable and distinctive resort experience by offering an entertainment program, world-class events and shows, most of which are accessed for free, as well as international quality services and facilities.
Exemplarity at the heart of our activities rich-text, responsive-tableMON Tremblant program
The MON Tremblant Program was created to give local kids a chance to learn about skiing through a free ski day on the slopes in January. In partnership with local schools, each student who participates gets a lift ticket, ski equipment rental and a beginner’s ski lesson, all for free. Accompanying parents also receive a ski ticket and the necessary equipment for the day. Students leave this day with their Tremblant pass giving them access to discounts to be used toward family ski days throughout the winter.
ICI On Recycle + program "Performance" attestation
In November 2019, the Chalet des Voyageurs and La Fourchette du Diable received the “Performance” attestation from Recyc-Québec’s ICI On Recycle + program, with the highest rates compared to all companies that received this mention in the cafeteria category. In March 2020, thanks to its efforts, Le Grand Manitou was rewarded with the same attestation. This recognition is a proof of the good management of raw and residual materials based on the 3RV rule.Eco-responsible events
Tremblant International Blues Festival
In 2022, the Tremblant International Blues Festival qualified for the Level 3 Responsible Event Management Certification given by the Réseau québécois des femmes en Environnement (RQFE) and its Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsables. Here are a few examples of measures implemented that contributed to our certification:
- To limit greenhouse gas emissions, 55% of suppliers have their headquarters within 100 km of the event and 77% of suppliers have a branch office within 100km.
- Decorations and props are reused and equipment rented, whenever possible.
- Event programming is posted onsite in a digital format.
- Signage is posted on the sorting islands (recycling, compost and waste) and awareness efforts are included in the launch campaign.
- The organization put in place measures to offer several modes of transportation, such as holding the event on a pedestrian site, free shuttle service, free use of the Ville de Mont-Tremblant’s transportation network, and bicycle paths linking all of the regional zones.
- A financial contribution of $500 was given to Planetair to symbolically compensate for the GHG emissions generated by festival goers’ travels.
Festival Rando Alpine Tremblant
- In 2019 and 2020, the Festival Rando Alpine Tremblant has received a level 2 eco responsible certificate from the BNQ recognized by the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsable (Sustainable Event Council).
- In 2019, Station Mont Tremblant was awarded the Excellence Award for Environment and Sustainable Development from the Association des stations de ski du Québec for its commitment and sustainability achievements during the event.
- During the 2020 festival’s dinner, waste was weighed and sorted resulting in 99.1% of it being diverted from the landfill through recycling and composting.
La Classique Salomon Tremblant
In 2019 and 2021, La Classique Salomon Tremblant was very proud of receiving a level 2 eco responsible certificate from the BNQ recognized by the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsable (Sustainable Event Council). To preserve our environment, the organization is committed to take concrete actions to reduce the course’s footprint, educate and share good practices:
- In 2022, 85% of materials were diverted from landfill and 4g of waste was generated per participant. Here are the figures: 6.3 kg of waste, 19.6 kg of recycling and 15.8 kg of compost.
- The 3-RV rule should be respected : Reduce – Reuse – Recycle and Valorization – no glass will be offered on the course – participants must bring their own bottle to refill.
- The "no footprint" will be a major guideline during each trek.
- Participants should remain on the trails to avoid erosion.
- In order to reduce the GHG (greenhouse gases), we encourage the carpooling and public transports.
Ironman Mont-Tremblant
Tremblant is closely involved as a member of the IRONMAN Eco-Responsible committee (5i50, 70.3 and Subaru IRONMAN). For many years, each event has been certified eco-responsible by the Bureau de Normalisation du Québec.
The committee strives to offset, as much as possible, greenhouse gas emissions that are emitted during each event through flat-rate compensation from the IRONMAN organization combined with voluntary compensation from athletes. Every year since 2015, IRONMAN offers carbo-neutral events at the organizational level. Greenhouse gases emitted are offset by planting trees in Quebec’s boreal forest, program supported by Carbone Boréal. Since the first editions, as of 2107, IRONMAN contributed to planting over 4,600 trees.
Moreover, the IRONMAN Eco-Responsible Committee has implemented good waste management practices and has managed to successfully divert more than 75% of materials from landfills.
In 2018 and 2019, the IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant event won the Vivats Recyc Québec Responsible Waste Management Award. -
Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company’s Eco-Responsible Charter demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development and long-term respect of its economic, physical and social environment as well as the application of sound governance practices within its organization. Carried by both management and employees, this charter expresses a voluntary approach to progress in order to provide future generations the same experiences in nature as fulfilling as the ones we live today.
Environmental issues are certainly a high priority for us, but this type of programme has an even broader scope because it educates our employees, visitors and children about environmentally friendly practices that extend well beyond our installations. These new ways of ensuring sustainability affect both our environment and our children, and this makes us very proud.
– Patrice Malo, President and chief operating officer of Station Mont Tremblant
A diagnostic was undertaken to evaluate the level of integration of sustainable development principles within Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company and to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) from an eco-responsibility perspective. The organization hopes to focus on these main issues:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
- Raw and residual materials management
- Quality of products and services
- Impact on the regional economic development
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2022 — Certificates of Excellence as part of Climate Challenge program (NSAA)
Station Mont Tremblant has achieved excellence in Climate Advocacy and Climate Action as part of the Climate Challenge program lead by National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). The ski resort supported climate policy and innovative solutions that further the transition to a clean energy economy and also has satisfactorily tracked and reduced carbon emissions.
2021 — Eco-responsible Business Mention, Level 3
Station Mont Tremblant was proud to obtain Eco-responsible Certification level 3 – Performance, from the Conseil des Industries Durables.
2019 — Eco-responsible Business Mention, Level 2
Station Mont Tremblant was proud to obtain Eco-responsible Certification level 2 – Performance, from the Conseil des Industries Durables.
2017 — Eco-responsible Business Mention
In June 2017, the Sustainable Industries Council (Conseil des Industries Durables – CID) awarded Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company with the level 1 – Commitment of the Eco-responsible for Sustainable Development Certification Program. This eco-responsible program integrates a set of tools and strategies to support businesses or organizations looking to improve their overall management of sustainable development. This certification goes hand in hand with the orientation of the ski area's activities toward sustainable development since 2016.
2014 — Nominee for Phénix Environmental Award
The reputation of the Phénix Environmental Awards is firmly established. As the highest environmental distinction in Québec, it rewards excellence in sustainable development. Station Mont Tremblant entered its landfill waste reduction programme by which composting stations were introduced at the ski area’s assorted foodservices (Chalet des Voyageurs, Grand Manitou and Fourchette du Diable). The project was retained among this year’s finalists, and the team has been invited to the National Assembly’s ‘salon rouge’ in Quebec City as part of the September 18 Gala when winners will be announced. All finalists are also eligibleto win Hydro Québec's People’s Choice Award.
2014 — Winner of Environment & Sustainable Development Award
Since 2005, the selective waste sorting programme has become well rooted at Station Mont Tremblant. By implementing composting to the existing waste reduction strategy, the firm has won the 2014 Environment & Sustainable Development Award presented by Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASSQ). "Environmental issues are certainly a high priority for us, but this type of programme has an even broader scope because it educates our employees, visitors and children about environmentally friendly practices that extend well beyond our installations. These new ways of ensuring sustainability affect both our environment and our children, and this makes us very proud," says Patrice Malo, President and Chief Operating Officer at Station Mont Tremblant.
2013, 2014 — Level 2 ICI on recycle +
Three of the main ski area’s buildings are certified level 2 – Implementation of the ICI on recycle + program. La Fourchette du Diable and the Chalet des Voyageurs were certified in 2013 while the building at the summit, Le Grand Manitou, was certified level 2 in 2014. These certificates, renewed every two years, have allowed Mont Tremblant Resorts and Company to be recognized for its commitment to environmental protection and as a leader in its sector of activity for responsible waste management. rich-text, responsive-table
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