Sustainable Alpine Serenity
At Six Senses Crans-Montana, we seek to push the boundaries of sustainability, from our approach to mindful architecture and efficient engineering, to local sourcing and unforgettable guest experiences. The sawdust pellet heating system uses recovered wood waste to produce heat, while recuperating excess heat from the kitchens, spa, and technical spaces. All our electricity needs are met by renewable Swiss hydroelectricity, in addition to our south-facing solar panels. To ensure healthy air for our guests and hosts, our MERV-13 filtration system ensures exceptional indoor air quality, and our pool filtration system is fitted with UV and active carbon filters, reducing the need for chemicals by up to 50 percent. Six Senses Crans-Montana’s Sustainability Fund, financed by 0.5 percent hotel revenue and Charlotte la Marmotte sales, supports diverse local environmental and social projects. The Earth Lab is a space of innovation, featuring fun and quirky, zero-waste workshops easily emulated back home, from upcycled candles made from used kitchen oil, to flying seed bombs used to rewild our natural habitats.
Environmental Responsibility
We support grassroot projects aimed at increasing and safeguarding biodiversity in flora and fauna, through the Sustainability Fund and host-led initiatives.
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Fruit Tree Seed Bank
The region of Valais is an Eden of fruit production, thanks to abundant sunshine, water, and fertile soil. Today we enjoy a diverse selection of apples, pears, quinces, apricots, nectarines, and more. Yet, many heritage varieties, which support our local ecosystems, have been lost to time. Alongside local horticulturalist and orchardist, Nicolas Lorétan, in 2023, 22 species of heritage fruits were identified using DNA testing, four of which were previously undescribed and have since been added to the national database. The next step is to propagate these varieties in nurseries to continue their lineage, all in the name of preserving cultural heritage and promoting genetic diversity.
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Rewilding through Pollinators
Diversity in flora and fauna is vital to the health of our ecosystem. Ski tourism in the winter, and mountain sports in the summer, can negatively impact our surrounding prairies. In efforts to support the regeneration of wildflower meadows we have installed two insect hotels and five beehives, managed by local apiculturist Thierry Crettol, to give our insect friends a head-start to do what they do best – pollinate.
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Alpine Fun Cleans
Combining a love for nature and environmental stewardship, our team participated in a series of clean-up hikes in our surrounding forests in 2023, removing over 166 kilograms from the ecosystem. From cigarette butts to construction material, we aim to restore nature one piece of trash at a time.
Social Responsibility
The Sustainability Fund also targets social projects in the region, protecting cultural heritage and upholding local know-how. Our proximity to higher-education institutions allows for fruitful discussion and educational opportunities.
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Shepherd Support and Wolf Protection
The return of predators in our mountains signals a healthy ecosystem. Yet their presence can encroach on pastoral livelihood, creating a need for open discussion and balance between conservation and shepherding. OPPAL (Organization Pour la Protection des Alpages) trains volunteers to monitor wolf movement and guard flocks at night. In 2023, we funded over 80 hours to train 360 volunteers. Throughout the year there were 45 predator sightings (wolf and lynx), but zero fatal attacks, allowing shepherds to rest easy, and ensure a non-violent mitigation of wolf management. Through the project 2,140 calves and sheep are protected.
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Inspiring younger generations
Our proximity to higher-education hospitality institutions within Switzerland allows us to engage with tomorrow´s workforce on the evolving dynamics of both social and environmental sustainability within the industry. In 2023, 300 students participated in sustainability-related discussions and electives on campus or within our resort.
