We take care of our mountains

One of our priority goals is to take into account and promote biodiversity in all our development projects. We are already protecting the natural mountain environment in a number of different ways.

How we care for nature

We work systematically to reduce our impact and contribute positively to nature. This means that we:

• Consider natural values in all our projects and follow the mitigation hierarchy
• Adapt land and slope management to benefit plants and wildlife
• Conduct nature surveys and implement measures to protect valuable environments
• Set aside funds to restore nature after major events (e.g. Tjejmilen)

Making skiing wilder – together with WWF and SLAO

We work towards vibrant mountain landscapes.

The mountains are our most important resource and home to many plants and animals. That’s why we actively work to preserve and strengthen biodiversity in and around our destinations.

When the snow melts, ski slopes transform into environments with great potential to support plants, insects and wildlife. With the right care, they can become flowering landscapes that contribute to richer mountain ecosystems.

We are part of a joint initiative together with WWF and SLAO to make Sweden’s ski slopes more vibrant – even beyond the winter season.

Through small but important actions, ski slopes can become valuable habitats for pollinators, plants and animals. Many of Sweden’s pollinators are under pressure today, as flowering land decreases and habitats disappear. Through the initiative “Making skiing wilder,” we aim to reverse this trend and create more habitats in our mountain environments.

What we do on our slopes

To promote biodiversity, we:

• Let plants finish blooming before mowing
  In parts of our slopes, we allow plants to bloom fully before mowing. This creates better conditions for meadow flowers and the pollinators that depend on them.
• Control invasive species that threaten native flora
  We actively work to stop the spread of invasive species that can displace natural mountain flora. Acting early helps protect biodiversity in the long term.
• Use grazing animals to keep landscapes open
  In some areas, we also test natural grazing, where animals help keep the landscape open. This creates habitats for plants, insects and birds.
  All these efforts contribute to more flowers, more pollinators and richer wildlife.

How you can help as a guest

As a guest, you are also an important part of the mountain environment. You can contribute by:

• Not littering
• Staying on marked trails and slopes
• Showing respect for wildlife and vegetation
• Registering at – Gör Sverige vildare

What's hidden in the snow...

32,469 bits of rubbish, of which 11,864 were plastic, 8,233 snuff pieces and 5,236 cigarette butts, corresponding to six tonnes of rubbish, were last collected on our annual rubbish collection day.

Rubbish Pick-Up Day falls every spring after the end of the ski season at all our destinations. That’s when all our employees go out and pick up rubbish in and around the ski area to help clean up after the winter. We call it Håll Fjället Rent (Keep the Mountain Clean). 

Håll Fjället Rent is a collaboration with Håll Sverige Rent and Hold Norge Rent, where we highlight, inform and reduce the rubbish that our mountain resorts and nature unfortunately are exposed to.

Recycling

By recycling, we reduce climate emissions and save both materials and energy.

Increased recycling in Sälen

In Lindvallen, Sälen, we have established six new recycling stations in 2023, known as Sort more. There you can recycle plastic, paper packaging, recycled paper, residual waste, metal, uncoloured glass, coloured glass, food waste and deposits. The stations are partly buried, which means that more waste ends up in the bin than outside, which in turn creates a more pleasant environment around the stations.

In 2024, another seven Sort more stations will be placed in Tandådalen-Hundfjället. With the existing stations, by summer 2024 there will be a total of 15 recycling stations (operated by SkiStar) in operation in Sälen.

You can find your nearest recycling centre here >>

Recycling bags

We’ve provided our guests with recycling bags to make it easier for them to recycle and sort their waste during their stay with us. The recycling bag is located in your lodging or can be collected at selected check-in stations. 

The recycling bag has a QR code on it. Simply scan it with your mobile phone to find the nearest recycling station.

Trail allowance from Tjejmilen Sälen

As part of our efforts to hold sustainable events in the mountains, SEK 10 per participant in Tjejmilen Sälen by EQPE 2023 goes towards a trail allowance. Tjejmilen Sälen has contributed over SEK 20,000 to Destination Sälenfjällen. All the money will go towards renovating and developing the mountain trails, a job that will both protect the mountain environment and make it more accessible. 
 
Tjejmilen Sälen by EQPE is organised in partnership with Marathongruppen. The idea behind Tjejmilen Sälen is to inspire the joy of exercise by hosting a challenge in a magnificent and inspiring mountain environment. 

Behboud's amazing bees

Rabarbergården in Undersåker is a small farm 10 minutes from Åre. The farm comprises several different companies and activities, such as mountain grazing sheep, vegetable farms and, not least, Behboud's amazing bees.

Behboud is a professional beekeeper from Iran. There he had 250 hives full of bees that pollinated his plantations with figs, peaches and colourful flowers. In Åredalen, raspberries, blueberries and cloudberries are some of the bees' favourites.

We at SkiStar are helping to support Behboud’s bees at Rabarberggården in Undersåker and together we are making the mountain in Åredalen a more beautiful and lively place.