Learn about Levi Ski Resort's the 8 most impactful areas of our environmental efforts

Did you know that Levi Ski Resort is the first ski resort in the Nordics to have obtained the ISO 14001 environmental certificate?

The international ISO 14001 environment certification, awarded to us in 2018, is a recognition to our systematic efforts to preserve arctic nature. Granted and monitored by an external auditor, the certificate requires continued development activities from us in the future as well as calculations into the environmental impacts of the different areas of our business.

Post published on 17.7.2020 and updated on 5.4.2024.

The infographic below showcases the results of our environmental efforts thus far. Our goal is to only use renewable power sources, such as thermal energy.

Let’s take a closer look at the 8 most significant areas of our environmental efforts.

1. LED-ILLUMINATED SKI SLOPES

We minimize energy use in the slopes, by LED and automated lighting. We have changed operating hours to 9.30 am – 7 pm and thus gained an extra half an hour of natural light in the mornings and reduced the need for artificial lighting in the evenings by a full hour.

We use energy-efficient LED technology in our slope areas. For example, on the Front Slopes, during the darkest winter season the need for artificial lighting is 10 hours per day for 30 days a month, for 4 months in a year. This means that with the LED lights we save 269,280 kWh of energy every year. If an average detached house consumes 22,000 kWh per year, the LEDs on the Front Slope save an amount that equals the yearly consumption of 12+ detached houses.

We have also changed other areas and outdoor lights, as well as indoor and outdoor lights in the repair shop areas to LEDs. These counted together amount to energy savings of 64,478 kWh. The total saved energy in illumination is 333,758 kWh.

2. AUTOMATED SNOWMAKING SYSTEM

Our automated snow guns are operational only when the weather conditions are favorable. The automation relies on data obtained from the ski resort’s weather station and on the snow depth measurements collected by the SnowSat system in the slope machines that operate around the different slopes. The snow guns themselves are equipped with weather sensors. Compared to traditional manually operated snow guns, which need to be transported to the site and switched on, the automated guns use water only when and where it is beneficial. The new automated guns do not require transportation on a snowmobile or slope machine, bringing fuel savings as well.

At the moment, there are 307 snow cannons within the automatic snowmaking system. We invest annually in the development of our snowmaking system.

Read more how automated snowmaking helps improve our energy efficiency?

3. FARMED SNOW

Snow that is stored during the summer, tightly packed under thermal insulation, significantly reduces the amount of water needed for making new snow. At the World Cup slope, snow has been stored since 2016, when we stored 30,000 cubic meters of snow.

In 2020, we also invested in state-of-the-art protective covers, which significantly reduce the waste of recycled snow. The amount of preserved snow has increased annually, and currently, we store approximately 200,000 cubic meters of snow for the opening of the winter season in October.

4. BIOFUELS IN GROOMERS AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT

We have also invested in new energy-saving snow grooming machines. We have switched to using biofuels in slope groomers for the 2023-2024 season. We use Finland's first hybrid snow grooming machine, PistenBully 600E, with which fuel consumption is reduced by approximately 20%. Our four snow grooming machines are equipped with a SnowSat system. By measuring snow depth, it is possible to plan and enhance snowmaking and machine operations more effectively.

Furthermore, all our snowmobiles used in slope and maintenance operations, as well as slope first aid, are new and energy-efficient four-stroke snowmobiles, which significantly save on fuel. We provide training to our staff on fuel-efficient driving techniques and monitor fuel consumption on a per-machine basis.

5. WASTE SORTING AT THE SKI RESORT

In addition to sorting our own waste, we encourage customers to sort waste, such as candy wrappers and beverage cans, at waste collection points located around the slopes and the restaurants.

The restaurants have three sorting points and there are another 27 sorting points around the ski areas, all of which offer sorting for combustible waste, bottles, and cans, as well as plastics.

During the 2018/2019 season, 15 waste collection points were in use. The number was doubled for the 2019/2020 season to 30 points. At the same time, we designed new waste sorting symbols, which have been introduced throughout the Levi tourist area.

Waste has been sorted at Levi Ski Resort for a long time, but we are constantly making improvements. All waste is sorted.

Sorting is something each customer and visitor can impact. Let's work together to ensure that waste and rubbish get properly sorted.

6. INDOOR HEATING WITH GEOTHERMAL AND SURPLUS HEAT

We use geothermal and surplus heating for our properties. We also utilize the waste heat from snow cannon compressors for heating our buildings. Currently, South Point and West Point facilities, and in the summer of 2024, the Gondoli 2000 event center, are heated using 100% geothermal energy.

7. CLIMATE WORK AS PART OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS

Levi Ski Resort calculated its carbon footprint for the first time in 2020. At that time, the calculation was done in collaboration with Metsähallitus in the ToBe Low Carbon project. The calculation was based on ISO 14067, 14069, and 14064 standards, and it was carried out by Afry Finland Ltd. Based on the calculation, an action plan was created to reduce the carbon footprint.

In 2023, it became necessary to update both the carbon calculation and the action plan. In the latest calculation, a calculation method based on the GHG Protocol was used, and the calculation examined one financial year (October 2022 - September 2023). Compared to the previous calculation, the scope of the calculation was broader, including other emissions from the value chain (scope 3 emissions).

Read about Levi Ski Resort carbon footprint calculation and reduction measures.

8. EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH COOPERATION

We have an environmental team in our company that implements our environmental program. The ski resort management and the entire organization are committed to environmental work.

Our environmental team consists of Safety Manager Heikki Saarensalmi, Slope Manager Teemu Hämäläinen, Lift Supervisor Juha Nevalainen, Slope Supervisor Jani Hämäläinen, Trail Supervisor Jouko Majava, Property Manager Antti Rauhala, Electrical Works Supervisor Kari Laitinen, Sustainability Manager Tuukka Sutinen, and Commercial Director Marko Mustonen.

We do our best to protect our Arctic environment. We strive to set an example and contribute to the environmental work of the entire Levi Tourist Area.

When you arrive at Levi, you too can participate in our environmental work with your own important contribution. Let's take care of the beautiful nature of Lapland together!

Read more about our environmental work at www.levi.fi/responsibilityprogram, and share your own environmental efforts with us in social media with hashtags #oneactionatatime #levilapland #purenature!