Eco-Innovation At Altitude Continues to Benefit Chamonix's Mountain Huts
A cross-border project between Chamonix, Italy & Switzerland to make huts more ecologically sustainable
For a number of years the "Eco-Innovation at Altitude" project has been working to develop innovative solutions related to problems like water treatment, waste management, energy efficiency, procurement and health & safety in high altitude refuges and huts.
The project was initiated by a tri-national partnership represented by the Department of Economy, Energy and the territory of the Canton of Valais Romand, the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley, the Communes of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Courmayeur Mountain Safe Foundation, the French Federation of Alpine Clubs and the town of Les Contamines Montjoie.
So far they have undertaken a large number of eco-audits which allow them to assess and implement changes needed at certain huts and to experiment with best practise on how to adapt the shelters.
They have also been organising training seminars with the guardiens of the huts and communicating sustainability with hikers and climbers to raise awareness, as well as promoting the huts more widely to the public.
Recent work to improve huts in the Chamonix valley has included the complete re-build of the Refuge du Gouter, the Albert Premier, the Tete Rousse, the Leschaux, Les Conscrits, the Cosmiques and the Gervasutti. Most of these are now sporting solar panels, better waste and water treatment facilities, let alone improved conditions inside too.
Take a look at our full list of mountain huts.
And to see and hear more about the future of mountain huts in the Mont Blanc area, take a look at the video (only available in French).
